Description
Program
⠀
- 1
Day
Arrival in Baku
Upon arrival in Baku, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Baku.
- 2
Day
Getting to Know Baku.
After breakfast, embark on an excursion starting with a panoramic view of the city and the Caspian Bay from the observation platform of Nagorny Park. Following this, the tour continues into the Old City (Baku Fortress). The "Old City" complex, covering the territory of the ancient fortress, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour commences at the entrance to Baku Fortress, passing through the ancient "Double Gates" leading to the Shamakhi Road. Strolling with the guide through the narrow streets of the fortress, tourists will visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, enter ancient caravanserais, observe historic mosques, medieval baths, and ascend the roof of the Maiden Tower. The Maiden Tower stands as one of the mystical structures of the ancient East. Tourists will also be shown the site where the apostle Elisha was crucified. Annually, on June 24th, the Baku Eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church conducts a procession here to commemorate this event. Towards the end of the tour, explore the locations where the famous comedy "Diamond Arm" was filmed.
After lunch, the exploration continues. The next attraction is the Heydar Aliyev Center, a comprehensive complex featuring an auditorium, museums, and exhibition halls. Designed in 2007 by the globally renowned architect Zaha Hadid, it was recognized in 2014 as the best building in the world, earning the "2014 Design of the Year" award. Within the building, discover the interactive museum of national musical instruments, the "Masterpieces of Azerbaijan" museum showcasing a collection of national clothing and household items, an exhibition on Azerbaijani carpets, and more.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Baku.
- 3
Day
Baku - Gabala
On this day, the journey takes you to the northwest of Azerbaijan. After breakfast, you'll head to the Gabala region, situated in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains. Covering a total distance of 210 km, the day's itinerary includes visits to several key attractions.
The first stop is the mausoleum of "Diri Baba" (Living Saint), built in 1402 by Shirvanshah Ibrahim I for the Sufi Sheikh. Here, you'll learn the fascinating and mystical history associated with this mausoleum. It is considered a sacred place, drawing worshippers to this day. In medieval times, Sufi dervishes meditated in the nearby caves.
The journey continues to the Shamakhi Juma Mosque, the first construction of which dates back to the 8th century. The building underwent restoration in 2013, preserving its original structure. After checking in at the hotel and having lunch, you'll take a cable car ride, enjoying the panoramic mountain views.
Overnight stay at a hotel in the Gabala region.
- 4
Day
Gabala - Sheki
Today, a wine tasting awaits you at the "Savalan" winery, followed by a visit to the village of Nij. Then, you'll journey to the city of Sheki, covering a distance of 80 km. After breakfast, you'll leave the hotel and head to the winery located in the Savalan Valley, southwest of the regional center Gabala.
At the winery, you'll have a brief tour, exploring the vineyards, and then have the opportunity to taste several local wines. After the wine tasting, you'll travel to the ancient village of Nij, home to the Udis, descendants of the inhabitants of Caucasian Albania. In the village, you'll visit an ancient Albanian church and a small cultural center, where you can sample local national dishes.
Following the village visit, you'll continue to the city of Sheki, one of the oldest settlements in the Caucasus. Historical buildings harmoniously blend with the picturesque nature surrounding the city. Upon arrival and hotel check-in, you'll enjoy a short stroll through Sheki.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Sheki.
- 5
Day
Sheki - Gakh
This day is dedicated to exploring Sheki and the Gakh District, visiting their landmarks. In Sheki, you'll explore the Sheki Khan's Palace, a luxurious 18th-century building constructed without a single nail, ancient Javad Khan Street, Javad Khan Mosque, and Javad Khan Street. You'll also visit the medieval Caravanserai, workshops of folk crafts, and the Albanian Temple in the village of Kish, one of the oldest churches not only in the South Caucasus but possibly in the world. Founded by Saint Elisha (Elisey), a disciple of the Apostle Thaddeus.
Afterward, you'll head to the neighboring Gakh District, despite being close, it has a distinct climate, architecture, and cuisine from Sheki. In the Gah District, you'll visit the 5th-century Basilica in the village of Gumm, Ulu Mosque in Ilisu, Sumug Gala Tower, and the Georgian Church of St. George. In the evening, there will be a tasting of Sheki sweets.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Sheki.
- 6
Day
Sheki – Baku
After breakfast, departure to Baku. On the way, there is a planned stop at Lake Nohur.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Baku.
- 7
Day
Baku, Absheron Peninsula - Gobustan
After breakfast, the tourists will embark on a tour of the Absheron Peninsula. The first site to visit is the Fire Temple. Built in the early years AD, a Zoroastrian temple was constructed on the territory of the Surakhani settlement at a location where combustible gases naturally emerged. After the Arab conquest of Azerbaijan and the conversion of the residents to Islam, the Zoroastrian Fire Temple was partially destroyed. The worship of fire in Surakhani was revived after the 15th century.
Following the "Ateshgyah," tourists will visit "Yanardag" (Burning Mountain), a place where fire-worshippers once meditated. After lunch, the journey continues to Gobustan - a museum of rock carvings. Here, tourists will explore an interactive museum and an open-air museum. The round trip covers a distance of 60 km.
The petroglyphs of Gobustan span various epochs, dating from 10,000 to 8,000 BCE to the Middle Ages. Covering such an extensive historical period, these petroglyphs hold a prominent place among the world's rock art collections. Archaeological efforts have uncovered over 6,000 drawings on 1,000 rocks, ancient dwellings such as caves and camps, around 40 burial mounds, and more than 100,000 items of material culture. The oldest drawings belong to the Mesolithic era, but it is assumed that life existed here even earlier, making Gobustan one of the cradles of civilization.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Baku.
- 8
Day
Baku
On this day, after breakfast, the tourists will first visit a genuine eastern bazaar, where they can buy fruits, spices, and dried fruits, engaging in the essential art of bargaining to secure better prices. Following the bazaar experience, the tour proceeds to the Seaside Boulevard, where the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum is situated. The museum showcases both new and antique carpets from across the country, presenting all seven schools of Azerbaijani carpet weaving.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Baku.
- 9
Day
Transfer to airport.