Welcome to Xinaliq
An undisputed highlight of all Azerbaijan, this fabled mountain village speaks directly to the soul. Its timeless stone houses are often wrapped in spooky clouds, giving it a haunted medieval feel.
Then, when the clouds lift, you realise that you’re perched on a mountaintop with stunning 360-degree views of the Caucasus. Xınalıq’s hardy shepherd folk have their own distinct language (Ketsh) and still live much of their lives on horseback. Nowhere in Azerbaijan offers a more fascinating glimpse of mountain life nor a better opportunity for inspirational hiking.
However, you should hurry to get here. A new road was built in 2006, tourists are starting to discover this gem and already some homes are starting to sprout corrugated metal roofs.
Apart from examining the one-room museum (admission 40q; on request) and gazing at the hypnotic views, Xınalıq’s most popular tourist activity is hiking to ateşgah, a small ever-burning natural fire-vent. The walk takes about two hours (towards Laza then up a side valley) but finding the site without help is pretty much impossible.
No one comes to Port Blair for the beach but, if you need a sand fix, Corbyn’s Cove, 7km south of town, is your best bet. It’s a small curve of co...
Located on Chatham Island (reached by a road bridge), the saw mill was set up by the British in 1836 and was one of the largest wood processors in Asi...
Run by the Indian Navy, this museum has a diverse range of exhibits with informative coverage of the islands’ ecosystem, tribal communities, plants,...
The best museum in Port Blair provides a thorough and sympathetic portrait of the islands’ indigenous tribal communities. The glass display cases ma...
A former British prison that is now a shrine to the political dissidents it once jailed, Cellular Jail National Memorial is worth visiting to understa...