Australia’s Muslim Cameleers
April 29, 2026
Australia’s Muslim Cameleers By Angelica Hazel Toutounji – April 30,2026 Australia’s Muslim Cameleers By Angelica Hazel Toutounji – April 30,2026
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By Halal Travel Pal Editorial Team · 14 Oct 2025
General Manager, Food Safety and Defense, Yıldız Holding
32 years in halal industry, aviation catering and global food governance
Based in Istanbul, Türkiye
Not far from Dagestan lies Qabala, a beautiful mountain town in Azerbaijan. It was once a centre of Islamic learning in the Caucasus, and today it’s a peaceful retreat surrounded by mountains, history, and friendly people.
Halal Travel Pal Traveller’s Reflection Series continues, these are the stories shared by our community about their journeys around the world.
“When I visited Baku, I wanted to experience the quieter, more natural side of Azerbaijan. That’s how I ended up in Qabala, a serene town near the Russian border, in the heart of the Caucasus Mountains. The drive from Baku takes about 3 to 4 hours, and the road is fairly good, passing through changing landscapes that shift from dry plains to lush green hills.
We travelled in April, and on our way back, the weather turned quite foggy, especially around the mountain sections, which made the drive slower. I imagine it’s much clearer in summer when the skies open up and the scenery looks even more spectacular.
Qabala was once the ancient capital of Caucasian Albania, an important Silk Road stop and one of the earliest centres where Islam spread in the region.
We stayed at the Qafqaz Mountain Resort QafqaZ Hotels & Resorts, surrounded by green valleys and cool mountain air. Mornings there were spectacular, with mist rising over the peaks and birds echoing through the valley. Just beside the resort was a kids’ play area and a restaurant where you could catch your own fish and have it cooked fresh, a small but memorable experience.
The highlight of the trip was the cable car ride up Tufandag Mountain. The ride felt incredibly high, and I later found out it’s considered one of the longest cable lifts in the region. Looking at Dagestan mountains from the top I smiled thinking I am not far from Khabib’s homeland.
The locals were warm and generous, though language could be a bit of a challenge at times. Thankfully, our guide seymour spoke fluent English, which made the journey smoother and fun when we tried to learn a few Azerbaijani words ourselves.
One of the staff members at the resort mentioned that Qabala plov was the best in Azerbaijan, though I didn’t check with my Baku friends whether that’s true 😊. I also visited a Pakistani/Indian restaurant named Delhi Karachi Darbar that served really good food.
If you plan to visit, here are a few must sees:
● Tufandag Mountain Resort
for cable cars and stunning views.
●Yeddi Gozel Waterfalls
peaceful and photogenic.
● Old Gabala Ruins
traces of its ancient Islamic and trade heritage.
● Nohur Lake
calm, reflective, perfect for tea and photos.
● Juma Mosque
a quiet reminder of Qabala’s spiritual past.
Qabala may not have the fame of Baku, but it’s one of those places that stays with you, part history, part hospitality, and part mountain magic.
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Australia’s Muslim Cameleers By Angelica Hazel Toutounji – April 30,2026 Australia’s Muslim Cameleers By Angelica Hazel Toutounji – April 30,2026
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