Chiraq Qala - medieval castel 2 days tour
2 days
Multi-Day
About this activity
Type of tour: Mountain, hiking, archeology
The remnants of Chiraq Castle sit very impressively at 1200m on a cliff top above the forested sanatorium of Qala Alti and associated Mashrif village. It's one of the few castle ruins in Azerbaijan to retain a real castle-shaped silhouette and makes a worthwhile and reasonably easy diversion if you're driving between Baku and Quba.
Part of a defensive chain for 1600 years, the name Chirax means 'lamp' for beacon fires lit here to warn of approaching enemy armies. During the 18th century it was the southernmost outpost of Quba's Fatali Khan. Never stormed, it simply fell into disuse. Today the main knob of stone and brickwork that remains is teetering ever more perilously on a rock which is being eroded from beneath. The authorities have yet to undertake minimal repairs to bolster the site, as they did at Old Qabala. The need is now very urgent if the most impressive remaining fortress tower of the region is not to collapse. Hidden in the forest beneath are many more wall sections.
Difficulty: 1
Tour plans:
Day 1
10:00 - 10:15 - Transfer
10:15 - 12:00 - Baku - Quba
12:00 - 14:00 – tour around Quba
14:00 - 15:30 - Dinner break (lamb barbecue, fresh vegetables, soups. Special meal can be ordered prior to a tour)
15:30 - 19:00 – tour in the old jewish village “Red Sloboda”
19:00 - 19:30 – transfer to the hotel (4 stars hotel in Quba)
Day 2
09:00 - 10:00 – Breakfast in the hotel
10:15 - 12:00 – Quba – Qala Alti
12:00 - 14:00 – Qala Alti – Chiraq Qala
14:00 - 15:00 – lunch (field lunch, (lamb barbecue, fresh vegetables, soups. Special meal can be ordered prior to a tour))
15:00 - 16:00 – visiting Chiraq Qala
16:00 – 18:00 – Chiraq Qala – Qala Alti
18:00 - 20:00 - Galaaltı – Baku
Services, included in the price:
• Transportation. (comfortable mini bus and 4x4 car)
• Mountain guide
• Photo shooting
• Tea breaks
• Lunches
• Breakfast
• Hotel
• All necessary equipment
Read more
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The remnants of Chiraq Castle sit very impressively at 1200m on a cliff top above the forested sanatorium of Qala Alti and associated Mashrif village. It's one of the few castle ruins in Azerbaijan to retain a real castle-shaped silhouette and makes a worthwhile and reasonably easy diversion if you're driving between Baku and Quba.
Part of a defensive chain for 1600 years, the name Chirax means 'lamp' for beacon fires lit here to warn of approaching enemy armies. During the 18th century it was the southernmost outpost of Quba's Fatali Khan. Never stormed, it simply fell into disuse. Today the main knob of stone and brickwork that remains is teetering ever more perilously on a rock which is being eroded from beneath. The authorities have yet to undertake minimal repairs to bolster the site, as they did at Old Qabala. The need is now very urgent if the most impressive remaining fortress tower of the region is not to collapse. Hidden in the forest beneath are many more wall sections.
Difficulty: 1
Tour plans:
Day 1
10:00 - 10:15 - Transfer
10:15 - 12:00 - Baku - Quba
12:00 - 14:00 – tour around Quba
14:00 - 15:30 - Dinner break (lamb barbecue, fresh vegetables, soups. Special meal can be ordered prior to a tour)
15:30 - 19:00 – tour in the old jewish village “Red Sloboda”
19:00 - 19:30 – transfer to the hotel (4 stars hotel in Quba)
Day 2
09:00 - 10:00 – Breakfast in the hotel
10:15 - 12:00 – Quba – Qala Alti
12:00 - 14:00 – Qala Alti – Chiraq Qala
14:00 - 15:00 – lunch (field lunch, (lamb barbecue, fresh vegetables, soups. Special meal can be ordered prior to a tour))
15:00 - 16:00 – visiting Chiraq Qala
16:00 – 18:00 – Chiraq Qala – Qala Alti
18:00 - 20:00 - Galaaltı – Baku
Services, included in the price:
• Transportation. (comfortable mini bus and 4x4 car)
• Mountain guide
• Photo shooting
• Tea breaks
• Lunches
• Breakfast
• Hotel
• All necessary equipment
Included
- Overnight accommodation
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Local taxes
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Bottled water
- Hotel/port pickup and drop-off
Not included
- No additional fees or charges
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Infant seats available
Features
Tourism
85%
Cultural
60%
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