Baku & Beyond Explorer

Baku - Absheron Peninsula - Baku. Arrive in Baku the day before the start of the tour, you will be picked up from your hotel near Icherisheher, the Old City of Baku, and begin exploring the capital, where historic landmarks and modern architecture sit side by side.

You start at Highland Park, the city’s highest viewpoint, offering wide views over Baku Bay and the Flame Towers, helping you understand the layout and scale of the city. You then continue into the Old City, a UNESCO-listed area, where you visit the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, along with historic caravanserais that reflect Baku’s role as a key centre along the Silk Road. Your visit then continues to the Heydar Aliyev Center, known for its distinctive flowing design and its role in showcasing Azerbaijan’s modern identity and cultural development.

In the afternoon, you travel to the Absheron Peninsula to visit Ateshgah Fire Temple, a historic site associated with fire worship, where natural gas flames have long shaped religious practices. You then continue to Yanar Dag, known as the Burning Mountain, where flames emerge naturally from the hillside, reflecting Azerbaijan’s identity as the Land of Fire. After your visits, you return to Baku.

Baku - Gobustan - Baku. This morning, you will travel to Gobustan to explore one of Azerbaijan’s most important archaeological sites, known for its prehistoric rock art and landscapes.

You begin at Gobustan National Park, where you explore the petroglyphs, a collection of over 6,000 rock carvings dating back more than 40,000 years, offering insight into early human life in the region. You then visit the Gobustan Museum, where exhibits provide context on ancient settlements, tools and cultural development.

Your visit continues to the mud volcanoes, a rare natural phenomenon, where bubbling mud pools create a distinctive landscape.

Returning to Baku, you visit the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, known for its distinctive design and extensive collection of traditional carpets, reflecting a craft recognised by UNESCO. Your day concludes with time at Baku Boulevard, a seafront promenade along the Caspian Sea, offering open views and a relaxed setting before returning to your hotel.

After breakfast, you will travel north of Baku to explore some of Azerbaijan’s most distinctive natural landscapes.

Your first stop is Besh Barmag Mountain, also known as Five Fingers Mountain, a notable natural formation with spiritual significance and a recognised point for observing migratory birds. You will have time here to take in the surrounding scenery and landscape.

You then continue to the Candy Cane Mountains, known for their unusual red and white striped patterns formed by mineral deposits. These striking formations create one of the most visually distinctive landscapes in the region. After your visit, you return to Baku for the evening.

Baku - Ganja - Kish - Sheki. Today, you travel west from Baku to Ganja, Azerbaijan’s second-largest city, known for its cultural and historical significance.

You begin with a visit to the Nizami Mausoleum, dedicated to the renowned 12th-century poet Nizami Ganjavi, an important figure in regional literature and cultural identity. You then continue to the Bottle House, a distinctive structure built using glass bottles, reflecting individual creativity and craftsmanship.

Your journey then continues towards Sheki, with a stop at Kish Village to visit the Albanian Church, one of the oldest Christian sites in the Caucasus, linked to early regional history. After your visit, you continue to Sheki, a town known for its historical character and setting, where you are dropped off at your hotel.

Sheki - Gabala. You will explore the cultural landmarks of Sheki before continuing to the mountain landscapes of Gabala.

You begin with a visit to Sheki Khan’s Palace, known for its intricate Shebeke stained-glass windows and detailed interior decoration, reflecting the craftsmanship of the region. You then continue to the historic Sheki Caravanserai, a former Silk Road inn that once hosted travelling merchants and reflects the area’s role in regional trade.

Your journey then continues to Gabala, where you visit Yeddi Gozel Waterfall, a multi-level cascade set within a forested area. You then head to Tufandag Mountain Resort, where a cable car ride offers wide views across the surrounding mountains and alpine scenery. After your visits, you are dropped off at your hotel in Gabala for an overnight stay.

Gabala - Lahic - Shamakhi - Baku. After your final breakfast, you will travel towards Lahic, a mountain village known for its cobbled streets and long-standing tradition of copper craftsmanship. Here, you can observe local artisans at work, gaining insight into techniques that have been passed down through generations, including metalwork and weaving.


You then continue to Shamakhi, a historic city and former capital of the Shirvanshah Kingdom, where you visit Juma Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the Caucasus, reflecting the region’s Islamic heritage. During your visit, you will also take part in a traditional butter-making experience, offering an introduction to local rural practices and food traditions.

After your visits, you return to Baku, where you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!