Azerbaijan Grand Heritage Tour

Upon arrival at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Baku, offering a first impression of the city’s skyline and setting.

In the evening, you will be picked up from your hotel to explore Baku from an elevated perspective. A visit to Highland Park provides wide views across the city, the Caspian Sea and the Flame Towers, offering a clear sense of Baku’s layout and character as day turns to night.

You will also pass key landmarks including Baku Crystal Hall, Flag Square and the Baku Ferris Wheel, along with views of the city’s waterfront and main boulevards, giving a broader introduction to Baku’s main sights.

The experience is designed as a relaxed introduction to the city, combining key viewpoints with guided insight into its history and architecture. After your visit, you return to your hotel.

Baku - Shamakhi. After breakfast, you will travel from Baku towards the Shamakhi region, known for its historical significance and varied landscapes.

Your first stop is the Diribaba Mausoleum, a medieval structure built into a cliffside, reflecting the region’s architectural heritage. You then continue to Juma Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the Caucasus, known for its long-standing religious importance. Your visit continues to the Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum, a hillside complex of tombs with distinctive domes, associated with former rulers.

You then visit a local alpaca farm, offering a chance to see these animals up close, followed by a stop at Abgora Wine House, where you are introduced to the region’s wine-making traditions. Your final stop is Silent Lake, a peaceful natural setting surrounded by greenery, before heading to your accommodation in Shamakhi.

Shamakhi - Lahic - Gabala. You will depart Shamakhi and travel through mountain landscapes towards the Ismayilli region, passing through areas known for their natural scenery and cultural heritage.

Your first stop is the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory, set in an elevated location and known for its role in astronomical research. You then continue to the Zarnava Suspension Bridge, also known as the Hanging Bridge, where you can walk across and take in views of the surrounding gorge.

You then travel to Lahic Village, a mountain settlement known for its cobbled streets and copper craftsmanship, where you can observe artisans continuing traditional techniques. After your visit, you continue to Gabala, where you are dropped off at your hotel, surrounded by forested landscapes and a quieter setting.

Gabala - Nij - Sheki. Today, you travel through the northern regions of Azerbaijan, combining mountain landscapes with cultural and historical sites.

You begin at Tufandag Mountain Resort, where a cable car ride offers wide views across the surrounding Caucasus Mountains and valleys. You then continue to Nohur Lake, a peaceful setting surrounded by forest, where you can take in the scenery and enjoy a short boat ride. Your journey continues to Yeddi Gozel Waterfall, a multi-level cascade set within a wooded area, before heading to Nij Village to visit the Chotari Albanian Church, reflecting the region’s early Christian heritage.

You then continue towards Sheki, stopping at a local bio garden that highlights regional produce and traditional agricultural practices. Upon arrival in Sheki, you visit the historic Caravanserai, a former Silk Road inn, before stopping at local halva shops known for traditional sweets. After your visits, you are dropped off at your hotel in Sheki.

After breakfast, you will explore Sheki’s cultural and artistic heritage, focusing on its craftsmanship and historical sites.

You begin with a visit to Sheki Khan’s Palace, known for its intricate Shebeke stained-glass windows and detailed interior decoration, reflecting the region’s royal and artistic traditions. You then continue to the ABAD Ceramic Arts Centre, where you can observe local artisans working with traditional techniques in ceramics and applied arts. Your visit continues to a local art gallery, showcasing both traditional and contemporary Azerbaijani works.

You then visit the Craftsmen’s House, including the Shebeke Workshop, where you see how intricate stained-glass designs are created using wood and coloured glass without nails or glue, demonstrating the precision of this traditional craft. Your final stop is the Fazil Necropolis, a historic burial site offering insight into the region’s past. After your visits, you return to your hotel.

You will continue exploring more of Sheki, focusing on its religious sites, traditional industries and daily life.

You begin with a visit to Kish Village, where you see the Albanian Church, one of the oldest Christian sites in the Caucasus, reflecting the region’s early religious history. You then continue to the Shekikhanovs’ House, a historic residence that offers insight into the lifestyle and architecture of local nobility.

Your visit continues to the Sheki Silk Factory, where you learn about traditional silk production and its importance to the region’s heritage. You then visit Khan Mosque, followed by the Abdulkhaliq Hammam, a historic bathhouse reflecting traditional practices and architecture.

You also visit the Az Abrau Wine Museum, where you are introduced to local wine traditions, before heading to Sheki Bazaar, a lively market where you can explore local produce, spices, textiles and handmade goods. After your visits, you return to your hotel.

Sheki - Qakh - Ilisu - Sheki. Today, you will travel towards the north-west of Azerbaijan, exploring the Qakh and Ilisu region, known for its mix of historical sites, rural settlements and mountain landscapes.

You begin with a visit to Kurmuk Temple, set on an elevated hillside and associated with early Christian heritage in the region. You then continue to the Qum Basilica, an early religious structure reflecting the area’s historical development. Your journey continues to Sumug-gala Castle, a hilltop fortress offering wide views across the surrounding valleys.

You then visit Ulu Bridge, a historic stone structure that has connected local communities for generations, followed by a stop at Ulu Mosque, known for its simple and traditional design. In Qakh, you explore the Icheri Bazaar, a traditional market area reflecting local trade and daily life.

Your journey continues to Lekit Village, where you visit a local Honey House to learn about traditional production methods. Your final stop is the History and Ethnography Museum, offering insight into the region’s past and cultural traditions. After your visits, you return to Sheki.

Sheki - Ganja. This morning, you will depart Sheki and travel to Ganja, one of Azerbaijan’s main cultural centres, known for its literary and historical heritage.

You begin with a visit to the Mausoleum of Nizami Ganjavi, dedicated to the 12th-century poet and an important cultural landmark. You then continue to the Imamzadeh Mausoleum, a significant religious complex known for its architectural design and spiritual importance. Your visit continues to the Shah Abbas Mosque, recognised for its traditional structure and historical relevance.

You then visit the Bottle House, a unique structure built using thousands of glass bottles, followed by the historic Caravanserai, reflecting the city’s role as a trading hub along regional routes. Your day continues with a visit to Khan Baghi Park, a historic green space offering a quieter setting within the city. An optional visit to GanjLand may be included. After your visits, you are dropped off at your hotel in Ganja.

Ganja - Goygol - Baku. After your final breakfast, you will check out and travel towards Goygol Lake, one of Azerbaijan’s most scenic natural sites, known for its clear waters and mountain surroundings.

Upon arrival, you will have time to walk along the lakeside and take in the views, with its forested setting and calm atmosphere. The lake, known as “Blue Lake”, is recognised for its reflective surface and natural surroundings. Depending on time and access, you may also visit Maralgol Lake or stop at the Goygol National Park Visitor Centre.

After your visit, you begin the return journey to Baku, passing through changing landscapes along the way. Upon arrival, you will be dropped off at your hotel or transferred to the airport, depending on your onward travel plans.