Azerbaijan is an amazing country. Everything here is unique: nature and culture, history and customs, traditions and architecture, and much more. Azerbaijan is often called «the land of fire» (from word «azer» which means «fire»). All this comes from the ancient times, as before our era, tribes of the fire-worshipers lived on the territory of Azerbaijan. Since those times, the most ancient evidence of that era has been preserved on the territory of our country: rock paintings, petroglyphs, ancient statues and temples.

Tour program:

Day 1:

•    Arrival in Baku
•    Greeting guests at the airport, transfer and accommodation at the hotel
•    Leisure time and overnight at the hotel

Day 2:
•    Breakfast at the hotel
•    Excursion to the Highland Park and Old City 
•    Excursion to Heydar Aliyev Center 
09:00 Breakfast at the hotel
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.
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 and leisure time

Day 3: 
•    Breakfast at the hotel
•    Excursions across the Absheron Peninsula sights
•    Excursion to Gobustan archaeological reserve and mud volcanoes
•    Excursion to the Temple of fire-worshipers «Ateshgah» and burning hill «Yanardag»
09:00 Breakfast at the hotel
10:00 Departure for an excursion to the historical and archaeological reserve of Gobustan.
The archaeological reserve of Gobustan, an open-air museum located in the south-east of the Great Caucasus. Gobustan petroglyphs dating back to 5,000-20,000 years, perfectly preserved rock carvings, are a kind of artistic archive of human evolution on planet Earth. They reflect the history of this region for almost 15 thousand years - from the end of the Upper Paleolithic era to the Middle Ages. They reflect the history of this region for almost 15 thousand years - from the end of the Upper Paleolithic age to the Middle Ages. Today, Azerbaijani scientists have identified, described and studied more than 4,000 petroglyphs (rock paintings in stone carving techniques) and this important work still continues. Before starting a Gobustan tour, guests will visit the interactive museum, where they can get information about the history and nature of Gobustan using special multimedia programs and touch screens. 
Next point of the tour is the area of Mud volcanoes, a rare natural phenomenon appeared in Azerbaijan 25 million years ago (visiting mud volcanoes depends on the season and condition of roads). Azerbaijan has nearly 400 mud volcanoes on its territory. They occur where tectonic movement allows subterranean gases to escape to the surface. A few of these gas leaks are constantly on fire, shooting small perpetual flames into the air, however, mud volcanoes never grow to the size of a normal volcano.
14:00 Excursion to the Temple of Fire Worshipers «Ateshgah» and burning hill «Yanardag»
The tour goes on with the ancient legacy of Zoroastrianism. Located 30 km away from Baku, there is one of the most mysterious sights of Azerbaijan - Ateshgah, The Temple of Fire Worshippers. Part caravanserai, part fire temple, it stands on the site of a natural-gas burning from the earth crust. It is called «the eternal fire». In ancient time Ateshgah was a sacred place to Zoroastrians. Though the temple’s current incarnation was built by 18th century Indian Shiva devotees. Next on our tour is a magically attractive site, the burning hill of Yanardag. Yanardag is a hillside with a continuously burning natural fire described by Marco Polo back in the 13th century during his visit to the Persian city of Baku.
18:00 Return to the hotel and leisure time

Day 4:

•    Breakfast at the hotel
•    Exploring the regions of Azerbaijan 
•    Visiting the village of Lahij and lake Nohur
•    Accommodation at the hotel in Sheki
09:00 Breakfast at the hotel
10:00 Departure for a trip to the regions of Azerbaijan.
First point of our journey is the picteresque village of craftsmen called Lahij (visiting Lahij depends on the season and condition of roads). Lahij is a unique monument of Persian urban planning and an architectural object of the Middle Ages. It is a medieval city with cobbled streets and squares, a well-developed water supply and sewerage system. The village is inhabited by tanners, engravers, potters, blacksmiths, wood and metal carvers, who have been passing their knowledge from generation to generation. During the tour guests will also visit an ancient bridge connecting two villages, a 16th-century stone water supply and samples of dwellings from the 19th century with frescoes. 
Our tour continues to Nohur Lake. Surrounded by the forest, the lake is famous for its cleanliness, abundance of fish and amazing turquoise color of the water. 
18:00 Arrival in Sheki region, accommodation at the hotel and leisure time 

Day 5:
•    Breakfast at the hotel 
•    Excursion in Sheki 
•    Visiting Sheki Khans’ Palace, Karvan-Saray and Albanian Church
•    Return to Baku
10:00 Acquaintance with the city of Sheki.  One of the most ancient cities of Azerbaijan, Sheki is located at the altitude of 700 m above the sea level, in the southern foothills of the Greater Caucasus. It is famous for the numerous architectural monuments. The city used to be the capital of the Sheki Khanate and was an important staging point on the Great Silk Road. Guests will visit the summer Palace of the Sheki khans, built in the 18th century, with its magnificent frescoes and exquisite handmade window decorations.
             
One of the main spot of Sheki is the ancient complex called the Upper Karvan-Saray. Karvan-Saray is a historical momument dated 17th century which includes the hotel. As the most karvan sarays, it was built in form of castle with single gate, closing of which made it impregnable during dangerous incidents. Karvan-Saray is a rectangular-shaped with a large inner yard and pool area. 
14:00 Our acquaintance with Sheki goes on with a visit to the Albanian Church, which is located in the village of Kish. According to a legend, it is the first Christian church built not only on the territory of Caucasian Albania, but in the entire Transcaucasia. This place is also remarkable for the burials of people found on the territory of the temple. The structure of their bodies is far different from the current inhabitants of this region. In 2003, the church was renovated with the financial support of the Norwegian government and with the personal efforts of Thor Heyerdahl.
15:00 Return to Baku
19:00 Arrival in Baku and accommodation at the hotel 
Day 6:
•    Breakfast at the hotel
•    Check-out from the hotel and 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. 
                        

Tour Price

565 USD * per person in DBL / TWN accommodation

 

Tour price includes:
•    Greeting at the airport
•    Full transportation services within the tour including airport-hotel-airport transfers
•    Accommodation at Baku hotel for 4 nights and at Sheki hotel for 1 night
•    Breakfasts at the hotels
•    Professional English-speaking guide service
•    Excursion to Old City and Heydar Aliyev Center
•    Excursion to reserve of Gobustan, Fire Worshippers’ Temple «Ateshgah» and «Yanardag»
•    Excursion to village Lahij, lake Nohur and Sheki city / Palace of Khans and Albanian Church
•    Entrance tickets to the museums: Shirvanshah Palace in Old City, Heydar Aliyev Center, Gobustan, Ateshgah, Yanardag, Sheki Khans’ Palace and Albanian Church
•    Bottle of water per person daily

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

Itinerary & Map
Visa
Hotel
Practical Information

Accommodation: 
Hotels 3+ star in Baku: Aksent Hotel or similar category hotel 
Hotels 3+ star in Sheki: Macara Sheki City or similar category hotel 

Supplement for single occupancy in 3*+ Hotel: 90 USD
Upgrade for 4-star hotels upper category: 213 USD / per person in DBL / TWN accommodation
Supplement for single occupancy in 4* Hotel: 337 USD 

Hotels 4-star in Baku: Midtown Hotel or similar category hotel 
Hotels 4-star in Sheki: Sheki Palace Hotel or similar category hotel 
Upgrade for 5-star hotels: 349 USD / per person in DBL / TWN accommodation
Supplement for single occupancy in 5* Hotel: 648 USD 
Hotels 5-star in Baku: Theatrum Hotel, Promenade Hotel or similar category hotel 
Hotels 5-star in Sheki: Marxal Resort & SPA

Other Conditions:

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) 

«Salam Azerbaijan» tour could also be arranged upon request for any dates of 2024

Company reserves the right to cancel the tour( 6 weeks before)  if the minimum number of tourists is not reached on the day of the tour. All prepayments will be returned to the client without any penalties. 

Check-in and check-out policy:
* For the 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: 100% room rate of one day.
Check in after 06:00 am, but before 12:00: 50% room rate of one day.
Check out after 12:00, but before 18:00: 50% room rate of one day.
Check out after 18:00: 100% room rate 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 (visa fee & service charge). In case of urgent visa, the cost is 75 USD (visa fee & service charge) and the issue takes 1 working day.   
 

Сontacts: