Experiences in Azerbaijan

Medieval Azerbaijan

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Breakfast.
After breakfast we will drive to the Gobustan Historical Reserve (65 km). The reserve is a national historical monument of Azerbaijan established to preserve the prehistoric rock carvings, mud volcanoes and musical stones of the region.
Before the start of the tour in Gobustán we will visit the interactive museum with the same name, where with the help of special programs and touch screens we will get information about nature, flora of Gobustán. The rock art cultural landscape included in the Gobustan National Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007. Azerbaijan is home to the largest concentration of mud volcanoes in the world. Not far from Gobustan are the mud volcanoes. We will visit mud volcanoes (depending on weather conditions).
Later we will visit the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre (closed on Mondays). The building was designed by the renowned Iraqi-British architect and Pritzker Prize winner Zaha Hadid in 2012. The building's design is characterised by futuristic and fluid forms, with curves, waves and a plain white exterior. It has won numerous international architectural awards for its innovative and striking design.
Hotel accommodation in Baku (B/-/-).

Breakfast.
Leaving Baku behind, our journey takes us through beautiful landscapes on the way to Shemakha. Upon arrival in Shemakha we will have a sightseeing tour of the historic Djuma Mosque (Friday Mosque). We will also visit the Diri Baba mausoleum in Maraza and the old Mausoleum and Yeddi Gumbez Cemetery.
After Shemakha we will visit the village of Nidzh not far from Gabala, known for a unique architectural monument of Caucasian Albania: the Temple of Udin. The Udins are an absolutely special ethnic group considered to be of Albanian descent. We will also visit the Museum Casa de Udines with its traditions, language and history.
Arrival in Sheki. Accommodation in Sheki. (B/-/-)

This morning we will take a walk through Sheki. Sheki, one of the oldest cities in Azerbaijan, is called the architectural reserve of the country.
We will visit one of the most important architectural monuments of Azerbaijan: the Sheki Khans Palace (1762).
After that, we will see the caravans in Sheki, which was famous for its trade. We will also drive to the village of Kish located near Sheki. Kish, one of the oldest villages in the territory of Azerbaijan, is well known for its unique architectural monument, a temple from the period of Caucasian Albania. We will visit a local bakery. They will show us the master class "Khalva". Khalva is considered a typical dessert of Azerbaijan. It is mainly made of flour, hazelnut nuts, fat seeds, butter and sugar.
Leave Sheki for Baku. Arrival in Baku.
Accommodation at the hotel in Baku (B/-/-)

After breakfast, we will explore the Ateshgah Zoroastrian Fire Temple in the settlement of Surakhani.
Our next stop is Yanar Dag Fire Mountain. Yanar Dag is located 25 km north of Baku, in the village of Mehemmedli. Natural gas seeping to the surface gives this mountain its famous 'burning' appearance.
Then, your guided walking tour of Baku includes the medieval walled city "Icheri sheher" with its narrow alleys, historical caravasares, mosques and the Palace of the Shirvan Shahs (UNESCO World Heritage List). The Shirvanshahs Palace complex was the last residence of the rulers of the State of Shirvan. We will also see another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Maiden’s Tower (external view) and Alley of the Martyrs with its magnificent views over the Bay of Baku, built in the oil boom of 1870-1914.
Then we will see the Muhammed Mosque (outside view) and the Djuma Mosque (outside view). (B/-/-)