Gobustan Mud Volcanoes (Dashgil)

The Gobustan mud volcanoes, often visited at the Dashgil area in the Garadagh district, lie south of Gobustan settlement about 80 km south-west of Baku. Azerbaijan has one of the highest concentrations of mud volcanoes in the world, and this open, barren landscape shows them at close range. Small grey cones sit across the plain, bubbling and gurgling as cold mud and gas, mostly methane, rise from underground and ooze out in slow flows. Some cones are only knee-high, while others have built up larger mounds with steaming pools of grey mud at the top. Visitors walk among the cones and watch the bubbles break the surface, and the area is stark, moonlike and very different from the coast. The open area is accessible daily and is free, though some operators charge about AZN 5 per person for access. The 4x4 shuttles from Gobustan village that cross the rough tracks cost around AZN 15 per person, paid in cash, and the road is not suitable for ordinary cars in wet weather. A visit takes about one hour on site. Mornings are best, as the light is soft and the heat is milder, and wind and dust can make afternoons uncomfortable. Photographers do well on the edges of the cones with the plain behind. Visitors should wear old shoes or boots, as the mud is sticky, and avoid stepping on soft ground near active vents; keep to the marked tracks. Because the site is remote and reachable only by taxi or tour from Gobustan, most visitors combine it with the rock art reserve. The area is quiet most days, with the busiest period being late morning when tour groups arrive. Bring water and sun protection.