| Duration: | 7 Day(s) - 6 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Culture Tours |
Ancient culture, gentle sun, the charm of the East, the authenticity of locals, fantastic food, hospitality, and complete delight!
I think we ran a little forward and foretasted the reviews you will make after the tour.
Don’t you believe us? Come and find out for yourself!
Day 1. Baku
Arrival to Baku
Check-in at the hotel (registration time: 14:00)
Overnight in Baku
Day 2. Meeting with Baku
09:00 Breakfast at the hotel
09:30 Departure to Baku City Tour
Today we begin our tour with a panorama of the city, viewed from the height of Upland Park, which gives an idea of the contrasts and scale of the city that covers Baku Bay as a horseshoe. The town is in the shape of an amphitheater, descending to the Caspian Sea. The tour covers the central part of Baku showing the most interesting historical and architectural sites, as well as visiting a favorite walking place for residents and guests - Baku Boulevard.
Also, we will visit the "Old Town", which are several dozen historical and architectural monuments situated in its territory, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the symbol of Baku - Maiden Tower, places of rest and stay of medieval merchants - Caravansarai.
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:00-18:30 We continue our tour by bus to the central part of Baku to see the most interesting historical and architectural monuments.
Today's tour ends with a visit to the cultural complex named after Heydar Aliyev. Many of those who first saw the design project of the Center named after Heydar Aliyev could not believe that such a project could ever come true. Even in theory, the construction of a building complex with extraordinary design looks far from being realistic. The complex has several exhibitions that can be visited at the choice of the tourist (surcharge).
18:30 Return to the hotel. Overnight in Baku.
Day 3. Exploring Gobustan-Ateshgah-Gala
08:30 Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out
09:30 Excursion to Gobustan
Gobustan is a Historical and Architectural Reserve under the open sky with unique cave paintings of Neolithic times, which is located 70 kilometers from Baku. There are more than 6 thousand petroglyphs dated over 12 thousand years old in Gobustan. The figures reflect the life of people in the Stone Age - hunting, recreation, and dance, accompanied by the melodious sounds of "Gaval Dash" (a large rock with a deep resonant sound). Thanks to the huge rocks, were formed many caves, which served as a refuge for ancient people and helped them to survive during bad weather. Before the start of the tour to Gobustan, we will visit the newly-built hi-tech museum of the same name.
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:00- 15:30 Excursion to the Temple of Fire worshipers Ateshgah.
The Temple of fire worshipers is an ancient religious building, built on the site of natural gas output. This temple is a part of the Zoroastrian chronicles and symbolizes the cult of the Eternal Flame. In the former cells, where pilgrims from all over the world stayed, a museum with unique exhibits is set up.
16:00- 18:00 Excursion to the National Reserve Gala
The Gala village is about a 40-minute drive from Baku. Earlier only a few people knew about the village, but in recent years the popularity of this small village has become enormous. And the reason is simple - someone came up with a great idea to make an open-air museum at the place of the archaeological site. Entering the museum you feel like being dropped in the old days. The historic architectural monuments confirm that these places were ancient settlements of people.
18:30 Return to the hotel. Overnight in Baku.
Day 4. Trips to regions - Baku - Lahij - Sheki (400 km)
08:30 Breakfast in the hotel. Check out.
09:30 Drive in the North-West of Azerbaijan. The road to the city of Sheki will pass on one of the most beautiful corners of Azerbaijan at the foot of the Great Caucasus. The route passes through the village of Lahij, which is known for its handicraft workshops, it is inhabited by various craft masters that pass on their knowledge from generation to generation. Strolling through the narrow and quiet streets of Lahij, we will get acquainted with the masters of carpet weaving, leather, carvers, potters, blacksmiths, and engravers on metal and wood.
18:00 Arrival to Sheki, check-in. Rest. Overnight.
Day 5. Meeting Sheki
09:00 Breakfast
09:30 -18:00 Sheki is one of the most famous and ancient places in Azerbaijan. Situated 700 m (2297 ft.) above sea level the city, like an amphitheater, is surrounded by the mountains and forests of oak trees, this ancient city was long famed as a silk Centre and an important stop on the Great Silk Route.
We’ll start our Sheki tour by visiting the 18th-century Khan's summer palace with magnificent frescos and exquisite stained glass work.
We will visit the “Shebeke” workshop where the tourists will meet with local craftsmen who will tell us about the “Shebeke” making process. After we will also visit the workshop of Sheki baklava that is popular all over Azerbaijan.
13:00-14:00 Lunch
Our acquaintance with Sheki continues with a visit to the Albanian church, which is located in Kish village. As the legend says, this church is the first Christian church built not only on the territory of Caucasian Albania, and in general - in the whole of Transcaucasia.
This place is also remarkable because the burials of people whose constitution is different from the present inhabitants of the region were found at the temple. Scientists and researchers who have studied the found skeletons have concluded that they belong to tall people, with blond hair and blue eyes.
The famous Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl, who visited these lands, concluded that the Albanians were the ancestors of the Vikings who immigrated to these places to the north. In 2003, the church was restored with money donated by the Norwegian government thanks to the personal efforts of Thor Heyerdahl. Here, near the territory of the church, you can see a memorial bust in honor of the famous researcher posed as a token of appreciation from the local people and the state.
18:30 Return to the hotel, and rest. Overnight in Sheki.
Day 6. Return to Baku
08:30 Breakfast
09:30 After breakfast we will visit Sheki Bazaar where you will be able to buy fruits and souvenirs and see how local people trade and deal.
Return to Baku. Overnight.
Day 7. Departure from Baku
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out.
