This tour combines two of Azerbaijan’s most striking yet completely different landscapes in a single unforgettable day. In the morning, you’ll marvel at the surreal beauty of the Candy Cane Mountains in Xızı, where vivid red, pink, and white stripes ripple across ancient hills formed over 250 million years ago. It’s a geological wonder found in only a handful of places on Earth.
From there, we ascend into the Greater Caucasus to reach Shahdag Resort, a year-round mountain escape. Whether blanketed in winter snow or bursting with summer greenery, Shahdag offers breathtaking panoramic views and a range of outdoor activities—from skiing and snowboarding to hiking, horseback riding, and zip-lining.
The contrast between the painted desert hills of Xızı and the alpine majesty of Shahdag in a single journey makes this experience truly one-of-a-kind. It’s not just a tour—it’s two completely different worlds in one adventure.
As this is a private tour, we pick up all travelers from the hotel/accommodation where they stay.
We pick up all guests from their hotel or accommodation
After picking you up, we’ll drive north along the Caspian coast and into the semi-desert landscapes of the Xızı region, home to the breathtaking Candy Cane Mountains. These striking hills get their name from the vivid red, pink, and white stripes that ripple across their slopes, resembling layers of a giant candy cane. The colorful bands are formed by layers of mineral-rich rock and clay, shaped over millions of years by wind, rain, and tectonic forces. Some layers date back more than 250 million years, making this one of the oldest exposed geological formations in the region. We’ll stop at panoramic viewpoints where the sweeping striped hills stretch into the horizon, creating a surreal, painterly landscape perfect for photography. Walking along the foothills, you’ll see the colors change with the shifting sunlight—a natural masterpiece unlike anywhere else in Azerbaijan.
As a next stop, we head north towards the Greater Caucasus Mountains, where the road winds through picturesque valleys and highland villages before reaching Shahdag — Azerbaijan’s first and largest mountain resort. Located at an altitude of around 2,350 meters, Shahdag offers breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks in winter and lush alpine meadows in summer. Covering thousands of hectares, the resort boasts modern ski slopes of varying difficulty, stretching for several kilometers, and is equipped with high-speed chairlifts and gondolas to carry you effortlessly to the mountaintops. In the summer months, Shahdag transforms into an adventure paradise, with activities like hiking, mountain biking, zip-lining, and horseback riding. In winter, its perfectly groomed slopes and world-class ski facilities make it the ultimate destination for both beginners and seasoned skiers. You will have free time to enjoy different activities, such as Cable Car, Roller Coaster, Zip Line & etc. there.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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