Azerbaijan Tour: Baku, Absheron Peninsula, Gobustan, Lahij, Sheki, Kish, Shamakhi

The five-day Azerbaijan Essentials Tour will introduce you to the most remarkable sights of the Land of Fire. You will explore the mysterious Absheron Peninsula and visit a real temple of fire-worshipers. Ancient petroglyphs in Gobustan National Park will be the highlight of your journey. In addition, you will visit Lahij, a 5th-century settlement with charming cobblestone streets rich in historical and architectural value. The medieval Sheki Khans Palace and the 1st-century Albanian church will reveal the unique cultural layers of the country. Among Azerbaijan tours, this itinerary stands out for its depth, variety, and carefully curated route through the country’s timeless heritage.

Tour itinerary:

Expand All Collapse All

Day 1: Baku – arrival

Arrive in Baku. You will be met by our driver and transferred to hotel. Check-in at noon. Start sightseeing tour in Baku. Visit Martyrs Lane, known as ‘Shehidler Khiyabany’ among locals. When you walk through the Alley of the Martyrs, you will find a beautiful view overlooking Baku’s coastline. Move to Icheri Sheher, the old part of the city. Visit Shirvan Shahs’ 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. An excellent round-up to the city tour will be visit to the iconic Heydar Aliyev center.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Driving distance: 50 km

Day 2: Baku – Absheron Peninsula – Gobustan – Baku

Today you will visit the area of the Greater Baku and Absheron peninsula. The first stop is at Yanardag Mountain, where natural gas has been burning for hundreds of years. Continue to Ateshgah, a temple for fire worshippers located in the village of Surakhany. Zoroastrians from India travel thousands of kilometers to Ateshgah to worship the fire coming out of the earth. After lunch, drive to Gobustan National Park. Pay a visit to the Petroglyphs Museum and explore petroglyphs dating back to 10,000 BC. Weather permitting, drive to mud volcanoes in Gobustan Reserve (possible change of vehicle). Gobustan is home to almost half of the world’s mud volcanoes. Return to Baku. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 8-9 hours
Driving distance: 220 km

Day 3: Baku – Shamakhi – Lahij* – Sheki

At 08:00, depart Baku and drive to Sheki. On the way, stop at Diri Baba Mausoleum in the village of Maraza. Continue to Shamakhi to visit the historical Juma Mosque, which was restored in 2013.
Weather permitting, we will 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
*Lahij will not be reachable during 2025 due to the road construction.

Day 4: Sheki – Kish – Baku

In the morning, we will 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. We will visit a historical church in the village Kish before embarking on our return drive to Baku. Check-in to the hotel on arrival. Overnight at hotel.
Driving distance: 310 km

Day 5: Baku – departure

Check out till noon. Transfer to Baku International Airport. Departure. End of Azerbaijan Essentials Tour.