Masalli region: taking hot tubs natural source in the sanatorium "Istisu" natural wonder Yanar-bulag (burning water) and Yanar Dag (blazing mountain) Vilyash lake, waterfall.

Scattered throughout Azerbaijan’s southern zone, encompassing the regions of Masalli, Lankaran and Astara, are a plethora of local healing hot springs, all of which bear the name Istisu, meaning “hot water” in Azerbaijani. Some serve as small sanatoriums lost in local villages offering simple swimming booths to cure aches and pains with the hot mineral-rich water that’s been flowing naturally from underground for hundreds if not thousands of years. Others have been transformed into five-star spa centres offering massages and much more besides the traditional thermal water therapy.

Lankaran is located in the south-eastern part of Azerbaijan on the Caspian Sea. This is one of the most interesting cities in the country with its exquisite architecture, a wonderful climate and beautiful natural landscapes. Many of the local population are ethnic Talysh, who have to this day preserved their ancient traditions and customs. The Lankaran region's subtropical climate is ideal for growing citrus fruits, rice, grapes and tobacco and Lankaran tea is famous through the country. Hirkan National Park (home to the Caucasian leopard) and Gizilagaj Reserve are partially located in Lankaran and are extremely interesting for eco-tourism enthusiasts. There are also plenty of historical monuments in Lankaran, notably the Lankaran Fortress, or more accurately, its remaining fragments.

The Hirkan National Park is one of the pearls of Azerbaijani nature located in the south of the country, in the heart of the Talysh Mountains. Here, you won't find any camping areas, cafes, bars, restaurants and other such delights of modern tourism because this area is home to a natural wilderness dating back 60 million years with its own truly unique flora and fauna. This region has existed since the Ice Age and could easily be called a botanical garden. The Hirkan Ironwood tree, which is endemic to this area, not only survived the Ice Age but also indirectly became one of the reasons for the oil boom in Azerbaijan. Not many know that back in those days, the Nobel brothers were looking to buy a large quantity of ironwood for their business producing weapons. Luckily, transport proved too expensive and the brothers were instead attrcated to the booming oil business. Soon after, Ludvig Nobel purchased an oil plant in Baku. The Hirkan Forest is home to another natural gem – Lake Khanbulagh, and while tigers used to inhabit the area until the late 1930s, today it is one of the last habitats of the Caucasian leopard.

You'll return to the starting point