Azerbaijan keeps you on your toes. The cities are financed by oil money, while traditional Caucasus mountain villagers still draw water from mountain springs. Artisan silk and copper workers still exist in a country that has a booming financial sector. Ancient Persian architecture is juxtaposed with Soviet structures. Azerbaijan holidays certainly take you on a cultural whirlwind.
Day 01 Arrive Baku
Arrive at Baku, meet assist and Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 Baku – Shamakhy (123 kms / 1H 45M appx.)
After breakfast, Proceed to Sightseeing in the “Old City” – medieval part of Baku “Shirvanshahs’ Palace” ancient quarter mosques (Mohammad’s mosque), bath, fragments of residential buildings, “Market Square”, “Bukhara” caravanserai, “Multani”caravanserai, “Gyz Galasi” (Maiden Tower) – the oldest construction of Baku under UNESCO protection (entrance). Visiting of Azerbaijan State Carpet and Applied Arts museum named after Latif Kerimov (entrance). lunch in local restaurant. Sightseeing tour “Land of fires” “Ateshgah” Fire- Worshippers’ Temple in Surakhany settlement medieval castle in Ramana settlement, survey of the oldest oil fields in Balakhani settlement, visiting “Yanardag”natural reserve (natural gas exit), acquaintance with dietary salt extraction on “Masazir”lake. Departure from Masazir settlement to Shamakhy . On the way visiting “Diri Baba” mausoleum in Maraza village. Arriving in Shamakhy. Short survey of historical monuments: -“Juma mosque” and ”Yeddi Gumbez” (Seven Domes) mausoleum complex near Shamakhy city. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 Shamakhy – Lahij – Sheki (176 kms / 5H 45M appx.)
After breakfast, proceed Continuation of the trip to Lahij via Muganly pass. Photo stops on in the most picturesque places in the mountains. Arrival at Lahij mountain settlement of national handicraft. Panoramic tour to “Lahij ” Historical-Ethnographic reserve architectural monuments, handicrafts and manufacture of carpets, workshops and benches of handicraftsmen: braziers, smiths, chasers, metal engravers, ancient mosques, baths, and also original architecture of streets and apartment houses of the ancient mountain settlement.After Lunch, Continuation of the trip from Lahij to Sheki via Ismailli- Vendam (Complex of tent mausoleums, in Hezre settlement, small step falls 7 Gozel (“7 beauties”) in Ruskyan settlement, panoramic view of Nohur mountain lake in Nohurgishlag Gabala Nich settlement (Medieval Christian temple of Caucausian Albania-Chotari church after reconstruction. Arrival in Sheki. Free time, Survey of the city fortifications and caravanserais of the Old city. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 Sheki – Mingachevir (73 kms / 1H 5M appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to Sightseeing program in Sheki (excursion and museums): – Visiting Sheki “East Market” – Panoramic view of Sheki city from the mountain – Survey of fortifications and caravanserais in the Old city Visiting History Museum Visiting “Sheki Khan’s palace” under UNESCO protection. Survey of the exposition of the National Applied Arts museum in the old round Christian temple and acquaintance with works of handicraftsmen on manufacture of stained-glass windows “shebaka” in their workshops. Check out from the hotel. Travel to Kish settlement by bus (15 min.) Visiting the church and old Albanian castle Moving from Sheki to Khaldan-Mingachevir. After Lunch, visit to the City excursion: – Riverside and central parts of the city – Survey of the water reservoir of Mingachevir – Visiting Mingachevir Power Station Return to the hotel and walking by boat along the Kur River Free for resting (swimming pool, snooker etc.) Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 Mingachevir – Ganja (76 kms / 1H 11M appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to Ganja, meet assist and transfer to the hotel. Excursion program on Ganja city: historical-architectural complex in Ganja city centre (“Shakh Abbas maschidi” a mosque, with two minarets. Madrasah / Muslim educational institution /and old caravanserai the mausoleum of the «Chokek Hamam» and others, Excursion program in the former German colony of Helenendorf: – Acquaintance with architecture of ancient apartment houses and public buildings of the former colonists- settlers from Baden-Wurttemberg province Survey of Lutheran Kirkha (now a local historical museum); Returning to Ganja city. Visiting «Imam-Zada» Muslim memorial-cult complex and “Central City Market” (East Bazar). Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06 Ganja – Naftalan – Baku (398 kms / 4H 50M appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to Continuation of excursion program in Ganja city, Survey of the medieval fortress gate copy of the city; – Mausoleum of the famous medieval poet and philosopher Nizami Ganjavi; Travel from Ganja to Naftalan resort. Arrival in Naftalan city resort and acquaintance with universal and unique treatment with Naftalan oil (oil without paraffin). After Lunch,Travel from Naftalan resort to Baku. Arrival in Baku, meet assist and Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07 Baku – Gobustan -Baku (93 kms / 1H 19M appx.-ONE WAY)
After breakfast proceed to Qobustan National Historical – Artist Preserve. Acquaintance with archaeological exposition of the museum, lifestyle of ancient people of “Stone Age” epoch Survey of Gobustan petro glyphs. Moving back to Baku city. After Lunch, proceed to Sightseeing tour around Baku – walking and acquaintance with the history and architecture of city. Nizami street /shopping/, “Fountain Square”, monument to Nizami Ganjavi, Rasul-zade Street, leading to the Seaside Park- Boulevard (for interested persons and additional payment, at favorable windless weather, – 0,5 hour boat cruise through the Baku bay. At the end of excursion traveling by bus to the “Mountain Park”, visiting of the “Martyrs’Alley ”memorial (Shahidler Khiyabany) and view on Baku panorama. Farewell dinner in the restaurant with Azerbaijan traditional cuisine. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08 Baku – Guba – Khinaliq village – Baku (440 kms /7H appx.)
After breakfast proceed to Guba and Xinaliq village. On the way to Khinaliq photo stop on the mountain beautiful places. After Lunch, meet assist and transfer to Khinaliq. Tour around the village and acquaintance with life style of local people. Drive back to Baku city. Overnight at the hotel
Day 09 Depart Baku
Departure transfer to onward destination.
| City | Nights | 5* Hotels |
| Baku | 04 | Ramada Hotel |
| Shamakhy | 01 | Shirvan Hotel |
| Sheki | 01 | Sheki Palace |
| Mingachevir | 01 | Agsaray Deluxe |
| Ganja | 01 | Vego |
- Accommodation as per the program.
- Meals as per the program.
- Entrance fees.
- Local English speaking guide.
- All taxes.
Branding
– Logo branding on Vehicles.
– Color and logo branding Merchandise.
– Departure gifts with company’s branding.
- Personal Expenses.
- Camera / Video Camera Fees.
- Medical Aid.
- Tips.
- Travel Insurance.
- Visa (If any).
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.