Welcome to Azerbaijan!

Welcome to Azerbaijan! Excursion Tour

Baku–Sheki–Baku

9 days / 8 nights

Season: March - November

Prices: 

Day 1

Arrival
Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2: Baku

After breakfast, the excursion begins. Tourists will first enjoy a panoramic view of the city and Baku Bay from Highland Park. Following this, the tour continues to the Old City (Baku Fortress), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The excursion starts at the entrance to the fortress. Tourists enter through the ancient "Double Gates," which once opened onto the Shamakhi Road. Walking with a guide through the historic streets of the fortress, tourists will visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, explore ancient caravanserais, view old mosques and medieval baths, and climb to the top of the Maiden Tower. The Maiden Tower is one of the mystical landmarks of the ancient East.

The tour also includes a visit to the site where the Apostle Bartholomew was martyred.

After lunch, the excursion continues to the Heydar Aliyev Center. This complex includes an auditorium, museums, and exhibition halls. Designed in 2007 by the world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the center was recognized as the best building in the world in 2014 and awarded the "2014 Design of the Year" prize.

Inside, visitors can explore an interactive museum of national musical instruments, the "Masterpieces of Azerbaijan" museum featuring collections of national clothing and household items, as well as exhibitions of Azerbaijani carpets and more.

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

Day 3: Absheron Peninsula

Today, an excursion to the Absheron Peninsula is planned. The first stop will be at "Yanar Dag" (Burning Mountain), where an eternal flame has been blazing on the hillside for centuries. In ancient times, Zoroastrian priests used this site for meditation.

The next destination is the Fire Temple of Ateshgah. This Zoroastrian temple was built in the early centuries AD in the village of Surakhany, on a site where natural gas escapes to the surface. After the spread of Islam in Azerbaijan, the temple fell into decline. Worship at Ateshgah was revived in the 15th century after its restoration by Zoroastrians from India.

Free time.
Overnight in a hotel in Baku.
Duration: 6-7 hours. Meals: BB. Distance: 80 km.

Day 4: Baku – Sheki

08:00 Departure to Sheki (300 km). Leaving Baku, tourists will head northwest. Along the way, the landscape will gradually change, starting from semi-deserts, transitioning to steppes, and eventually forested areas. In the distance, alpine meadows and snow-capped mountain peaks will come into view.

The first stop is the Diri Baba Sufi Mausoleum (15th century). This sacred site still attracts visitors for worship. In the Middle Ages, Sufi dervishes meditated in the nearby caves.

Following the mausoleum, there will be a visit to the Shamakhi Juma Mosque (early 20th century). The mosque’s architecture is unique, and the guide will share its history and significance.

A tea break is planned at a roadside café, where tourists can enjoy tea with local jams.

After lunch, visit the open-air museum "Ancient Capital of Caucasian Albania".

Overnight in a hotel in Sheki.
Duration: 8 hours. Meals: BB. Distance: 300 km.

Day 5: Sheki – Gakh

After breakfast, tourists will visit the Sheki Bazaar, where they can explore and, if desired, purchase local fruits, spices, and pottery. After the market, they will head to the Gakh district.

In Gakh, they will explore the historic part of the town, “Icheri Bazaar”, visit a small functioning Georgian church, and travel to the village of Ilisu to see the medieval Sumug Gala Tower and a mosque.

After lunch, tourists will return to Sheki to continue their excursions.

The first stop will be the Palace of the Sheki Khans, built in the 17th century. Remarkably, the two-story palace was constructed without a single nail and rests on a 20-centimeter foundation. Inside, tourists can admire frescoes depicting battle scenes fought by the Sheki Khans.

Adjacent to the palace, within the fortress, are artisan workshops. Visitors are encouraged to explore the "Shebeke" workshops, where intricate wooden lattice designs for stained-glass windows are crafted.

Next, tourists will visit the medieval Caravanserai, which still welcomes guests today, followed by a stop at a shop selling local sweets.

After lunch, the tour continues to the Orthodox Church in Kish, founded in 62 AD by the Apostle Eliseus. In the churchyard, there are graves of individuals of extraordinary height, over 2 meters tall. One theory suggests these might be descendants of the Atlanteans.

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

Day 6: Sheki – Baku

After breakfast, departure to Baku. On the way, tourists will visit the ancient Albanian church in the village of Nij, home to the descendants of tribes that once inhabited ancient Caucasian Albania. After visiting Nij, tourists will relax at Lake Nohur and continue their journey to Baku.

Arrival in Baku.
Overnight in a hotel in Baku.
Duration: 8-9 hours. Meals: BB. Distance: 300 km.

Day 7: Gobustan & Carpet Museum

After breakfast, the tour will visit the Gobustan Rock Art Museum. The petroglyphs of Gobustan date back to various eras, from the 10th to 8th millennia BC to the Middle Ages. Due to the extensive historical period they cover, they rank highly among other rock art collections worldwide. Gobustan is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourists will visit both the interactive museum and the open-air museum.

Next, tourists will head to the Mud Volcanoes, most of which are located in Azerbaijan, mainly on the Absheron Peninsula. The volcanic mud is known for its therapeutic properties and is often used in cosmetics.

After visiting the mud volcanoes, the group will return to Baku. On the way back, tourists will visit the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum. Located on the Seaside Boulevard, the building is designed in the shape of a rolled-up carpet. It houses the largest collection of Azerbaijani carpets in the world, with over 6,000 exhibits.

After the excursions, return to Baku. After lunch, the group will continue the visit to the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum. The museum, designed by Austrian architect Franz Janz, showcases a vast collection of both antique and modern Azerbaijani carpets.

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

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Day 8: Baku – Wine Museum

Breakfast at the hotel.
Today, tourists will explore the history of winemaking in Azerbaijan. After breakfast, the group will visit the Wine Museum, located on the site of the largest winery from the Soviet era. In 1981, a decision was made to establish the museum in honor of the visit of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. The museum was completed by 1982, but due to Brezhnev’s health, he was unable to visit.

At the museum, tourists will learn about the history of winemaking in Azerbaijan, see products from that era, and enjoy a wine tasting.

After the tour and tasting, the group will head to the Green Bazaar, a true Eastern market where local fruits, vegetables, sauces, honey, spices, and dried fruits are sold.

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

Free time.
Overnight in a hotel in Baku.
Duration: 4 hours. Meals: BB. Distance: 20 km.

Day 9

Departure
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport.