9 Days in

Azerbaijan is an ancient country with rich history and culture, which are attracting travelers from all over the world throughout centuries. “The Land of Fire” always intrigued and tempted numerous people traveling either for trading, business or just for leisure to discover something mysterious and unusual to enrich their outlook. Thus, we have designed this tour in the way that you can feel the local atmosphere and plunge into the past whilst enjoying up-to-date facilities of the destination. You should expect fascinating sightseeing, panoramic views, witness contrast of the old times and modern life of the country. Our guide will tell you not only the history of these impressive places but also retell amazing legends and parables, which are being passed on through generations.

We kindly welcome you to Azerbaijan - “The Land of Fire”, where the eternal flames never die!

Day 1 - Arrival at International Airport (GYD), a Skytrax 5-Star station - Meet & Greet, transfer to city - Check-in at a hotel - Drive out for lunch in a local restaurant - Excursion to Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center and retro cars museum, designed by the late Zaha Hadid, a worldwide recognized architect and the winner of the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize - Dinner in a local restaurant - Back to the hotel - Overnight

Day 2 - Breakfast in the hotel - Baku City tour, which includes Martyrs’ Alley memorial, Mountain Park with a panoramic view to Baku Bay. - Continue to the (Icheri Sheher). Visit to , Shirvanshahs’ Palace, enjoying photo session and souvenir stalls - Lunch in a local restaurant - Walking tour along Baku Seaside Boulevard with ferris wheel ride and boat trip - Continue touring through the famous and Fountains Square. - Dinner in a local restaurant. Back to hotel. Free time - Overnight

Day 3 - Breakfast in the hotel - Tour to Gobustan National Park, 60 km southwest from Baku. The reserve is very rich in archeological monuments having more than 600,000 rock paintings on the average dating back to 5,000-20,000 years. The Gaval Dash is a natural musical stone which can only be found in Gobustan, Azerbaijan. Suffice it to touch the object with a small stone, it sounds musically like a tambourine. Mud volcanoes here comprise around ½ of the world’s 700 ones. Continuing to Gobustan Interactive Museum. - Lunch on the spot (lunch boxes provided) - Drive to Yanardag (burning mountain) - a natural gas fire which blazes continuously on a hillside, and then to Ateshgah (fire worshippers’ temple) in Surakhany village - a pilgrimage and philosophical center of Zoroastrians from Northwestern Indian Subcontinent, who were involved in trade with the Caspian area via the famous "Grand Trunk Road". - Back to Baku - Dinner in a local restaurant - Back to the hotel - Overnight

Day 4 - Breakfast in the hotel - Visit to Bibi-Heybat . It includes the tomb of Ukeyma Khanum (a descendant of Mohammed), and today is the spiritual center for the Muslims of the region and one of the major monuments of in Azerbaijan. - Visit to . Construction of the mosque was started in 1905 by architect Zivar bey Ahmadbeyov under the patronage of Nabat Khanum Ashurbeyova. After the death of the patron, the construction was suspended. Soon it resumed with the support of her son and was completed in 1914. - Lunch in a local restaurant - Visit to Ajdarbey Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque). It was built from 2 March 1912 to 3 December 1913 and is located on Samed Vurgun Street, north of the city center. The project was by the architect Zivar bey Ahmadbeyov and sponsored by Haji Ajdar bey Ashurbeyov. - Visit to . Opening ceremony was held on 26 December 2014. The mosque covers a total area of 12,000 sq.m and internal area of the building covers a total area of 4,200 sq m. The façade of the building decorated with special stones based on the - Absheron architectural style. It has four 95m-height minarets. It has 55m-height main and 35m-height second domes. - Dinner in a local restaurant - Back to the hotel - Overnight

Day 5 - Breakfast in the hotel - Visit to the local bazaars: Taza Bazar (means ‘new bazaar’) is one of the most famous bazaars located in the center of Baku. The bazaar is around 80 years old and is best known for the availability of various fresh fruit, vegetables, canned pickles and jam, local spices and other products alongside with fresh sturgeon and seafood from the Caspian as well as the wonderful black caviar. Yashil Bazar (means ‘green bazaar) enables the people from around Azerbaijan sell organic vegetables and fruit including grapes and pomegranates there. Lower prices and numerous kinds of products make this place a win-win for everyone. - Lunch in a local restaurant - Visit to local baths (hammam). It starts with relaxation in a room heated by a continuous flow of hot, dry air, allowing the bather to perspire freely. Afterwards, taking “kise” massage, this is done manually by special hand-size sack. In conclusion, performing a full body wash; i.e. the bathers splash themselves with water, hot or warm or cold per preference. - Dinner in a local restaurant - Back to the hotel - Overnight

Day 6 - Breakfast in the hotel - Culinary tour to witness and cook national meals guided by a professional local chef. The guests will watch preparation and cooking processes as well as try to cook by themselves in a very friendly atmosphere. - Lunch in a local restaurant - National sweet shops to witness and bake national confectionary guided by a professional local chef. The guests will watch preparing and baking processes as well as try themselves in a very friendly atmosphere. - Dinner in a local restaurant - Back to the hotel - Overnight

Day 7 - Breakfast in the hotel - Pickup from hotel and drive to Gabala (220 km northwest from Baku) - Arrival in Gabala. Historically, this town was a capital of the ancient Albanian state. - Lunch in a local restaurant - Ride on Tufandag Teleferic cable car to enjoy the local landscape with mountains, forest and horizon. - Visit Gabaland, the local amusement center with many facilities. - Drive to Nohurgol Lake to enjoy beautiful scenery and nice boating - Tea service with national sweet items - Return to Baku - Dinner in a local restaurant - Back to the hotel - Overnight

Day 8 - Breakfast in the hotel - Shopping tour by visiting Baku’s famous malls, such as , 28 Mall, Gandjlik Mall with world brand boutiques, shops and dining facilities. - Lunch in a mall - Return to the hotel. Free time. - In the evening, drive out for a Farewell Gala Dinner with live national music and dancers - Back to the hotel - Overnight

Day 9 - Breakfast in the hotel. Check-out. - Transfer from hotel to Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) - Departure

For questions/bookings please contact us:

Phone: +994 12 497 6065 Cell: +994 70 497 6065 (Whatsapp) E-mail: [email protected]