Welcome to Azerbaijan

On arrival at Baku International Airport you will be met by our local representative and you will be transferred to the hotel.

Day is free, for you to explore the city at your own pace.

Baku, the capital and commercial hub of Azerbaijan, is a low-lying city with coastline along the Caspian Sea. It's famed for its medieval walled old city, which contains the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, a vast royal complex, and the iconic stone Maiden Tower. Contemporary landmarks include the Zaha Hadid–designed Heydar Aliyev Center, and the Flame Towers, 3 pointed skyscrapers covered with LED screens.

Overnight in Baku.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today, explore and see the wonderful attraction in Baku by visiting the Memory Alley-“Shehidler Khiyabany”, formerly known as the Kirov Park, is a cemetery and memorial in Baku, Azerbaijan dedicated to those killed by the Soviet Army during Black January 1990 and in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War of 1988–1994. In the closing days of World War I, fighting broke out in Baku as a result of the Russian Civil War, with four groups fighting for control of the area when the Russian Empire collapsed. Fighting each other were the Bolsheviks, Mensheviks, Armenians and Azeris. Many people were killed in the fighting including some from a small British force sent to prevent Baku falling into the hands of the Russians. The Martyrs' Lane site first served as Muslim cemetery for victims of the March Events of 1918. The cemetery was completely destroyed and the corpses removed after the Bolsheviks came to power, who created an amusement park on the site and installed a statue of Sergei Kirov, the prominent Bolshevik leader. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the statue and the amusement park facilities were removed and the location was reinstated as a burial site for national heroes. The first buried at the newly instated memorial were those who had died during the Black January events of 1990 when Soviet forces invaded Baku. Continue exploring architecture the 14-20th centuries in the Nizami Street, Fountain Square, Nizami Ganjavi monument. Move to the old part of the city – Icheri Sheher. Visit Maiden Tower, Shirvan Shahs’ Palace, Caravanserai and bath, Carpet and antique shops, market square with numerous art studios and souvenirs stalls.

Overnight in Baku.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today morning explore the mud volcano near Gobustan, mud volcano is landform created by the eruption of mud, water and gases on the hill which is located 8 km from the highway. Several geological processes may cause the formation of mud volcanoes. Mud volcanoes do not produce hot lava. The Earth continuously exudes a mud – like substance. We will change our transport to local taxis. It is off the road to the mud volcano area. On a rainy day it is impossible to drive up to the hill. Then you will be chance to visit Gobustan National Park (under UNESCO protection). Gobustan is an open sky museum on rocky mountains on the Caspian Seaside. Primary people carved their daily lifestyles on rocks. There are more than 6000 carvings on the rocks near the Caspian Seaside. Continue, exploring the most famous Absheron Peninsula tour with Fire Worshippers’ Temple – Ateshgah: The temple was built over a pocket of natural gas that fuelled a vent providing an ‘eternal’ fire which Zoroastrians used to worship. Later in the day a visit to “Yanardag” – “Fire Mountain”: a natural gas fire that blazes continuously on a hillside on the Absheron Peninsula near Baku which itself is known as the “land of fire.” Flames jet into the air 3 meters from a thin, porous sandstone layer. On the way back to Baku you will be visiting Balakhany settlement, passing through oil wells field, where the movie of James Bond was taken on tape; for attracting tourists newly repaired Balakhany settlement which was famous in the world at the beginning of 20th century because of oil extraction. Today right in the center of settlement created tourism sights which is very interesting for all travelers. Free time for taking photo around one of the unique architecture building in the world , the Haydar Aliyev Center designed by Zaha Hadid (Iraqi British designer).

Overnight in Baku.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Prepare for check out and the driver will pick you up and drop you to Sheki.

On the way to Sheki you will be driving the Baku-Lahij route. You will then be visiting Diri Baba Mausoleum, the tomb of Sufi Sheikh in Maraza. Continue your journey by exploring the Juma Mosque (first Mosque of Caucasus), Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum (the cemetery of Shamakhy dynasty Khans) in Shamakhi city. After enjoying mountain view of Grand Caucasus Mountains on the way arriving in ancient Lahij village. Lahij was one of the main points on the Great Silk Road. Visiting workshops of blacksmith, potteries, carpet weaving shop, cobbled stone streets. The population of Lahij is ethnic Tats. The settlement is located on 1505 m above sea level. It was one of the centers of copper and weapon production in Azerbaijan in the 18th and 19th centuries. Before arriving in Sheki you will also get the chance to visit the Nohur Mountain Lake in Nohurgishlag village in Gabala. Located about 5 km. east of the Gabala city, the lake is surrounded by the forests and high mountains called Yumru, Goydag and Gulluburun. The lake covers 240 ha in total and has the maximum depth of 24 meters. The Nohur lake has very clear water thanks to the fresh water sources spilt into the lake. Apart from the small seasonal water supply coming from the mountains of Caucasus, Damiraparan and Vandam rivers also flow to the lake. Historically, the lake used was a natural lake, but in 1949, a water-storage reservoir constructed in the south part of the lake. The reservoir has a great importance for the local people as it supplies the agricultural needs of neighbouring districts. During the winter months, ice covers the surface of the lake. Sometimes, the thickness of the ice layer reaches to 50-60 cm. On arrival in Sheki your driver cum guide will drop you to the hotel.

Sheki is nestled at the foot of the southern Greater Caucasus Mountain. Etymology of the town’s name derived to the ancient times when this region of Azerbaijan was inhabited by tribe named “sakas” 6-7 age BC. Rich in Islamic architecture & Silk Road history. The town dates back two and a half thousand years, making it one of the oldest Caucasus settlements. Sheki’s claim to fame for millennia was silk, textiles and embroidery, which made it a significant point on the Silk Road. Today, the historical region with ancient mosques, castles and the 18th century Palace of Sheki Khans form the foreground against the majestic green mountains.

Overnight in Sheki.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today morning explore the Eastern style Sheki Bazar, where you can fine local Azerbaijani products. Then continue the tour to Kish village, the first church of the Caucasus which was founded by the Apostle St Eliseus in the 1st century on the site of pagan Moon Temple. Visiting Old Sheki: medieval fortress, The Palace of Shaki Khans, the summer residence of Shaki Khans, Historical Museum; Round temple (outside); handicrafts workshop of Shebaka, national musical instruments’, takalduz. Explore the Sheki Caravanserai, they were famous as a city of craftsmen and merchants. Traders from all of the countries along the Silk Road used to gather in Sheki, so great attention was paid to the construction of caravanserais. Through the 18th and 19th centuries, 5 big caravanserais were active in Sheki to house all of the travelers passing through. Only two of them have survived. The Upper and Lower Caravanserais were built in the 18th century. The craftsmen who built these caravanserais tried their best to make them as comfortable as possible, giving plenty of space so that travelers could rest, store their goods, and trade with local residents. The cellars were used for storing goods, the first floor was for trading, and the second floor was where travelers and merchants would stay. The caravanserais were rather big: the Upper Caravanserai is 6,000 square meters, and the Lower one is 8,000 square meters. Each one had more than 200 rooms. According to traditional design, each caravanserai had two to four entrances, and when the doors closed, the caravanserais turned into fortresses. The Upper Caravanserai has been converted into a hotel, and the Lower one is currently being remodeled. Free time for shopping around Caravanserai.

Overnight in Sheki.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Prepare for check out and the driver will pick you up and drop you back to Baku.

On the way to Baku, you will be visiting Gabala, the former capital of the Caucasus Albanians in northern Azerbaijan admire with historical and natural beauty. Nearby archaeological sites dating back almost 2500 years sit near the craggy Caucasus Mountains to the north. Nature, forests, ski resort make Gabala one of the top places in Azerbaijan. Along the way you will also visit the Chotari Albanian Church and Udi house in Nij village, Udi people are remains of the Caucasus Albania Empire, who has their language and traditions. Nij also was known in surrounding because of its market. This market works only Sunday and it is the biggest bazaar in the region.

Overnight in Baku.

After breakfast. The day is free until checkout time. The driver will pick you up and drop you to the airport for your onward flight.