Pazmari Waterfall is one of the most impressive natural landmarks in Nakhchivan. The waterfall is located a few kilometers above the village of Pəzməri in the Ordubad district of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. It is about an hour’s drive, 80–85 km from downtown Nakhchivan by private car. The direction to it follows the route: Nakhchivan city center → Ordubad road → village Pəzməri.
The road to Ordubad is asphalt. After the village of Pəzməri, a dirt and gravel road opens. In dry weather, with passenger cars, it is easy to reach the village, but in the final part, it is safer to use a high-mounted vehicle or a 4×4. During rainy seasons, on the dirt road, there is a lot of mud, and it is hardly possible to drive to the point closest to the waterfall. Because of the ice cover during winter months, the journey from the village upstream is possible only with powerful vehicles with suitable tires.
From the car park closest to the waterfall, the hike is about 1 km and takes 10–15 minutes. The route is short, relatively steep in places, and sometimes slippery underfoot. If you leave your car in the village, the hike takes 30–40 minutes. The route does not involve technical ascents and can be easily hiked during summer with minimal hiking gear.
Pazmari Waterfall is situated at an altitude of 2,100–2,160 meters. The temperature, even in summer, would be 6–10°C cooler than in Nakhchivan at this height. The temperature cools a little more at the base of the waterfall as a result of the splashes of water. Winds can be more pronounced during early spring and late autumn, so bringing a windbreaker and a light jacket is a good idea.
The best time to visit is between late April and early October. Snowmelt and rainfall from April to June ensure that the waterfall is at its strongest flow. From July until September, road conditions are more comfortable, the land becomes drier, and picnic sites become more accommodating. During winter, the region is cold with ground icy in some places; only well-prepared, experienced visitors are advised to visit during this period.
The height of the drop at Pazmari Waterfall is approximately 20 meters. Given this height, it is one of the most distinctive waterfalls in Nakhchivan. It is not for nothing that it is called, according to the regional tourism resources. At the main drop, a dense spray of water spreads over the valley bottom, creating a very powerful visual and sensory atmosphere.
In addition to this single and large waterfall, which forms the main landscape in the valley, smaller streams are running around it and at higher elevations. While the main photographic target may be the 20-meter main waterfall, smaller cascades on the side branches also give pretty shots for detail shots. However, caution is required when approaching these areas due to the risk of slipping on wet ground.
It is a good idea to use some sort of navigation system to visit the area, as while the official information can state the location, there are no permanent directional signs on the site. You may save the location onto your phone or navigation devices with the names “Pəzməri”, or “Pazmari Waterfall.” Once you arrive at the village, asking the locals for the start of the trail is the fastest and safest method.
There is no fixed entrance ticket, turnstile, or official fee system for the waterfall. This place is toured as a natural area, so you only pay at the time of joining the tours, not as an entrance fee for the waterfall. That is usually the cost of the transportation and guide services. Not damaging the roads and the surrounding area, avoiding litter, and following the villagers’ directions is sufficient in visiting this place.
The clearings next to houses within the village of Pəzməri or the flat area at the beginning of the trail leading to the waterfall is where vehicles are generally parked. Off-road vehicles can shorten the walk by approaching the trail closer to the waterfall when the season is suitable. There isn’t any paid parking area; villagers usually provide directions.
For those wanting to swim in the waterfall’s water, a note: it is cold, even in summer. The base of the main fall has strong spray and slippery rock surfaces. Long swimming is unsafe; a brief cool-down at foot or knee level should be the norm. Children should not be allowed too close to the fall; contact with the water in small side currents is safer. Only small, flat areas around the waterfall have the potential for use as short-term picnic sites.
Waste carried into the area must be brought back because of the absence of a regular collection system or fixed garbage containers. If open fires are to be lit, a fixed area bounded by stones should be used; the fire must be extinguished completely before the area is left. Because the altitude is high, temperatures drop very quickly in the evenings, and thus only those equipped for camping should intend to do so.
The best hours for photography and videography are between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm and in the afternoon: at this time in the morning, the waterfall’s water curtain catches the direct light of the sun. In these conditions, the droplets are well-discernible. In the afternoon, with the right light, the Zəngəzur mountain range will be highly visible in the background, adding great depth to wide-angle photos. Be cautious approaching the edge of the cliff not to step on wet ground, and if flying a drone, avoid the path.
