Day hike to the Chirag Gala “lamp” castle in Azerbaijan, near Baku

Join our guide and enjoy a day hike to the ancient Chirag Gala fortress, on the top of a mountain, starting from Baku.

Private

1 Day

All year

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Discover the remains of an ancient fortress dating back to the 5th century
Enjoy a great day hike in a beautiful natural environment
Disconnect from the stress of everyday's life and reconnect with nature!

Description

This day hike takes you to discover Chirag Gala, a ruined ancient fortress overlooking the Caspian coastal plains north of Baku in Azerbaijan. Chirag Gala, which means “lamp castle” in Azerbaijani, is located on the top of a mountain, in the Guba Forest.

The castle, located at over 1200 meters of altitude, was constructed by the Sassanid Persians in the 5th century and it was used as a defense of the khanate of Quba in the 18th century. Chirag Gala was used as a communication tower, to give alert of an enemy threat by using lighting signal fires, that could be ween from other towers.

Today the Chirag Gala is a historic site and it is frequently visited by tourists. Because of the large rocks and rough road to the top of the mountain, the Chirag Gala is almost impossible to reach with any vehicle. Most tourists and people get to the top of the mountain on foot, a hike suitable to everyone with a good fitness level. The hike covers a total of 5 kilometers.

We will departure from Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital city, at 9am and be back at about 8pm. You can check the detailed itinerary below. Along this hike I will show you many authentic and scenic places in the area. This is a great opportunity to connect with history and a beautiful natural environment in Azerbaijan.

If you want to visit this ancient castle, just contact us and book your place! Join us and enjoy a great day hike in Azerbaijan.

Price includes

Guiding fee
Personal insurance
Transportation start and back

Price details

Food is not included in the price

Itinerary

Day 1: HIking to Chirag Gala castle

09:00 – Departure from Baku 11:00 – Hiking to the castle 12:30 – Exploring the castle 13:00 – Heading back to the village 17:00 – Leaving for Baku 20:00 – Arrival in Baku

Equipment you will need to bring

Water bottle

Backpack

Poles

Sunglasses

comfortable hiking shoes, clothes, phone charger, Medicine(e.g headache tablets)

FAQs

What is the duration of the day hike to Chirag Gala fortress?

The day hike to Chirag Gala fortress is a 1-day excursion.

What type of trip is this?

This is a private day hike trip.

What mountain ranges does the trip cover?

The trip covers the Caucasus mountain range.

When is the trip available?

The trip is available all year round, offering flexibility for travelers to choose the timing that suits them best.

What is the fitness level required for this trip?

The fitness level required for this trip is described as "Occasional."

What is the skill level required for participants?

Participants are described as "Beginner," indicating that no prior hiking experience is necessary.

What are the accepted payment methods for booking the trip?

Payment methods include Credit Card, Wire Transfer, and more.

What are the main highlights of the trip?

The trip offers the opportunity to discover the remains of an ancient fortress dating back to the 5th century, enjoy a great day hike in a beautiful natural environment, and disconnect from the stress of everyday life.

What does the trip price include?

The trip price includes guiding fees and transportation to and from the starting point of the hike.

Can food be included in the trip package?

Food is not included in the trip price, but it can be included for an additional fee.

What equipment do participants need to bring for the hike?

Participants are advised to bring comfortable hiking shoes, appropriate clothing, a phone charger, and any necessary medication such as headache tablets.

About the guide

Elvin

4.8

(9)

Hiking Guide

My name is Elvin Sadikhov, I am a member of the Azerbaijan Mountanairing Association and the Azerbaijan National Mountain Guide Association. I have a diploma and a certificate as an alpine guide and I am an author of the standard on marking trails in Azerbaijan. I research, make projects and mark trails. From time to time, I try to develop this section in our country.
Since 2010 I guide trekking and hiking tours to the Magnificient Caucasus Mountains, as well as cultural tours in all regions of Azerbaijan.

I will be your host and guide in my country with great pleasure, which is located in South Caucasus on the crossroad of Europe and Asia and filled with snowy mountains, alpine meadows and unique forests.

Languages

English |

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What people are saying about Elvin

Brendan

Elvin is a very nice chap. Very good at replying to your queries. Was very helpful.

Elvin was friendly and competent. He organised an excellent trip and was helpful throughout. His relationships with the people of the mountain villages was excellent and we were cared for to the highest standards. I have no hesitation in recommending Elvin as a guide.

Our hiking trip to Azerbaijan was wonderful! The landscapes were stunning. A big part of what made the trip special was our guide Elvin. He was knowledgeable about the area and its history, and introduced us to local families in each of the villages we stayed in. The trip was very well organised and Elvin was very adaptable! One day it rained heavily and he was able to shorten our hike so we didn’t have to be out in the bad weather for too long. Highly recommend for anyone looking to experience an adventure in Azerbaijan!

We had a very beautiful trip in great mountains and fascinating mountain villages. The local families hosted us generously and the whole adventure was exiting and uniqe. We had a great time!

Meital

Elvin was prophetical, very kind and responsive. He took us safely to the most beautiful places and tried to address all our special requests. We were 5 back packers. We enjoyed the tour very much.