UNESCO World Heritage Tour Azerbaijan6 Days | Baku, Gobustan, Absheron, Shamakhi, Lahich, Sheki, Kish

UNESCO World Heritage Tour Azerbaijan is a balanced program that incorporates all the sites of Azerbaijan that are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with other memorable places, delicious food, panoramic views, unique cultural heritage, and warm hospitality of locals. Do not miss visiting the stunning Sheki Khans’ Palace, a mysterious temple of fire worshippers Ateshgah, petroglyphs of Gobustan, dating back to 10,000 BC, and other authentic sites.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Baku – arrival

Arrive in Baku, meet your driver, and transfer to the hotel. After check-in (from 12:00), enjoy free time to discover the city.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Baku city tour

Breakfast. At 09:00, meet your guide to start a guided sightseeing tour of Baku. Walk along Martyrs’ Lane, known as ‘Shehidler Khiyabany’ among locals, and find a beautiful view overlooking Baku’s coastline. Visit the first UNESCO World Heritage site (inscribed in 2000) of the tour – Icheri Sheher, the old part of the city, which has preserved many of its 12th-century walls. Visit Shirvanshah's Palace, Caravanserai, Maiden Tower, and the main market square, which has numerous art studios and souvenir stalls. Finish the sightseeing tour by exploring Nizami Street, Fountain Square, and the iconic Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre, in the new part of Baku. The Cultural Centre’s quirky architectural design by prominent female architect Zahi Hadid makes it one of Baku’s most recognizable buildings. The Centre showcases examples of a wide spectrum of Azerbaijani culture: national costumes, musical instruments, and carpets provide a good insight into local craftsmanship.
At 19:00, go to a traditional local restaurant for a welcome dinner.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Baku – Gobustan – Absheron – Baku

Today you will visit the area of the Greater Baku and Absheron Peninsula. Start with Gobustan National Park. It was added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 2007. Pay a visit to the Petroglyphs Museum and explore petroglyphs, dating back to 10,000 BC. Continue to the mud volcanoes in Gobustan Reserve. Gobustan is home to almost half of the world’s mud volcanoes.
Later drive to Ateshgah – a temple of fire worshippers located in Surakhany village. Zoroastrians traveled thousands of kilometers from India to Ateshgah to worship fire coming out of the earth. Drive to Yanardag Mountain, where natural gas has been burning for several thousands of years.
Overnight at Baku hotel.

Day 4: Baku – Shamakhi – Lahich – Sheki

In the morning, depart from your hotel in Baku to Sheki, the newest UNESCO World Heritage Site in the South Caucasus (inscribed only in 2019). On the way, visit the Diri Baba Mausoleum in Maraza.
Continue to Shamakha and see the historical Juma Mosque, Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum, and Shirvan Shah's family graveyard.
Drive through the Girdimanchay River Canyon to visit Lahij, a 5th-century place rich in its historic and architectural values. Lahij is an ancient village with charming eye-catching sidewalks inlaid with stones. It is famous for its medieval water supply and sewage systems, as well as traditional jewelry, copperware, carpets, pottery, daggers, and iron tools workshops. In the afternoon, continue driving to Sheki. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Sheki city tour/Palace – Kish – Baku

In the morning, check-out from the hotel and start sightseeing tour around Sheki. Visit stunning Sheki Khans’ Palace, a medieval fortress, and local History Museum. Continue to local mosque, handicrafts workshop, madrasah, and bazaar. Enjoy panoramic view of the town and head to Kish village located close by to Sheki. In Kish, visit the first Albanian church in Caucasus, dating back to the 1st century AD.
Depart back to Baku.

Day 6: Baku – departure

Breakfast and hotel check-out (by 12:00). Free time until your transfer to Baku International Airport. Departure. The end of UNESCO World Heritage Tour Azerbaijan.

Inclusions
Exclusions

All transfers (1-2 pax by sedan, 3-4 pax by Mercedes Vito or similar, 5-10 pax by Mercedes Sprinter passenger van);
Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
Sightseeing tour program with local English-speaking guide;
Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
Dinner in Baku (day 2);
Azerbaijan E-visa;
Bottled drinking water.