Caspian Spring Tour (12 days)
A 12-day April-June route from the Greater Caucasus to Caspian wetlands, Talysh forests and Nakhchivan for Azerbaijan spring specialties.
About this tour
This 12-day spring programme travels from Baku into the Greater Caucasus before turning south through Shirvan, Gobustan, the Caspian lowlands and the Talysh Mountains. The final section is based in Nakhchivan, adding dry semi-desert and alpine habitats that differ markedly from the main Azerbaijan route.
Early mountain days focus on the Khinaliq, Qizilqaya and Laza areas, where Caucasian Snowcock, Caucasian Black Grouse, mountain finches, accentors, rock thrushes and vultures may be encountered. Shirvan and Qizilagach add steppe, reedbed, lagoon and shoreline birding, with possibilities ranging from Black Francolin and Shikra to waders, herons and Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. Around Lerik and Zuvand, the route searches deciduous forest and arid upland for Caspian Tit, the poelzami form of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Bimaculated Lark, White-throated Robin and other regional birds. Nakhchivan broadens the target list with species associated with Anatolian-style semi-desert and higher meadows.
The season is April-June and the recorded group range is 4-12 people. The final Nakhchivan field stage covers the existing Days 11-12 programme; no additional sellable day is implied. Exact dates and price are confirmed on request through BirdWatch.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Azerbaijan.
Birds you can spot
Francolinus francolinus
target
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi
target
Tetraogallus caucasicus
target
Sitta tephronota
target
Dendrocopos major
target
Phylloscopus nitidus
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Prunella immaculata
target
Oenanthe pleschanka
target
Ficedula parva
target
Serinus pusillus
target
Merops malimbicus
target
Ammoperdix heyi
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Xenus cinereus
target
Linaria flavirostris
target
Hippolais languida
target
Tichodroma muraria
target
Sitta neumayer
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Vanellus leucurus
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Irania gutturalis
target
Organizer
Guides
Itinerary
Day 1
Baku birding
Meet in Baku in the morning and travel north toward the Greater Caucasus. Birding stops at the Candy Cane Mountains and Besh Barmag may produce Eastern Rock Nuthatch, Finsch's Wheatear, raptors and late migrants as the route moves from semi-desert toward wetter mountain country. Continue to the Nazli Bulaq hotel for the night.
Day 2
Greater Caucasus birding
Use four-wheel-drive vehicles to approach Khinaliq, at about 2,100 meters, and continue on foot toward the slopes of Qizilqaya. Caucasian Snowcock and Güldenstädt's Redstart are among the main possibilities, alongside Wallcreeper, Great Rosefinch, Bearded Vulture and Alpine Accentor. Return to Nazli Bulaq after the high-altitude field session.
Day 3
Baku birding
Explore another part of Shahdag National Park around Laza. The slopes above the village offer a chance of Caucasian Black Grouse, while birch scrub, meadows and nearby forest may hold Caucasian Chiffchaff, Green Warbler, Red-fronted Serin, Caucasian Twite, Great Rosefinch and several flycatchers. Return to the same mountain base.
Day 4
Baku birding
Use the morning to bird the Guidalchay River valley and adjoining high-mountain habitats. In the afternoon, leave the Greater Caucasus and travel south to Salyan. The overnight base is the Kur Hotel.
Day 5
Gobustan birding
Begin in the steppe, wormwood scrub, lake and reedbed habitats of Shirvan National Park, where Black Francolin, rollers, kestrels, warblers, waterbirds and Goitered Gazelle may be seen. Continue to the rocky landscape and petroglyph area of Gobustan for Chukar, rock nuthatches, wheatears, Rock Sparrow and Red-billed Chough. Return to Salyan for the night.
Day 6
Talysh Mountains birding
Cross the farmland and canals of the Kura-Araz lowland toward Masalli, with a stop in habitat used by Shikra. Continue to Qizilagach, where Caspian lagoons, beaches and wetland edges can hold herons, marsh terns, Terek and Broad-billed Sandpipers, Collared Pratincole, White-tailed Lapwing and Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. Reach the Tebessüm base in the Talysh Mountains for the night.
Day 7
Greater Caucasus birding
Walk in the deciduous forest around the Talysh accommodation, looking for woodland birds and the local poelzami form of Great Spotted Woodpecker. The main search around Lerik is for Caspian Tit, whose known breeding area is limited. Stay at Tebessüm again.
Day 8
Baku birding
If needed, make another attempt for Caspian Tit near Lerik before moving into the dry mountain semi-desert of the Zuvand upland. The contrasting habitat may hold White-throated Robin and Crimson-winged Finch, with Pale Rock Sparrow and Bimaculated Lark also possible. Return to Tebessüm in the evening.
Day 9
Baku birding
Drive back to Baku with birding stops chosen along the route. The afternoon allows time in the historic center after arrival. Overnight in Baku precedes the flight to Nakhchivan.
Day 10
Nakhchivan birding
Take the morning flight to Nakhchivan and begin birding after arrival. The provincial capital serves as the base for the final part of the programme. Persian Wheatear, Trumpeter Finch and other dry-country birds may be encountered as the first local sites are explored.
Day 11
Nakhchivan birding
The final two field days explore Nakhchivan's semi-desert landscapes and higher alpine meadows. Searches may focus on Radde's Accentor, See-see Partridge and Persian Wheatear, together with Grey-necked Bunting, Pale Rock Sparrow and Bimaculated Lark. Other possibilities include White-throated Robin, Upcher's Warbler, Eastern Rock Nuthatch and several dry-country finches: Trumpeter, Desert and Mongolian. Exact stops depend on access, weather and current bird activity.
Locations & map
- Baku - Absheron Azerbaijan (Birding stops and field conditions vary by season, weather and access.)
- Greater Caucasus - Northern Azerbaijan Azerbaijan (Birding stops and field conditions vary by season, weather and access.)
- Gobustan - Gobustan Azerbaijan (Birding stops and field conditions vary by season, weather and access.)
- Shirvan National Park - Salyan / Caspian lowlands Azerbaijan (Birding stops and field conditions vary by season, weather and access.)
- Gizilagaj National Park - Lankaran / Caspian coast Azerbaijan (Birding stops and field conditions vary by season, weather and access.)
- Talysh Mountains - Southern Azerbaijan Azerbaijan (Birding stops and field conditions vary by season, weather and access.)
- Lesser Caucasus - Western Azerbaijan Azerbaijan (Birding stops and field conditions vary by season, weather and access.)
- Nakhchivan - Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Azerbaijan (Birding stops and field conditions vary by season, weather and access.)
8 stops. Select a marker for its name.
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: April to June.
Price: Price on request
Included
- Hotel-to-hotel service in Baku - Included when confirmed in the final quotation.
- Transport service - Included when confirmed in the final quotation.
- Birding equipment if needed - Included when confirmed in the final quotation.
- Snacks and tea breaks - Included when confirmed in the final quotation.
- English-speaking bird guide - Included when confirmed in the final quotation.
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages - Excluded according to the source unless the partner confirms otherwise.
- Anything else not mentioned as included - Excluded according to the source unless the partner confirms otherwise.
Transport & stays
- Private vehicle / minibus / bus depending on group Vehicle options may include Mitsubishi Pajero, Mercedes Vito and Mercedes Sprinter options on the day tours; exact vehicle depends on group size and route. | Meet: Hotel pickup in Baku or agreed Azerbaijan meeting point | Pickup: Hotel-to-hotel in Baku where stated by the source; confirm pickup after inquiry.
Policies & FAQ
Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Insurance & Safety
Are dates fixed?
Dates are arranged on request. Send preferred dates through BirdWatch for confirmation.
Is the price final?
No. Pricing may vary by group size, transfers and requested route.
Can the route focus on target species?
Yes. Share your target list in the BirdWatch inquiry so Birding Azerbaijan can confirm the best route and season.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.