Neither Eastern, nor Western Azerbaijan9 Days | Baku, Absheron, Khinalug, Shamakha, Lahij, Sheki, Kish, Mingechevir, Ganja, Goygol, Naftalan, 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.
In the evening enjoy dinner at 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

Check out from hotel and start sightseeing tour in Sheki. Visit medieval fortress, Sheki Khans Palace (currently under the restoration, observation from the outside), history museum, handicrafts workshop, mosque-madrassah, and local bazaar. Depart Sheki and head to Ganja town (160 km, 2-3 hours).
Stop in Kish village see the first church in Caucasus (I cent.). One the way, visit Mingachevir town. Have a short drive around the city; pass by riverside, city center, and beautiful water reservoir. Continue driving to Ganja. Check-in to hotel on arrival. Overnight at the hotel.
Driving distance: 200 km

In the morning, start city tour in Ganja with visiting Shakh Abbas Mosque with two minarets. Continue to mausoleum of the last khan of Ganja Javad Khan; visit Chokek Hamam (medieval bathes). Continue sightseeing tour walking by Central Square, Sardar Baghi park, Alexander Nevski Christian Orthodox Church and Christian Temple Agvan Kilsasi.
Drive out of the city to a small town of Goygol to visit village Helenendorf that was settled in the winter of 1818-1819 by 194 Swabian German families. German architecture of local buildings will surprise you.
Change the vehicle to 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. Head to Naftalan for overnight.
Driving distance: 200 km

This morning we explore Naftalan, the city famous for naphthalane oil and its medical effect. Free day in Naftalan. Overnight at the hotel.
Please note, before visiting the oil baths, guests need to undergo a full check-up, as bath may be contraindicated.

In the morning, we depart Naftalan and drive to UNESCO site Gobustan National Park (275 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.