Winter driving to Shahdag, Gusar and Gabala

From Baku it takes about 3 hours to Shahdag and Gusar and 3 hours 30 minutes to Gabala. Mild weather in Baku can mean snow and ice in the mountains, so choose the car for where you are going, not for the weather in town.

What is included

• Winter tyres: on every car in the fleet from November to March, at no extra charge.
• Snow chains: free; ask in the note on the booking form or on WhatsApp beforehand. A manager shows you how to fit them at the handover.
• A replacement car if yours breaks down on the road.

Which car

On a dry day a saloon manages the main road as far as the towns of Gusar and Gabala, but in snow all-wheel drive is the surer choice. The climb to the Shahdag resort and the roads to Laza and Khinalug are mountain roads, where snow and ice stay longer.

• All-wheel-drive crossover: Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Hyundai Santa Fe, from ₼115 a day. For the Gusar, Gabala and Shahdag roads.
• 4×4 with low range: Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Toyota Land Cruiser 200, from ₼130 a day. For mountain villages and days of heavy snow.
• The Kia Sportage is front-wheel drive: do not choose it for a mountain road in winter.

Before you set off

• Leave early in the morning. Winter days are short, and the mountain stretch is safer in daylight.
• Do not let the tank drop below half. If you have to wait on the road, the engine keeps running and the car stays warm.
• Check the road before you go: look at the forecast and call us. We will tell you what customers just back from that road have said.
• Take warm clothes, water and a charging cable for your phone.

If you get stuck

Pull over somewhere safe, switch on the hazard lights and call us: the phone is answered round the clock. If the car has broken down, we send a replacement. If you are stuck in snow, we find help nearby and stay in touch until you are moving again.

After an accident, do not move the car; call 102 and then us: the insurance works with the traffic police report.

If you would rather not drive on snow yourself, take the car with a driver: ₼100 a day outside Baku, on top of the car’s price.