Land of Fire – Baku

Itinerary :

Day 1: Day 1: Baku (Arrival): Arrival in Baku. Greeting guests at the airport, transfer and accommodation at the hotel. Leisure time and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Baku (Highland Park and Old City & Heydar Aliyev Center Tour): Breakfast at the hotel. 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.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. 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. After that 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. Extending on eight floor levels, the center accommodates a 1000-seat auditorium, temporary exhibition spaces, a conference center, workshops, and a museum. Return to the hotel and leisure time. Overnight in Baku. (B)

Day 3: Baku (Gobustan archaeological reserve and mud volcanoes & Temple of fire-worshipers Ateshgah and ethnographic museum Gala Tour): Breakfast at the hotel. 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. Next point of the tour is the area of Mud volcanoes, a rare natural phenomenon appeared in Azerbaijan 25 million years ago. Azerbaijan has nearly 400 mud volcanoes on its territory. Then after 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. Tour to ethnographic museum Gala, located on the Absheron peninsula. An ethnographic open-air museum Gala is about 40-minutes’ drive from Baku, created on the site of archaeological excavations. In the village, which is about five thousand years old, there is a number of neighborhoods that have survived to this day. During the tour, guests will get acquainted with the ancient dwellings, with the life of the past, traditions and methods of farming. At the museum area, guests can bake real bread in tendir, try themselves in clay pottering and carpet weaving. Return to the hotel and leisure time. Overnight in Baku. (B)

Day 4: Baku (Departure): After breakfast, 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 or Green Bazaar. The guests may buy some dried fruits, traditional Azerbaijani tea, nuts and sweets. (B)