Azerbaijan - Land of Fire

Itinerary

Day 1 – Baku
Arrive in Baku and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore. Overnight Diplomat Hotel or similar.

Day 2 – Absheron Peninsula
We spend today exploring the Absheron Peninsula. Visit the ‘flaming mountain’ of Yanardag, continuously alight with burning underground gases that seep through holes in the earth’s surface. We then visit the ‘fire-worshippers’ temple of Ateshgah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and continue to the medieval fortress at Amirjan before returning to Baku for the night. Overnight Diplomat Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Day 3 – Baku – Gobustan
Explore Azerbaijan’s capital, including the medieval fortress of Icheri Sheher, the Shirvanshahs’ Palace and the 15th century caravanserai among other sites. From Baku we head to the bizarre mud volcanoes at Gobustan, and see the numerous Neolithic rock drawings nearby. Overnight Diplomat Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Day 4 – Sheki
Travel west to the historic town of Sheki. En route we visit the Diri Baba Mausoleum in Maraza and the Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum at Shamakha. From here continue to Sheki across the Muganly Pass, with great views of the mountains along the way. Overnight Sheki Olimpik Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Day 5 – Sheki
Explore Sheki with its 18th century Khan’s Palace, caravanserais and old mosques. Sheki is a delight to wander around, with winding streets and traditional houses giving the feeling of yesteryear. Overnight Sheki Olimpik Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Day 6 – Kish - Ganja – Baku
From Sheki we take a trip to the nearby village of Kish with its interesting Albanian church. We then head to Ganja, Azerbaijan’s second city. Upon arrival visit the local bazaar, the 17th century mosque of Shah Abbas and the unique ‘bottle house’ a local building decorated with nearly 50,000 bottles. Our final destination for the evening is Baku. Overnight Diplomat Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Day 7 – Baku
Our last day in Azerbaijan. We visit the History Museum for an insight into the various cultures and civilizations that have held sway here, and take a boat trip out on the Caspian Sea. The rest of the day is free for you to explore. Overnight Diplomat Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Day 8 – Baku
Transfer to the airport for departure. (B)

Nakhchivan Extension

Day 1 – Baku – Nakhchivan
Fly from Baku to Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan’s enclave separated from the majority of the country by Armenia. After transferring to your hotel, begin exploring some of the surrounding sites. Visit the 12th century Momina Khatum mausoleum and the tomb of Yusuf Ibn Kuseyir in Nakhchivan city itself. After lunch head to the century Garabaghlar Mausoleum in Nakhchivan’s north west as well as the Duzdagh salt mines. Return to Nakhchivan city for the night. Overnight Hotel Tabriz. (D)

Day 2 – Nakhchivan – Baku
Head south to Julfa, on the border with Iran and visit the Daridagh hot springs and the Asabu Kahf caves, a places of local pilgrimage. Afterwards head back to the city for dinner and then transfer to the airport for your flight back to Baku. Tour ends upon arrival. (BD)