When the term “Silk Road” is used, our first impression is an ancient, singular trade pathway used to traverse great distances. In actuality, the Silk Road it is a network of pathways. Some were closely guarded secrets allowing for a quicker, but riskier, short-cut to market.
Welcome to “Natural Selections”, where you will explore some of these riskier short-cuts across the Caucuses Mountains.
Large cities have their attractions, but I have found that it is the small villages that give one a truer understanding of a country’s culture and hospitality. “Natural Selections” was put together to provide a unique immersion in remote village life. You will discover each village has its own unique culture. Some also have their own language. I like to say that instead of travelling from village to village, we will be travelling from one small country to another.
Many of these villages sprang up as rest stops for the trade caravans. Now they will serve as places of rest for you.
Subject to change due to weather in the mountains.
Pirbeyli village for dinner, a night stay, and breakfast (100% dirt and rock, Level 5 at times, extremely difficult day: 3 kilometers in a river. You will also summit the Caucasus Mountain range, steep grades).
Lahich village for dinner, a night stay, and breakfast (50% asphalt, 50% dirt and rock, level 4 at times, short ride day, rest in UNESCO village).
Sheki village for dinner, a night stay, and breakfast (100% asphalt, unimproved at times, restaurant stop for lunch). Level 1 throughout.
Night stay at Zaqatala, dinner and breakfast at Zaqatala. (100% asphalt, unimproved at times, restaurant stop for lunch). Level 1.
Gobustan village for dinner, a night stay, and breakfast (100% asphalt, unimproved at times, restaurant stop for lunch). Level 2.
Motorcycles parked outside of Baku. Guided tour for the Old City. Restaurant stop for lunch. Return to Quba, Level 1.
Pirbeyli village for dinner, a night stay, and breakfast (100% dirt and rock, Level 5 at times, extremely difficult day: 3 kilometers in a river. You will also summit the Caucasus Mountain range, steep grades).
Lahich village for dinner, a night stay, and breakfast (50% asphalt, 50% dirt and rock, level 4 at times, short ride day, rest in UNESCO village).
Sheki village for dinner, a night stay, and breakfast (100% asphalt, unimproved at times, restaurant stop for lunch). Level 1 throughout.
Night stay at Zaqatala, dinner and breakfast at Zaqatala. (100% asphalt, unimproved at times, restaurant stop for lunch). Level 1.
Gobustan village for dinner, a night stay, and breakfast (100% asphalt, unimproved at times, restaurant stop for lunch). Level 2.
Motorcycles parked outside of Baku. Guided tour for the Old City. Restaurant stop for lunch. Return to Quba, Level 1.
Tour Price 4750.00 USD, includes all of the following: Transportation from Baku International Airport to Quba and return trip from Quba to Baku International Airport.
7 Days DURATION
Filtered Water Bottle and AAMT Buff
admission fees
ALL MEALS
FUEL
HOME STAYS AND GUEST HOUSE
Motorcycle and Luggage
tour guide
Note: Tour Price Does Not Include Airfare To and From Baku International Airport.
LEVEL: 1
These trips are a mix of pavement & graded dirt, hard pack roads. Generally flat with some mild hills and descents.
LEVEL: 2
These trips will be a mix of Level 1 riding and some steeper hills and descents, with possible loose soil and mild ruts in the roads. Cattle, sheep and goats across your trail with no warning.
LEVEL: 3
These trips will contain both Cat. 1 & 2 as well as some “jeep roads” which will have, off camber tracks, some short rocky sections and possible steep rough sections. The difficult sections will be “short” giving you time to relax between the challenges.
LEVEL: 4
These trips will be mostly “off road” on Jeep tracks, long stretches of rugged terrain. Be prepared for more physically demanding riding, with damage potential to your bike if you “drop it”.
LEVEL: 5
These will be the tough trips. Be ready for washouts of roads, boulders, rock ledges, mud, loose soil, very steep terrain. You will need crash bars, skid plates, knobbies etc. for your motorcycle.
Required motorcycle safety equipment (Full coverage motorcycle helmet DOT \ CE certified, adventure or enduro style boots CE certified, gloves, adventure style motorcycle jacket and pants which include protection at all impact points), motorcycle license, European A2 or equivalent. (For folks from the U.S. your motorcycle endorsement.) And, the possibility of an “International License”.