* Tour to Azerbaijan

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today our excursion will be dedicated to the museums of Azerbaijan, located in the center of the city: The Museum of History of Azerbaijan, The National Museum of Azerbaijan Literature, Museum of Azerbaijani Ancient Musical Instruments.

Lunch at the local restaurant with national dishes.

You can also visit the main Shopping Center of our city named Park Boulevard to make shopping, where the most fashionable shops of our city are located.

Dinner at the local restaurant with national music and national dishes.

Back to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today our excursion will be dedicated to Gobustan reserve. Gobustan is an open-air museum with littered Neolithic rock drawings. Just 65km in the South of Baku, Gobustan has some 4000 inscriptions that go back 12,000 years (with some 2000 year old Latin graffiti to boot). You can see a lot of drawings made by Stone Age folks on the rocks, which reflect the daily life, especially as they were hunting and liked boogie. Their dances are thought to have been accompanied by the melodious strains of the Gaval-Dashy (Tambourine Stone) - a rock that has a deep, resonating tone when struck.

The well-preserved sketches display ancient populations travelling on reed boats; men hunt antelope and wild bulls, women dance. The famed Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl returned many times to Azerbaijan between 1961 and his death in 2002 to study the site, which he argued to be evidence that modern-day Scandinavians migrated north through the Caucasus in prehistoric times. He found similarities in the drawings to those found in Scandinavia, particularly some in Alta, Norway. According to Icelandic Sagas, written in the 13-th century, the Norse God Odin (Wotan) migrated from the Caucasus in the first century AD.

Lunch.

You will also have a chance to visit quite a unique site where 300 of the planet's estimated 700 mud volcanoes situated in Gobustan. Azerbaijan is called "a motherland" of mud volcanoes. For the last two hundred years (from 1810 to 2007) in 93 mud volcanoes there have been recorded 387 eruptions. In the interval between strong erup­tions.

Dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Leaving for a tour to Absheron peninsula. Today will be spent primarily within Great Baku, where You will be taken to the main places on the Absheron Peninsula.

Ateshgah - the Fire Temple is situated  in the Surakhani suburb of Baku. It was built on land where natural gas was burned eternally by Zoroastrian believers, who travelled from the province of Multan in India to worship. It is believed that, these ancient fires have given Azerbaijan its name which, according to some researches, means ''Land of Fire''.

Lunch time.

After lunch break, we will have the opportunity to visit the well - preserved ancient castles of Absheron Peninsula of the 12th - 13th centuries and located further from Absheron Peninsula. There are several fine medieval castles - one is in Amirajan and Nardaran and two in Mardakyan - apparently built for defense by the Shirvan’s Shahs in the 14-th century.

Diner at the local restaurant with national dishes and traditional music.

Back to the hotel, overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today is devoted to an excursion to the northern part of our country in the Guba region. It is one of the most visited and favorite destination of hundreds of tourists every year in Azerbaijan. Guba is rich with carpets which are being made here from ancient times. “Zeyve”, “Golu-Chichi”, “Alpan”, “Oruj”, “Khan”, “Yerfi”, “Jimmi”, “Pirabadil” are just a little piece of all the quantity of Guba carpets made for centuries. At the same time Guba is known for its healing herbs as well, that are widely spread all over the region. Griffon vulture, eagles' species habitating in the district, is listed in the Red Book. Guba district is one of the most advanced agricultural districts in Azerbaijan. There is also a memorial estate of A. Bakhikhanov, a prominent public figure, writer and enlightener of Azerbaijan. Guba differs for its amazingly rich cuisine because of the variety of nations living there - such as Azerbaijanis, Lezgis, Tats, Khinalugs and so on.

Lunch.

After lunch our excursion will continue. Also remained in the town preserved are such historical monuments as the mosque of Sakine Khanum, Juma mosque, mausoleum of the 16th century and ancient eastern-type baths.

Dinner. Back to Baku and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Leaving Baku and go to Shamakhi district.

Visit to Shamakhi town – the old capital of Shirvanshahs´ State. On the way we can visit Pirgulu Settlement to see observatory, after it  seeing Seven Combs – the first residence of Shirvanshahs State and Maraza Diri Baba (living grandfather) Mausoleum, in Shamakhi Grand Mosque, Mud Volcanoes,

Lunch.

Shamakhi district is a top center of Azerbaijani winegrowing. Shamakhi wines are not only popular in local markets. They have also received awards at international exhibitions for quite some time. The region is attractive both for tourists and amateurs travelers.

There are many interesting places in Shamakhi district. On the right bank of the river Pirsaat there is Chukhuyurt village populated by molokans, migrants from Russia. The village is famous with its production of delicious sunflower oil, especially pickled vegetables, mountain honey, vegetables and fruits. The district has beautiful nature with mild climate and mineral wells. In a place called Girkh Bulag ("forty springs") there are countless springs of mineral water. Located near the village of Melkhem is a famous cave, renowned for its healing properties. The weather is not too cold and hot in Shamakhi.

Dinner. Overnight at the hotel in Shamakhi.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Leaving Shamakhi and go to our next picturesque region Ismayilli. Aside from the title nation (Azerbaijanis) the area is also inhabited by other nations and ethnic groups that have been living here since ancient times. They are Lezghins, Jews, Russians (molokans living in the village of Ivanovka), Lahidzhi (Farsi-speaking) and Khapiti (descendants of ancient Albans).

The residents of the district retained ancient traditions of crafts and applied arts. Carpet weaving (Galadzhig and Tezekend villages), production of copper embossed crockery and weapons, tannery and forging crafts, wooden and metal engraving (Lagic village, the major street of which hosts a lot of shops and workshops). National women’s silk shawls kelagai with print patterns are produced in the village of Basgal.

Historical-cultural reserves have been established in Lagic and Basgal and many monuments have been taken under protection of the state, including the mosque of Bedoy Zevero (1791), Agali Mosque, Zevero spring and a mosque and bath dated to the 18th century.

Lunch.

After lunch our excursion will continue to Other monuments include Maiden’s Tower (17th century) in Khanega village, Fitdag tower (18th century) in Sulut village and many other archeological objects. Interestingly, residents link one of legends about Alexander the Great to the tower. The great conqueror allegedly stopped here and his heralds would signal from golden horns from the top of a mountain. («Fit» is the Azerbaijani for « signal», «whistle»).

Dinner.

Overnight at the hotel in Ismayilli.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Leaving Ismayili and go to Gabala. This region has an ancient history; it was inhabited already in times the Late Stone Age. Once it was a center of Caucasian Albania and then it became a part of Shirvanshah and Sheki Khanates, in successive order. The rivers Demirparanchai, Vandamchai, Gumchai and Tikanlychai traverse the territory of the district.

The area is rich in walnut and chestnut trees.

- Located on the mountain slopes at the level of 1000 m is a famous chestnut grove.

- Chestnut woods blossoming in spring are a truly magic sight. The trees are old, with the average age of over 500 years; some of them are included in the list of natural monuments protected by the state. Here one can hunt gazelles, roes, bears, wolves, hares and other representatives of the local fauna. Here originates one of the climber routes to the tallest mountain of the republic - The Mountain of Bazarduzu (4466 above sea level).

Lunch.

Many monuments of history and culture have remained on the territory of the district. Their list includes a mosque of the 19th century in the village of Bum, an Albanian temple of the 4th century in Amili village, the Tower of Ustaszhan (9th century) in the village of Bayramkoha, the mosque of Gadzhi-Garib and the Albanian church Chotari in Nidzh, the mausoleums of Sheikhs Badreddin and Mansur (15th century) in Khazra village, a mausoleum of the 17th century in the village of Shefili and also "pirs" (burial places of people recognized as saint and pious persons during their lives): Shih-Baba (16th century) in Hamzelli village and Komrad on the top of Komrad Mountain.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Gabala.

Breakfast at the hotel in Gabala. After breakfast our excursion will continue in the Gabala district.. On the mountain of Yaloylu archeologists found an ancient settlement site near the village of Nidzh. Archeological culture found here is typical for the north parts of Azerbaijan and was named "The Culture of Yaloylu Tepe". Among other findings there were weapons made of iron, wares of bronze and gold, millstones etc. The most developed crafts were woodworking (in Vandam village), pottery (in Gamarvan village), carpet weaving (in the villages of Laza and Bum). In the village of Bum there is a folk ensemble Zop-Zopa which successfully performed at various festivals abroad.

The village of Nidzh in Gabala district is a place of compact residence of Udines. This ethnic group is considered descendants of ancient Albans who managed to preserve their traditions, language, material and spiritual culture to present day.

Lunch.

Ancient ruins of Kabala are located close to present Gabala (15 km) between Garachai and Jourluchai rivers. The mausoleum of Imam-Baba (13th century) and Juma Mosque remained in the town. There is also a large Museum of Regional History collecting numerous archeological objects found on the territory of the district.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure from Gabala to Oghuz.

It is so beautiful that they call it Azerbaijani Switzerland. Slightly less than a half of its territory is occupied by forests. There are many waterfalls, sulfurated springs and thermal waters emerging on the surface. Fauna is represented by hares, bears, wild boars, mountain goats, pheasants, partridges, goose, the list of fish include cat-fish and trout. On the territory of the district there are many ancient monuments of history and architecture: Dashuz Bridge (19th century) across Sari-Su River near the village of Khachmaz, a mosque of the 18th century in the village of Sindzhan, a mausoleum of the 15th century in Kerimli village, three-storyed tower of the 14th century in the village of Muhas, Gabur defensive tower (7th-14th centuries) in the village of Khachmaz at the top of Galadag mountain, Gavurgala tower (7th century) located on the same mountain near Gabur tower but provided with drinking water, Surhaikhan tower (18th century) made of fluvial stone and located on the bank of Galachai river, near the village of Filfilli.

Lunch.

Back to the hotel. Leisure time. Overnight at the hotel in Oghuz.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Leaving Oghuz and go to Shaki.

Shaki region is located on picturesque slopes of the Caucasus Mountains. Numerous monuments of early medieval architecture remained in the vicinity of Shaki. They include fortresses, watch towers, churches and ruins of monasteries dated to the period of Caucasian Albania. Among the most interesting objects are the monuments in the villages of Bideiz, Bash Kungut, Orta Deizit and, of course, the church in the village of Kish (2nd-4th centuries) built by St. Elias; it is considered the earliest Christian construction on the territory of CIS. Presently, the church is being restored and reorganized into a museum. The town of Shaki is the major town of Shaki-Zagatala region, one of the most ancient and beautiful towns of Azerbaijan dated back to the 1st millennium BC. The town is mentioned in Arabic, Turkish, Georgian, Russian and European written sources.

Scientists maintain that the town received its name from the tribe named "saks" that inhabited the area. Shaki is located on the route of the Great Silk Road.

Lunch.

The famous Shaki markets were a center of trade of seeds, engraved ware, and jewelry. Shaki silk was of different types - soft and opaque, thin and translucent, matted or embroidered in gold. Craftsmen of the town made a great contribution to the development of trade along the Great Silk Road. Shaki was a center of silk production of the whole Caucasus. In 1860 about 62239 poods of silk were produced in Nuha (Shaki) province. The first silkmill was constructed here in 1861 and it was one of the biggest in the world. At the international exhibition in 1862 in London Shaki silk was awarded with the gold medal.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Shaki.

Breakfast at the hotel in Shaki.

After breakfast leaving Shaki to Baku.

Overnight at the hotel in Baku

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departute to the airport.