Azerbaijan. History and modernity

Days

Tour description

Zoroastrian shrines, the influence of the Persian world, Islam, Christianity and the Soviet legacy. This small country has an unexpectedly interesting history, authentic culture, beautiful nature. And delicious cuisine! In one week we will see the most interesting sites.

Tour departures

The price of the tour includes

Is this trip for you?

This trip is of easy physical grade. It includes walks in cities and towns. We will be moving around in buses and trains, as well as use public transportation. We will spend two nights in trains. Accommodatio in double/twin rooms of tourist class hotels and guesthouses. Almost all of them will have wi fi internet.

The price of the trip includes:

All transportation, including trains, buses, taxis, metro and other;
Accommodation during the entire trip;
Breakfasts in some hotels and guesthouses;
Professional guiding services.

To be paid separately:

Flight to Baku and back home;
Insurance (mandatory);
Entry tickets to museums, parks, palaces and other places of interest ($100);
Food ($15-25 per person per day);
Visa.

Tour map

Tour itinerary

Day 1-2

Arrival in Baku, checking into a guesthouse in the old part of the city. It is here that we begin our group trip to Azerbaijan! We will wander through the labyrinths of the narrow streets of old Baku, walk to the Maiden Tower - the symbol of the capital of Azerbaijan, visit the palace and the Shirvanshah mosque and discover unique Islamic architecture of the 15th century. In the evening we enjoy the panorama of the night city and try traditional meals in the famous local restaurant.

Day 3-4

In the morning we go to the famous Petroglyph Museum in the mountainous town of Gobustan (one and a half hours on the way). Here we will see the rock paintings of the Stone Age period and see the real mud volcanoes. Then move to Gabala (about 3 hours on the way) where we check into a hotel. Gabala is one of the oldest cities in Azerbaijan, founded more than 2 thousand years ago. In the morning we will visit the ruins of the city, then explore the defensive shafts and unique watchtowers, get acquainted with the way of life of those times and taste the famous Gabala baklava and tea near the picturesque waterfall. Evening transfer to Sheki by minibus (about 1.5 hours on the road). Checking into a guesthouse. Our guided tour to Azerbaijan continues!

Day 5

Shaki has always been considered the center of folk crafts. We will walk around the city, visit the bazaar and try local sweets. We will also explore the palace of Shaki Khan Huseyn, built more than two centuries ago without a single nail. On the outskirts of Shaki in the ancient village of Kish we will visit the ancient Christian church. Our guided tour to Azerbaijan continues with an evening bus to Qakh (half an hour on the way), checking into a hotel.

Tour leaders

Nadiya Chernysh

tour-leader