Azerbaijan in Depth
Overview
- Duration:8 days 7 nights
- Tour Type:Azerbaijan
For travelers who want to go beyond the capital and discover Azerbaijan in its full range, this eight-day program moves from the prehistoric landscapes of Gobustan and the ancient craftsmanship of Lahij to the Silk Road heritage of Sheki and the extraordinary multi-ethnic villages of the Gakh region. It is a journey that reveals a country of remarkable depth and diversity, covering experiences that most visitors to the region never encounter.
Day 1 — Arrival in Baku Arrival and private transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner at a traditional Azerbaijani restaurant with live folk music.
Day 2 — Baku: Old and Modern Begin the day with panoramic views over Baku and the Caspian Sea from Hillside Park before exploring the UNESCO-listed Old City, including the Shirvanshah Palace and Maiden Tower. Enjoy a traditional Azerbaijani lunch within the historic quarter. In the afternoon, visit the iconic Heydar Aliyev Center, designed by Zaha Hadid, followed by the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, home to one of the world’s largest collections of traditional carpets and weaving art.
Day 3 — Absheron Peninsula Explore the Absheron Peninsula with visits to the ancient Ateshgah Fire Temple and the eternal flames of Yanardag. In the evening, enjoy a guided visit to the historic Nobel Museum with a premium caviar tasting paired with local sparkling wine. Later, stroll through the lively Green Bazaar before ending the day.
Day 4 — Shamakhi, Lahij and the Road to Sheki West into the Caucasus foothills to the ancient Juma Mosque in Shamakhi, one of the oldest in the Caucasus. From there the route descends into the valley of Lahij, a coppersmith village at 1,500 meters above sea level where skilled artisans have been crafting intricate copper and brassware for centuries. The village has its own distinct language and a single cobbled street lined with workshops that offer a genuinely unhurried encounter with a living craft tradition. Arrival in Sheki in the evening.
Day 5 — A Full Day in Sheki Experience local life at Sheki’s vibrant farmers market before visiting the magnificent 18th-century Sheki Khans’ Palace. Take part in a hands-on Shebeke stained glass workshop with local artisans and enjoy a traditional Piti lunch, one of Sheki’s signature dishes. Explore the historic Upper Caravanserai and visit the ancient Kish Church, one of the oldest Christian sites in the Caucasus.
Day 6 — Goygol and Ganja Travel to Goygol to explore the historic German Quarter founded by 19th-century settlers. Continue to Ganja, Azerbaijan’s second-largest city, where you will see the impressive Shah Abbas Mosque and the unusual Bottle House, one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks. Overnight in Ganja.
Day 7 — Gobustan and Return to Baku Drive back toward Baku with stops at Azerbaijan’s famous mud volcanoes, known for their surreal bubbling landscapes. Continue to the UNESCO-listed Gobustan National Park to explore ancient petroglyphs dating back thousands of years. Arrive in Baku for the final overnight stay.
Day 8 — Departure Breakfast and transfer to Heydar Aliyev International Airport.
Day 1 — Arrival in Baku Arrival and private transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner at a traditional Azerbaijani restaurant with live folk music.
Day 2 — Baku: Old and Modern Begin the day with panoramic views over Baku and the Caspian Sea from Hillside Park before exploring the UNESCO-listed Old City, including the Shirvanshah Palace and Maiden Tower. Enjoy a traditional Azerbaijani lunch within the historic quarter. In the afternoon, visit the iconic Heydar Aliyev Center, designed by Zaha Hadid, followed by the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, home to one of the world’s largest collections of traditional carpets and weaving art.
Day 3 — Absheron Peninsula Explore the Absheron Peninsula with visits to the ancient Ateshgah Fire Temple and the eternal flames of Yanardag. In the evening, enjoy a guided visit to the historic Nobel Museum with a premium caviar tasting paired with local sparkling wine. Later, stroll through the lively Green Bazaar before ending the day.
Day 4 — Shamakhi, Lahij and the Road to Sheki West into the Caucasus foothills to the ancient Juma Mosque in Shamakhi, one of the oldest in the Caucasus. From there the route descends into the valley of Lahij, a coppersmith village at 1,500 meters above sea level where skilled artisans have been crafting intricate copper and brassware for centuries. The village has its own distinct language and a single cobbled street lined with workshops that offer a genuinely unhurried encounter with a living craft tradition. Arrival in Sheki in the evening.
Day 5 — A Full Day in Sheki Experience local life at Sheki’s vibrant farmers market before visiting the magnificent 18th-century Sheki Khans’ Palace. Take part in a hands-on Shebeke stained glass workshop with local artisans and enjoy a traditional Piti lunch, one of Sheki’s signature dishes. Explore the historic Upper Caravanserai and visit the ancient Kish Church, one of the oldest Christian sites in the Caucasus.
Day 6 — Goygol and Ganja Travel to Goygol to explore the historic German Quarter founded by 19th-century settlers. Continue to Ganja, Azerbaijan’s second-largest city, where you will see the impressive Shah Abbas Mosque and the unusual Bottle House, one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks. Overnight in Ganja.
Day 7 — Gobustan and Return to Baku Drive back toward Baku with stops at Azerbaijan’s famous mud volcanoes, known for their surreal bubbling landscapes. Continue to the UNESCO-listed Gobustan National Park to explore ancient petroglyphs dating back thousands of years. Arrive in Baku for the final overnight stay.
Day 8 — Departure Breakfast and transfer to Heydar Aliyev International Airport.
Includes
- Airport meet and greet and all transfers throughout
- 7 nights accommodation with daily breakfast
- Professional English-speaking guide throughout
- All transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
- Welcome dinner in Baku
- Lunches as indicated in the program
- Shebeke stained glass workshop in Sheki
- All entrance fees to sites and museums
Highlights
- UNESCO Old City, Maiden Tower and Shirvanshah's Palace in Baku
- Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanardag flaming mountain
- Nobel Museum & caviar tasting
- Gobustan prehistoric rock carvings, 40,000 years old
- Lahij coppersmith village and its centuries-old craft tradition
- Sheki Khan's Palace and hands-on shebeke stained glass workshop
- Piti lunch and Sheki halva in the Silk Road town of Sheki
- Shah Abbas Mosque and the unusual Bottle House
Every Journey is a Starting Point
Every itinerary we present is a carefully considered starting point, not a fixed itinerary. Our programs have been designed with years of on-the-ground experience, but no two groups are alike and no two journeys need to be either.
Every program in our portfolio can be adapted to suit the specific needs, interests and pace of your clients. Dates, duration, accommodation level, additional experiences, all of it can be shaped around what your clients are looking for. Our team is here to make it work, from the first conversation to the final detail.
Combine With
The Caucasus Trio
Location
Three countries, one extraordinary journey. Azerbaijan, Georgia and...
