Azerbaijan Cultural & Nature Explorer

You begin with a private transfer from Heydar Aliyev International Airport or central Baku and drive west to Shamakhi – once the capital of the Shirvanshah dynasty and a longstanding centre of culture, science and political life in the South Caucasus.

Your first stop is the Diribaba Mausoleum, a 15th century tomb set into the rock that blends Islamic design with the natural landscape. Continue to Juma Mosque – regarded as the oldest functioning mosque in the Caucasus – noted for its symmetry, careful restorations and ongoing role in regional religious life. At Yeddi Gumbaz – the Seven Domes mausoleum complex – you explore the resting places of Shirvan’s royal lineage and take in wide views over Shamakhi.

A change of pace follows at a local alpaca farm, where you see sustainable herding adapted to the terrain and learn about regional wool and fibre traditions. Then stop at Abgora Wine House – a premium tasting venue – where traditional clay pot fermentation with indigenous grape varieties is actively practised. The day closes at Silent Lake, a secluded forest lake known for its still waters and remote setting.

This full day runs for around 8–10 hours, including all road transfers and guiding by a professional guide. You arrive in Shamakhi in the evening and settle into our accommodation, ready for the journey ahead.

After breakfast in Shamakhi, you ascend into the Greater Caucasus to the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory – a leading scientific site set above 1,400 metres. With your guide, explore the facility, gaining insight into its work and its striking mountain setting.

You'll then continue deeper into the mountains to Lahic, recognised for its intact medieval infrastructure, including one of the oldest known underground sewage systems. Walk its stone alleys lined with timber framed houses and step into copper workshops to observe master coppersmiths using techniques passed down through generations.

If weather permits, you can take a short transfer to the Zarnava Suspension Bridge – a narrow pedestrian crossing high above a canyon – for expansive views across the gorge.

In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive through forested valleys and alpine meadows to Gabala, a longstanding mountain retreat noted for both history and natural diversity. Expect around 6–8 hours in total, including guided interpretation and road transfers between destinations.

You'll leave Gabala in the morning for Tufandag Mountain Resort, where you ride the twin line cable car for wide Caucasus views, then pause at the calm waters of Nohur Lake. Continue with a short woodland walk to Yeddi Gozel Waterfalls – Seven Beauties – a cascade of several tiers that rewards the effort with cool air and the sound of rushing water.

From here, drive to Nidj Udin Village to see the Chotari Church, a rare example of Caucasian Albanian Christian heritage set among low hills. Heading west, stop at Bio Garden Sheki for a guided tasting of seasonal fruit grown using organic methods – a straightforward introduction to local small-scale agriculture.

Arriving in Sheki, you explore the historic caravanserai, once a Silk Road lodging complex for merchants, and conclude at traditional halva workshops to observe the skilled, hands-on process behind the city’s signature sweet. The day runs for around 7–8 hours with guided commentary and road transfers between all stops. The waterfall visit includes a short walk. You end the day in Sheki.

You focus on Sheki’s palaces, museums and living craft. Begin at the Sheki Khan’s Palace, an 18th century summer residence celebrated for its balanced architecture, vivid frescoes and exquisite shebeke stained glass assembled without glue or nails. A short transfer brings us to the ABAD Ceramic Arts Centre to see traditional forms crafted from local materials in a contemporary setting.

Continue at the Sheki Museum of History and Local Lore, where ethnographic displays, archaeological pieces and textiles trace the city’s development through trade and daily life. A brief stop at the Art Gallery links these themes with modern Azerbaijani painting, sculpture and graphic works. At the Craftsmen’s House you can observe master shebeke makers at work – a meticulous process preserved across generations. Conclude at the Fazil Necropolis just outside the centre for a grounded look at historic burial practices and community structure.

Today’s programme runs around 5–6 hours with comfortable short transfers between sites and unhurried time with your guide. You return to your hotel in Sheki – you can then explore the old merchant quarter on foot in your own time.

Devote today to Sheki’s cultural heart. After an early drive, you'll reach the Kish Albanian Church – among the Caucasus’ oldest Christian sites, traditionally dated to the 1st century – set at the foot of the mountains.

Back in town, tour the Shekihanovs’ House, a 19th–century noble residence with carved wood, mirrored halls and shebeke stained glass that reflects refined domestic life. At the Sheki Silk Factory, watch artisans uphold meticulous techniques that once linked this region to major trade routes. Thereafter, continue to the Khan Mosque – a modest yet striking example of local religious architecture with characteristic woodwork and lattice windows.

A short transfer brings you to the Abdulkhaliq Hammam, an 18th–century bathhouse whose domed chambers, marble surfaces and original heating system illustrate historic bathing culture. By late afternoon you move to Az Abrau Museum–Wine for a focused tasting of regional varietals presented with expert commentary.

Round off the day in the lively Sheki Bazaar, where you can browse handmade sweets, crafted textiles, dried fruits and other regional specialities. Expect 6–8 hours of guided touring with comfortable transfers between sites – a seamless programme designed for depth without rush.

You'll leave Sheki for a guided day in the northern highlands, where quiet villages, places of worship and resilient architecture sit among rising foothills. Your first stop is Kurmuk Temple, a mountainside sanctuary long regarded as a place of pilgrimage, framed by forested slopes.

Continue to the ruins of Qum Basilica in Qakh District – a 5th–6th century domed basilica and one of the oldest surviving Christian monuments in the Caucasus – then on to Sumug–gala Castle, a 17th–18th century watchtower of river stone, lime mortar and baked brick that once safeguarded nearby mountain communities.

Following the valley, cross the arched Ulu Bridge, a historic crossing used for centuries, before reaching Ulu Mosque, which anchors the historic heart of Qakh. You then explore the Icheri Bazaar, a lived‑in quarter of narrow lanes, stone houses and working ateliers, where daily routines such as baking bread, brewing local tea and wood carving continue.

A change of scene takes you to Lekit Village and the Honey House, where you can learn about traditional apiculture and sample honey that reflects the local microclimate. Conclude at the History and Ethnography Museum of Qakh, whose carefully curated artefacts, textiles and displays bring the region’s story into focus.

This guided programme runs for around 6–8 hours including road transfers. You return to Sheki in the late afternoon or early evening.

You leave Sheki in the morning for the drive to Ganja, the country’s second city and a longstanding centre of literature, faith and craft.

Begin at the Mausoleum of Nizami Ganjavi, dedicated to the 12th century poet whose works shaped regional culture. Then continue to the Imamzadeh Mausoleum – a major place of pilgrimage with intricate tilework and domed interiors – before exploring the Shah Abbas Mosque, a hallmark of 17th century Islamic architecture.

A change of pace follows at the Bottle House – an ingenious home built from glass bottles – after which you step into the historic caravanserai, once a key stop for Silk Road traders. You visit the Mausoleum of Javad Khan, last ruler of the Ganja Khanate, and end the day in Khan Baghi Park.

Today’s programme runs around 8–10 hours with professional guiding throughout. You stay overnight in Ganja.

After checking out in Ganja, drive to Goygol Lake – a pristine mountain lake set within dense forest and backed by high ridgelines. You take unhurried time to enjoy the clear waters and tranquil surroundings before starting the road back to Baku.

You then continue with a comfortable transfer to Baku – a 10–12 hour day paced to balance exploration and travel. A professional guide ensures smooth logistics and offers insightful commentary throughout. Arrival in Baku concludes the itinerary.