Description
Program
⠀
- 1
Day
Arrival in Baku. Greeting at the airport, transfer to the 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 – Sheki
Departure to Sheki (300 km). Leaving Baku, travelers will head northwest. Gradually, the landscape will noticeably change from semi-desert to steppe, and then to a forested area. In the distance, alpine meadows and snow-capped mountain peaks will come into view. The first stop will be at the mud volcanoes, where the landscape resembles the moon more than the Earth. The volcanic mud itself is used for the treatment of certain diseases and in cosmetology. The next stop is the Sufi mausoleum "Diri Baba" (15th century). This place is considered sacred, and people still come here for worship. In the Middle Ages, Sufi dervishes meditated in nearby caves. After the mausoleum, a stop at the Shamakhi Juma Mosque (early 20th century). The architecture of the mosque is intriguing, and the guide will share insights into its history. On the way, there will be a break for tea at a roadside café, where tourists can enjoy tea with local jams.
Accommodation in a hotel in Sheki, followed by lunch. After a short rest, tourists can explore the old streets of Sheki and the Palace of the Sheki Khans, built in the 17th century. It's noteworthy that the two-story palace was constructed without a single nail and stands on a 20-centimeter foundation. Inside the palace, tourists will see frescoes depicting the battle scenes led by the Sheki Khans. Adjacent to the palace in the fortress are craft workshops. It is highly recommended to visit the workshops for crafting "Shebeke" - wooden ornaments used for stained glass windows. After visiting the workshops, tourists will enter the medieval Caravanserai, which, like many years ago, welcomes guests. Here, a small hotel is located.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Sheki.
- 4
Day
Sheki – Baku
After breakfast, excursions commence. Firstly, the tourists will head to the village of Kish, where one of the oldest Orthodox churches in the world is located. This church was founded in 62 AD by St. Elisha, one of the 70 apostles. Today, it houses a museum. The church building itself was constructed on the site of a pagan temple. In the churchyard, there are burials of very tall individuals, over 2 meters in height. One existing theory is that they are descendants of the Atlanteans.
After exploring the church, the journey back to Baku begins. However, interesting encounters await the tourists along the way. They will visit the village of Nij, where the ancient Udi people reside. They are descendants of the Albanians who, in the 4th century BCE, created the Albanian Kingdom from Derbent to Nakhchivan. Tourists will visit the local unique and operational ancient Albanian church.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Baku.
- 5
Day
Baku, Absheron Peninsula
After breakfast, the tourists will embark on an excursion to the Absheron Peninsula. The first site to visit is the Fire Temple. In the early years of our era, a Zoroastrian temple was built in the village of Surakhani at the site of natural gas emissions. After the Arab conquest of Azerbaijan and the adoption of Islam by the locals, the fire temple fell into decline. The worship of fire in Surakhani was revived after the 15th century.
Following the "Ateshgah," the tourists will visit the Gala Museum. This museum complex is located in the village of the same name. The complex houses restored architectural and structural monuments discovered on the Absheron Peninsula.
After lunch, the journey continues to "Yanardag" (Burning Mountain) – a place where fire worshipers used to meditate.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Baku.
- 6
Day
Baku – Gobustan – Lankaran
Visit to Gobustan, the museum of rock carvings. Tourists will explore an interactive museum and an open-air museum. The one-way distance is 60 km. The rock carvings in Gobustan span different epochs, dating from 10,000-8,000 BCE to the Middle Ages. With over 6,000 drawings on 1,000 rocks, ancient dwellings, caves, and camps, about 40 mounds, and over 100,000 artifacts, Gobustan holds a prominent place among global rock art collections. The oldest drawings belong to the Mesolithic era, but evidence suggests life existed here even earlier, making Gobustan one of the cradles of civilization.
After exploring the Gobustan Museum, the journey continues to the Lankaran district in the southern part of the country, known for its subtropical climate. The distance from Baku is 190 km. After checking into the hotel, tourists will visit a citrus orchard, where lemons, mandarins, oranges, feijoa, and kiwi thrive. Next, they will travel to a tea plantation, witnessing tea bushes and a small local tea production.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Lankaran.
- 7
Day
Lankaran – Baku
In the morning, after breakfast, tourists will travel to the Astara district to visit a tea factory. Here, they will witness the modern tea production process and participate in a tasting of local tea varieties. After the tour and tasting, the journey continues to Baku. The distance is 290 km.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Baku.
- 8
Day
Baku
On this day, after breakfast, tourists will first visit a genuine Eastern bazaar, where they can buy fruits, spices, and dried fruits, and negotiate prices to get the best deal. After the bazaar, the tour continues to the Primorsky Boulevard, where the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum is located. This museum showcases both new and antique carpets from across the country, representing all 7 schools of Azerbaijani carpet-making. Later, tourists can stroll along the Primorsky Boulevard, visit Little Venice, and enjoy panoramic views of Baku Bay from the height of the Ferris wheel.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Baku.
- 9
Day
Transfer to airport.