Gobustan Rock Art and Mud Volcanoes Private Tour
Active
5h - 6h
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Instant confirmation
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
About this experience
This half-day Gobustan tour reveals Azerbaijan’s ancient legacy through rock art, archaeological sites and stunning geological formations. Travelers visit a renowned museum featuring thousands of Stone Age engravings. The journey includes access to UNESCO-listed rock shelters that preserve prehistoric human activity. A visit to the world-famous Mud Volcanoes delivers a rare look at active natural formations. The program continues with Bibi-Heybat Mosque, a landmark of spiritual heritage. A final stop at a historic oil well highlights the region’s influential role in early petroleum history.
Available options
Private Tour for 2
2PAX<br/>Pickup included
What's included
Expert Tour Guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Detailed itinerary
1
After meeting at the arranged pick-up point, the tour departs for Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve, a 50-minute drive from Baku. The first stop is the Gobustan Museum, located beside the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape. This modern museum introduces guests to the region’s ancient heritage, displaying more than 6,000 Stone Age rock engravings that illustrate hunting scenes, rituals, animals, and daily life. Guests explore the museum with their private guide for 40 minutes before continuing to the nearby Gobustan Rock Shelters, a short 3-minute drive away.
2
Stop 2
At the Rock Shelters, visitors encounter one of Azerbaijan’s most important UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The area features prehistoric petroglyphs dating back up to 40,000 years, along with natural caves once used as dwellings and gathering spaces by early human communities. Guests spend 40 minutes here as their guide explains the archaeological significance, ancient lifestyles and geological formations of the site.
3
The tour then continues to the famous Gobustan Mud Volcanoes, located 20 minutes from the Rock Shelters. Azerbaijan holds more than half of the world’s mud volcanoes, and Gobustan is home to around 50 of them. The landscape features active mud vents, cones, and bubbling pools created by natural gas pushing mud to the surface. This surreal environment offers a rare geological experience and striking photo opportunities. Guests spend 30 minutes here with insights from their private guide.
4
Stop 4
Leaving Gobustan, the tour heads back toward Baku with a final cultural stop at Bibi-Heybat Mosque. The drive from the Mud Volcanoes to the mosque takes 60 minutes. This landmark, rebuilt on the site of a 13th-century shrine, is one of the most important religious monuments in the region. Guests spend 15 minutes exploring the mosque and learning about its historic significance from their private guide.
After the mosque visit, the tour includes a brief stop at the historic Oil Well located nearby, one of the earliest oil extraction points in the Absheron region. This site provides a glimpse into Azerbaijan’s industrial past and its role as one of the world's first centers of petroleum production. Guests can see the traditional oil pump machinery and understand how early drilling shaped the nation’s economic development.
The tour concludes with a short 10-minute transfer to the drop-off point in Baku City Centre, marking the end of the journey.
What's not included
Mud Volcanoes
Gobustan Rock Art
Available languages
Guide guide
EN
Reviews breakdown
Viator
5.0
1 reviews
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Tripadvisor
5.0
12 reviews
5★
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Important information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
General tour duration is 4 hours, but can take 5 hours in order to give you an unforgettable experience along the way.
About Baku
Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is a vibrant city where modernity meets tradition. Situated on the Caspian Sea, it's known for its futuristic skyline, historic sites, and rich cultural heritage, including the ancient Maiden Tower and the iconic Flame Towers.
Top Attractions
Maiden Tower
A 12th-century monument that is a symbol of Baku. Its exact purpose remains a mystery.
Historical
1-2 hours
Moderate (5 AZN)
Flame Towers
Three futuristic skyscrapers that are landmarks of modern Baku. The towers are designed to resemble flames, a reference to Baku's ancient history as a center of the fire-worshipping Zoroastrian religion.
Architecture
30 minutes to 1 hour
Free to view from outside
Old City (Icheri Sheher)
The historic core of Baku, a UNESCO World Heritage site with ancient walls, narrow streets, and historic buildings.
Historical
2-3 hours
Free to explore, attractions within have varying costs
Baku Boulevard
A scenic park along the Caspian Sea with walking paths, cafes, and entertainment options.
Nature
1-2 hours
Free to enter, activities have varying costs
Heydar Aliyev Center
A stunning piece of modern architecture designed by Zaha Hadid. The center hosts exhibitions, concerts, and conferences.
Architecture
1-2 hours
Moderate (depends on the event)
Must-Try Local Dishes
Plov
A fragrant rice dish cooked with saffron, meat, and vegetables. It's often served at special occasions and is considered a national dish.
Main course
Contains meat, can be made vegetarian upon request
Dushbara
Tiny dumplings filled with minced meat and served in a broth. It's a popular street food in Baku.
Soup
Contains meat, can be made vegetarian upon request
Baku Piti
A traditional soup made with lamb, chickpeas, and noodles, served in a clay pot.
Soup
Contains meat, can be made vegetarian upon request
Baku Dolma
Grapes leaves or vegetables stuffed with a mixture of minced meat and rice, cooked in a spicy tomato sauce.
Appetizer
Contains meat, can be made vegetarian upon request
Popular Activities
Hiking in Gobustan National Park
Exploring mud volcanoes
Visiting the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory
Strolling along Baku Boulevard
Enjoying a cup of tea in a traditional teahouse
Relaxing at a local hammam (bathhouse)
Exploring the Old City
Visiting museums and historic sites
Best Time to Visit
April to June, September to October
This is the best time to visit Baku with pleasant weather, ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Crowds are moderate, and the city hosts several festivals during these months.
18°C to 28°C
64°F to 82°F
Practical Information
Language
- Official: Azerbaijani
- Widely spoken: Russian, English (in tourist areas)
- English: Moderately spoken in tourist areas, limited elsewhere
Currency
Azerbaijani Manat (AZN)
Time Zone
GMT+4
Electricity
220VV, 50HzHz
Safety Information
Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe
Baku is generally safe for travelers, with low crime rates. However, petty crime like pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas. Exercise caution at night, especially in less touristy areas.
Important Precautions:
- • Keep valuables secure
- • Use official taxis or ride-hailing apps
- • Be cautious of strangers offering help or services
Getting there
By air
- Heydar Aliyev International Airport • 20 km from city center
By train
Baku Railway Station
By bus
Baku International Bus Terminal
Getting around
Public transport
The metro is efficient, clean, and affordable. It's the best way to get around the city quickly.
Taxis
Available • Apps: Bina Taxi, Yandex.Taxi
Rentals
Car, Bike
Neighborhoods
Old City (Icheri Sheher)
Nizami District
Khatai District
Day trips
Gobustan National Park
60 km from Baku • Full day
A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring ancient rock carvings, mud volcanoes, and a unique desert landscape. It's a great place for hiking and exploring.
Lankaran
220 km from Baku • Full day or overnight
A city in southern Azerbaijan known for its lush greenery, historic sites, and the nearby Hirkan National Park. It's a great place for nature lovers and history buffs.
Shamakhi
120 km from Baku • Full day
A historic city known for its ancient Juma Mosque, the Yeddi Gumbaz mausoleums, and the nearby Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory. It's a great place for history lovers and those interested in astronomy.
Festivals
Baku International Jazz Festival • October
Baku International Film Festival (BAFTA) • October
Novruz Bayrami • March 20-21 (or around the spring equinox)
Pro tips
- Visit the Flame Fountain in Baku Boulevard, a unique attraction where natural gas flames continuously burn from a stone fountain
- Try traditional Azerbaijani tea in a local teahouse, such as Sazaghan Teahouse or Chaykhana #1
- Explore the Old City on foot, taking in the narrow streets, historic sites, and local markets
- Take a day trip to Gobustan National Park to see ancient rock carvings and mud volcanoes
- Visit the Heydar Aliyev Center, a stunning piece of modern architecture designed by Zaha Hadid
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per person
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