Wonders of Azerbaijan
Located near Armenia and Georgia, between Iran and Russia, with its feet in the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan is one of those countries that fascinates with its diversity. In this mid-Europe and mid-Asia region, this country can only attract visitors. In this trip we will take you to discover the essentials of what Azerbaijan can offer: magnificent landscapes, incredibly chiseled mountains, small villages, palaces, churches and a very rich architectural heritage.
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Destination
Tour Plan
Arrive - Baku
Arrive in Baku, meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Visit the capital Baku
City tour of Baku - the capital of Azerbaijan, once a small fishing port fortified the city owes its extraordinary development to oil. visit the cemetery of Martyrs located with a beautiful panorama over the bay of Baku: the palace of Chirvan Shahs (15th century), the old town, the tower of virgin (XII C), the caravanserai of Bukhara (XIV C) the mosques, the crossroad points of the traders, etc…
Visit the museum of history in Baku.
Walking hours: 3 h. Overnight in Baku.
Cult of Fire
Visit the Absheron Peninsula that extends into the Caspian Sea and strange monument surrounded by an aura of mystery: the Temple of Fire Worshippers. It is a land full of naphtha, the innumerable wisp which has given rise to the Cult of Fire. Fortified since Roman times, the peninsula has preserved several medieval fortresses and one of them is Mardakyan.
Visit Gala ethnographic reserve. Return back to Baku.
Transfer: Private vehicle, around 1h30, 80 km. Overnight in Baku.
Gobustan – the volcanic area
Departure to Gobustan, volcanic area and archaeological site, 70 km from Baku. Between the rivers Pirsagat and Goslu, more than 6000 petroglyphs and other prehistoric objects have been identified in the caves and on the rocks. The oldest findings dates back to the Stone Age.
Continue to Mamedly to visit "Yanardag" (burning mountain) that burns with an eternal fire, fueled by the natural gas from the basement.
Transfer: Private vehicle, around 2h30, 160 km. Walking hours: 1 h. Overnight in Baku.
Ancient villages
We take the road to Besh Barmag mountain where we make a stop at the village Davachi, former camel market.
Departure to the ancient village Quba, surrounded by the forests, which was a refuge for the Khans of Xudat in the 18th century.
Visit mountain village of Jews with beautiful 18th century houses. Transfer: Private vehicle, around 3h, 170 km. Overnight in Baku.
Ancestors of Noah
Visit of the village Khinalig. The road passes through the deep gorges and goes up a serpentine towards the village surrounded by the mountains. It is a village which keeps its identity, its legends, its history which dates back over 5000 years. The inhabitants of the village of Khinalig consider themselves as the ancestors of Noah, a biblical character. Walk around the village. Tea with a local family.
Return back to Baku.
Transfer: Private vehicle, around 5h, 270 km. Walking hours: 1 h. Overnight in Baku.
Region of citrus and the National Park
Departure from Baku to Lankaran. Visit of the resort of Massali thermal water. Excursion to Hirkan National Park. The national park is located on the shores of Caspian Sea to the South-East of Azerbaijan. The park encompasses a pristine part of the Talysh Mountains which stands out for its unique natural components. The region is also known for its tea and citrus plantations.
Visit the city of Lankaran and Khan museum.
Transfer: Private vehicle, around 4h, 280 km. Overnight in Lankaran.
The region with the inhabitants who live long
Departure for the region of Lerik, through a very beautiful wooded road. It is a small green village in the mountains inhabited by the Talysh ethnic people. Lerik is known with its oldest inhabitants who lived more than 100 years. Visit the history museum of Lerik and the museum of long living people.
Return back to Baku.
Transfer: Private vehicle, around 5h, 350 km. Overnight in Baku.
Exploring the mausoleums and the mosques
Departure to Shamakha. Visit Shemakha, former residence of the Shirvan Shahs and museum of seven domes and mosque. Visit the mausoleums of Sufi masters Diri Baba and Pirsaat Pir. Explore the Yeddi Gumbaz mausoleums, the 12th and the 13th centuries mosques.
Difficult road, along the river, goes to the mountains, we arrive in Lahic, a medieval village, founded by the Sassanid king Kaikhosro. Overlooking a canyon, it is village of beautiful 18th and 19th century houses, an interesting mosque, a hammam and numerous of workshops. Walking in the village we can meet different kind of craftsmen and see their work.
Arrive in Galbala.
Transfer: Private vehicle, around 4h30, 260 km. Overnight in Gabala.
On the trail of the former Albanian country in the Caucasus
In the morning visit the town of Gabala, founded 1800 years ago, which was the capital of Caucasus Albania. Visit its open-air museum rich with archaeological excavations.
Departure to Kish, a small village perched on the mountain, here we visit a very old Albanian church dating back to the 1st century.
Arrive in Sheki. Transfer: Private vehicle, around 2h, 105 km. Overnight in Sheki.
Palace of Khans and halva
Discover Sheki town. Visit the Upper Town, a classified area with the houses, 18th century fortress, the magnificent Palace of Sheki Khans. Visit the workshop of Halva, a popular dessert in Sheki.
Departure for Ganja.
Transfer: Private vehicle, around 2h30, 145 km. Overnight in Ganja.
Visit Ganja and back to Baku
Sightseeing of Ganja: mosque of Shah Abbas, caravanserai, museum of miniatures, mausoleum of NizamiI Gyanjavi.
Road back to Baku. Transfer: Private vehicle, around 4h15, 360 km. Overnight in Baku.
Departure
Tour Location
Day 1 - Arrival - Baku
Day 2 - Baku
Day 3 - Apsheron Peninsula
Day 4 - Baku - Gobusran - Baku
Day 5 - Baku - Guba
Day 6 - Guba - Khinalig – Baku
Day 7 - Baku - Lankaran
Day 8 - Lankaran - Lerik - Baku
Day 9 - Baku - Shamekha - Gabala
Day 10 - Gabala - Kish - Sheki
Day 11 - Shaki - Gandja
Day 12 - Ganja - Baku
Day 13 - Baku - departure