Best of Azerbaijan

Day 1

Hotel - Eleon Hotel

Upon arrival at Baku International airport, meet a representative and get transferred to your hotel for check in. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Baku.

Day 2

Visiting the Highland Park and Old City. The history of the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, goes back to the antiquity, although the precise date of its origin is still unknown. The territory of the Absheron Peninsula, where the city is located on, has a favourable geographical position: a calm bay, a warm dry climate, fertile soil and natural resources. Therefore, the emergence of the ancient settlements here was quite natural. is located on a hill in the Western part of the city. This is the best spot to overview the city itself, along with the Baku Bay and the Seaside Boulevard, which celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2019. Further, the guests will get acquainted with the Old City, which is called Icheri Sheher. Many historical and architectural monuments are concentrated on its territory, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the symbol of the city of Baku - Ma iden Tower, Caravanserais, mosques, etc. Your tour goes on with a visit to the Heydar Aliyev Center. The Heydar Aliyev Center was built by world-famous architect Zaha Hadid. An internationally recognized architectural work, the building of the Heydar Aliyev Center has become a signature landmark of modern Baku due to its innovative and cutting-edge design. The Center achieved a famous «Design of the Year Award» back in 2014. Extending on eight floor levels, the center accommodates a 1000-seat auditorium, temporary exhibition spaces, a conference center, workshops, and a museum. Return to the hotel and leisure time. Overnight in Baku.

Day 3

Departure for an excursion to the historical and archaeological reserve of Gobustan. The archaeological reserve of Gobustan, an open-air museum located in the south-east of the Great Caucasus. Gobustan petroglyphs dating back to 5,000-20,000 years, perfectly preserved rock carvings, are a kind of artistic archive of human evolution on planet Earth. They reflect the history of this region for almost 15 thousand years - from the end of the Upper Paleolithic era to the Middle Ages. They reflect the history of this region for almost 15 thousand years - from the end of the Upper Paleolithic age to the Middle Ages. Today, Azerbaijani scientists have identified, described and studied more than 4,000 petroglyphs (rock paintings in stone carving techniques) and this important work still continues. Before starting a Gobustan tour, guests will visit the interactive museum, where they can get information about the history and nature of Gobustan using special multimedia programs and touch screens. Next point of the tour is the area of Mud volcanoes, a rare natural phenomenon appeared in Azerbaijan 25 million years ago. Azerbaijan has nearly 400 mud volcanoes on its territory. They occur where tectonic movement allows subterranean gases to escape to the surface. A few of these gas leaks are constantly on fire, shooting small perpetual flames into the air, however, mud volcanoes never grow to the size of a normal volcano. Next excursion to the Temple of Fire Worshipers «Ateshgah». The tour goes on with the ancient legacy of Zoroastrianism. Located 30 km away from Baku, there is one of the most mysterious sights of Azerbaijan - Ateshgah, The Temple of Fire Worshippers. Part caravanserai, part fire temple, it stands on the site of a natural-gas burning from the earth crust. It is called «the eternal fire». In ancient time Ateshgah was a sacred place to Zoroastrians. Though the temple’s current incarnation was built by 18th century Indian Shiva devotees. Next on your tour is a magically attractive site, the burning hill of Yanardag. Yanardag is a hillside with a continuously burning natural fire described by Marco Polo back in the 13th century during his visit to the Persian city of Baku. Return to the hotel and leisure time. Overnight in Baku.

Day 4

Shamakha was the royal seat of the Shirvanshahs and thus of northern Azerbaijan’s most prominent cultural and trading cities. In Shamakha guests will visit the Diri Baba Tomb, a 15-th century stone tomb. The route to Gabala passes through the village of Lahij which is locally famous for its Persian-based dialect and its traditional coppersmiths. Return to the hotel and leisure time. Overnight in Baku.

Day 5

Qabala is one of the most beautiful parts of Azerbaijan with a rich and ancient history. Sometime in the past (for 600 years) this city (Kabala) was the capital of Caucasian Albania. Up to the present time there are the ruins of the ancient city and the main gate of Caucasian Albania. Ongoing excavations near the village Chukhur confirm that Gabala from IV – III centuries BC and up to the XVIII century was one of the major cities with developed trade and crafts. There is a great variety of historical and cultural monuments of different eras in this region: the Albanian church of IV-VIII centuries in Amili village, tombs of Sheikh Badraddin and Sheikh Mansur of XV century in Hazra village, mosque of XIX century in Bum village and others. The abundance of attractions, beautiful nature and well developed infrastructure attract thousands of tourists. In Gabala guests will visit Chuhur Gabala (the ruins of the ancient Caucasian Albania’s capital Kabala). Few centuries ago It used to be a very significant place in the Middle East as it was a huge educational centre for mags – the priests of Zoroastrian temples and Nij village. This village is famous with its ancient religious buildings and their citizens. It is the only place in the world where Udins ethnicity lives – very ancient Caucasian ethnos that has its own authentic culture and traditions. Return to the hotel and leisure time. Overnight in Baku.

Day 6

Krasnaya Sloboda is a unique place in the Caucasus where 3000 Mountain Jews live. This Jewish settlement of Quba has been inhabited by Jews since the 13th century. In 1742, a local ruler named Falikhan gave the Jews, who were being persecuted by Islamic fundamentalists, permission to settle on the left bank of the mountain river Kudiyal-Chay opposite his town. Today, seven synagogues have been preserved. They are all built of bricks, and the larger ones are decorated with onion domes. Red roofs, sculpted panels of beige limestone, and rocky cliffs are the distinctive features of the settlement. Arrival in Guba. After trip to Krasnaya Sloboda and lunch a short 1 hour transfer to Xinalig settlement along the marvelous mountainous road. There are no restaurants in Xinalig so if needed meals can be arranged in the local house on a spot. Short hiking to surrounding mountains and in village itself. Return to the hotel and leisure time. Overnight in Baku.

Day 7

After the check-out from the hotel, the group will have a convenient transfer to the Heydar Aliyev international airport. Depending on the time of departure, there is a chance to visit colorful Eastern Bazaar called «Yashil Bazar» or «Green Bazaar». The guests may buy some dried fruits, traditional Azerbaijani tea, nuts and sweets.