Azerbaijan Adventure, Azerbaijan
Overview
Reviews
“Favourite Memory - Arriving at our final camp on the hill opposite the village as the cows were leaving to go home. We found a level site despite having to move several stones & cow pats! The boys rode over to the village & came back in the dark with beer and crisps. We celebrated everyone making it safely over the mountains. Audrey made an amazing spaghetti dish smothered in the remaining cheese, which we ate piping hot in the freezing cold under the stars and moon before snuggling into our sleeping bags”
Horses
Type of horses:
Caucasian mountain horses
Nature of horses:
Even tempered, calm and tough with great balance. Skillful and smart they know how to conserve their own energy and how to traverse the steep mountains safely.
Height of horses:
c. 14 hh
Weight limit:
100kg / 220 lbs
Tack type:
Local mountain tack which is very basic
Travel Advice
Please ensure you read the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice before you travel.
Ride Description
The Greater Caucasus Mountains stretch from Sochi in Russia to Baku in Azerbaijan, passing through northern Georgia along their length. The wildest country within the Caucasus chain can be found in Azerbaijan - the history of the country meant that focus was directed towards the oil business and so outdoor sports and tourism have remained relatively underdeveloped.
This adventurous ride has been devised by our guide in neighbouring Georgia, Audrey, who has a vast knowledge of the Caucasus mountains and their people. You will be accompanied throughout by local Lezgian people who know the incredible national park by heart and will escort you to the village of Lahic which has been settled by Tat people who originally came from neighbouring southern Iran.
Mountain horses are the only form of transportation in this area - not just for people but also for carrying materials such as wood and stone. You will pass through untouched forests and across wild rivers, over high passes and riding along crests and plateaus. Each day your route is chosen in accordance with the local weather conditions, available paths and snow coverage. This is a true, unmapped adventure and each day will be different from the last.
Overall, it is not a particularly fast ride as all your progress will be somewhat encumbered by the need to transport all your belongings with you. However, the focus is on exploring this region that few people will have a chance to discover. Be prepared to go without your mobile phone for a few days and take a step back in time. As the ride is still in its exploratory stages, there is still a chance that things may not go to plan, so you should be happy to take each day as it comes.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
For the majority of the trail you will be camping in two-man tents and will need to bring your own sleeping bags and mattresses. This is remote, wild camping with no facilities although there's often a nearby river for washing.
There is one night in a family home in Lahic where you have beds but facilities are shared.
Four nights are spent in four star hotels in Baku and Tbilisi.
There is also one night on a night train from Baku to Tbilisi.
On the trail all your belongings and provisions are carried on pack horses and so you will eat what's easy to find and carry. There are plenty of vegetables, fruit and cheese, so vegetarians can be accommodated but any other special diets would have to bring their own substitutes.
When in Tbilisi and Baku you will dine in local restaurants and get the chance to try out local dishes. Dinners on the first and last night are to your own account so you can choose what you wish.
Activities
This is a riding trip and not suitable for non-riders - even your belongings are carried on horseback.
There are some sightseeing days included at both the start (Baku) and end (Tbilisi).
Further Details
Languages: English, French
Health requirements: You must be fit and healthy, prepared for long hours and happy to dismount and walk for long periods too. You will be riding in a very remote area and will have days with no phone signal, so riders with health conditions should consult their doctor before considering taking part in this trip.
Age limit: Due to the rustic nature of this trail, it is not suitable for children to take part. However adventurous teenagers, who are used to camping trails, can be accommodated.
Tuition: No
Included: Accommodation, most meals, riding, night train from Baku to Tbilisi
Not included: Flights, insurance, visa (20 USD), lunch/dinner on first and last days, drinks in restaurants
Travel Information
For the standard itinerary, you will arrive at Baku airport in Azerbaijan but depart from Tbilisi airport in Georgia.
Airport: Baku
Alternative Airport: Tbilisi
Programme
Azerbaijan Adventure
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This unique horseback trail through Azerbaijan offers a mix of nature and culture as you ride through the green mountains before discovering the volcanic deserts, and see the contrast between the ancient heritage with the modern buildings and former oil lands. Please note that the riding itinerary is flexible and will depend on local conditions and weather. High passes are spectacular in good weather but in poor weather you will have to take lower, safer routes. You need to be prepared to 'go with the flow' on this exciting new ride. Day One: Arrival Today is an arrival day only, with airport transfers possible from early afternoon until midnight. If you arrive early then you can explore the city of Baku a little. Accommodation is provided in a hotel in the centre of Baku, but meals are to your own account. Day Two: Baku Meet at 8am and set off to discover the medieval heart of Baku with your guide. Walk through the double arches of the Fortress Wall which was constructed by King Manoucher II in the 12th century. The wall encircles the most ancient part of the city, called Ichari Shahar (Inner City) and preserves a medieval Orietnal citadel which has been reconstructed. You can also visit the Royal Palace of Shirvan-Shahs-Kings from the 15th century; the Gasim public bath house from the 17th century and the ismayiliye Palace which was built in venetian gothic style by the oil baron Agha Musa Naghiyev in the late 19th century. Have dinner together in a restaurant before a second night in your hotel. Day Three: Baku - Istisu or Lahic Today's route will depend on local conditions. You either transfer to the Lesguins village of Istisu where you board an old soviet truck to transfer out to the first camp, or you transfer to the Tat village of Lahic and overnight with local people in a guesthouse. Either way, you will be preparing for the start of your riding adventure tomorrow. Day Four: Istisu/Lahic - Camp 1 Set out early for a long and beautiful day on horseback. Ride up through the valley to a crest where you'll spend a few hours admiring the open panorama towards Babadag - the highest mountain in Azerbaijan. After this pass you ride downhill to Camp 1 which is located deep in the valley - an amazing setting. Dinner and overnight in camp. Day Five: Camp 1 - Camp 2 Set off riding through forest and into a large and long valley, following the river as it passes through the forests. Camp 2 is isolated in the midst of a nature reserve and national park hidden in the mountains. Dinner and overnight in camp. Day Six, Seven and Eight: Camp 2 - Xinalig For the next three days you will ride from this camp towards the Qetish village of Xinalig, but your route won't be decided until you are there, depending on weather conditions. You will ride over passes of more than 3,000m and may pass beautiful lakes on high plateaus (on some routes). Each night you will set up your tents but there is no large mess tent until you reach Xinalig on the third night. Days Nine and Ten: Xinalig - Chakhdag - Xinalig Ride in the direction of Shakhdag, an impressive summit which offers an outstanding view of the surrounding area. You will reach the southern slopes of the Caucasus mountains - Azerbaijan is the only country in the Caucasus chain where you can cross from the northern to southern slopes without leaving the country. Final camping nights. Day Eleven: Xinalig - Baku You are transferred back to Baku by vehicle, arriving by mid afternoon. Take a stroll through the city or visit the Alyiev foundation before dinner in a restaurant. Overnight in a hotel. Day Twelve: Baku - Qobustan - Apsheron Peninsula - Baku Transfer out to Qobustan which is rich in archaeological monuments, with more than 6,000 rock engravings. The site was also a cave city built in the middle of ravines in the desert. Most of the rock engravings depict primitive men, animals, warriors with lances, caravans of camels and the sun/stars. Have a picnic lunch and transfer back to Baku to visit the Absheron Peninsula. Drive to the old petroleum industry plants which contrast against the pure mountains and visit the Ateshgah temple of fire in Surakhany village. Zoroastrians travel thousands of kilometres to worship where fire comes out of the earth - the Yanardag mountains has natural gas which has been burning for several thousands of years. An early dinner tonight as you will be boarding the soviet night train to Tbilisi which departs Baku at 9pm. NB> It is possible to depart this day from Baku if you prefer - taking your own taxi to the airport. Day Thirteen: Tbilisi You'll arrive into Tbilisi around 10:45am and can drop your belongings at the hotel before setting off to explore the city. Visit the old centre with it's history and architecture which is very different to Baku - your guide will help you to appreciate the similarities and differences. Final dinner together in a restaurant before overnighting in your hotel. Day Fourteen: Departure You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home. |
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| Minimum group size: | 5 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | You should be an intermediate rider who is balanced in the saddle and has some previous experience of riding in the mountains. You carry your belongings with you, so this is not a fast ride. |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 13 nights/ 6 days riding |
| Departure dates: | 2019: 5-18 September (1 space available). |
| Pricing: |
2019: 5 riders in group: £2636 per person 6-8 riders in group: £2571 per person Single accommodation is not possible throughout the ride and you must be prepared to share. It is possible to request single rooms for the hotel nights in Tbilisi and Baku for £52 per night (four nights). Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience. |