Lerik & Lənkəran

Last weekend I decided to see southern part of Azerbaijan and found an organised trip to Lerik & Lənkəran. Without any doubts or hesitation I've registered myself and on Sunday morning started the one-day trip into unknown. Despite bad organizator (very loud music in the coach, people dancing in the middle of express road causing danger to passengers and tour guide deaf to my suggestions and complaints - such level of loudness makes me feel physical pain) which I strongly don't recommend, the views were worth such a hard journey.

Lerik welcomed us with waterfall. Honestly, I've thought it's more like tiny Niagara falls, but in fact it was even smaller. I decided to pay attention to more important from my point of view things so I've focused on mountains and breathtaking views as you see below. My favourite was the river going on the right side of the road in a spectacular way. I came closer and managed to save unique souvenirs on my phone.

Somewhere between Lerik and Lənkəran regions, there are many places for nature lovers and occasions to take some food and go for a picnic into the wild and calm parts of the forest. The road is near, so there's no danger like wild animals or something like that. This place is a definite must-see.

Another place on my bucket list was the Khanbulan lake located about 20 km away from Lənkəran city. The best has been saved for us till the end of the trip - between hills there is a long and thin lake made by mountainous river. It's a great place for jogging for people loving off-road long distance runs. You can improve your condition climbing back to the road from where you`d come - it's not as easy task as it may seem when you're going down to the lake (yeah, that's the easier part). Taking my impressions of this lake into account, I love and recommend it (but don't forget to find a proper tour organiser).

Lənkəran is famous for tea grown and produced there for Azərçay company. Unfortunately I had no occasion to visit the plantation, but had one to see a giant samovar vis a vis small castle and sea coast. Lənkəran is located near Caspian sea, so wind isn't anything surprising there. No matter it's just September, only T-shirt is not enough for evenings in Azerbaijan, even in the hottest parts of the country. Remember to bring hood or autumn jacket with you and to try local lemons while visiting Lənkəran region.

To sum up, one day there is not enough for wanderer like me. I`d like to come back to Lerik region in order to climb, or at least try to climb, some mountain and go close to the river once again, but not at place where the bus driver stops - I`ll choose the localization and time needed for satisfying my curiosity. Maybe that`s the thing I regret the most about organised trips - no place for individuality, such important for me.