Itinerary
- Day 1
Frankfurt to Baku
You'll fly into Baku during the day and meet your guide at the airport. From there, head to your hotel and get settled in for the first of four nights in the city.
Landmarks Heydar Aliyev International Airport - Day 2
Absheron Peninsula
Head out to the Absheron Peninsula starting at the Ateshgah fire temple in Surakhani, an 18th-century structure built over a natural gas well that was sacred to Zoroastrians. Then visit the old village of Gala, historically known for sheep breeding and wool work. Later make your way to Jamardagh where natural gas flames shoot from the hillside, the same phenomenon Marco Polo wrote about centuries ago.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ateshgah fire temple in Surakhani
- Visit ancient village of Gala
- Visit Jamardagh (Fire Mountain)
Landmarks Ateshgah Fire Temple Gala Jamardagh (Fire Mountain) - Day 3
Baku Sightseeing
After breakfast, explore Baku's main sites starting with Upland Park for views over the city and bay. Then walk through the Old Town (called Icheri Scheher locally), a UNESCO site filled with mosques, fortresses, and old caravanserais. Later, check out the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center with its distinctive curved architecture, then spend time at the Baku Carpet Museum to see the world's largest carpet collection.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Baku
- Visit Upland Park
- Explore Old Town (Icheri Scheher) - UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center
- Visit Baku Carpet Museum
Landmarks Upland Park Old Town (Icheri Scheher) Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center Baku Carpet Museum - Day 4
Gobustan
Travel to Gobustan to explore the state historical-artistic reserve with its rock paintings dating back thousands of years. You'll see more than 6,000 carvings showing people, animals, hunting scenes, and dancers, plus ancient caves and artifacts. The Norwegian scientist Thor Heyerdahl noted these designs share similarities with rock art found in Norway.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Gobustan state historical-artistic reserve
- View rock paintings and ancient caves
Landmarks Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve - Day 5
Lahij - Nij - Sheki
After breakfast, head toward northern Azerbaijan and Shemakha, once the royal seat of the Shirvanshahs and a major cultural and trading hub. Stop in Lahij village to see traditional coppersmiths and hear the local Persian dialect (weather permitting), then continue to Nij where the Udins live, a distinct Caucasian ethnic group with centuries-old traditions (weather permitting). Settle into your accommodation for two nights in Sheki.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Shemakha
- Visit village of Lahij with traditional coppersmiths
- Visit village of Nij and learn about the Udin people
- Visit baklava confectionery with tasting
Landmarks Shemakha Lahij Nij - Day 6
Sheki
Spend the day in Sheki, often called Azerbaijan's most beautiful town, surrounded by wooded mountains. Walk around to see the old houses with their decorated tiled roofs, then visit Khan Palace, the Khan's former summer residence. Stop for tea with a local family, then head out to the mountain village of Kish in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Sheki
- Visit Khan Palace
- Tea break with a local family
- Visit mountain village of Kish
Landmarks Khan Palace Kish - Day 7
Ganja
Travel to Ganja, Azerbaijan's second-largest city and an ancient cultural landmark. The name means 'treasure' and the city was historically a major trading post for furs, silks, spices, and Damascus steel along caravan routes. See the mausoleum of the celebrated poet Nizami Gyanjevi and visit the Shah Abbas Mosque (also called the Friday Mosque) known for its astronomical design features, plus the medieval Chöbak Haman baths. Stay one night in the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Ganja
- Visit mausoleum of poet Nizami Gyanjevi
- Visit Shah Abbas Mosque (Friday Mosque)
- Visit medieval baths (Chökak Haman)
Landmarks Mausoleum of Nizami Gyanjevi Shah Abbas Mosque (Friday Mosque) Chökak Haman - Day 8
Baku
Return to Baku after breakfast and the afternoon is yours to explore independently. Browse local markets and souvenir shops in the old town, or take a ride on the Baku Eye, a 60-meter Ferris wheel at National Flag Square overlooking the Caspian Sea. In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner to reflect on the trip. Stay your final night in Baku.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Return to Baku
- Farewell dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit old town for shopping and souvenirs
- Ride the Baku Eye (60-meter Ferris wheel) at National Flag Square
Landmarks Old Town (Icheri Scheher) Baku Eye - Day 9
Baku to Frankfurt
Late at night, you'll be picked up for transfer to the airport for your early morning flight home.
Landmarks Heydar Aliyev International Airport
