Azerbaijan Heritage Journey

Baku - Shamakhi - Lahic - Gabala. Today, you will be picked up from your hotel in Baku or make your way to the meeting point where you will begin your journey towards the Shamakhi region, known for its historical significance and changing landscapes.

Your first stop is the Diribaba Mausoleum, a 15th-century structure built into a cliffside and associated with Sufi traditions. You then continue to Juma Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the Caucasus, dating back to the 8th century. Nearby, you visit the Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum, a hillside complex of tombs belonging to the Shirvan rulers, set against open valley views.

You then travel onwards to Lahij, a mountain village known for its cobbled streets and long-standing copper craftsmanship, where traditional skills are still practised today. After your visit, you continue to Gabala, where you will spend the night.



Please note: If you prefer not to use the hotel pick up on day 1. You can make your way to the meeting point, where you will start your tour.

Icherisheher Tourism Information Center, 55 Boyuk Gala Street, Icherishehe, Baku.

Gabala - Nij - Sheki. After breakfast, you will begin your day in Gabala, surrounded by the landscapes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains.

You start with a visit to Tufandag Mountain Resort, where a cable car ride offers views across the surrounding peaks. You then continue to Nohur Lake, a calm setting with forested hills and mountain reflections, followed by a visit to Yeddi Gozel Waterfall, a seven-tiered cascade reached by a short walk through a wooded area.

Your journey then turns towards cultural heritage with a visit to Nij Village, home to the Udi community, where you see the Chotari Albanian Church, linked to early Christian history in the region. You then continue towards Sheki, stopping at a local bio garden to sample fresh, locally grown produce.

Upon arrival in Sheki, you visit the historic Caravanserai, a former Silk Road inn once used by travelling merchants, before stopping at local shops known for Sheki halva, a traditional sweet made with nuts and honey. After your visits, you are dropped off at your hotel in Sheki.

This morning, you will explore the artistic and cultural side of Sheki, focusing on its long-standing traditions and craftsmanship.

You begin at the ABAD Ceramic and Applied Arts Centre, where you can observe local artisans working with ceramics, textiles and wood using traditional techniques. You then continue to the Sheki Museum of History and Local Lore, housed in a historic building, where exhibits trace the region’s development from early settlements to its time as a khanate.

Your visit continues at a local art gallery, showcasing contemporary works inspired by Azerbaijani culture and landscapes, before heading to the Craftsmen’s House. Here, you see a demonstration of Shebeke, a traditional stained-glass technique created using wood and coloured glass without nails or glue. After your visits, you return to your hotel. You will have the remainder of the day at leisure.

Sheki - Kish - Qakh - Ilisu - Sheki. You will embark on a journey through the surrounding regions of Sheki, combining early Christian heritage with mountain landscapes and historic sites.

You begin with a visit to Kish Village, where you see the Albanian Church, one of the oldest Christian sites in the Caucasus, associated with early religious history in the region. You then continue to the Qakh region to visit Kurmuk Temple, a hillside site known for its spiritual significance, followed by the remains of the Qum Basilica, reflecting early Christian architecture.

Your journey continues to Sumug-gala Castle, a historic hilltop fortress offering wide views across the surrounding valleys, followed by a visit to Ulu Bridge, a stone structure that has connected local communities for generations. You also see the Ulu Mosque and Abdulkhaliq Hammam, reflecting aspects of daily and communal life in the region. After your visits, you return to your hotel.

Sheki - Baku/ Lagodekhi Border (Georgia). After your final breakfast, you will have time to visit Sheki Bazaar, a lively local market where you can browse dried fruits, spices, cheeses and handmade souvenirs, offering a glimpse into daily life in the region.

Depending on your onward plans, you will then transfer either back to Baku with a drop off at your hotel, a journey of approximately 5 hours through changing landscapes, or continue to the Georgian border at Lagodekhi, located around 90 minutes away.