.jpg)
.jpg)
BAKU · TBILISI · DAGESTAN
Baku, Tbilisi & Dagestan Tour – 9 Days / 8 Nights
From $2,590 per person
- Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
- Stay: 8 nights · hotels confirmed at booking
- Flights: Route details confirmed with your booking
- Meals: Listed meals: 3 dinners + 1 breakfast
- Group: Private itinerary
- Guide: Guide: English, Turkish
- Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 15 days
Tour Overview
9-Day Private Baku, Tbilisi and Dagestan Tour: Narikala & Gamsutl
This 9-day, 8-night Baku, Tbilisi and Dagestan tour is a private itinerary that starts at Baku Airport and ends at Makhachkala Airport. Days one to three cover Baku and Tbilisi, with the overland journey from Azerbaijan to Georgia in between, before the route moves on to Dagestan for the remaining six days. Details confirmed with your booking.
In Baku you see the Flame Towers, the Old City (Icherisheher), and the Heydar Aliyev Center; in Tbilisi, the Old Town streets, Narikala Fortress and the sulfur baths. Dagestan has Sulak Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in Europe, a speed-boat ride on the Sulak River, the Sarykum sand dune, Gunib and a trek to the abandoned village of Gamsutl. In Derbent you visit Naryn-Kala Fortress (UNESCO) the Juma Mosque and the Cold War-era Lun ekranoplan.
It suits couples and small groups who want three Caucasus destinations with a private vehicle and guide. The package includes hotels confirmed with your booking (or similar), transfers, a guide and visa support documents where required; entrance fees are not listed as included. For a shorter trip, see our Baku and Tbilisi tour or the Caucasus and Russia tour packages.
Highlights
- Baku Flame Towers and Old City
- Tbilisi Old Town and Narikala Fortress
- Sulak Canyon speed-boat ride
- Sarykum sand dune climb
- Trek to Gamsutl ghost village
- Derbent’s Naryn-Kala and Lun ekranoplan
Quick facts
- Best time to visit: May–September, when Dagestan’s mountain trails are open.
- Dagestan is conservative: wear modest clothing in villages and mosques.
- Visa requirements depend on your nationality; we provide the invitation / support documents where required.
- First trip abroad? Read our first-time travel abroad guide.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
-
Day 1Arrival in Baku, Flame Towers & City Tour
At Baku Airport you are met and taken by private vehicle to your hotel. After check-in, set out on a first city tour that highlights the Flame Towers, three glass-covered skyscrapers shaped like tongues of fire that dominate the Caspian skyline and shine brightest after dark. Your guide then leads you along the seafront boulevard so that you get a feel for Azerbaijan’s capital before tomorrow’s longer day. Dinner and the rest of the evening are free. Plenty of time is left to settle into your room after the journey.
Overnight: Baku — hotel confirmed with your booking (or similar)Transport: Private airport transfer (~30 min) and city driveTour: Private (vehicle + guide)Entrances: none -
Day 2Baku Old City, Heydar Aliyev Center & Overland to Tbilisi
Begin in Icherisheher, the walled Old City of Baku, then visit the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, whose flowing white curves were designed by Zaha Hadid. A last walk along the modern Caspian boulevard closes the Baku chapter. You then travel overland from Azerbaijan to Georgia and check in at your hotel in Tbilisi for the night; the crossing method is confirmed with your booking. The evening is kept free. An early start helps the day run smoothly.
Overnight: Tbilisi — hotel confirmed with your booking (or similar)Transport: Overland transfer from Azerbaijan to Georgia; the crossing method is confirmed with your booking.Tour: Private (vehicle + guide)Entrances: payable on-site -
Day 3Tbilisi Old Town, Narikala Fortress & Sulfur Baths
Spend the day in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, with your guide and private vehicle; entrance fees are paid on site. Wander the narrow streets of the Old Town, then climb to Narikala Fortress, the ancient citadel above the city and the river. Close by, the sulfur baths with their domed brick roofs recall the natural hot springs from which the city takes its name. Dinner by the river ends the Georgian part of the journey, and your guide sets the pace so that every stop leaves time for photos and a short break. Details confirmed with your booking.
Meals: DinnerOvernight: Details confirmed with your booking.Transport: Details confirmed with your booking.Tour: Private (vehicle + guide)Entrances: payable on-site -
Day 4Sulak Canyon by Speed Boat
Dagestan begins with the Sulak Canyon, a deep gorge in the foothills that counts among the deepest in Europe. After a look from the rim, you go down to the river for a fast speed-boat ride across the turquoise water, with cliff walls rising on both sides; the speed-boat ride is included in the package. The afternoon is spent at the viewpoints and on the shore before you check in at an authentic mountain guest house built in the Caucasian style, or at a boutique hotel.
Overnight: Dagestan — mountain guest house or boutique hotelTransport: Private vehicleTour: Private (vehicle + guide)Entrances: speed-boat ride included -
Day 5Sarykum Dune Climb
Sarykum, a single enormous sand dune, is Dagestan’s desert surprise and ranks among the largest dunes in Eurasia. Climb the slope step by step; at the top you are rewarded with a wide outlook over sand and countryside and a perfect spot for a photo session against the desert backdrop. Take water and a scarf for the wind-blown sand. Later you return to your mountain guest house or boutique hotel for another quiet night in the region.
Overnight: Dagestan — mountain guest house or boutique hotelTransport: Private vehicleTour: Private (vehicle + guide)Entrances: none -
Day 6Road to Gunib & Chokh Village
Today the road climbs through the mountains to Gunib, once a legendary stronghold of the highlands and now a small fortress town ringed by plateau and deep valleys. After its lookouts you continue to Chokh, a historic village whose centuries-old stone architecture still shows the traditional Caucasian way of building. Your guide explains how people lived here, and you are free to wander the lanes before the evening halt in the highlands. Along the way your guide also shares the history and customs of the region.
Overnight: Gunib area — mountain guest house or boutique hotelTransport: Private vehicleTour: Private (vehicle + guide)Entrances: none -
Day 7Gamsutl Ghost Village & Mountain Feast
This is the big trekking day: a walk up to Gamsutl, the abandoned “ghost village” above the clouds that travellers nickname the Machu Picchu of the Caucasus. Stone ruins, ridge-top paths and sweeping views reward the effort, so bring sturdy boots and water. Back in the valley, local hosts prepare an authentic dinner feast set against the endless backdrop of the Caucasus Mountains, a warm introduction to the hospitality of the region. After the mountain air and the walk, the local dishes on the table taste even better.
Meals: DinnerOvernight: Gunib area — mountain guest house or boutique hotelTransport: Private vehicleTour: Private (vehicle + guide)Entrances: none -
Day 8Derbent & the Caspian Sea Monster
Today belongs to Derbent, the ancient Caspian gateway guarded by the Naryn-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose walls you explore with your guide. Next comes a walk through the Old City, known as the Mahals, a labyrinth of narrow streets leading to the Juma Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Russia. A stop on the shore brings you face to face with the Lun, the Cold War–era ekranoplan nicknamed the Caspian Sea Monster. Dinner is a traditional Dagestani farewell feast with Caucasian dance and local folk music, and the night is spent in Makhachkala.
Meals: Dinner (farewell feast)Overnight: Makhachkala — hotelTransport: Private vehicleTour: Private (vehicle + guide)Entrances: Naryn-Kala Fortress: payable on-site -
Day 9Farewell to Dagestan
Breakfast is served at the Makhachkala hotel. With time before your flight you can stroll the Caspian shoreline or pick up a few souvenirs. A private vehicle then drives you to Makhachkala Airport (MCX) in time for your departure, and TourQuaz services end there. The return flight is not part of the package, so please arrange it yourself. Safe travels, and come back to the Caucasus one day. Your guide helps with any last questions before you part.
Meals: BreakfastOvernight: —Transport: Private airport transferTour: Private (vehicle + guide)Entrances: none
Places Along the Route
Flame Towers
Three glass towers shaped like tongues of fire dominate the Caspian skyline and are lit with moving LED patterns at night. They are the quickest way to understand how modern Baku sees itself.
Icherisheher (Old City)
A UNESCO-listed walled quarter of winding stone streets, old gates and quiet courtyards at the centre of Baku. It is the historic core from which the modern city grew outward along the bay.
Narikala Fortress
The ancient citadel on the ridge above Tbilisi, with weathered walls, towers and a small church inside. A climb to the top is rewarded with views over the Kura River and the red-tiled roofs of the old town.
Sulfur Baths
Domed brick bathhouses sit over natural hot springs in the Abanotubani district, below Narikala. The springs gave the city its name, and the rounded roofs make the quarter easy to recognise.
Sulak Canyon
One of the deepest canyons in Europe, carved by the Sulak River into the foothills, with steep rock walls and bright turquoise water. You see it from the rim and then from the river by speed boat.
Gamsutl Ghost Village
An abandoned village of stone ruins on a high ridge, reached after a trek and often compared with Machu Picchu. Ridge-top paths and sweeping mountain views are the reward for the walk.
Heydar Aliyev Center
A white cultural complex designed by Zaha Hadid, whose smooth waves and folds avoid straight lines almost entirely. Exhibition halls inside, and an open plaza outside, make it popular with visitors and locals alike.
Sarykum Dune
A single giant sand dune rising in open countryside, one of the largest of its kind in Eurasia. Climbing it on foot is slow work, but the view from the crest takes in sand, fields and distant hills.
Gunib
A mountain fortress town set on a high plateau, once a highland stronghold and still ringed by sheer drops and deep valleys. Its lookouts show the dramatic scale of the Dagestani highlands.
Chokh Village
A historic mountain village of stone houses built into a steep slope, with centuries-old building traditions still visible in the walls and lanes. A walk through it shows how highland life was organised.
Naryn-Kala Fortress
The citadel of Derbent, with its long defensive walls, is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Caspian coast. The old stone ramparts show how the city once guarded a narrow pass between mountains and sea.
Juma Mosque
One of the oldest mosques in Russia, set among the narrow lanes of Derbent’s Old City. Its plain stone courtyard and quiet interior reflect the long Islamic history of this part of the Caucasus.
Why Choose This Baku, Tbilisi & Dagestan Tour?
Three Caucasus destinations in nine days: Baku and Tbilisi for the first days, then six days in Dagestan, with your private vehicle and guide throughout, so the whole programme sits in one booking.
- Baku, then Tbilisi — The Flame Towers come on day one, the UNESCO-listed Old City (Icherisheher) and Heydar Aliyev Center on day two, then the overland journey to Georgia and a Tbilisi day with Narikala Fortress and sulfur baths.
- Hotels confirmed with your booking — Hotels are confirmed with your booking (or similar); in Dagestan you stay in a mountain guest house or boutique hotel.
- Speed boat, dune and trek — A speed-boat ride on the Sulak River is included, followed by the Sarykum dune climb, Gunib, Chokh village and the Gamsutl ghost village trek, with a mountain dinner feast on day seven.
- Derbent finale — Day eight visits the UNESCO-listed Naryn-Kala Fortress, the Juma Mosque and the Cold War ekranoplan in Derbent, with a farewell dinner included; the fortress entrance is paid on site.
- Invitation letter and transport — TourQuaz provides the invitation letter for your Russian tourist visa application; the visa itself is not included. Road transport, airport transfers and a licensed local guide are part of the programme.
- Licensed local agency — TÜRSAB A-group licence #18154, Istanbul-based, rated 5.0 on Google (15 reviews), free cancellation up to 15 days before the start date.
Your Hotels on This Tour
These are the hotels we use on this tour, so you know where you’ll stay and can explore them before you book. Your final hotel is confirmed with your booking; if a listed hotel is unavailable on your dates, we reserve another hotel of the same category (or similar).
Baku · 1 night
Hotel in Baku area
Hotel confirmed with your booking (or similar)
Meals as named in the program
Tbilisi · 1 night
Hotel in Tbilisi area
Hotel confirmed with your booking (or similar)
Meals as named in the program
Route stop · 1 night
Hotel confirmed with your booking
Hotel confirmed with your booking (or similar)
Meals as named in the program
Dagestan · 2 nights
Mountain guest house or boutique hotel in Dagestan area
Hotel confirmed with your booking (or similar)
Meals as named in the program
Gunib area · 2 nights
Mountain guest house or boutique hotel in Gunib area
Hotel confirmed with your booking (or similar)
Meals as named in the program
Makhachkala · 1 night
Hotel in Makhachkala area
Hotel confirmed with your booking (or similar)
Meals as named in the program
Tour Price & Booking
What’s Included
What’s Not Included
Optional Upgrades
Private guide, hotel upgrades and extra nights available on request — ask us on WhatsApp.
Good to Know
Travel into Georgia
Overland transfer from Azerbaijan to Georgia; the crossing method is confirmed with your booking. Keep your passport within reach on day 2 and plan an early start.
Currencies and Cards
Azerbaijan uses the manat (AZN), Georgia the lari (GEL) and Russia the ruble (RUB). Bank cards issued abroad do not work in Russia, so bring cash for the Dagestan days.
Trekking Days
Day 5 is a dune climb (take water and a scarf for the wind-blown sand) and day 7 a trek to Gamsutl (bring sturdy boots and water).
Visa
Visa rules depend on your nationality; we provide support documents where required.
Pick-up Times
Your exact pick-up time is confirmed with you the day before each tour.
Hotel Check-in & Check-out
Standard hotel check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is until 12:00. Early check-in or late check-out depends on availability; ask us and we will request it.
Dietary Requirements
Halal and vegetarian options are available. Please tell us about any dietary needs when you book.
What to Wear
Please dress modestly when visiting mosques and religious sites: shoulders and knees covered, and a scarf for women. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended on every tour.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, cancel up to 15 days before the start date.
- If you cancel less than 15 days before, the amount paid is non-refundable.
- Changes made less than 15 days before the start date cannot be accepted.
- If the tour is cancelled due to poor weather, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- Flight tickets are issued after the balance payment and are non-refundable once issued.
Payment
Reserve now, pay later (no credit card required). A 30% deposit secures your booking after we confirm availability; the balance is due 15 days before the start date.
What guests say about TourQuaz
"Super und zuverlässige Organisation unseres Fimenausflugs. Zuverlässige Abholungen zu vereinbarten Zeiten und hilfreiche Tips beim Programm vor Ort.
Vielen Dank an das ganze Team. Jeder Zeit wieder!"
"Everything was very good specially the staff there
Special thanks to Mr. Emre for amazing efforts and support during all visit in istany"
"معاملة راقية تجربة تستحق الإشادة شكرا على حسن التعامل"
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your nationality. We provide support documents where they are required for your booking; the visa itself is not included in the price.
The price starts at $2,590 per person. It covers hotels confirmed with your booking (or similar), transport by private vehicle with airport transfers, a local guide, the Sulak River speed-boat ride, the day-3 dinner, the day-7 dinner feast, the day-8 farewell feast and the day-9 breakfast. Your flights, the visa, entrance fees, other meals and tips are not included.
Yes. The itinerary is private, with your own vehicle and guide throughout, and the price is per person.
Details confirmed with your booking. Your flight home from Makhachkala is not included.
On day 2, after the Old City and the Heydar Aliyev Center, you continue to Tbilisi and check in at your hotel. The way you cross from Azerbaijan to Georgia is confirmed with your booking. The evening is free.
Dagestan is traditional and conservative. In mountain villages and mosques choose loose, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees.
Dagestan has a speed-boat ride on day 4, a dune climb on day 5, a drive to Gunib and Chokh on day 6 and the Gamsutl trek on day 7. Take sturdy boots, water and a scarf for the wind-blown sand.
Entrance fees are not listed as included. Sites such as the Heydar Aliyev Center, Narikala Fortress and Naryn-Kala Fortress are paid on site; the Sulak speed-boat ride is included.
Children aged 0–2 travel free; children aged 3–7 get a 30% discount when sharing the room with adults. The Dagestan days include a dune climb and a trek, so please tell us the children’s ages when you book.
Free cancellation: cancel up to 15 days before the start date for a full refund. Reserve now, pay later (no credit card required). A 30% deposit secures your booking after we confirm availability; the balance is due 15 days before the start date.
