Boasting a prime area, warm environment, and among the most sensational and varied natural landscapes worldwide, it’s no surprise that Azerbaijan is poised to turn into one of the world’s top destinations for eco-minded, outdoor-loving, wellness-seeking travelers. With mountains, volcanoes, gorges, waterfalls, forests, and sandy beaches along the Caspian Sea, socially distanced tourism is not just quickly accessible, it’s exciting.
However together with sufficient opportunities for such nature-focused activities as hiking, camping, birdwatching, cycling, snowboarding, beach-going, and horse riding, travelers have a chance to develop an even deeper gratitude for the country and sample a variety of experiences that harness the restorative effects of nature itself.
DUZDAG SALT CAVES IN NAKHCHIVAN
For centuries, people around the globe have been studying the revitalizing powers of salt. In Azerbaijan, salt therapy is said to have favorable results on asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions, in addition to a range of other ailments including aging skin.
Salt treatments are offered in health resorts all over Azerbaijan, however the most iconic of them all lies in Duzdag, 12 kilometers from Nakhchivan City. At an altitude of 1,173 meters above sea level, Duzdag, or ‘Salt Mountain’, is a previous salt mine, thought to consist of some 130 million lots of the clearest and purest natural salt in the world.
Today, the complex of tunnels– burrowed 300 meters into the mountain, 110 meters below ground– belong to the Duzdag Physiotherapy Center, one of the world’s most remarkable salt treatment centers. There’s an affiliated above-ground fully equipped resort situated two kilometers far from the tunnels, however the real drawcard for visitors is the possibility to spend a night in among the Center’s peaceful, subterranean spaces, taking pleasure in not just the restorative powers of the salt, but solitude and comfort.
“With the creation of the tactical Zangazur corridor, which will link Nakhchivan and Turkey through multi-modal communication paths, the area will be more accessible to travelers,” said Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of Azerbaijan Tourist Board (ATB). “This will open a new page in tourist advancement of the nation and particularly, Nakhchivan,” he included.
It’s a must-visit location for history buffs, too. In 2010, archaeologists found that the Duzdagi salt deposits were being mined as long back as 4500 BC, making Duzdag the oldest salt mine worldwide.
THERMAL BATHS AND SPRINGS
Because ancient times, those residing in the south-eastern subtropical region of Azerbaijan have actually relied on thermal water springs– called “istisu” in Azerbaijani– for their health. In places such as Lankaran, Gabala, and the Karabakh region, bathing in the mineral-rich water– or perhaps consuming it– is a common pastime. As unwinding as it is rejuvenating, it’s used to deal with conditions related to flow, the nervous system, skin, muscles and bones, breathing, diabetes, digestion, and kidney issues.
“This area is blessed with so much natural charm, from the Caspian coastline and the Talish mountains, to citrus and tea plantations, to lakes and unwinding hot springs. Taking this into account, in September 2020, we introduced the Lankaran Location Management Organization (DMO) to better handle the tourist potential of the region,” stated Ilgar Azimov, director of the Lankaran DMO.
Presently, the DMO is working on numerous tasks, such as producing brand-new paths and activities to support the region’s numerous health and wellness and agro-tourism opportunities. “We are likewise seeking to expand our Slow Food Travel job here because the regional citrus, tea and brown rice customs are perfect for it,” he discussed.
The trick to the waters’ recovery powers? Professionals say they are packed with useful micro-elements and ions, in addition to nitrogen and heavy metal substances. In fact, with more than 30 cold and hot mineral water springs in the Greater Caucasus Mountains, every spring provides various concentrations of minerals and natural substances. A spring in Gamarva known by the name “Chomcha Bulag,” for instance, is rich in ferruginous and sulphur compounds, while the waters of the Yengija spring– synthetically heated up with “mountain stone” to improve the solution– is understood for its high concentration of salt hydrogen carbonate, magnesium, and lime.
Haftoni, in the Lankaran region, has actually been popular with health-seekers because 1958, when its waters attracted countless visitors yearly from the Soviet Union. Today, there stay lots of chances to indulge in soothing official treatments throughout Lankaran, in addition to such popular natural destinations as Lake Zanbulan and the pristine forest of Hirkan National Park.
THE OIL OF NAFTALAN
Naftalan oil, or naphthalene, might look comparable to standard commercial oils. But the glistening liquid, with its special chemical structure, has turned the town of Naftalan, one hour’s drive from Marijuana, into one of Azerbaijan’s leading health tourism destinations.
Naftalan oil has actually been utilized for therapeutic purposes given that as early as the 12th century. Locals say it possesses anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antihistamine, and vasodilator homes, and can be utilized to treat more than 70 different ailments, consisting of skin conditions, musculoskeletal, urological and ENT problems, as well as problems connected to the nervous system, blood vessels, stress, and fatigue. According to popular legend, the oil’s healing properties were very first discovered by a Silk Road merchant who left one of his sickly camels for dead by a pool of naftalan oil and later went back to find it totally recovered.
“With an objective of increasing its potential to bring in citizens, assistance service, and boost tourist, we have actually developed a detailed city branding method for Naftalan city,” said Fidan Aliyeva, director of the brand and marketing communications department of ATB. “As soon as introduced, we are confident that the project will not just help attract travelers, however likewise promote growth and financial investment,” Aliyeva added.
Treatment typically involves bathing daily in oil for numerous days at one of Naftalan’s numerous expert health centers, where patients might likewise be treated to balneotherapy, bromine baths, massages, physiotherapy, and paraffin therapy. As well as the expert centers, the town is house to a variety of luxury hotels providing oil-based treatments, amongst them Garabag Resort & Medical Spa, Chinar Hotel & Day Spa, and Gashalti Health Resort.
With around 15,000 visitors a year, there should be something to it.
This material was developed collaboratively by Azerbaijan Tourist Board and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX.