DAY 1 ISTANBUL – BAKU
After the baggage and check-in processes at Istanbul Airport's International Departures terminal, we depart for Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, on Turkish Airlines flight TK340 at 12:05. We arrive in Baku at 15:50 local time. After our arrival, we start our first encounter with the city with a panoramic city tour of Baku on our private bus. We explore important points such as the dazzling modern architecture of the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, the serene atmosphere of Venice Park, the Baku Boulevard stretching along the coast, the impressive Flame Towers, the meaningful Turkish Martyrs' Cemetery, the Carpet Museum, and the National Assembly Square panoramically. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. After settling into our rooms, we have free time. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 2 BAKU
We begin the day with breakfast at the hotel. We meet in the lobby at the time indicated by our guide. After meeting, we depart for the "Absheron Peninsula & Ateshgah & Yanardag & Shopping Tour" with lunch. Our first stop is the Ateshgah Temple, regarded as one of the sacred centers of Zoroastrianism. This special place, known for the legend of the "Eternal Flame," still carries the mystical air of the past. Next, we visit the Yanar Dag, one of nature's extraordinary miracles. This region, where natural gas emerges and has been burning for centuries without extinguishing, is one of the symbols of Azerbaijan, defined by Marco Polo as the "Land of Fires." After returning to Baku, we have our lunch at a predetermined restaurant, and in the latter part of the day, we head to Port Baku/Crescent Mall, the address for shopping. World-renowned brand stores, modern restaurants, and a pleasant atmosphere await you here. We will have free time for shopping and relaxation. After the tour, we return to the hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 3 BAKU
We start the day with breakfast at the hotel. We meet in the lobby at the time indicated by our guide. Afterwards, we will embark on the "Gobustan & Mud Volcanoes and Heydar Aliyev Museum Tour." Our first stop is Gobustan, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and carries traces from prehistoric times. This area, which is like an open-air museum by the Caspian Sea, shines a light on thousands of years ago with its rock carvings and painted stones. Afterwards, we closely observe the Mud Volcanoes, found in certain regions of the world and intensively located in Azerbaijan. The lively geological movements will amaze you with this unique natural event. After returning to Baku, we visit the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, a masterpiece of modern Azerbaijani architecture. Designed by the world-famous designer Zaha Hadid, this iconic structure attracts attention with both its exterior and its exhibitions. Inside the cultural center, there are personal belongings belonging to Heydar Aliyev, as well as ethnographic and archaeological collections. After the tour, we return to our hotel.
Extra: In the evening, for those interested, our guide will organize an "Azerbaijan Night with Dinner" (80 EUR, per person). This enjoyable night, where we will experience traditional music and local flavors, will remain an unforgettable memory from your trip. After the tour, we return to the hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 4 BAKU – ISTANBUL
After breakfast at the hotel, we check-out from our rooms. We meet in the lobby at the time indicated by our guide and then start our "Baku Old Town & Surahani Tanker Museum Tour." In this tour, we first visit the Surahani tanker, which played an important role in Azerbaijan's maritime oil transportation history and was converted into a museum with a comprehensive renovation in 2017. The Surakhani tanker, 123.5 meters long and weighing 4696 tons, features various innovative solutions in its museum halls. Here, we learn about the history of the Caspian Sea, oil production in Absheron, the development of maritime activities, ships among the world's firsts, sea giants, and the equipment used to operate ships, along with the approximately 5000-year history of maritime knots. After our museum visit, we embark on a journey through the traces of history in the Inner City (Icherisheher), visiting significant structures such as Maiden Tower, Shirvanshah's Palace, the Miniature Book Museum, and historical baths. Finally, we have free time at Nizami Street, which is one of the liveliest spots in Baku and resembles Istanbul's Istiklal Street.
After the free time, we meet at the indicated time to head to Baku Heydar Aliyev Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, we complete our passport and baggage processes, and we depart for Istanbul at 20:50 on Turkish Airlines flight TK335. We arrive in Istanbul at 23:05 local time, marking the end of our tour.