Azerbaijan Cultural Discovery

Baku - Shamakhi - Lahic - Sheki. Once you have arrived in Baku, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, or alternatively, you can meet at the meeting point to be picked up. You will then depart towards Shamakhi, with the journey taking approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes through changing landscapes.

Your first stop is the Diribaba Mausoleum, a 15th-century structure built into a cliffside and dedicated to the Sufi saint Diribaba. You then continue for around 30 minutes to Juma Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the Caucasus, dating back to the 8th century and known for its resilience through multiple earthquakes. A short drive brings you to the Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum, a hillside necropolis of the Shirvan royal family with views across the surrounding valley.

You then travel onwards for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to Lahij Village, a mountain settlement known for its cobbled streets and long-standing copper craftsmanship. After your visit, you continue to Sheki, where you check into your hotel for the night.

Meeting Point: 20 Nigar Rafibeyli, Baku 1005, Azerbaijan

Sheki - Kish - Sheki. Today, you explore the cultural and historical landmarks in and around Sheki, combining architecture, local crafts and regional traditions.

You begin with a visit to Sheki Khan Palace, a UNESCO-listed site built in the 18th century, known for its intricate design and significance to the former Sheki Khanate. You then continue to the ABAD Ceramic Arts Centre, where you can observe traditional pottery techniques, followed by a visit to a local art gallery showcasing both traditional and contemporary Azerbaijani works. Your visit continues at the Craftsmen’s House, where you see the creation of Shebeke stained-glass windows, made using wood and coloured glass without the use of nails or glue. You also visit the historic Caravanserai, a restored Silk Road inn that once hosted travelling merchants.

You then travel to Kish to visit the Albanian Church, one of the oldest Christian sites in the Caucasus, believed to date back to the 1st century. Your day concludes with a wine tasting experience, where you sample locally produced wines and learn about regional grape varieties. After your visit, you return to your hotel in Sheki.

Sheki - Ganja - Baku. This morning, you leave Sheki and travel to Ganja, Azerbaijan’s second-largest city, known for its historical and cultural landmarks.

You begin with a visit to the Mausoleum of Nizami Ganjavi, dedicated to the renowned 12th-century poet, followed by Shah Abbas Mosque, a 17th-century structure reflecting Safavid-era architecture. You then continue to the Bottle House, a unique private building decorated with thousands of glass bottles, before visiting the historic Caravanserai, once used by merchants travelling along the Silk Road. Your visit also includes Khan Baghi Park, a historic public garden offering a peaceful setting with mature trees and open spaces.

After completing your visits, you return to Baku, where you are dropped off at the dro-off point. on Nigar Rafibeyli Street, located near Nizami Street and within walking distance of the Old City.

Drop-off Point: 20 Nigar Rafibeyli, Baku 1005, Azerbaijan