Day 1: Istanbul - Baku
20:30 We recommend you to be at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport...
23:25 We are departing for the city of fire, Baku, with Pegasus Airlines flight PC 854.
Note: Due to your flight time, your hotel reservation has been made from today so that you can check in immediately upon arrival.
Day 2: Baku Ateshgah - Absheron - Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center
03:05 Arrival in Baku and transfer to the hotel. Check into the rooms. After breakfast, to help you recover from fatigue, we will start our tour a bit later. After breakfast, we have free time. We begin the day with a visit to the Ateshgah (Fire Temple), one of the three Zoroastrian Temples that have survived to this day and the most important of them, built first in the 3rd century AD. Known for its ever-burning fire since ancient times, it gained fame worldwide during the active period of the Silk Road and was rebuilt by Zoroastrian Pilgrims who came to the region in the 17th century. After our visit here, we go to see the dancing flames at the Absheron Yanar Dag. Following this, we continue to visit the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, designed by the Iraqi-born British futurist architect Zaha Hadid, which has drawn global attention with its 101,000 square meters of construction area. The complex represents the rise of the Caspian Sea in Azeri Mythology and consists of theaters, conference halls, museums, and art galleries. (IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to certain days when the cultural center does not accept visitors and the times being undeclared in advance, our company cannot be held responsible for this situation. If the center is open, we will enter; otherwise, we will view it from outside.) After the free time given, we will transfer back to the hotel. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 3: Baku (Dinner with Azeri Night)
After breakfast, we depart from our hotel for a Full Day Baku City Tour. The traditional and historic aspects of Baku have been complemented by a modern appearance due to numerous recent investments. In this extensive tour, where you will see and learn about the most important regions of both New and Old Baku, we first visit Yayla Park via the Martyrs' Lane. Here, you can take panoramic views and plenty of photos of Baku city and the Baku Bay. Then, we go to the Old City, also known as Inner City or Ichari Shahar, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. During this section of the tour, you will see and learn about the historic and traditional features of Baku. Among the places to see here and in the surrounding area are the Maiden Tower, built in the 12th century; the Cuma Mosque, dating back to the 15th century; the historically significant Siniggala Minaret and Mohammed Mosque; the unique Miniature Books Museum; the Shirvanshahs Palace, regarded as one of the jewels of Azerbaijani historical architecture; the Ismail Palace, which currently serves as the Science Academy; Independence Avenue, the beating heart of the city; Çeşme Meydanı, named after the historic fountain here; the Philharmonic Fountain; and the famous National Carpet and Kilim Museum with its valuable handicrafts. Afterward, we visit the modern face of the city, with many futuristic architectural works, including the world-renowned Flame Towers, and head to Baku Boulevard. This area is a pedestrian path parallel to the beach, known as "Little Venice," where oil barons built their mansions a century ago. At the end of the tour, we head to a local venue for the Dinner with Folkloric Azeri Night, enjoying traditional Mugham music and local delicacies, followed by a transfer back to our hotel. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 4: Baku - Shamakhi - Gabala - Sheki
After breakfast and checking out of the rooms, we head toward Shamakhi (approximately 125 km). The city, remembered from the Shamakhi Siege during the Ottoman-Safavid War, is one of the most important places in the Caucasus, known for wine production and carpet weaving. Here, we will see the old city center, the Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum located at the foot of the Gulf of Ganja Castle, and the Cuma Mosque. Afterward, we head to Gabala, known for its natural beauty (approximately 95 km). With the breathtaking views of the National Park, we will have free time by Lake Nohur, where Gabala, resembling a paradise on earth with its mountains, forests, and waterfalls, will rejuvenate you. After our pleasant break, we continue our journey to our final stop of the day, Sheki (approximately 90 km). Upon arrival, we explore Sheki, the oldest, most authentic, and beautiful city in Azerbaijan. A classic mountain town, Sheki is known for its gentle people, unique culture, and cuisine. Among the places we will visit are the Upper and Lower Sheki Caravanserais, which are now partially used as hotels, the historical stone and wooden buildings scattered in narrow, cobbled streets, the magnificent Sheki Khan Palace, a masterpiece from the Persian period and an important member of the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Sheki Fortress, which consists of the Khan's residence and various historical buildings such as the Sheki Crafts Workshop, Ethnography Museum, Art Gallery, and Art House, the important religious structures of the city such as the Khan and Cuma Mosques. During our free time in the market, you can taste the famous Azeri tea with Sheki halva and buy various handmade art pieces, including some of the world's most beautiful silk products. At the end of our tour, we will transfer to our hotel and check into the rooms. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 5: Sheki - Imamzadeh Complex - Ganja - Istanbul
After breakfast and checking out of the rooms, we depart for Ganja, which enchants visitors with its historical and natural beauty and is often mentioned in Dede Korkut stories (approximately 145 km). Before arriving in Ganja, we will visit the Imamzadeh Complex. Surrounded by red bricks, the stunning interior architecture of this complex houses the tomb of Hz. Muhammad's grandson Imam Muhammad al-Bakr, along with a mosque and caravanserai. Then, we will begin our tour of Ganja as we arrive shortly after. During our tour, we will explore this beautiful city on foot in some places. Notable sites on our tour include Haydar Aliyev Park, spanning approximately 450 hectares; the Bottle House, built using 5,000 bottles in memory of the architect's brother and other soldiers who couldn't return during World War II; Atatürk Street, the heart of the city; the Philharmonic Hall, which has hosted many significant concerts since its establishment; the Cuma Mosque, built in the 17th century with interesting architecture; and Alexander Nevsky Church, constructed with donations from the Christian and Muslim population in accordance with Byzantine architecture as a Russian Orthodox Church. During our free time, you can enjoy your lunch at one of the venues offering delicious Azeri cuisine. At the time designated by our guide, we will transfer to the airport. After necessary procedures,
19:10 Departure to Istanbul on Pegasus Airlines flight PC 327.
20:50 Arrival. We hope to see you again on another trip...