Sheki–Qakh: how to fit two districts into one weekend
Sheki and Qakh are 50 kilometres apart and completely different in character: one a museum-city, the other forest and waterfalls.
Sheki: history plus plateau
The two-day Sheki, Khan plateau trek combines both:
Day 1: a walk through Sheki — the Khan's Palace, the Khan's mosque, the family cemetery, the Upper Caravanserai. The night is spent in a hostel.
Day 2: the trek to the Khan plateau. In the 18th and 19th centuries this plateau was where the khans of Sheki spent their summers with their families.
The group limit is 18 people.
About the Sheki Khan's Palace
The palace's shebeke windows — coloured glass and wood assembled without nails or glue — are among the best-known examples of Azerbaijani architecture. A single square metre contains thousands of pieces. The historic centre of Sheki is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Qakh: waterfalls plus hot water
In the direction of nearby Qakh:
→ Qakh, Qochyataq waterfall hike — one day, hard
→ Qakh camp: Qochyataq waterfall and the Ilisu baths — two days, camping and a film night
Ilisu is known for its sulphurous hot springs — the best possible ending after a walk.
How to combine them
If you have a long weekend (3 days), the ideal sequence is:
- Day 1: the town of Sheki — museum, palace, caravanserai
- Day 2: the Khan plateau trek
- Day 3: Qakh — Qochyataq waterfall and Ilisu
When
September–October is ideal: stable weather, forests in colour, and the hot water is all the more enjoyable.
April–June: the waterfalls are full, but rain is likely.
Sheki cuisine
Piti and Sheki halva are both local specialities. Eating piti after a trek and then getting on a bus... sits heavily. Get the order right.
Ready to experience it yourself? See the upcoming departures.
Browse tours