Gobustan

Tour

A one-day Gobustan tour package typically includes visits to the following attractions:

  • Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape: This UNESCO World Heritage site features over 6,000 rock engravings dating back as far as 40,000 years. The petroglyphs depict scenes of hunting, fishing, rituals, and daily life of ancient people who inhabited the area. You can see images of animals like aurochs, horses, and deer, as well as boats, and human figures engaged in various activities. The site also has a museum that provides context and further information about the rock art.
  • Gobustan Mud Volcanoes: Azerbaijan is home to the highest number of mud volcanoes in the world, with a significant concentration in the Gobustan area. These geological formations erupt with cold, grey mud, creating a unique and sometimes bizarre landscape. Some tours offer a ride in a Soviet-era Lada car to reach the mud volcanoes, adding to the adventure.
  • Bibiheybat Mosque: Often included in Gobustan day tours, this historical mosque is an important religious site for Muslims in Azerbaijan. It was destroyed by the Bolsheviks in the 1930s and later rebuilt.
  • Ateshgah Fire Temple: This Zoroastrian temple, located on the Absheron Peninsula, is another common stop on Gobustan tours. It showcases the historical significance of fire worship in the region, with a central courtyard featuring a natural gas-fueled flame. The temple also has exhibits about its history and the Zoroastrian faith. Please note that some tours might charge an extra fee for the entrance ticket to Ateshgah.
  • Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain): This natural gas fire continuously burns on a hillside on the Absheron Peninsula. It’s a striking sight, especially in the evening, and is often included as the last stop on a Gobustan day tour. Please note that some tours might charge an extra fee for the entrance ticket to Yanar Dag.

What’s typically included in a 1-day Gobustan tour package:

  • Transportation in a comfortable vehicle (car, van, or sometimes a Soviet SUV for the mud volcanoes).
  • Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel or a designated meeting point in Baku.
  • An English-speaking tour guide who will provide information about the sites.
  • Sometimes, a bottle of water per person.

What’s usually not included:

  • Entrance fees to the Gobustan National Park, Mud Volcanoes (sometimes), Ateshgah Fire Temple, and Yanar Dag (unless specified in the tour details). You should budget around 15 USD for these entrance tickets in total, but this can vary.
  • Lunch and other meals.
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs.

Duration:

A full-day Gobustan tour typically lasts between 8 to 10 hours, including driving time between the sites. Approximately 5 to 6 hours are spent sightseeing, and 3 to 4 hours are for transportation. Half-day tours focusing only on Gobustan Rock Art and Mud Volcanoes are also available, lasting around 4-5 hours.

Pricing:

The price of a 1-day Gobustan tour package can vary depending on the group size (private or shared), the inclusions, and the tour operator. Shared tours can start from around $17 per person, while private tours will generally be more expensive, starting from around $49 or more. Some all-inclusive tours with entrance fees and lunch included can cost upwards of $69 per person.

Important Considerations:

  • The road to the mud volcanoes can be in poor condition, so transportation might switch to a more suitable vehicle like a Soviet SUV.
  • During rainy days, visiting the mud volcanoes might be skipped due to accessibility issues.
  • If you plan to visit the Bibiheybat Mosque, ladies should be prepared to cover their hair as a sign of respect.

When booking a Gobustan tour, it’s recommended to carefully check the inclusions and exclusions to ensure the package meets your needs and budget. You can find various tour operators offering these packages online through platforms like GetYourGuide, Viator, and local Baku tour companies.

Plan Gobustan Tour 1 day Package

Theme: Journey through Azerbaijan’s ancient past and unique natural wonders.

Duration: Approximately 8-10 hours (starting around 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM).

Itinerary:

  1. Departure from Baku (9:00 AM – 10:00 AM):
    • Pick-up from your hotel or a designated meeting point in Baku. Ensure the tour operator confirms the exact pick-up time and location the day before.
    • Transportation will be in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle (car or minivan). Some tours might use a Soviet-era Lada for the mud volcano section, especially for private tours.
  2. Bibiheybat Mosque (Approx. 30-40 minutes):
    • The first stop is typically the Bibiheybat Mosque, located south of Baku.
    • This is a significant historical and religious site. You can explore the mosque’s architecture and learn about its history.
    • Visiting Guidelines: The mosque is open to visitors, and entrance is free. As it is a religious site, women should be prepared to cover their hair respectfully. The mosque is generally open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily.
  3. Drive to Gobustan (Approx. 30-40 minutes):
    • Enjoy the scenic drive towards the Gobustan area.
  4. Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape (Approx. 1.5 – 2 hours):
    • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site.
    • Explore the open-air museum with thousands of ancient petroglyphs depicting various aspects of prehistoric life.
    • Visit the modern and informative Gobustan Museum to gain context and deeper insights into the rock art. The museum typically takes about 1 hour to explore.
    • Opening Hours: The Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape is open daily: Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
    • Entrance Fee: Expect to pay an entrance fee, usually around 9 AZN (approximately 5 USD) for foreign citizens.
  5. Gobustan Mud Volcanoes (Approx. 1 – 1.5 hours):
    • Travel to the area of the mud volcanoes. The journey to the volcanoes themselves can involve a bumpy ride, and some tours might switch to 4×4 vehicles for better access.
    • Witness the unique geological phenomenon of cold mud volcanoes erupting. You’ll have the opportunity to walk around and observe these fascinating formations.
    • Accessibility: While the main road to Gobustan is accessible, reaching the mud volcanoes often involves off-road driving. During rainy conditions, access might be limited or skipped. Some tours might charge an extra fee (around 5 AZN per person) for an off-road vehicle to reach the volcanoes. The Mud Volcanoes Tourism Complex is generally open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
  6. Lunch (Approx. 1 hour):
    • Most tours will include a stop at a local restaurant for lunch. This is usually at your own expense and offers a chance to try Azerbaijani cuisine. Some all-inclusive tours might provide lunch.
  7. Ateshgah Fire Temple (Approx. 1 hour):
    • Drive back towards Baku and visit the Ateshgah Fire Temple on the Absheron Peninsula.
    • Explore this historical Zoroastrian temple with its central eternal flame, fueled by natural gas. Learn about its history and significance.
    • Entrance Fee: The entrance fee for foreign citizens is typically 9 AZN (approximately 5 USD). You can also purchase a combined ticket for Ateshgah and Yanar Dag for 15 AZN (approximately 9 USD).
  8. Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain) (Approx. 45 minutes – 1 hour):
    • The final stop is usually Yanar Dag, another natural gas fire burning continuously on a hillside. It’s particularly impressive in the late afternoon or early evening.
    • Observe this unique natural phenomenon.
    • Entrance Fee: The entrance fee for Yanar Dag is usually 9 AZN (approximately 5 USD).
  9. Return to Baku (Approx. 30-40 minutes):
    • Drive back to Baku and drop-off at your hotel or the agreed-upon location.

Estimated Entrance Fees (per person, to be budgeted separately unless your tour is all-inclusive):

  • Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape: 9 AZN
  • Mud Volcanoes (off-road vehicle, if applicable): ~25AZN
  • Ateshgah Fire Temple: 9 AZN (or 15 AZN combined with Yanar Dag)
  • Yanar Dag: 9 AZN (or included in the 15 AZN combined ticket

Transportation Options (included in most tour packages):

  • Organized Tour: The most convenient option, providing transportation in a car, van, or sometimes a specialized vehicle for the mud volcanoes, along with a guide.
  • Taxi: You could hire a private taxi for the day, but this would likely be more expensive than a tour package and require you to manage the itinerary and entrance fees yourself. A taxi from Baku to the Gobustan mud volcanoes area can cost around 26-31 USD one way.
  • Public Transport: While it’s possible to reach Gobustan by public bus (from Baku “Bina” Market to Kotal/Qobustan), this option is less convenient for visiting all the sites in a single day and would require additional taxis or local transport to reach the mud volcanoes, Ateshgah, and Yanar Dag.

Booking a Tour:

  • Confirm the pick-up details and the language of the tour guide.