Pink Lake, Martian Mountains and Beshbarmag

This route is about a side of Azerbaijan's nature that looks nothing like the postcards: a pink lake, candy-coloured and almost Martian mountains, and a mountain tied to one of the region's most beautiful legends. In one day, just a couple of hours from Baku, we'll see three completely different landscapes.

The first stop is the Pink Lake of Masazir, named for its unusual pink-red colour. There are only a handful of lakes like it in the world, and seeing it in person is nothing like the photos — the shade shifts through the day depending on the light and the salt concentration.

Next is the Khizi region, the mountain district closest to Baku, famous for its "candy" mountains. A layered landscape of clay and stone stacks up like the layers of a cake, and the scenery is so otherworldly it's often compared to Mars. A similar geological phenomenon exists, perhaps, only in Death Valley in the US — and that's a lot further away.

We finish the day at Beshbarmag, the "Five-Finger Mountain," named for its distinctive shape. The ruins of an 8th-century fortress and an ancient town survive here, and at the very summit, among the rocks, stand the remains of the Khizirzinde shrine. Many legends are tied to this place, including one that Noah's Ark came ashore somewhere in this area after the flood — for many visitors, Beshbarmag is one of the most mysterious spots on the map of Azerbaijan.

Along the way we'll stop for tea in the mountains and, if you'd like, a tasting of local black caviar — an experience that rarely makes it into standard tourist routes.

The route takes about 8 hours, travelling in a comfortable car. Please wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing — part of the route crosses uneven terrain. Message me on WhatsApp to arrange a date.