Treasures of Azerbaijan

Sightseeing tour to Absheron Peninsula: Breakfast at the hotel. Start of the excursion. We visit Fire Temple Ateshgah (literally Fire House) which is located in 30 kilometers from the center of Baku, in the south-eastern outskirts of the Absheron Peninsula. The temple was built over a pocket of natural gas that fuelled a vent providing an ‘eternal’ fire which zoroastrians used to worship. The Temple of Eternal Fire – Ateshgah – is an authentic Azerbaijani exotic. It is well-known practically all over the world. This territory is known for such unique natural phenomenon as burning natural gas outlets (underground gas coming onto surface contacts oxygen and lights up). The temple in its present state was constructed in the 17th-18th centuries. It was built by the Baku-based Hindu community related to Sikhs. Next to this small village in the Absheron peninsula, Mount Yanardag (a natural gas fire which blazes continuously on a hillside on the Absheron Peninsula near Baku, which itself is known as the “land of fire’’) is situated. This natural burning flame became as a result of the emergence of natural gas at the foot of the hill. A hill that burning approximately 4 millenniums nonstop even in times of raining and snowing roots of the gas going as far as to Caspian Sea. Yanardag Mountain is also known as Burning Hill, where natural gas has been ablaze for hundreds of years. You will enjoy the view of Yanardag – the infamous burning mountain. In ancient times natural eternal flames were burning in many places of Absheron. Yanardag was declared State Historical-Cultural and Natural Reserve in order to protect natural monument. On the way back to hotel you will stop in Haydar Aliyev Cultural Center for the photos from outside. You can take a nice picture front of the “I LOVE BAKU” sign. The iconic Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre was designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid and is famous for its distinctive flowing, curved style that eschews sharp angles. As a brilliant piece of post-modern architecture, the building’s shape is an eternal cycle, connecting the past with the present. The building houses a conference hall, gallery halls, museums and more and seeks to unite people of diverse backgrounds in a place of shared ideas. The building won the London Design Museum award in 2014. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Baku.

After the breakfast, driver will pick up you from your hotel for starting the Guba-Khinalig Tour. Guba is located 168 km away from Baku on the attitude of 600m above the sea level in the hills of Greater Caucasian Mountains. Guba due to its rich flora and fauna and soft climate is very popular among the tourists. First stop in Guba will be the Handmade Carpet Factory called “Qadim Quba” which you will see the process of vowing carpets by the women of the city. After the factory you will take your way further to the north, Khinalug Village that located in the Greater Caucasian Mountains on 2350 meters above the sea level with fascinating natural beauty and beautiful mountain slopes. The village is one of the most ancient continuously inhabited human settlements in the world that dates back to 3rd millennium BC. Many invaders who came to Azerbaijan couldn’t reach to the village because of its high attitude and strong climate. That is why Khinalug kept its architectural and cultural uniqueness. Generally, inhabitants of Khinalig have 380 houses that each of them is approximately 200 to 300 years old. In the Khinalug you will be invited to the one local house to drink tea and eat the local pastries. The inhabitants of Khinalug have preserved their traditional way of life. Weddings and other ceremonies are held in strict conformity with the rites inherited from one generation to another. This area abounds with the richest traditions linked to rain and land cultivation coupled with a special attitude to domestic animals, weddings and funerals, as well as to celestial bodies. The rites and traditions that have become an integral part of life are linked closely to natural phenomenon. The villagers are mainly involved with sheep breeding. It is rare to find such an ecologically pure fuel. Whilst in Khynalug, one may often notice a pile of cubes or bricks called tezek in Azerbaijani made of manure. In the past, this type of bio-fuel was widely used in Azerbaijan. The manure is piled up and mixed with hay, formed into special shapes and then pressed. The bricks formed are dried in the sun and then, used to build high walls. The bricks are the main fuel used by the inhabitants of Khynalug: they are high-quality material and do not incur any additional costs. On the way back from Khinalug you will be able to stop for the pictures inside of the Qecresh forest. In the forest you will see the local people, they will offer to ride the horse. After the Khinalug you will visit the 100% Jewish Settlement Called Red Village. In the village close to 1000 Mountain Jews are living in Peace since 18th century without any conflict. In the village you will see the Synagogue, Jewish Religious School and Religious Rainwater Bathhouse. You will be amazed with seeing how jews and muslims are living together and sharing the city without any conflict since 18th century. After finishing tour you will be transferred to the Baku and dropped to the Hotel. Note: This experience requires good weather condition. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or other destination. Overnight at the hotel in Baku.

Breakfast at the hotel No transportation Service & No Guide. During your free day you can discover deeply the shopping malls, restaurants and famous streets of Baku city or spending time how you want. Overnight at the hotel in Baku.

After the early breakfast, your tour to the Natural sites of Azerbaijan will start. Car will pick you up from the hotel. The first site you will visit on the way to Shamakhi City will be the Diri Baba Mausoleum that built in th 15th Century. After the Mausoleum you will reach to the Shamakhi City-one of the most ancient cities in Azerbaijan dated back to 5th century BC. In the Middle Ages, Shamakhi was the capital of the Shirvanshahs government. In the Middle Ages Shamakhi was one of the fascinating cities in the east. City also has the biggest astrophysical observatory in the Caucasus. The city itself is not only rich with its nature and beauty but very rich with monuments that have historical significance. Inside of the Shamakhi City you will visit the Shamakhi Juma Mosque, a first mosque ever built in the territory of Azerbaijan in year 743. After the mosque you will proceed to the 7 Gumbez Mausoleum. A medieval graveyard of the Kings Family. After visiting and doing some experience there, we will continue our journey further to Qabala. On the way to Sheki we will stop in the very beautiful of Qabala blue Nohur Lake. The quiet atmosphere and bird sounds will create an ideal relaxation environment. Later, we visit our next destination – Sheki city. You will be transferred to the Hotel in Sheki.

After your breakfast tour will start with car picking up you from your hotel and we begin to discover ancient Sheki city. Sheki Khans Palace – The Palace itself built in 1762 as a summer residence for the Khan of Sheki. During the construction of the building, no single nails and glues were used. From inside, all the walls of the Palace are full of paintings which each painting has its own philosophical meaning. In the garden outside of the palace, you will discover 2 plane trees that both are 500 years old.The Shaki History Museum is one of the main museums, considered one of the most important for artifacts of the Khanate period. You will see the Caravanserai one of the attractions of Sheki. Caravanserais were built in the form of locks with a closed courtyard, with one gate, which closed in case of danger, resulting in an impregnable fortress. The complex consists of two caravanserais, called “Yukhary” (Upper) and “Ashagy” (Lower). Their construction dates back to the XVIII-XIX centuries. Part of the caravanserai is now used as a hotel. Then you walk along the streets of the city, admire the panorama of the city from the mountainous part. Kish Albanian Church – The brilliantly renovated round-towered Albanian church in pretty Kish village has been lovingly converted into a very well-presented trilingual museum. It’s the best place anywhere to learn about mysterious Caucasian Albania, the Christian nation that once covered most of northern Azerbaijan. Drive back to Baku. Overnight at the hotel in Baku.

Tour will start from the main entrance of the Old City called Double Gates. During the tour you will be able to see the Chain, Sailor and Cat Houses, Bukhara and Multani Caravanserais, Juma Mosque, Maiden Tower. Guide will explain to you the history of the Old City, and its buildings mentioned above. Shirvanshahs Palace – the pearl of the architectural heritage of Azerbaijan, the former residence of the rulers of Shirvan, located in the heart of Baku. In addition to the palace, the amazingly beautiful complex includes the Divan-Khan courtyard, tomb, mosque in 1441, as well as the bathhouse and mausoleum of court scholar Seyid Yahya Bakuvi. Later, Bukhara caravanserai constructed in late 15th century over the trade highway of Icherisheher in Baku. The caravanserai has a quadratic shape and salient portal and, its yard is octagonal. Caravanserai surrounded by balconies and personal premises – chapels along the perimeter. The octagonal comfortable yard was a special hall under open sky. There travellers and merchants were gathering after daily commercial operations. The crossing arch connected in general style along the full perimeter of the internal space of the yard within direct frame aggregates the main part of the architectural composition. The restoration works implemented in 1964 completely discharged the caravansaray building from the constructions and layers added later and it promoted to discover its large-scale structure on the background of the surrounding buildings. Maiden Tower is an Eiffel Tower of Baku.In 12th century it was used as a fortress of Shirvanshahs for defensive causes.Maiden Tower’s architectural plan, seemingly so simple, consists of walls which at the base are extraordinarily thick, beginning at five meters in depth and gradually narrowing to four meters at the top. Today, the interior contains an interesting display of old photographs and a souvenir shop, but the highlight is the superb rooftop viewpoint surveying Baku Bay and the Old City. The views from the top are worth the climb, with a sweeping panorama of the Old City, the new skyscrappers on the hills and the Caspian Sea. Overnight in Baku.

Breakfast at the Hotel You will discover southern regions of Azerbaijan, Lankaran. You will visit Lankaran City Kichik Gala Explore the prison where Joseph Stalin was detained. Lankaran Khan Palace – The Khan’s palace was built by architects from Europe in 1913 on the order of the Khan’s descendant Mir Ahmed Khan. All the building materials used here were brought from Baku by ship. This magnificent building was the first multi-storey building in Lankaran. The facade of the building is decorated with mythological figures. The building had electricity and lighting systems for the first time before the revolution. At this magnificent building there is the Lankaran History and Ethnography Museum Ballabyur Fortress & Monument of Hazi Aslanov. The you will visit Hirkan National Park. Lankaran is located near Hirkan National Park (Reserve). There are 150 kinds of trees and bushes in the park area and 36 of them are endemic. The fauna in the national park is not so rich, but you can find interesting rare species there. We can meet boars, wild boars, spot antlers, jackals, and Asian leopards in the park. As for birds, woodpeckers, Hirkan tits, and stone sparrows can be noted. DRive back to Baku Overnight in Baku

Breakfast at the hotel No transportation Service & No Guide During your free day you can discover deeply the shopping malls, restaurants and famous streets of Baku city or spending time how you want. Overnight at the hotel in Baku.

After having a good breakfast in the hotel, your private car and guide will pick you up from your hotel and we begin to discover Gobustan Museum & Mud Volcanoes. Gobustan geographical region is situated in the west-south of Baku. The meaning of the word «Gobustan» is derived from two words «gobu» – «ravine» and «stan»- «place», i.e. ravine area. The Archeological monument is located in 56 km from the capital city, Baku. The artifacts and rock carvings were discovered in 1939 – 1940 years. As a result of the researchers, more than 3,500 human and animal paintings and various markings – petroglyphs were recorded and 20 suburban shelters have been identified in this place. Mesolithic monuments (medieval stone) are mostly exhibited in the reserve. There are many caves, springs, carved by primitive men on walls of caves, rocks, and stony lumps. First you will visit the Gobustan Museum to get the better insights to the history of the area then you will go by car to the Rock Mountain to see the real carvings. Then, you will advance to the mountain in order to see real rock paintings in the open air museum. Later on the tour will continue to the Mud Volcanoes which is not far from Gobustan National Museum. Whoever wants can bring some strong plastic bags with them to collect some of the mud from there which has been said is good for the skin. Spending 10 minutes around Volcanoes you will be transferred back to your car. Azerbaijan keeps the first place in the world for the number of mud volcanoes. About 300 mud volcanoes are to be found in Azerbaijan – at the shore, in the sea and on islands. During this trip you will get a great chance to see these amazing active volcanoes from very close distance. Then we visit beautiful Bibiheybat mosque. The Bibi-Heybat Mosque includes the tomb of Ukeyma Khanum (a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad), and today is the spiritual center for the Muslims of the region and one of the major monuments of Islamic architecture in Azerbaijan. Return to Baku. Overnight at the Hotel in Baku

After having a good breakfast at the hotel, your private car and guide will pick you up from your hotel and we begin our shopping tour. Park Bulvar is favorably located in the city center – on the Boulevard, a national park that holds special place in the hearts of Bakuvians. Park Bulvar will offer more than just shopping experience. It will be a place of leisure, where food, drinks, music and movies are as big as fashion. Mall 28, the ultimate leisure, entertainment and shopping destination opened on 15th September 2012. Strategically located in the heart of the city, this 25000 retail square meter Mall offers a full range of shopping, leisure, and entertainment for all its customers. Mall 28 features around 70 international and local brands including department, fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics and home furnishing and has an electric retail mix. Also it is equipped with a large family entertainment area, a 6 screen multiplex cinema, and over 16 coffee shops and restaurants. Ganjlik Mall with its grand central atrium and equally impressive external facades, Azerbaijan’s largest shopping mall seamlessly blends form with function to deliver a premier shopping experience in a building that can be described as nothing less than a trophy property. We can also take a trip to Green market and Taza Bazaar. If you want to experience the local Azerbaijan culture without travelling too far from the centre, head to Taza Bazaar. The largest market in Baku sits halfway between Nizami and 28 May Metro Station. Today, people buy fresh produce, nuts, herbs and a variety of oriental spices. Yasil Bazar, or ‘Green Market’, offers an authentic local experience when you travel to Baku. Get away from the city’s core, and stroll to the train station to find the local’s favourite market in Baku. People from around Azerbaijan sell organic vegetables and fruit including grapes and pomegranates at Yasil Bazaar. Overnight at the hotel in Baku.

This day your Azerbaijan adventures come to an end! Having breakfast at the hotel in Baku, after check-out from the hotel you will be transferred to the Heydar Aliyev International Airport.