Tourism and rest

You may feel yourself in the territory of Azerbaijan as you are in different countries of the world. Sea subtropics of Lankaran, alpine meadows of the woody mountains of Garabag, Sheki, Zagatala and Gakh, spacious steppes of Mil and Shirvan, fragrant fruit gardens of Shamakhi and Ordubad, foothills of Guba and Gusar rich in medicinal herbs - all of this is Azerbaijan.

Rest in the mountains

There are many sights to be impressed with in Gusar, stretched out in the northeastern part of Azerbaijan, high above the sea level. A unique combination of the rivers, lakes and forests gives the special coloring to this place. "Gara Bulag" Holiday, Sport and Health Center located on the bank of Gusarchay River is of big popularity among the rest seekers. You may enjoy the beauty of nature moving off the burning summer hot of the capital. The offered list of the meals will allow esteeming the taste and quality of Azeri kitchen at its truest. Resort consists of thirty cottages decorated in the middle age style located in the hearts of the forest, which will undoubtedly fill your rest in the wild nature with new sensations. The rendered services are as follows: horse riding, fishing, boat sailing in Mirror Pond will not render any tourist indifferent.

"Inam Garabulag" sanatorium with the unique medicinal mud and water, this hydro clinic is located in the territory of Resort. You may have rest here, as well as improve the state of health.

Another one resort - "Suvar" is at the foot of Shahdag Mountains surrounded with the mountains at the height of 1750 meters above the sea level. Boundless scope opening beyond its bounds impress with its magnificence - alpine meadows, fantastic canyons, springs and a cascade waterfall - all of this will remain in the memories of all those who visit this place even once. Townsmen may find everything here, fresh mountains air that has beneficial influence on the health; silence allowing hearing yourself.

Sea and warmth

There is a marvelous land in Azerbaijan - land of seawater, clean blue sky and soft south sun - Absheron. The summer is full with sunny days, average temperature of the air in July varies from +30C to +33C. Large group of resorts with sandy beaches at the total length of up to 100 km has formed in Absheron peninsula. Resorts of Novkhani, Bilgah, Pirshaga, Zagulba are in the northern part; Buzovna, Shuvalan, Mardakan - in the northeastern part; Sahil, Hovsan - in the southern part of the peninsula. Beach season lasts from the mid of May to the mid of September.

There are the favorite places of the capital citizens and guests, paradise for the bronze suntan fanatics and swimmers-amateurs. Soft and mild sand in compliance with astonishing warm and soft sea, wide range of the water entertainment attract more and more tourists each year. There is no more joy for children than splashing in the shoal, frisk in Aqua Park-2 (Novkhani).

The majority of the townsmen prefer resting in the seaside. The sun is shining whole summer; there are sanatoriums, pensions, and hotels along the coast. All the conveniences are provided in them: conditioner, fridge, satellite television, international communication, and internet access. Deluxe beach zone, field pools, saunas, children pools with the water slides, sunshades and chaise lounges, baths, bars, restaurants are for the visitors'use. Rescue services and ambulance here as well.

International tourist center "Gandjlik" with "Oasis" hotel is situated at the high shore of the Caspian Sea. You will be delighted with the compliance of the silence and the surf. All rooms have the balconies with the sea view. Telephones: 53 10 14, 53 14 40, (50) 210 21 48.

"Neptune" center in the settlement of Novkhani with the cottages and camps, comfortable rooms. Telephones: (50) 221 17 47, 336 39 45.

"Amburan" center with the deluxe beach zone and automobile parking. Tourists may use the services of cafe-karaoke, restaurant with the entertainment program. Telephone: 53 60 82.

There are many wonderful beaches in Azerbaijan besides those located in the Absheron. There are many beaches in the region that unite forest and sea, deciduous forest tracts of plenty and sandy beaches. This is Nabran. It will give pleasure with the combination of the forests and seaside. This resort zone is situated in one of the picturesque nooks of the northern part of Azerbaijan on the coast of the Caspian Sea. Air temperature in Nabran in summer month is nearly +30C, water temperature - nearly +26C. You may have a swim here during the whole season, i.e. from May until October. Fruits and vegetables are growing here in abundance; fishing amateurs might try their luck with the fishing rods in their hands.

There are many modern tourist centers all around the northern coast, which will make your rest comfortable at most. Numerous boarding houses, tourist centers, resorts ready to receive and render completely complex of the services to all the campers are built here. Such resorts as "Palma", "Malibu", "Caspian", "Lotos", "Orman", "Elvin" etc. Are amongst them. One of them is "Sahil" tourist center. Magnificence of the forest springs and waterfalls, favorable combination of the spring with the hydrogen-sulphidous water will promote to the rehabilitation of the vigor. When the bright sun will be setting to the horizon with red reflected light, you will spend a wonderful evening in one of the coastal tourist centers. The children will also have a lot of joy here: they have specially arranged collection of children's games. By the way, there is an opportunity to visit real Russian bathhouse.

Along with the beaches in Azerbaijan, it is possible to have a rest and improve the state of health in the mountains, where the nature is magnificent and the air fresh. Variety of colors is raging in the picturesque mountainsides in spring and summer. Marvelous alpine meadows, clear sources from the rocks, what can be better and more beautiful than the creation of Mother nature. There are modern tourist centers, resorts, and mountain-sportive camps in the most beautiful nooks of the mountainside. "Suvar" and "Gara Bulag" in Gusar district, "Fortune" in Shamakhi district, "Uzun Mesha" in Guba district, "Marhal" in Sheki district, "Sahil" in Gabala district etc. function there. The guests are always welcomed. All the conveniences are provided in the cozy and comfortable cottages, even satellite television. The tourists are offered sauna, sportive games gyms, billiard. The campers may enjoy riding, as well as hunting and fishing might be arranged. Dancing area, bar and a variety of the restaurant meals are a wonderful supplement to your rest. Boundless scopes opening at a distance impress with their magnificence - alpine meadows, fantastic canyons, springs, waterfalls, sunrise and sunset of wonderful beauty. However, the most important is the mountains! They ravish with the grandeur, surprise with the specification. Mountain rest enthusiasts may apply for qualified guides' services and may hike to the mountains spending night there. You may visit unique monuments of the ancient history and architecture, waterfalls and herbal springs.

Fantastic land, where the pine-trees are adjoined with the palms, ice of the mountain rivers dissolve in hot Caspian and lemons grow in the streets, where the millennial Tailsh forests covered the mountains with the green chestnuts, where the cold of spring causes an ache in the teeth in the hottest period and fountains of hot sources gush in the severe cold. Another Azeri resort, a land of magnificent beauty, is in the southeastern part of the country, in the subtropics. This is Talish - coolness of the mountains and sandy beaches, exotic nature and crystal air. You may have a rest here in the tourist centers "Dashtvand, Rasim" built in the mot picturesque nooks. Walks to Yardimli waterfall, herbal springs "IstiSu" will be very interesting and health giving. You may enjoy the walks among the boats and fishing, have a rest in the beautiful gardens, relax in saunas. You may see the rare species of birds (eagles, pheasants, peacocks, sultan-bird etc.), relic trees, including lignum vitae sinking in the water.

Ecologic tourism

Mountaineers are offered 39 routes to the ever covered snowy peaks of Azerbaijan in the period from June to October: Bazarduzu (4466 meters), Shahdag (4243 meters), Tuphan (4191 meters), Bazaryurd (4123 meters) etc. Routers are rocky and snowy-icy of different levels of severities. In winter,from December to February, thrill seekers are offered ice climbing on the ice mountain waterfalls. The height of the waterfalls is up to 50 meters.

Individual and 10-person group excursions of various distance and severity at the duration of 3-12 days in the narrow, deep canyon of the mountain river Garachay overcoming a number of the waterfalls, difficult access regions, where nature hasn't been touched by human are organized. It is offered to go on foot or on horse, climb to the peaks of Ragdan and Charindag (4000 meters), Shahdag, abseil to the hydrogen-sulphidous sources of Gamarwan, watch the rare species of the animals and birds.

Nature rest, walking enthusiasts are offered the routes to the mountain-forest zone visiting the waterfalls of magnificent beauty, ancient fortresses of Alban period, swimming in the stone bath with hot hydrogen-sulphide waters. It will be possible to view the mountain goats (Caucasian goat), Caucasian ular, and a big colony of the white-haired vultures, huge birds of prey living in the plumb rocks. Professional guides from the mountain-sportive club of the city of Baku will meet, equip and go with you. You may contact them at the following telephones: (994 12) 38 95 98, (994 50) 327 33 31, Fax: (994 12) 93 93 65.
E-mail: mountain-sc@mail.ru

Eco-tourist routes to the northeastern and southwestern mountainsides and passes of the Main Caucasian mountain ridge are worked out for all those who want to see the highly colored mosaic of the natural landscape and grand creations of the nature, unusual rock formations, canyons and fantastic views and those who dream of interesting, cognitive and romantic traveling.

They pass through the unique natural and historical monuments of Azerbaijan: famous fortress Chirag-gala, gorge of Khashichay River with hot herbal springs, Utugchay Gorge, Jimin hot mineral springs, age-old Caucasian road from Europe to Asia, Khaltan pass, Shirvanshah fortress "Gala bugurt", ancient settlement of Lagich famous for different kinds of skills, Girdmanchay Gorge, age-old fortress of Alban governor Javanshir. Then, the travelers climb through the mountain plateau of Shahyaydag and Shahnabat to the snowy peaks pf Shahdag and Alpine passes, settlements keeping the middle age style of life and their language (Khinalig, Kaleyhudat, Budug, Gapit). The travelers will cross the Mountain Rivers on foot or riding horse and will climb to the holy mountain of Babadag - pilgrimage place. Overcoming the pass, they will go down to the picturesque valleys of the western sides of Caucasus that still have ancient settlement and the national trades are still developed. Masters may make various souvenirs, dishes, and objects of the national trade in the travelers' presence. Local talents will demonstrate their skills in the performance of the songs, dances and playing the ancient national instruments.

NGO "Piligrim" will help you to become familiar with the ancient culture of Azerbaijan, its unique nature and get the most delightful impressions on the traveling. Tel: (994 12) 40 58 19, (994 50) 343 45 89.
E-mail: piligrim@bakinter.net;
http://piligrim.Aznet.org
http://www.azerweb.com/piligrim/