The Mud Volcanoes

Azerbaijan, a land of fire and natural gas, is home to the greatest concentration of mud volcanoes on earth, holding nearly half of the world's total. In the semi-desert near Gobustan, these surreal, otherworldly features rise as low grey cones and pools that constantly gurgle, bubble and burp with cold, grey mud pushed up from deep underground, and occasionally erupt more dramatically. Walking among the bubbling, moon-like landscape, with the Caspian in the distance, is a strange and memorable experience.

What you actually see

• The bubbling mud cones - the gurgling grey mud volcanoes.
• The moon-like landscape - the surreal semi-desert of cones and pools.
• The cold mud - the strange, cool mud, unlike hot lava.
• The Caspian views - the sea in the distance beyond the volcanoes.

When to go

Spring and autumn for the mildest weather to walk the exposed site; it is combined with the Gobustan petroglyphs on a half-day trip from Baku. The rough tracks to the volcanoes often require a four-wheel drive, so many go with a tour.

Honest expectations

The last stretch to the volcano field is on rough, muddy tracks that usually need a four-wheel drive, so many visit with a tour or transfer at Gobustan. The mud volcanoes are a quirky natural curiosity, low bubbling cones rather than dramatic eruptions, seen in an hour or so. It is best combined with the Gobustan rock art. The surreal, bubbling, moon-like landscape is genuinely strange and fun.

Nearby

The Gobustan petroglyphs and Baku are close.