Neither Eastern, nor Western Azerbaijan8 Days | Baku, Absheron, Khinalug, Shamakha, Lahij, Sheki, Kish, Ganja, Goygol, Gobustan

Arrival in Baku. You will be met by our driver and transferred to hotel. Check-in at noon. Overnight at the hotel.

Today you will visit the Old Town of Baku “Icheri Sheher” and Absheron peninsula.
Drive to Ateshgah – temple of fire worshippers located in Surakhany village. Zoroastrians from India travelled thousands of kilometers to Ateshgah to worship fire coming out of the earth. Continue to Yanardag Mountain with natural gas burning for several thousands of years. Return to Baku for sightseeing tour. Visit Shirvanshahs’ Palace, Caravanserai, Maiden Tower, and the main market square, which has numerous art studios and souvenir stalls. Continue touring new Baku by exploring Nizami Street and Fountain Square. The excellent round-up will be a visit to the iconic Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre, which is a quirky building designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. In the evening enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Driving distance: 80 km

In the morning, meet your guide and driver at your hotel. Depart north-west of the capital city. Drive through Red Village (Krasnaya Sloboda), the biggest settlement of Mountain Jews in Azerbaijan. The road to Khinalug lies through the range of Great Caucasus mountains. On our way we will get as high as 2,000 m above the sea level. We will have numerous opportunities for taking photos on the way enjoying breathtaking views of the landscape. Khinalug is one of the most ancient settlements in the country where people have been continuously living for more than 5,000 years. Return to Baku. On the way back stop at Quba mass grave. Arrive in Baku. Overnight at the hotel.
Driving distance: 440 km

At 08:00, depart Baku and drive to Sheki. On the way, stop at Diri Baba Mausoleum in the village of Maraza. Continue to Shamakha to visit the historical Juma Mosque, which was restored in 2013. Weather permitting, drive through Girdimanchay River Canyon to visit Lahij, the 5th century, quaint corner high in Caucasus mountains with its rich history and beautiful architecture. Lahij is an ancient village with charming cobbled sidewalks famous for numerous traditional handicraft workshops (jewelry, copperware, wool carpets, pottery, daggers, and iron tools). Continue driving to Sheki, the pleasant and easily walkable medieval town set in a lush mountainous area. Sheki is especially known for local style sweet baklava. Arrival in Sheki at about 19:00 for overnight at the hotel.
Driving distance: 340 km

In the morning, after check-out, visit the colorful Sheki Bazaar. Here, you can find virtually everything you may want to eat: local fruits and berries, spices, freshly-baked bread, honey, cheeses, and Sheki sweets. Continue to the Sheki Khans Palace, which is surrounded by medieval fortress walls, and then explore the handicraft workshops and the famous caravanserai. Drive to Kish village to see the first church in the Caucasus (I cent.). Head to Ganja. Check-in to the hotel on arrival. Overnight at hotel.
Driving distance: 200 km

In the morning, start the city tour in Ganja by visiting Shakh Abbas Mosque with two minarets. Continue to the mausoleum of the last khan of Ganja Javad Khan; visit Chokek Hamam (medieval bathes). Continue the sightseeing tour walking by Central Square, Sardar Baghi park, and Alexander Nevski Christian Orthodox Church.
Drive out of the city to the small town of Goygol to visit the village Helenendorf which was settled in the winter of 1818–1819 by 194 Swabian German families. The German architecture of local buildings will surprise you. Change the vehicle to a 4WD drive and head to Goygol national park and Goygol Lake - the picturesque lake surrounded by dense forest charms its visitors with its beauty and exquisiteness. Return to Ganja for overnight at the hotel.
Driving distance: 100 km

In the morning, we depart Ganja and drive to UNESCO site Gobustan National Park (300 km, 4-5 hours). Pay a visit to the Petroglyphs Museum and explore petroglyphs dating back to 10,000 BC. Continue to mud volcanoes in Gobustan Reserve. Gobustan is home to almost half of world’s mud volcanoes.
Reach Baku for overnight.
Driving distance: 350 km

Check-out from hotel till noon. Free time until transfer to Baku International Airport. Departure.

Economy:
Sheki Palace / MinAli Boutique / Macara Sheki City
Comfort:
Sheki Palace / MinAli Boutique / Macara Sheki City
Lux:
Sheki Palace / MinAli Boutique / Macara Sheki City

Economy:
Premium / Leon / VIS Palm / Karavansarai
Comfort:
Premium / Leon / VIS Palm / Karavansarai
Lux:
Premium / Leon / VIS Palm / Karavansarai