Breakfast at hotel.
Sightseeing tour in the old town Icheri Sheher. This is an ancient residential quarter in the centre of Baku, surrounded by fortress walls with the famous Maiden Tower. On the territory of the old city are dozens of historical monuments - Market Square, mosques, caravanserais, baths, residences and the palace complex of Shirvanshahs - the pearl of Azerbaijani architecture.
Then acquaintance with the architectural heritage of the first oil boom times (early 20th century) - magnificent mansions of Baku oil magnates.
Lunch in a restaurant with national cuisine (paid by menu at own expense).
Free time in Baku.
Overnight at hotel in Baku.
Excursion to Gobustan reserve of petroglyphs and mud volcanoes. Many people do not even realize that about 40% of the world's mud volcanoes are located in Azerbaijan, and the largest number of them - in Gobustan. On the way you will see the famous floating oil platforms.
On the way back to Baku you will visit Bibi-Heibeya mosque.
Lunch at the fish restaurant by the sea (paid by yourself).
Then visit the the Carpet Museum - a treasury of Azerbaijani national culture. The museum building is a miracle of modern architecture, it has the shape of a rolled-up carpet. The building was designed by the Austrian architectural studio Hoffman.
Then visit the Museum of History of Azerbaijan which is located in a historical building, a mansion of famous philanthropist Taghiyev.
At the end of the day go for a boat ride around the Caspian bay (on windless days).
Returning back to the hotel, free time.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Hotel Check out. Departure to Sheki.
On the way there will be several stops:
In the village of Maraza, to see the mausoleum "Diri Baba" (XIV century).
In Shamakha (120 km from Baku) - the oldest city on the Great Silk Road. In the IX-XVI centuries Shamakha was the capital of the Shirvan Khanate, and since the mid-18th century was the residence of the Shirvanshahs. Excursion to Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum and Juma Mosque.
Lunch at the restaurant in the open air (paid by the menu - own expenses).
The mountain village of Lahij is a unique historical monument. The village has preserved the face of a medieval Persian town and traditional crafts. The works of its blacksmiths, engravers and metal engravers are represented in many art museums around the world. You can take a walk through the narrow streets of the city and visit the workshops of modern craftsmen.
Arrival in Sheki (Ancient Nukha) - a city with 2500 years of history. The main attraction is the palace of Sheki Khans (18th century) with luxurious murals and openwork windows, excursion to the palace. Sightseeing of other places of interest: medieval city fortress walls and towers, caravanserai, Juma Mosque (18th c.), medieval baths.
Those who wish may stroll along the streets of evening Sheki, where stores of the town are open till late hours, buy souvenirs and famous Sheki halva.
Hotel check-in.
Overnight at a hotel in Sheki.
Hotel check out.
Transfer to Gabala city,
Visit the village of Nijh on the way, and visit the Cathedral Church of the Udin Christians, one of the oldest nationalities of Azerbaijan. Udins have been able to maintain their culture and language, one of the oldest.
An excursion to the Museum of Regional History In Gabala, where you can learn about the history of ancient Christian Albania, whose capital, Kabala, was located near modern Gabala.
Lunch at a restaurant in Gabala (extra charge).
Drive to Kabala acropolis town which is over 2500 years old. Remains of fortress walls and ancient city.
Transfer to Baku. Hotel Check-in.
Free time.
Overnight in hotel.
Excursion to Absheron Peninsula, you will visit the Temple of Fire-worshippers "Ateshgah" located 25 km from Baku. This is an ancient cult structure built on the site of the outlet of natural gas. The temple was restored in the 17th century. In the former cells, where the pilgrims stayed, there is now an exhibition of the museum.
Then a trip to the historical and ethnographic museum-reserve Gala. In the territory of the reserve, there are mosques, khamams, dwelling houses, tombs, burial mounds and other monuments relating to the centuries-old history of Azerbaijan.
Next tour to Yanar Dagh - another unique site of the ancient Land of Fire Worshippers.
Back to Baku.
Visit Heydar Aliyev Center which is located in a building designed by the legendary architectural diva Zaha Hadid. The cultural centre houses several museums, an exhibition complex, a concert hall, and a library, as well as premises for celebrations. The biggest events of Azerbaijan and the whole Caucasus-Caspian region take place there.
Overnight at the hotel in Baku.
Transfer to Heydar Aliyev airport.
Departure.
