Adventure in the Land of Fire

Adventure in the Land of Fire! 

With elements of trekking
10 Days / 9 Nights
Season: May – October

Price:

Day 1

Arrival in Baku
Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Baku.

Day 2

Baku
After breakfast, departure for excursions. The day begins with a panoramic view of the city and Baku Bay from the observation deck of Highland Park. Next, tourists will embark on a tour of 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 excursion starts at the entrance to the fortress, where tourists pass through the ancient "Double Gates," which once opened to the Shemakha Road. Walking along the old streets of the fortress with the guide, tourists will visit the Shirvanshahs’ Palace, explore the ancient Caravanserais, see old mosques and medieval bathhouses, and climb to the rooftop of the iconic Maiden Tower, one of the mystical structures of the ancient East. Tourists will also be shown the site where the Apostle Bartholomew was martyred.

After lunch, the excursion continues with a visit to the Heydar Aliyev Center, a multifunctional architectural masterpiece designed by the world-famous architect Zaha Hadid in 2007. In 2014, the building was awarded the prestigious "2014 Design of the Year" title and recognized as the best building in the world. The center houses an interactive museum of national musical instruments, the "Masterpieces of Azerbaijan" museum showcasing traditional clothing and household items, and an Azerbaijani carpet exhibition, among others.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Baku.
Duration: 6–7 hours
Meals: BB

Day 3

Baku – Sulut Village – Lahij Village
After breakfast, departure to Ismayilli District, heading toward the village of Sulut. During the journey, the scenery outside the car window will gradually change from semi-desert to alpine meadows.

The first stop will be in the village of Basgal, where tourists will take a stroll through its narrow streets, visit local shops, and, time permitting, observe the traditional handcrafting of "Kelaghayi" silk scarves.

The main destination of the day is Sulut Village, one of the oldest settlements in the foothills of the Caucasus. To this day, the village has preserved houses built from processed river stones. In one of these houses, guests will be welcomed with tea served from a samovar and local homemade jams.

After tea, a hiking trip begins. The route will first pass through the old part of the village, then along a mountain river, which will be crossed via stepping stones. The trail continues across a meadow situated at the foot of rocky mountains, past an abandoned farm and an old apple orchard. Here, tourists will discover an underground storage structure built during the Middle Ages.

The hike then continues through the forest to the ruins of the medieval Gyrkh Otak Fortress ("Forty Rooms"). After a photo session and a short rest, the group will return to their hospitable hosts, where they will be treated to a lunch of local dishes. Those interested can participate in setting the table and learn some of the secrets of local cuisine.

After lunch, a leisurely tea break, and a brief rest, the group will transfer to Lahij Village.

Overnight stay in Lahij at a hotel.
Duration: 8–9 hours
Meals: BB
Distance: 180 km (hiking portion: 8 km)

Day 4

After breakfast, a tour of the village and visits to the coppersmith workshops.

The mountain village of Lahij is a well-known landmark of Azerbaijan and is part of the "Great Silk Road" tourist route. Resembling an authentic medieval settlement, the village has been designated a historical and cultural reserve. Historically, Lahij was renowned as a center of handicraft production, where local artisans continue to create copperware and carpets, preserving traditional methods.

This excursion is shorter but more challenging due to uphill climbs.

After lunch, the group will depart for the village of Nidj, home to the descendants of the Udi tribe, who were part of ancient Caucasian Albania. During the excursion, visitors will explore the Jotari Udi Church and the national cultural center.

Following the visit to Nidj, tourists will continue their journey to the city of Sheki.

Overnight stay in Sheki at a hotel.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals: BB
Distance: 140 km

Day 5

Sheki
This day will be dedicated to exploring the city of Sheki and the Gakh District, along with their landmarks.

In Sheki, tourists will visit the Palace of Sheki Khans, a luxurious 18th-century building constructed without a single nail. The itinerary also includes the Juma Mosque, a madrasa, the Khan Mosque, the Khan Cemetery, the medieval Caravanserai, and traditional craft workshops. Another highlight is the Albanian Church in the village of Kish. This ancient church is considered one of the oldest in the South Caucasus and possibly in the world. It is believed to have been founded by Saint Yegishe (Elisha).

Afterward, the group will travel to the neighboring Gakh District. Despite its proximity, Gakh's climate, architecture, and cuisine differ significantly from those of Sheki. In Gakh, tourists will visit the 5th-century Basilica in the village of Gum, the Ulu Mosque in Ilisu, the Sumug Gala Tower, and the Georgian Church of St. George.

Overnight stay in Sheki at a hotel.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals: BB
Distance: 80 km

Day 6

Sheki – Baku
After breakfast, departure for Baku.

On the way, the group will visit the Shamakhi Mosque, founded at the end of the 8th century, and the Diri Baba Mausoleum, a unique structure that serves as a tomb, mosque, and sacred pilgrimage site.

The mausoleum is built into a cliff at a significant height, appearing to float in the air. According to legend, it is the resting place of Diri Baba ("Living, Immortal Old Man"), a saint whose body remained incorrupt for a long time. Numerous legends and mystical tales surround the mausoleum. Since the 17th century, it has attracted pilgrims, travelers, and scholars eager to unravel its mysteries.

Upon arrival in Baku, check-in at the hotel.

Overnight stay in Baku at a hotel.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals: BB
Distance: 300 km

Day 7

Baku – Absheron Peninsula – Gobustan
After breakfast, tourists will embark on an excursion around the Absheron Peninsula. The first stop will be the Fire Temple (Ateshgah). At the beginning of the Common Era, a Zoroastrian fire temple was built in the village of Surakhani, located on a site with natural gas emissions. After the Arab conquest of Azerbaijan and the adoption of Islam by the locals, the Zoroastrian fire temple was partially destroyed. Worship of fire in Surakhani was revived in the 15th century.

After visiting Ateshgah, tourists will head to Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain) – a site where fire worshippers once meditated.

After lunch, the group will travel to Gobustan to visit the Petroglyph Museum. The museum consists of an interactive indoor museum and an open-air museum. The distance to Gobustan is 60 km one way.

The petroglyphs in Gobustan date from various periods, ranging from the 10th–8th millennia BC to the Middle Ages. These ancient drawings, covering such a vast historical period, are considered one of the most significant rock art collections in the world. Archaeologists have discovered over 6,000 drawings on 1,000 rocks, ancient dwellings – caves and settlements, around 40 burial mounds, and more than 100,000 cultural artifacts. The oldest petroglyphs date back to the Mesolithic period, but it is believed that life in the region predates these, making Gobustan one of the cradles of civilization.

After visiting the Gobustan Museum, an exciting journey will take tourists in local vehicles to see the active mud volcanoes.

Overnight stay in Baku at a hotel.
Duration: 6–7 hours
Meals: BB
Distance: 180 km

Day 8

Baku – Khinalig Village – Baku
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, tourists will embark on a journey to the mountain village of Khinalig, located at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level. The village is situated in a remote area in the southwest of the Guba district, on the slopes of Mount Kyzylkaya on the northern side of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range.

Khinalig attracts tourists and travelers with its inaccessibility, unique language, distinctive architecture, and culture. The people of Khinalig have preserved their language for over 4,000 years, a language belonging to an ancient linguistic branch unique to this area. The Khinalig language cannot be classified into any known language group. The people themselves claim to be descendants of the prophet Noah.

After the excursion in the village, tourists will return to Baku. On the return journey, if desired, there will be a chance to visit the Candy Cane Mountains. These hills, with their quirky reddish-white stripes, create a fantastic landscape and are a mysterious natural phenomenon. Over centuries, rain, sun, and wind have shaped this unique terrain.

Overnight stay in Baku at a hotel.
Duration: 8–9 hours
Meals: BB
Distance: 380 km

Day 9

Baku
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, tourists will have the opportunity to explore the history of winemaking in Azerbaijan. After breakfast, the group will visit the Wine Museum, located on the grounds of the largest winery in the Soviet era. In 1981, it was decided to create the museum in time for the visit of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. The museum was completed by 1982, but due to Brezhnev's health issues, he was unable to visit it.

In this museum, tourists will learn about the history of winemaking in Azerbaijan, see products from those years, and taste some of the wines. After the excursion and wine tasting, the group will head to the Green Bazaar. This is an authentic Eastern market where local fruits, vegetables, various sauces, honey, spices, and dried fruits are sold.

After visiting the Green Bazaar, tourists will return to the hotel to drop off their purchases. They will then have free time to explore Baku at their leisure.

Overnight stay in Baku at a hotel.
Duration: 5–6 hours
Meals: BB

Day 10

Departure
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for departure.