Azerbaijan Cultural Tour

This morning, your private guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and accompany you to explore the landmarks and ancient charm of Baku, the “New Dubai of the Caucasus”. 

We’ll start from the striking Heydar Aliyev Center, whose elegant structure, standing against Baku’s blue sky and green lawns, looks like a white ribbon fluttering in the wind. It is named in honor of President Heydar Aliyev (1923-2003), the founder of modern Azerbaijan. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, numerous modern skyscrapers and futuristic buildings sprang up in Baku to break free from its influence and rigid styles. Baku Convention Center and the Flame Towers, which we’ll visit next, are prime examples. 

Then, take a cable car up to Highland Park, where you can enjoy panoramic views of these impressive buildings and overlook the Caspian Sea from the city’s highest point.

Next, we’ll visit the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, whose tapestry-shaped building itself is a work of art. Traditional Azerbaijani carpet is woven from wool and dyed with natural pigments such as pomegranate peel and walnut shells. The exquisite weaving techniques have earned it a place on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Following this, let’s stroll along the azure waterways of Mini Venice, admiring the enchanting scenery. 

Then, stroll along Baku Boulevard by the Caspian Sea and immerse yourself in the laid-back French-style vibe of Nizami Street before heading to Baku Old City. It is a city within a city, with winding alleyways lined with stalls selling handmade carpets and ceramics. The aroma of tea wafts from outdoor teahouses, and lazy street cats doze under the trees. The 28-meter-high (92 ft.) Maiden Tower tells the romantic legend of a princess who committed suicide for love, Shirvanshah’s Palace showcases the life of the Shirvanshah royal family in the 15th century AD, and at the Miniature Books Museum, you can even find a book measuring only 2×2 millimeters! After the visit, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard (5 stars) or similar

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel for a 50-minute drive to Gobustan, an “open-air prehistoric museum!” Our first stop is the Mud Volcano, a natural wonder resembling an apocalyptic scene. Underground methane gas constantly erupts mud to the ground, and the seeping grey mud stains the earth dark and forms deep ravines after drying, looking like the moon surface. The formation of the volcanoes is related to underground natural gas and oil reserves. Azerbaijan boasts nearly half of the world’s active mud volcanoes, demonstrating its rich resources! The erupted mud is usually cool and can be observed and touched up close. If you wish to experience it, please wear appropriate shoes and clothing to avoid getting dirty, as the mud is hard to wash off.

Interestingly, the seemingly desolate Gobustan is also a treasure trove of prehistoric relics, with over 6,000 rock paintings and carvings dating back tens of thousands of years. We’ll first learn about Gobustan’s rock art through a series of interactive exhibits at the Gobustan Museum. Then, step into the Gobustan Rocks with your guide to appreciate the artworks from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic periods. Through the scenes of the early Caucasians’ religious rituals, voyages, migrations, and animal domestication, you can get a glimpse of the evolution of prehistoric humans and Gobustan’s history from a prehistoric settlement to a medieval trading center.

After leaving Gobustan, we’ll drive for about an hour to Bibi-Heybat Mosque, built in 1281 AD, where a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad is buried. Then, we’ll visit the World’s First Industrially Drilled Oil Well and learn about Azerbaijan’s oil extraction history.

★ Witness the Eternal Flame and Unveil the Ancient Fire Worship Culture

Let’s continue to Atashgah Zoroastrian Fire Temple by a 1.5-hour drive. The worship of fire has been ingrained in Azerbaijani people’s veins for over two thousand years. Zoroastrianism was once the state religion, and the naturally occurring eternal flames were seen as symbols of light and truth. Astrologers in ancient times even predict climate change by observing the shape of the sacred fire. Then, at Yanar Dag Burning Mountain, be prepared to witness a 10-meter-long (33 ft.) wall of eternal flame. It is estimated that the flame consumes approximately USD 7,800 worth of natural gas per day!

After today’s sightseeing, your guide and driver will accompany you back to your hotel in Baku.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard (5 stars) or similar

This morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel for your 2 hours’ private ride to Jummah Mosque in the mountain city of Shamakhi. As the oldest mosque in Azerbaijan, it is a milestone in the introduction of Islam to the Caucasus region, and a witness to the historical transformation of Shamakhi from the capital of Kingdom of Shirvan (861-1538 AD) to the wine capital of Azerbaijan.

After another hour’s drive, we’ll arrive in Gabala, deep in the Caucasus Mountains. Far from the hustle and bustle of cities, the valleys here are filled with dense pine forests. The famous French writer Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870 AD) had also praised Gabala’s beauty during his Caucasus travels in 1858 AD. Following in his footsteps, we’ll first visit the Yeddi Gozal Waterfall, a group of falls formed by melted snow, washing over the rock cliffs and bringing cool, moist air to the valley.

Next, we’ll arrive at Nohur Lake among the mountains, and enjoy the views on the tranquil lakeside. Afterward, enjoy a cable car ride to the Sleeping Beauty Peak in Tufandag Mountain Resort, hike to the mountain top, and overlook the lakes, villages, and vast grasslands below. 

After descending, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel in Baku, a journey of about 3.5 hours.

► Best Time to Visit Gabala:
The best time to enjoy Gabala’s natural beauty is from May to October when the climate is mild, and you can enjoy flowers in spring and foliage in autumn. Even in summer, the temperature is often below 30 ℃ (86 ℉), ideal for exploring trails or mountain hiking. If you are fond of winter sports, you won’t want to miss the skiing and snowmobiling activities in Tufandag from December to February. Even if you don’t do winter sports, admiring the breathtaking snowscapes of the Caucasus is one of the best experiences in Gabala.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard (5 stars) or similar

Your tour is coming to an end today. Your driver will escort you to Baku Airport according to your departure flight time. Have a pleasant journey!

If you’d like to extend your tour to other regions of Azerbaijan, or the neighboring Georgia, Armenia, or Turkey, please feel free to contact our travel consultants. 

Meals: Breakfast