All country's culinary traditions have a lot to say about the culture, lifestyle and nature of its people. Traveling along the gastronomic routes and tasting the masterpieces of the national cuisine of Azerbaijan, gives a great opportunity to discover the country from another, "tasty" side!

Tour program:

Day 1:
•     Arrival in Baku
•     Greeting guests at the airport, transfer and accommodation at the hotel
•     Welcome lunch or dinner (depending on the arrival time)
Today Baku has become a modern city and an attractive destination for MICE, where future technologies and luxury hotels come hand in hand with ancient traditions, delicious food and oriental hospitality.
After greeting the group at the Heydar Aliyev international airport, the guests will be accommodated at hotel. Taking their time at the hotel, the guests will later have a chance for the first impression of the traditional Azerbaijani cuisine. This first impression will bring one of the most picturesque city restaurants – «Gala Bazaar». 
«Gala Bazaar» is a unique creative and historical restaurant, built in the spirit of the Middle Ages. It is a venue for the dance festivals and concerts, as well as for large-scale exhibitions, performances, fashion shows and other events.
Main course: Lamb kebab
One of the most ancient dishes of the East is lamb kebab. It is considered a traditional dish of the Eastern and Caucasian cuisine. During the frying process, the meat absorbs the amazing smell of wood, smoking, thereby acquiring an amazing aroma and taste. Marinated meat cooked on the wood or charcoal may rightfully be named a real kebab. The dish is served along with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and herbs.

Day 2: 
•    Breakfast at the hotel
•    Excursion to the Highland Park and Old City / Lunch at «Dolma» restaurant
•    Excursion to Heydar Aliyev Center / Dinner at «Shirvanshah» restaurant
10:00 Visiting the Highland Park and Old City. The history of the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, goes back to the antiquity, although the precise date of its origin is still unknown. The territory of the Absheron Peninsula, where the city is located on, has a favorable geographical position: a calm bay, a warm dry climate, fertile soil and natural resources. Therefore, the emergence of the ancient settlements here was quite natural. The Highland Park is located on a hill in the Western part of the city. This is the best spot to overview the city itself, along with the Baku Bay and the Seaside Boulevard, which celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2019. Further, the guests will get acquainted with the Old City, which is called «Icheri Sheher». Many historical and architectural monuments are concentrated on its territory, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the symbol of the city of Baku - Maiden Tower, Caravanserais, mosques, etc.
13:00 Lunch at «Dolma» restaurant
Main course: Dolma / Stuffed grape leaves
Dolma is a unique traditional dish that consists of grape leaves stuffed with boiled minced lamb meat and rice. The name of the dish, «dolma», is common to several Turkic languages and it has a meaning «to fill» or «to stuff».
14:00 Our tour goes on with a visit to the Heydar Aliyev Center. The Heydar Aliyev Center was built by world-famous architect Zaha Hadid.  An internationally recognized architectural work, the building of the Heydar Aliyev Center has become a signature landmark of modern Baku due to its innovative and cutting-edge design. The Center achieved a famous «Design of the Year Award» back in 2014. Extending on eight floor levels, the center accommodates a 1000-seat auditorium, temporary exhibition spaces, a conference center, workshops, and a museum.
18:00 Return to the hotel
19:00 Dinner at «Shirvanshah» restaurant
Main course: Azerbaijani pilaf with chestnuts and meat
This kind of pilaf is slightly different from the ones made in Central Asia or Turkey.
First comes the rice cooked in a special way, and then, the accompanying dishes as the additions to the main one. Onion chopped into half rings with the addition of turmeric is fried in ghee, over the low heat. Meanwhile, the meat is cooked separately in salted water. At the end of cooking, the meat is sprinkled with fried onions, dried cherry plums and fried chestnuts.

Day 3:
•    Breakfast at the hotel
•    Excursion to Fire Worshippers’ Temple «Ateshgah» and burning hill «Yanardag»
•    Culinary master class on cooking kebab and kutabs
10:00 On the territory of Azerbaijan, called «The Land of Fire», there is a «burning mountain», «Yanardag». It is one of the most amazing natural attractions of the Absheron Peninsula. Yanardag is a flaming mountain slope that cannot be extinguished either by rain or covered with sand, which has been burning for several millennia. The fiery landscape can be explained very simply: natural gas is released from the upper layers of the soil. When it comes into contact with oxygen, it turns into a flame. Lots of legends are associated with this mountain slope, so the locals and the pilgrims from all over the world still consider Yanardag a sacred place of the worship. 
Next on our tour is the Temple of Fire Worshipers – «Ateshgah»
Azerbaijan is one of a few places on Earth where even today you may find elements of the fire cult and the remains of the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism. These places, where oil oozes from the ground and natural gas bursts out into flaming torches, have always attracted fire worshipers from all over the world. Baku, its oil, «the burning land» have been known far beyond its borders since ancient times. The official religion in the reigns that arose in the 7th century BC, such as Manna and Media, was Zoroastrianism. The spread of this religion was related to the self-igniting sources of oil and gas. 
13:00 Culinary master class and lunch
After visiting the sights of Absheron peninsula, the male part of the group will have a chance to acquire unique skills in making kebabs under the guidance of a professional chef who will teach the cooking basics in the best traditions of Azerbaijani cuisine.
For the ladies of the group there will be a master class on cooking kutabs, thin dough cakes with meat or vegetable filling.
Main course: Lula kebab
Lula kebab is a type of kebab made from minced lamb seasoned with spices. First, minced meat is placed in the fridge for 20-30 minutes. Then a lula in the form of sausage is formed from minced meat and strung on a skewer. Lula kebab is cooked on the grill over the hot coals and with no flame. When kebab is ready, it is wrapped in pita bread (lavash bread) and garnished with onions and herbs.
15:00 Return to the hotel and free time

Day 4: 
•    Breakfast at the hotel
•    Check-out from the hotel and visit to «Yashil Bazaar»
•    Transfer to the airport
After the check-out from the hotel, the group will have a convenient transfer to the Heydar Aliyev international airport. Depending on the time of departure, there is a chance to visit colorful Eastern Bazaar called «Yashil Bazar». The guests may buy some dried fruits, traditional Azerbaijani tea, nuts and sweets there. 

Tour Price

                                              480 USD* per person in DBL / TWN accommodation

Tour price includes: 
• Accommodation at hotel in Baku for 3 nights
• Breakfasts at the hotel
• 2 lunches and 2 dinners 
• 1 bottle of wine for each guest complimentary (local wine brand)
• Culinary master class on cooking kebab and kutabs
• Excursion to Old City and Heydar Aliyev Center
• Excursion to Fire Worshippers’ Temple «Ateshgah» and burning hill «Yanardag»
• Entrance tickets to the museums as per the tour program
• Professional English-speaking guide service within the tour
• Full transportation services within the tour including airport-hotel-airport transfers

Tour price doesn’t include:
• Alcoholic drinks
• Medical insurance
• Extra expenses of guests within the tour
• E-visa to Azerbaijan                              

Itinerary & Map
Visa
Hotel
Practical Information

Accommodation and upgrade:

Single supplement in 3* hotel 141 USD
Upgrade for 4-star hotels upper category: 110 USD / per person in DBL / TWN accommodation
Supplement for single occupancy: 190 USD 
Hotels 4-star in Baku: Midtown Hotel or similar category hotel 

Upgrade for 5-star hotels: 170 USD / per person in DBL / TWN accommodation
Supplement for single occupancy: 345 USD 
Hotels 5-star in Baku: Theatrum Hotel, Promenade Hotel or similar category hotel 

Supplement for non-English speaking guides: 120 USD (for the entire tour / per group) 

Minimum number of people in tour – 2 PAX (depending of confirmations we can accept single tourist as well, please check available options from our managers)
Maximum number of people in tour – 12 PAX (For more size of participants group prices are available by additional request) 

Company reserves the right to cancel the tour (6 week before) if the minimum number of tourists is not reached on the day of the tour

Program & Main courses may change depending on the season

*«Food on Foot» tour could also be arranged upon request for any dates of 2024

Check-in and check-out policy:
* For the tourists’ convenience, please inform in advance about early arrivals or late departures of your guests.
* Depending on the hotel, guests may be charged for early check-in or late check-out.
Check in until 06:00 am: surcharge of 100% of the cost of one day.
Check in after 06:00 am, but before 12:00: surcharge of 50% of the cost of one day.
Children's policy:
* Children up to 6 years old are free of charge (without an extra bed with accommodation with two adults). 
* Children from 6 up to 12 years - 30% of the cost of the tour.
Cancellation and penalties:
* All changes and cancellations of already confirmed applications must be done in writing form.
* Cancellation of a confirmed application more than 14 days prior to arrival is not subject to penalties.
* If you cancel a confirmed application less than 14 days or more than 7 days before the planned arrival: a penalty of 50% of the total cost of the tour will be applied.
* If you cancel a confirmed application less than 7 days or after the date of the planned arrival: a penalty of 100% of the full cost of the tour will be applied.
E-Visa to Azerbaijan:
E-visa is issued within 3-5 working days and requires scan copies of the guests’ valid passports (6 months to expire date). E-visa cost is 35 USD. In case of urgent visa, the cost is 75 USD and the issue takes 1 working day.   

Сontacts: