Description
Program
⠀
- 1
Day
- 2
Day
Introduction to Baku.
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, tourists will go on excursions. The first will be a tour of Nagorny Park, providing a panoramic view of Baku. From this height, you can see the Seaside Boulevard, Baku Fortress, the city center, and the best view of the Flame Towers.
After observing the city panorama, we move to the Old City, 'Baku Fortress' or 'Icherisheher,' which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The pedestrian excursion begins inside the fortress walls. Strolling with the guide through the ancient streets of the fortress, you will visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, explore ancient caravanserais, see historic mosques and medieval baths, and ascend to the roof of the Maiden Tower.
Visiting the Maiden Tower, you'll feel the atmosphere of the rich legends of the East and sense the mystical secrets of antiquity surrounding the structure. From the height of the Maiden Tower, a magnificent view of the city of winds will unfold before you, leaving a lasting impression. Near the Maiden Tower is another sacred place - the site where Apostle Elisha was crucified. Annually, in memory of this event, the Baku Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church holds a procession here on June 24th. Of course, considering that many Soviet films were shot here, tourists will take photos at the place where Y. Nikulin's character slipped and fell in front of the pharmacy.
In the second half of the day, tourists will have an excursion to the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center. The building was designed by the globally renowned architect Zaha Hadid. The structure of the Cultural Center uses almost no straight lines. The building itself resembles a wavy ascent and smooth merging with the ground. This structure not only embodies the postmodern architectural style but also signifies continuity and infinity. The lines on the building symbolize the connection between the past and the future. The center features both permanent and regularly updated exhibitions.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Baku.
- 3
Day
Baku - Gabala
On this day, the first journey to the regions of Azerbaijan begins. After breakfast, tourists head to the Gabala region, located in the northwest of the country, in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains. On this day, tourists will cover a total distance of 210 km. En route, they will visit the Suiyin mausoleum 'Diri Baba' (Living Elder), built in 1402 by Shirvanshah Ibrahim I for the Sufi Sheikh. Here, tourists will learn the interesting and mystical history associated with this mausoleum. This place is considered sacred, and people still come here for worship. In the Middle Ages, Sufi dervishes meditated in the nearby caves. Approaching the city of Gabala, tourists will take a short break by Lake Nur.
After checking into the hotel and having lunch, an interesting trip awaits tourists to a winery located on the slope of Mount Savalan to the southwest of the Gabala district center. Here, tourists will be given a brief tour of the winery, shown the vineyards, and then offered several types of local wine for tasting. After the tasting, tourists will return to the hotel.
Overnight stay at a hotel in the Gabala region
- 4
Day
Gabala - Sheki
After breakfast, tourists will continue their journey. Today, they will travel to the city of Sheki, which is 80 km away. On the way, they will visit the ancient village of Nij, inhabited by the Udis, descendants of the residents of Caucasian Albania. In the village, tourists will explore the ancient Albanian church and a small cultural center where they can taste local national dishes. After visiting the village, tourists will continue their journey to the city of Sheki, which is one of the oldest settlements in the Caucasus. Historical buildings harmoniously blend with the picturesque nature surrounding the city. Upon arrival in the city and checking into the hotel, an excursion awaits in the historic part of the city. Initially, tourists will visit the Sheki Fortress, enter the Palace of the Sheki Khans, explore the local crafts center, and then visit the medieval Caravanserai.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Sheki.
- 5
Day
Sheki - Baku
Today marks the return to Baku. However, before heading back, tourists will visit the unique church in the village of Kish, located near the city of Sheki. Here stands one of the oldest Orthodox churches in the world, founded in 62 AD by Saint Elisha, one of the 70 apostles. Today, it houses a museum. The church building itself was constructed on the site of an even more ancient pagan temple. In the churchyard, there are graves of very tall individuals – over 2 meters in height. One existing theory, proposed by the renowned Norwegian traveler Thor Heyerdahl, suggests that descendants of the Atlanteans are buried here. On the way, tourists will stop in the city of Shamakhi and visit the Shamakhi Juma Mosque, built in the 8th century. The building was last restored in 2013, returning the mosque to its original appearance while preserving the old structure.
After exploring the mosque, tourists will continue their journey to Baku.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Baku.
- 6
Day
Baku, Absheron Peninsula - Gobustan.
After breakfast, tourists will embark on a tour of the Absheron Peninsula. The first place to visit is the Fire Temple. In the early years AD, a Zoroastrian temple was built in the settlement of Surakhani at the site of natural gas emissions. After the Arab conquest of Azerbaijan and the adoption of Islam by the locals, the Zoroastrian fire temple was partially destroyed. Worship of fire in Surakhani resumed after the 15th century.
After Ateshgah, tourists will visit Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain) – a place where fire worshippers meditated. After lunch, they will head to Gobustan - the museum of rock carvings. Here, tourists will explore an interactive museum and an open-air museum. The round-trip distance is 60 km.
The rock carvings of Gobustan span various eras, dating from 10-8 thousand years BC to the Middle Ages. Covering such a vast historical period, they hold a prominent place among other rock art collections worldwide. Archaeological efforts have revealed over 6,000 drawings on 1,000 rocks, ancient dwellings - caves and settlements, about 40 burial mounds, and over 100,000 items of material culture. The oldest drawings date back to the Mesolithic era, but it is presumed that life existed here even earlier, making Gobustan one of the cradles of civilization.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Baku.
- 7
Day
Baku.
On this day, after breakfast, tourists will first visit an authentic Eastern bazaar, where they can buy fruits, spices, and dried fruits, and haggle to lower the prices. After the bazaar, they will head to the Seaside Boulevard, where the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum is located. The museum showcases both new and antique carpets from across the country, representing all seven schools of Azerbaijani carpet weaving.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Baku.
- 8
Day