Tradition That Keeps Us Together: Chaitanya’s Siblings’ Trip Across Azerbaijan with Thrillophilia!
Five years ago, we made a pact- one siblings’ trip every year, no matter how busy life got or how far apart we lived.
Aishwarya (Rani) my oldest sister from Bangalore, Manjiri (Manji) my older sister from Bombay, and me-Chaitanya, the youngest, holding it down in Hyderabad. Life may have scattered us across cities, but these trips? They bring us back together.
Kerala was our first adventure, where we laughed till our stomachs hurt on a houseboat. Then came the misty hills of the Northeast, the vibrant streets of Thailand, and Bhutan’s serene monasteries. Each trip left us with memories that we’d hold onto until the next one.
This year, deciding was tougher. Our social group was filled with endless ideas- Sri Lanka? Jordan? Maybe Japan? But it was Rani who casually dropped, "What about Azerbaijan? It’s trending."
Manji and I paused. Azerbaijan? I barely knew where it was on the map. But a quick search had us hooked. And best of all, it was surprisingly affordable.
It didn’t take long for us to agree. Flights were booked, plans were made, and just like that, Azerbaijan became our next chapter.
Thrills on the Slopes
I’ll never forget our first glimpse of Shahdag Mountain Resort. The snow-covered peaks, the crisp mountain air, and the sheer beauty of it all left us in awe.
Rani, our practical older sister, had already mapped out the day. “Alpine Coaster first!” she said, a glint of adventure in her eyes. I glanced over at Manji, who looked both thrilled and terrified. She gave a nervous laugh, and before I knew it, the three of us were perched on the coaster, ready to launch.
As we started speeding down, Rani let out a scream so loud it echoed through the mountains. I’d barely caught my breath when Manji started laughing uncontrollably, clinging to the side as we twisted and turned. My own voice joined theirs, as we hurtled down together. It was wild, exhilarating, and somehow, deeply freeing.
Later that night, we huddled around the resort’s fireplace, the warmth seeping into our frozen hands as we sipped mugs of hot chocolate. The laughter from earlier was still lingering, and I caught myself looking at my sisters, feeling that unspoken bond between us. I thought about how lucky I was to have this time with them, these memories that we’d share long after we returned to our separate lives.
A Taste of Nature and Culture
Gabala felt like stepping into another story, one where nature and culture blended seamlessly. As we drove through the winding roads, the towering Tufandag Mountains greeted us, their peaks dusted with snow. Manji rolled down our windows to feel the cold breeze, her hair whipping in the wind. Rani sat at the back, her camera ready to capture every turn in the road.
Our first stop was the Tufandag Mountain Cable Car. Rising above the valleys, the view was breathtaking- snow-capped peaks, endless forests, and the calm Nohur Lake glinting in the distance.
And of course, no trip is complete without my sisters bullying me. As we strolled along the shores of Nohur Lake, they decided it was time to corner me. “Bet you can’t skip this stone as far as I can,” Manjiri challenged, throwing a rock with surprising skill. I tried hard but I wasn’t quite as talented. The laughter that followed was endless, and I, predictably, got annoyed.
That’s when the buttering-up began. Giving me an extra share of the chocolate, making sure they don't make me click too many pictures... I purely live for such moments!
By midday, we were at the Gabala Shooting Club. I had a little too much fun trying to outshoot Rani, who somehow managed to be annoyingly good at it. “Beginner’s luck,” I muttered as she grinned victoriously.
The day ended at a small roadside café, where we shared plates of piping-hot qutab and tea. The flavours were simple, comforting, and distinctly Azerbaijani.
3 Siblings and 3 Days in Baku
We arrived in Baku with a mix of excitement and exhaustion after our adventure in Gabala.
The ancient cobblestone streets of the Old City contrasted sharply with the gleaming Flame Towers, but there was something magical about it. My sisters were snapping photos like there was no tomorrow- Manjiri was capturing the perfect angle of the Maiden Tower, while Rani tried to get us to pose for what felt like the hundredth picture.
Of course, I was the one looking awkward in all of them, but that was my role, right?
The next day, we ventured out to the mud volcanoes and Gobustan. As soon as we saw the landscape, it felt like we were on another planet. We explored the area, climbing the hills, and laughing at how we kept slipping on the muddy terrain.
Our last day was perfect! Just leisure. We spent the afternoon wandering through the local markets, trying local sweets, and shopping for quirky souvenirs. In the evening, we sat by the Caspian Sea, watching the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky with streaks of orange and pink.
Why book Thrillophilia for Azerbaijan?
For our international trips, we’ve always trusted Thrillophilia, and once again, they didn’t disappoint. My sisters had been raving about our past trips with them to Thailand and Bhutan, so when we started planning Azerbaijan, we knew exactly where to turn.
We started by browsing their site, and after seeing a couple of trips that caught our eye, we decided to reach out. We connected with Kirti, our trip planner from Thailand and Bhutan, and explained what we were looking for this time. She quickly got us in touch with Krish, a tour expert for Azerbaijan.
Krish was amazing! He listened to what we wanted and broke down two incredible itineraries for us. The best part? He merged both options into one itinerary, with everything we wanted covered. Since we prefer to travel on our own, they arranged an all-inclusive package with a self-drive, which made the experience even better.
Every detail was taken care of, from the beautiful stays to the adventure activities and smooth transfers. We didn’t have to worry about anything. This experience was no different- Thrillophilia made sure everything was perfect.
Read more: Azerbaijan Reviews