Azerbaijan

Arrive in Baku, the capital and commercial hub of Azerbaijan which sits in the east with a coastline built along the Caspian Sea. You will be met off the aerobridge and escorted to a VIP terminal where you may relax in the lounge while your documents are checked by immigration and customs officials. Once cleared, your guide and driver will meet you right outside of the terminal for your transfer to your hotel by private car. Bp

Your exploration of Azerbaijan begins with a walking tour through Bakus medieval walled Inner City, Icheri Cheher. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this wellpreserved old city is still a vibrant, living city that tells the history of Bakus development over the past nine centuries within its narrow cobblestoned alleyways, historic caravanserais, hammams, mosques and hidden courtyards. The most ancient monument is the Maiden Tower, the symbol of the city which dates back as early as the 7th6th centuries BC. Another mustsee is Shirvanshahs Palace, located at the highest point in the city, and described by UNESCO as one of the pearls of Azerbaijans architecture. Then, visit Gobustan Historical Reserve. The expansive archaeological park is an lunar desertscape pockmarked with boulders, manmade caves, and mud volcanoes. The collection of rock carvings date back over 40,000 years to the ice age and depict scenes of prehistoric life such as tribal dances and hunting. Also within the area is another sight to behold the mud volcano, a natural phenomenon where gases below the surface expel mud to the surface. There are only about 850 mud volcanoes in the world, with 300 of them found in Azerbaijan alone. Return to Baku for the evening. B,L,D

DAY 3 Absheron Peninsula and Ateshgah Fire Temple

Leave Baku behind as you travel to the west through Azerbaijans midlands. The first stop is at Shamakhi, one of the countrys most historic cities. Though invaders and earthquakes have left little history intact, the Juma Mosque still stands in its current iteration. It was one of the first to be founded in the Caucasus as Islam began spreading around Azerbaijan. Next, make a detour up to the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus to the small village of Lahij, one of the oldest settlements in Azerbaijan. Lahij is known as a center of craftsmanship, a living openair museum, where visitors can stroll along the cobblestone streets and observe craftsman at work in various studios, workshops, and shops. Unique quality souvenirs such as carpets, plates, cups, glasses, swords, knives and more are on offer. The most famous craft from Lahij is copper work, some of which have made their way into museums across the Caucasus, Russia, and Europe. Under the guidance of a master craftsman, try your hand at engraving designs on copper craft. Arrive in Sheki in the late afternoon and relax for the rest of the day. B,L,D

Sheki is one of the oldest cities in the country and once a vital hub for silk trade along the Silk Route. Today this bucolic city in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountain remains one of Azerbaijans picturesque towns, with its traditional architectural ensemble of houses with high gabled roofs, notably influenced by foreign powers throughout the centuries. Begin at the Sheki Bazaar, located within the historic center along the main shopping street with its public buildings, shops, bathhouses, and residential houses. Then, visit the Palace of Sheki Khans, the former summer residence of the royals who were once the most powerful of a series of Khanates in the Caucasus. The building itself is notable for its intricate decorations and design, particularly its stainedglass work and cooling elements. Also visit Shekis historic caravanserai, a roadside inn where merchants and travelers sought shelter as they journeyed along the trade routes. Today part of the caravanserai has been refitted to house a working contemporary hotel, while the rest remains open as a museum. Then, travel a few miles north to the town of Kish to visit the Caucasian Albanian church, one of the oldest churches in the Caucasus, founded in the 1st century. While in Kish, visit a workshop to learn how to make a kelagayi, the beautiful silk shawls that Azerbaijani women traditionally wear. Finally, drive to Ganja where you will spend the night. B,L,D

Take a daytrip to Gobustan Historical Reserve, approximately a 1hour drive southwest of Baku. The expansive archaeological park is an alien desertscape pockmarked with boulders, manmade caves, and mud volcanoes. The collection of rock carvings at Gobustan is the largest of its kind in the world and date back over 40,000 years to the ice age. As you explore the rocks and caves, you can observe the petroglyphs which depict scenes of prehistoric life such as tribal dances and hunting. There is also a small museum at the entrance which exhibits a collection of weapons, carving tools, and artifacts recovered from the area. Also within the area is another sight to behold the mud volcano, a natural phenomenon where gases below the surface expel mud to the surface. There are only about 850 mud volcanoes in the world, with 300 of them found in Azerbaijan alone. You may notice locals collecting the mud in jars to take home or slathering it on their skin it is believed the mud has healing properties. Also of interest is the Gaval Dash, a naturallyformed musical stone that makes a sound comparable with a tambourine when stricken. Return to Baku and spend the remaining late afternoon exploring the city as you wish, whether enjoying the modern shops and restaurants, or another look around the ancient inner city. B,L,D

To visit this next region of Azerbaijan, you will need to take a quick flight. The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is an enclave of Azerbaijan that is separated from the rest of the country, sandwiched to the west between Armenia and Iran. A territory marked by a long history of war and conflict that reached into the early 1990s, Nakhchivan today is insular, isolated, and an almost surreal destination for travelers. Upon arrival, delve straight into exploring the eponymous capital and its immaculate streets. It is home to a towering mausoleum that claims to house the prophet Noahs remains, several ornately decorated monuments and tombs that jut out of the ground, golddomed mosques, Soviet apartment blocks, a Khans palace, and a Carpet Museum. In the afternoon, drive out to Garabaghlar village to see a 12thcentury monument. Surrounding it are ruins scattered across the plains, evidence of the 10,000 houses, 70 mosques and mausoleums that used to exist. Then, visit Duzdug Salt Cave, a sanitarium built deep inside a former Soviet salt mine that is believed to cure a whole range of respiratory illnesses. Visitors can descend into the mines and see some public areas of the facility. B,L,D

Drive into Nakchivans arid semidesert landscape and discover more of the surrounds to the south. Near the small town of Julfa on the border with Iran is Daridagh spring which is rich with carbonate minerals such as boron, iodine, bromine, and lithium elements. Locals believe this spring water has medicinal properties and can treat gastricbowel diseases. While in the south, travel a short distance to the town of Ordubad, the second largest in the republic. Its city layout resembles a flower garden, with the town divided into several quarters, each with its own square, mosque and spring. In the very center of town is Djuma mosque which dates back to the medieval times. Finally, round out the day with a visit to the AshabiKahf cave. Widely believed to be the caves from the Seven Sleepers story mentioned in the Quran, the caves are considered a sacred site and many make pilgrimages here. B,L,D

Fly back to Baku and spend the rest of the day how you wish. For traditional culture, try out a hammam, chat with locals at a teahouse, and browse for textiles and carpets. For a more modern take, Baku fosters a thriving creative scene that see art galleries featuring avantgarde local artists and street art works, boutiques, concept stores, theaters, and cuttingedge international sports arenas. Dont miss a stroll along Baku Boulevard, a scenic promenade along the coastline of the Caspian Sea. B,L,D

DEPARTURE Depending on flight, spend your morning at leisure, When ready, a private car will take you to the airport, to the entrance of the VIP terminal. Relax with complimentary drinks and snacks in the VIP lounge while departure formalities are handled for you by a representative. Then, you will be led through security and immigration, then finally to an airside VIP departure lounge to relax until your flight onward. B