Explore Azerbaijan – Perl of the Caucasus

Meeting 10:10 at the airport.
Accommodation at the in the city.
Transfer to the hotel and free time
Overnight at the hotel.

The tour begins with a visit to one of the modern and most recognizable places of the "Heydar Aliyev Center". The center of Heydar Aliyev is a cultural center, which is a complex building, which includes an auditorium (congress center), a museum, exhibition halls, administrative offices. The famous architect Zaha Hadid designed the project of the centre. Baku is a city that combines modern and ancient, traditional and unusual. After inspecting the temple, we are on our way to the Nagorny Park. It is here that the "City of Winds", as Baku is often called, opens to you in all its glory. The observation platform located on the highest part of the city, near the sleeping "The Languages of Flame" shows the city with all its beauties and greenery bordering Baku Bay. Also, visit the iconic Carpet Museum and marvel at its unique architecture, which is shaped like a rolled carpet. As you explore the museum, witness the world's largest collection of carpets and rugs that showcase the intricacies of historical and modern weaving techniques. While the city is renowned for its distinct architecture, the Old Quarter is a completely different experience. Explore the bustling Nizami Street and spectacular Crystal Hall.

Visit to the old town of Icheri Sheher. Very often Icheri Sheher is called a fortress, as a well-preserved fortress wall surrounds it. People in the territory of Icheri Sheher lived in the Bronze Age, and by the 8th-11th centuries, it was completely populated. Behind the walls, there are many unique monuments: the palace complex of the Shirvanshahs with a burial vault, a sofa, a mosque; "Gyz Galasy" ("The Maiden's Tower"); mosques and minarets, the remains of caravanserais, baths. Buildings of the old fortress are of a special nature. Because of the lack of the territory of the building, the wall to the wall was erected here from ancient times. There are no gardens, the yards are extremely small and separated by "threads" of narrow streets, lanes and dead ends. When the Shirvanshahs moved their capital from Shemakha to Baku in the 15th century, massive buildings began in Icheri Sheher.
Transfer to the hotel and free time
Overnight at the hotel.

The reserve is located 60 km from Baku and is located between the slope of the Great Caucasus Ridge and the Caspian Sea. Gobustan is an open-air reserve reflecting the life and everyday life of primitive people who lived here since the Mesolithic period until the Middle Ages. A special place is occupied by ancient rock carvings pictograms and petro glyph petro glyphs. These ancient monuments of art reflect the worldview, economy, customs and traditions of ancient Azerbaijanis. Gobustan is characterized by male and female images. Men in the drawings are depicted in a hunting appearance with bows and arrows. They are tall, with slender bodies, belted
Belts and muscular muscles. On the pictures of the Reserve, you can see pictures of animals that lived here during the last 10 thousand years - gazelles, wild goats, deer, wild pigs, horses, lions, etc. On the rocks, there are also images of birds, fish, snakes, lizards and various insects. Ancient rock carvings along with a variety of topics abound in compositional scenes, reflecting in all the diversity of various spheres of human activity. They were reflected in the Azerbaijani dance of Yally, collective labor, hunting with various weapons, swimming on a Tigris-type boat, reaping of animals, attack of predators on herbivores, etc.
Excursion to Mud Volcanoes. After that you will also have a chance to visit quite a unique site where 300 of the planet's estimated 700 mud volcanoes sit Gobustan, Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea. Many geologists
as well as locals and international mud tourists trek to such places as the Firuz Crater Gobustan Salyan mud tourists trek to such places as the Firuz Crater, Gobustan, Salyan and end up happily covered in mud which is thought to have medicinal qualities. In 2001 one mud volcano 15 kilometers from Baku made world headlines when it suddenly started spewing flames 15 meters high.
Excursion. "Fire worships Temple Ateshgyah & Burning Mountain Yanardagh".The Temple of Eternal Fire - Ateshgyah - is an authentic Azerbaijani exotic. It is well-known practically all over the world. It is located 30 km from the center of Baku in the suburb of Surakhany. This territory is known for such unique natural phenomenon as burning natural gas outlets (underground gas coming onto surface contacts oxygen and lights up). The temple in its present state was constructed in the 17th-18th centuries. The Baku-based Hindu community related to Sikhs built it. However, the history of the Temple is even longer. From times immemorial, this was the holy place of Zoroastrians- fire worshippers (approximately beginning of our era). They attributed mystical significance to the inextinguishable fire and came there to worship the relic.
After the introduction of Islam Zoroastrian temple was destroyed. Many Zoroastrians left to India and there continued their worship. But in the 15th -17th centuries the Hindus-fire worshippers who came to Absheron with trading caravans began to make pilgrimages to Surakhany. The Indian merchants started erection of the temple. The earliest temple part is dated 1713. The latest - the central temple-altar was built with the support of merchant Kanchangar in 1810. During the 18th century chapels, cells, a caravanserai were added to the central part of the temple. On у can find carved inscriptions in Indian lettering there. In the early 19th century the Temple acquired its present-day appearance.
Burning Mountain Yanardagh One of the most famous and popular tourist places of the "eternal flame” in Azerbaijan is the mountain of Yanar Dag. Actually, it is rather a hill than a mountain, with natural gas burning on its slope from ancient times. Meter-long tongues of fire are licking the stratified earth approximately for 10 m in width, searing those who approached too close. People occupy the benches to watch the blazing hill in the evening, when the its sight is most effective.
Yanar Dag is located 25 km to the north from Baku, in Mehemmedi village. There are buses running to it from the city, so you can get there fairly cheap and easy. From the year 2007, Yanar Dag is declared a state-protected conservation area.
Transfer to Baku
Overnight in hotel

Shamakhi is an ancient Azerbaijani city. Originated in the 5th century. BC. e. In the IX-XVI centuries. - the capital of the Shirvan kingdom, the residence of the Shirvanshahs is one of the most beautiful cities of the East. From the middle of the XVIII century - the center of Shemakhan khanate. For a long time, Shemakha was one of the most important points throughout the Great Silk Road. This is due to the fact that the city for a long time was one of the centers of the Shirvan-Apheron architectural school and the school of decorative and applied art (carpet making) and miniatures. Located at the intersection of caravan routes, Shemakha was one of the major trade and craft centers in the Middle East, occupying an important place in the trade in silk, as early as the 16th century trade ties between Shemakha and Venetian merchants were mentioned. In Shemakha, Azerbaijani, Iranian, Arab, Central Asian, Russian, Indian and West European merchants were trading, who owned factories there, had numerous silk-weaving, paper-spinning and carpet workshops.
Juma mosque. This Azerbaijani mosque is the oldest and largest in the Caucasus. According to legend, it was founded in the 8th century, when Shemakha was chosen as a residence by the Arab caliph. The exact date of its construction is 744, which was established as a result of research conducted by the geological commission arrived from Tiflis, headed by Prince Shakuli Kajar. This date was determined by the Arabic inscription on the facade of the Juma mosque, which indicates the 126th year of the Muslim calendar as the date of foundation. It was at this time that construction of new religious buildings (mosques) began in the territory of modern Azerbaijan.
Travelling into the Azerbaijan Mountains from Baku makes this tour special. Gabala is one of the most popular and featured experience that tourists visited. During this special full day, Gabala tour from Baku first stop will be Juma mosque in the Shamakhi region. After visiting the oldest mosque in Azerbaijan, which was built in the 8th century, the tour will go to Gabala, which is the newest resort town. Eye-catching Lake Nohur with a magnificent view of the Caucasus Mountains will be visited as well.
Visiting the Tufandag winter-summer tourism complex, is the most favourite part of the tour by our customers. It is an ideal place for those who want to walk in the mountains, ride in a cable car to watch nature and enjoy active rest in summer. There is more than a 5-kilometre walking distance in the rope lines and 4 stations (points to stop). On the way to 7 beauty Waterfalls, you will change your car to the Old Soviet Lada car.
This mountainous waterfall flows from the highest peaks of the Caucasus Mountains and locates in Vandam village of Gabala. The name of the Seven Beauties (Yeddi Gozal) Waterfall originates from the name of the 7 mountain roads that should pass to reach the waterfall. As the waterfall is completely frozen in the winter, it gets harder to get here. But in spring and summer, tea houses are available on every mountain road, where the guests are offered a tea set with traditional types of Gabala jam.
Transfer to Sheki
Overnight in Sheki.

Sheki is one of the most famous and ancient settlements of Azerbaijan. It is located 700 m above sea level and as an amphitheater is surrounded by mountains. This ancient city has long been known as the center of silk and an important transit point on the Great Silk Road. We will begin our tour to Sheki with a visit to the Summer Palace of Khan with magnificent frescoes and exquisite handmade window decorations. Then we'll visit the workshop, where we can get acquainted with the process of manufacturing "Shebeke" by local artisans. Next, we will visit the workshop for cooking the delicious "Sheki Pahlavas", famous throughout Azerbaijan.
Excursion to Kish. Our acquaintance with Sheki continues with a visit to the Albanian church, which is located in the village of Kish. According to the legend, this church is the first Christian church built not only in the territory of Caucasian Albania, but in the whole of Transcaucasia. This place is also remarkable, as burial places of people were found on the territory of the temple, which in their structure are very different from the current inhabitants of this region. In 2003, the church was restored to the money of the Norwegian government thanks to the personal efforts of Tour Heyerdahl. Here, next to the territory of the Church, you can find a memorial bust, in honor of a famous researcher set as a token of gratitude from local residents and the state.
Transfer to Baku
Overnight in Baku.

The Red Mountains are a psychedelic, red-pink and white striped area of exposed rock in the Northwest of Azerbaijan. Iron in the ground gives the mountains their deep red color and powdery shale makes up the white parts. Through a geological process, they’ve mixed together underground, layer on top of layer, and when exposed to the elements, they eroded into a beautiful, completely bizarre sight.
Despite being such a striking natural wonder, almost no one visits them. Though there are a few small trails to be found, the entire area is yours to play around in. If you are willing to hike away from the road, you are rewarded with crazy looking patterns that stretch for miles. Climb over whatever you want, take as many pictures as you can and explore all the small crevices in between. Though the main area exists just off the road, there are plenty of other candy-striped areas in the surrounding valleys. Occasionally in the rocks, one can see the fossilized remains of belemnites, a type of ancient squid. Unlike modern squids, this one contained a skeleton, most notably its bony rostrum, a hard protrusion on the opposite end from their tentacles. It is believed that a similar geological phenomenon happens only in one more place on the planet: the Death Valley in the United States. The formations themselves take their colour from ground water that has oxidized iron within the rock.
Beshbarmag on the route. Here is one of the main natural attractions of the area – the legendary mountain Beshbarmag. Named so because because of its unusual shape resembling a stone hand menacingly raised over the ancient caravan route. At the top among the teeth of the rocks are the ruins of the sanctuary “Hyzirzinde” (eternally living Hizir). Any traveler knows this place because it can’t be avoided while driving on the road leading from the capital to the north. And tourists enjoy admiring the forbidding rock. You can exit the car, warm up after a long journey, drink tea, eat barbeque or boiled corn in season. Those interested can visit the mosque here. There are many historical monuments in the area.
Excursion to "Shahdag - Land of Giants". The height of the mountain Shahdag, which serves as the basis of the ski resort, is 4,243 meters. On this mountain, there are 19 kilometers of tracks for tourists to the Shahdag Mountain Ski Resort & Complex. As in many ski resorts, the complexity of the slopes can be distinguished by color: green, blue, red, and black. Shahdag Ski Resort is the first and biggest ski resort located in the Gusar district near Shahdag National Park. Gusar region is located in the southern part of Azerbaijan and bounds with Russia. Gusar region is covered by forests and very rich with its flora and fauna as Guba. In this ski resort, there are a lot of hotels, golf clubs, ski resorts, and cottages. The Shahdag tour will start by picking up the guests from the hotel. Complex “Shahdag” – Gusar. It is an amazingly beautiful nature with untouched flora and fauna. There has been a lot of experience in the area of Shahdag.
Transfer to Hotel accommodation & free time
Overnight in Gusar.

Guba district has long gained popularity among tourists due to its proximity to the capital of Azerbaijan. In Guba, the symbol of which is the ruddy apple, beautiful nature, a large number of historical sights and a carefully protected cultural heritage. Guba carpet weaving school is known all over the world, and the hospitality of the locals is famous throughout the country. The region, which was visited by French writer Alexandre Dumas and Norwegian scientist Thor Heyerdahl, is ready to share his secrets with curious travelers. Visiting Krasnaya Sloboda village This village is a place of compact residence of Jews in Azerbaijan. The inhabitants of the Krasnaya Sloboda (Red Sloboda) village are mountain Jews, who call themselves “Dzhugur”. They speak Hebrew, but also knows Azerbaijani and Russian. Currently, about 4-5 thousand people live here.
The inhabitants of the Red Sloboda are engaged mainly in trade. The local population loves pomp and in this wealthy settlement, you can see many fashionable mansions.
Gachresh Forests This is the most popular recreation area in the Guba district, located 25 km from the district center. Gachrash means come and sit down. This toponym is also interpreted as “a place where sunlight does not fall”. In this vast area, trees grow so densely that indeed the sun's rays do not reach the ground and in summer, it is pretty cool here. In winter, these places are covered with a thick layer of snow. Once the center of attraction for tourists was the suspension bridge located here - Asma Korpu, across the Gudyalchay River, now destroyed, but there is hope for its speedy restoration. On the very outskirts of the territory of Gachrash there is a natural formation called the Minara - in the form of natural minaret. The length of this natural monument is 30-35 m, width - 4-5 m, and height - 3-4 m. It is assumed that it was formed in the IV century as a result of tectonic movements and river erosion. The Minara also plays the role of a natural bridge at a height of 10-15 m.

Visit the ancient Khinaligh village On the territory of Guba, 65 km from the district center, at an altitude of 2500 m above sea level, is located the unique village of Khinaligh. It has about 380 houses and 3,000 inhabitants. The population of the village is a separate ethnographic group and speaks its own language, which no one else in the world speaks. Together with the language, the Khinaligans also retained their ancient customs. There are always a lot of foreigners here - travelers and scientists who study the unique way of life and traditions of the original nationality.
Transfer to Baku.
Overnight in hotel.

08:00 Breakfast at the hotel.
Free time to visit the eastern market, shops with sweets and souvenir shops.
Transfer to the airport