Arrive in Baku and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax, unwind, or begin exploring the city at your own pace.

Breakfast at your hotel.

10:00 – Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and begin your full-day excursion. Your morning starts in the Old City, entering through the historic gates of Baku Fortress. Highlights include the legendary Zoroastrian Maiden Tower, the ancient Multani Caravanserai, Haji Banu Hamam, Juma Mosque, and the splendid Shirvanshahs’ Palace—a masterpiece of medieval Azerbaijani architecture.

Continue to the Museum of Miniature Books, home to a fascinating collection ranging from a 17th-century Koran to Soviet-era publications, including the three smallest books in the world—best admired through a magnifying glass.

Lunch available upon request.

In the afternoon, depart for Gobustan National Park (approximately 60 km from Baku), a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its exceptional rock art. Begin at the Gobustan Museum to explore artifacts, ancient tools, and human remains from the Mesolithic period. Then head to the open-air museum to view the remarkable petroglyphs dating from 10,000 BCE to the Middle Ages, depicting hunting scenes, rituals, and daily life.

Your adventure continues to the region’s Mud Volcanoes, a rare geological phenomenon, with Azerbaijan boasting nearly half of the world’s total. Experience the otherworldly landscapes before returning to Baku in the late afternoon.

Breakfast at your hotel.

08:00 – Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and depart by road towards Shamakhi, the historic capital and former trade hub of western Azerbaijan. With a history spanning over two millennia, Shamakhi was once a key Silk Road city, renowned for its vibrant culture, traditional Shamakhi dancers, and fine Soumak rugs.

Despite enduring eleven major earthquakes, Shamakhi has preserved its role as the cultural heart of the Shirvan region. The city’s most treasured monument, the Juma Mosque, dates back to 743–744 AD and stands as one of the oldest mosques in the Caucasus. Its grandeur and intricate design reflect the city’s historic significance.

Continue to Yeddi Gumbez (“Seven Domes”), the royal mausoleums of the last khans of Shamakhi. Though only three remain in good condition, these octagonal tombs from the early 18th century are striking examples of the region’s architectural heritage.

Lunch available upon request.

In the afternoon, travel to Sheki—a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Azerbaijan’s oldest cultural centers. Nestled 700 meters above sea level in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus, Sheki offers stunning landscapes of forested mountains and fertile valleys. Known for its 18th–19th century architecture, the town charms with its brick houses, shady tree-lined streets, and spring-fed canals.

Visit the Royal Summer Palace of the Sheki Khans, built in 1762 without a single nail. Marvel at its vibrant frescoes (one stretching 24 meters in length) and exquisite stained-glass shebeke windows, masterpieces of local craftsmanship. Continue to Yukhari Caravanserai, a beautifully preserved reminder of Sheki’s role in Silk Road trade.

Conclude the day with a scenic drive to Kish village to see the Albanian Church, one of the oldest Christian sites in the Caucasus, dating back to the 1st century AD. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the picturesque Caucasus foothills before returning to Sheki.

Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Sheki.

Breakfast at your hotel.

08:15 – Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and depart for Gabala, a region rich in history and natural beauty.

Begin in Nidj Udin Village, home to the Udin Temple, one of the most important architectural monuments of Caucasian Albania. The Udins, a distinct ethnic group with only about 10,000 people remaining, are considered the direct descendants of the ancient Albanians. They have preserved their unique traditions, language, and spiritual heritage through the centuries. The temple, restored in the 17th–18th centuries on the site of an even older Albanian church, is dedicated to Saint Eliseus, a revered Christian educator in the region. Today, it serves both as a place of worship for the Udin Christian community and as a historical site open to visitors.

Lunch available upon request.

Continue to Lahij, a picturesque craftsmanship village nestled on the slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains in the Ismayilli region. Known as one of Azerbaijan’s most beautiful corners, Ismayilli boasts diverse landscapes ranging from snowy peaks to warm plains. Lahij is famed for its hereditary artisans—braziers, tanners, engravers, potters, blacksmiths, and wood carvers—whose skills have been passed down through generations.

During your visit, stroll the cobblestone streets, admire 19th-century houses adorned with wall paintings, and see notable landmarks including the 16th-century stone water-pipe and the bridge connecting two villages. Visit the local Museum of Regional Studies, where you’ll find exquisite examples of ancient carpets, brassware, and traditional crafts.

After exploring, return to Baku.

Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at your hotel in Baku.

Breakfast at your hotel.

10:00 – Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and begin a fascinating day exploring the Absheron Peninsula, a region steeped in history and legends.

Start with a visit to the local bazaar, immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere and colorful stalls offering seasonal produce—juicy melons, fragrant peaches, and sun-ripened tomatoes—just as locals have shopped for centuries.

Continue to Ramana Tower, a 12th-century white-stone fortress believed to have been built for defensive purposes during the reign of the Shirvanshahs. Climb the spiral staircase for panoramic views over the village.

Next, marvel at the Yanardagh – Burning Mountain, where natural gas vents fuel an eternal flame rising from the hillside, a phenomenon that has inspired Azerbaijan’s moniker, the “Land of Fire.”

Proceed to the Atashgah Fire Temple, a castle-like complex in Surakhani that once served as a place of worship for Zoroastrians and Hindus. Now a museum, it offers insight into the region’s spiritual heritage and connection to fire worship.

Lunch available upon request.

Visit the Quadrangular Castle of Mardakan, built in the mid-12th century by Akhsitan I. This imposing five-tier fortress, with its six rooms, deep food storage wells, and 25-meter water well, once served as a defensive stronghold and observation point for feudal rulers.

Conclude your Absheron exploration at the Gala State Historical Ethnographic Reserve, an open-air complex preserving over 200 archaeological and architectural monuments, including ancient dwellings, mosques, reservoirs, mausoleums, and bathhouses dating back as far as the 3rd millennium BCE.

16:00 – Transfer to Terminal 2 of Baku International Airport.

18:20 – Flight to Nakhchivan (arrival at 19:20).

Travel to Azerbaijan’s remote and captivating enclave, bordered by Turkey, Iran, and Armenia, known as the Land of Noah. Isolated from mainland Azerbaijan, Nakhchivan boasts a rich cultural legacy, ancient monuments, and stunning landscapes that have witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations for millennia.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Nakhchivan.

Breakfast at your hotel.

10:00 – Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and set off to explore the treasures of Nakhchivan, a land steeped in ancient legends, remarkable architecture, and natural healing wonders.

Begin at the Prophet Noah’s Mausoleum, a revered pilgrimage site believed to be the final resting place of the biblical patriarch. Archaeological excavations have revealed evidence linking this site to the Great Flood, making it one of the most significant spiritual landmarks in the region.

Continue to the Momina Khatun Monument, a 12th-century masterpiece often called the “Taj Mahal of Nakhchivan.” Once standing 34 meters high, this ornate mausoleum is adorned with intricate brickwork and Kufic inscriptions, commemorating the mother of the Atabeg ruler Mahammad Jahan Pahlavan.

Visit the Yusif Ibn Kuseyir Tomb, an extraordinary example of medieval engineering by the famed architect Ajami Abubakr oglu Nakhchivani. Built in 1162, this octagonal tower is the only one among Azerbaijan’s tower-shaped mausoleums to retain its pyramidal roof intact after more than eight centuries.

Step inside the Khan’s House, an 18th–19th century residence of Rahim Khan, ruler of Nakhchivan. Situated atop “Khan Height,” the mansion boasts eight grand rooms, traditional shabaka stained-glass windows, and sweeping views over the city.

Lunch available upon request.

In the afternoon, travel to Garabaghlar Village in the Sharur region to admire the Garabaghlar Mausoleum Complex. Dating back to the 12th century, this striking structure features twin minarets connected by a decorative portal, reminiscent of an ancient city gate, and stands as the last surviving element of a once-vast architectural ensemble.

Conclude the day at the Duzdagh Salt Mines, a unique underground physiotherapy center specializing in the natural treatment of asthma and bronchitis. Patients stay in the vast salt chambers for several hours a day, benefiting from the pure microclimate—a therapy reported to have an 80% success rate. The site is also an important source of table salt, extracted from these mineral-rich mountains.

Dinner at a local restaurant.
Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.
Overnight in Nakhchivan.

Breakfast at your hotel.

09:00 – Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and set out for a day of history, architecture, and legend in Nakhchivan’s most captivating locations.

Begin at AlinjaGala, often called Azerbaijan’s Machu Picchu. Perched high on a mountain slope in a stepped formation, this formidable 12th-century fortress was considered one of the most impregnable strongholds of its time. It famously withstood a 14-year siege by the armies of Turko-Mongolian conqueror Timur in the late 14th century, never surrendering its treasures or its pride.

Continue to Ordubad, a living museum of Eastern heritage and the second-largest town in Nakhchivan. Known for its beautifully preserved architecture, intricate courtyards, and historical mosques, Ordubad is a testament to centuries of trade, culture, and craftsmanship. Once a bustling hub on the Silk Road, the city’s layout reflects the refined urban planning of the medieval Islamic world. Declared a historical and architectural reserve in 1977, Ordubad was later placed on UNESCO’s Tentative List in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Lunch available upon request.

In the afternoon, journey to the mysterious Ashabu-Kahf Caves, a site linked to the Qur’anic story of The Companions of the Cave (Surah Al-Kahf, 18). This tale parallels the ancient Greek legend of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus and is echoed in Christian, Jewish, and even Chinese traditions. Nestled in the hills, the caves exude an atmosphere of deep spirituality and timeless mystery.

Return to Nakhchivan City in the late afternoon.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

19:30 – Transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Baku.
20:40 – Flight to Baku.
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and check in.

Overnight in Baku.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, followed by free time to relax or take a final stroll through Baku before your journey home.

Check-out from your hotel by 12:00.

Meet your driver in the hotel lobby for your transfer to Baku International Airport. Board your flight and bid farewell to Azerbaijan, taking with you unforgettable memories of its vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality.