Ancient Land & Unique Traditions

Şimal, AZ
Self-guided

Included

  • inclusion
    Other
    Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • inclusion
    Other
    Taxi fees to Mud Vulcanoes

Excluded

  • exclusion
    Other
    Meals & Drinks
  • exclusion
    Other
    Personal Expenses (Activities in Shahdagh)

What to expect

1

Heydar Aliyev International Airport

Arrival in the airport. From Airport to City Center 20-25 minute. The representative of our company will receive guests in Baku International Airport named after Heydar Aliyev. – Relax time

2
Gobustan Rock Art

Your tour will start with the car picking you up from the hotel. The first destination will be the Gobustan - The Archeological monument is located in 56 km from the capital city, Baku. You will visit the Gobustan Museum to get the better insights to the history of the area then you will go by car to the Rock Mountain to see the real carvings. The artifacts and rock carvings were discovered in 1939 – 1940 years. As a result of the researchers, more than 3,500 human and animal paintings and various markings – petroglyphs were recorded and 20 suburban shelters have been identified in this place. Mesolithic monuments (medieval stone) are mostly exhibited in the reserve. There are many caves, springs, carved by primitive men on walls of caves, rocks, and stony lumps.

Duration 60 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
3

Mud Volcanoes

After the Rock Mountain, you will visit the Mud  Volcanoes. That is why the Transportation will be changed to the Soviet Lada Cars. Whoever wants can bring some strong plastic bags with them to collect some of the mud from there which has been said is good for the skin. Spending 10 minutes around Volcanoes you will be transferred back to your car.

Duration 60 minutes
Admission Admission Included
4
Bibi-Heybat Mosque

On the way to the hotel you will also visit the Bibi - Heybat Mosque, with magnificent green internal decorative beauty and the first Industrial Oil Well on the Earth that was opened for use in 1846. The Bibi - Heybat mosque is a complex, which includes the graves and tombs of revered people. Also here is the grave of Ukema khanum, which is considered as a significant monument of Islamic architecture of Azerbaijan.Car will drop you in the hotel or any desired place in the City.

Duration 20 minutes
5
Highland Park

Highland park, well known as ‘’Viewing Square’’, and earlier in Soviet era as ‘’Sergei Kirov park’’ is one of the most favourite places in Baku to have walk, rest, and enjoy the sea view. There you can take rest by breathing fresh air, viewing the city, drinking tea in the Highland Park Café , while listening to the classic lounge music. It’s the best place to relax, that is located right in the heart of Baku.We suggest you to visit this park at night time, because of the amazing lighting on the stairs to the Highland park! And also on hot summer days and nights you can feel there cool, and a bit windy.

Duration 30 minutes
6

Baku Boulevard

Baku Boulevard, also known as the National Seaside Park in Baku, Azerbaijan is the favorite promenade of many city residents and visitors and the second largest in Europe after the park on the banks of the River Seine in Paris. Its establishment goes back to more than 100 years, to a time when Baku’s oil barons built their mansions along the Caspian shore, and the seafront was gradually built up.Today, the National Seaside Park in Baku covers an area of 3,750 meters, and is located on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea. It starts at the National Flag Square and ends at Freedom Square.The Boulevard area includes a number of museums, cultural facilities, malls and entertainment centres, including the modern panoramic amusement ride – the Devil’s Wheel, which has a beautiful view over Baku Bay.

Duration 30 minutes
7
Icherisheher Historical-Architectural reserve

Tour will start from the main entrance of the Icheri Sheher(Old City) called Double Gates. During the tour you will be able to see the Chain, Sailor and Cat Houses, Bukhara and Multani Caravanserais, Juma Mosque, Maiden Tower. Guide will explain to you the history of the icheri Sheher, and its buildings mentioned above. Shirvanshah Palace – the pearl of the architectural heritage of Azerbaijan, the former residence of the rulers of Shirvan, located in the heart of Baku. In addition to the palace, the amazingly beautiful complex includes the Divan-Khan courtyard, tomb, mosque in 1441, as well as the bathhouse and mausoleum of court scholar Seyid Yahya Bakuvi. Later, Bukhara caravanserai constructed in late 15th century over the trade highway of Icherisheher in Baku. The caravanserai has a quadratic shape and salient portal and, its yard is octagonal. Caravanserai surrounded by balconies and personal premises – chapels along the perimeter. The octagonal comfortable yard was a special hall under open sky. There travellers and merchants were gathering after daily commercial operations. The crossing arch connected in general style along the full perimeter of the internal space of the yard within direct frame aggregates the main part of the architectural composition. The restoration works implemented in 1964 completely discharged the caravansaray building from the constructions and layers added later and it promoted to discover its large-scale structure on the background of the surrounding buildings. Maiden Tower is an Eiffel Tower of Baku.In 12th century it was used as a fortress of Shirvanshahs for defensive causes.Maiden Tower's architectural plan, seemingly so simple, consists of walls which at the base are extraordinarily thick, beginning at five meters in depth and gradually narrowing to four meters at the top. Today, the interior contains an interesting display of old photographs and a souvenir shop, but the highlight is the superb rooftop viewpoint surveying Baku Bay and the Old City. The views from the top are worth the climb, with a sweeping panorama of the Old City, the new skyscrappers on the hills and the Caspian Sea.

Duration 60 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
8

Little Venice

Little Venice” in Baku Boulevard is a small town built in 1960. It was expanded up to 10.000 sq.m. now. The town has two large and several small islands. The redevelopment of the “Small Venetian town” saw the expansion of the existing channels and the construction of additional bridges and two restaurants, one offering Western cuisine and the other Eastern. Boats are provided for 4 people: one is designed for guide and the rest – for passengers.Located nearby the Caspian seashore you will feel yourself as in Venice by visiting ‘Small Town of Venice’. The restaurants located in the ‘islands’ offer various meals of the different cuisine, including Azerbaijanian tasty dishes. It will be interesting firstly to observe around in gondola, later to have a great lunch or dinner in the ‘islands’. Currently Mini Venice has several islands which are divided by pristine water channels. Beautiful ornate bridges connect these islands. You can hire a 4 seater Gondola for a ride around these islands. There is one Eastern and one Western restaurant in this complex.

Duration 30 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
9

Nizami Street

The next destination in the Baku city tour will be the Nizami Street. You will have 15-20 minutes to walk to see the beauty of the most central street of the Baku with full of shops and nice restaurants. You will also be able to see the Fountain Square full of magical fountains.

Duration 20 minutes
10
Fountain Square

Fountains Square - Endlessly popular with strollers, this leafy piazza forms Central Baku’s natural focus. The fountains for which it is named include one topped by shiny silvered spheres giving fish-eye reflections of the trees and stone facades. And the beautiful statue-inlayed facade of the Nizami Literature Museum.

Duration 15 minutes
11
Shahdag Mountain Resort

Breathtakingly beautiful, a haven hidden from time, Shahdag is an experience not soon forgotten. Shahdag – is a mountain peak of the Greater Caucasus range, the elevation of the peak is 4243 meters, located in Gusar region of Azerbaijan. “The Shahdag Mountain Resort Complex” was open to the public in 2012. It is located in the Greater Caucasus range of Azerbaijan, the site is located near Shahdag National Park, which is known for having an intact ecological system and an untouched flora and fauna. It is the first and largest ski resort in Azerbaijan. The Shahdag Mountain tourism complex, the first ski resort in Azerbaijan, is located in the northeast in Shahdag National Park, named after the iconic Mount Shahdag in the Gusar region of Azerbaijan. Shahdag has pistes both for beginners and real professionals – 14 ski slopes of varying levels of complexity stretch 17 kilometres. Today, the complex includes four high-class hotels built in line with European standards and people continue to come even in summer when activities such as horse riding, quad biking, cable car riding and paintballing are available, or you may simply wish to escape the city's hustle and bustle and enjoy the beautiful countryside.If you want to enjoy in mountain height and nature, this site suits you.

Duration 600 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
12
Ateshgah - Fire Temple

With Private Fire Temple, you will find out why actually Azerbaijan is called land of fire with visiting 17th century fire temple and hill that literally burning 4 millenniums. Driver and Guide will pick you up from the hotel in specified time and directly drive to the Fire Temple. The temple is located in the south-eastern part of the Surakhani settlement of the Absheron peninsula, 30 km away from Baku. Ateshgah is a fire temple built in the 17th-18th centuries in the place of the eternal flames of natural gas. The earliest building of the temple belongs to the 1713 year, and the central temple was built in 1810 by merchant Kanchanagara funds.It was sanctified by Zoroastrians, Hindus, and Sikhs at different times. On the way to the Temple you will also visit the Bibiheybet Mosque, with magnificent green internal decorative beauty and the First Industrial Oil Well on the Earth that was opened for use in 1846.

Duration 90 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
13

Yanar Dag

After The Fire temple, your last destination will be the Fire Mountain. This natural burning flame became as a result of the emergence of natural gas at the foot of the hill. A hill that burning approximately 4 millenniums nonstop even in times of raining and snowing roots of the gas going as far as to Caspian Sea. Yanardag Mountain is also known as Burning Hill, where natural gas has been ablaze for hundreds of years. You will enjoy the view of Yanardag – the infamous burning mountain. In ancient times natural eternal flames were burning in many places of Absheron. Yanardag was declared State Historical-Cultural and Natural Reserve in order to protect natural monument.

Duration 60 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
14

Heydar Aliyev International Airport

Today your 5-day Adventure tour comes to an end. Breakfast at the hotel After breakfast at the hotel in Baku, check-out from the hotel & you will be transferred to the Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.

Additional Information

  • Additional information
    Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Provided by Guided Azerbaijan

What our experts say

  • icon
    Try local dishes at Nizami Street
  • icon
    Visit Highland Park at night for views
  • icon
    Bring sturdy shoes for Shahdag tour
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    Don’t miss the sunset at Baku Boulevard
  • icon
    Collect mud from Volcanoes for skin benefits

More About this Experience

Introduction

This captivating journey, dubbed Ancient Land & Unique Traditions, invites travelers to dive deep into the rich history and vibrant culture of Azerbaijan, often referred to as the Land of Fire. Over the course of 120 hours, participants will experience an enriching blend of the ancient and modern, exploring architectural marvels and historical sites while immersing themselves in local traditions. This thoughtfully designed tour starts in the bustling capital of Baku and extends to breathtaking natural wonders like the Mud Volcanoes and the majestic Shahdag Mountain Resort. With professional guides leading the way and comfortable accommodations provided, this is not just a tour; it’s a beautifully curated experience that promises to leave a lasting impression. Travelers can expect a seamless blend of exploration, relaxation, and cultural enrichment, making it the perfect getaway for those looking to uncover the hidden gems of Azerbaijan without straying too far from the city center.

What to expect?

When booking the Ancient Land & Unique Traditions tour, travelers will be treated to an array of unforgettable experiences, starting from the moment they arrive in Baku. Participants can expect guided visits to iconic sites such as Gobustan Rock Art, where ancient human and animal carvings tell stories from thousands of years ago. The tour includes a thrilling excursion to the Mud Volcanoes, where guests can witness the unique geological phenomena that Azerbaijan is known for. Alongside visits to the breathtaking Highland Park and the serene Baku Boulevard, travelers will also explore the historical Icherisheher, or Old City, filled with captivating architecture and rich heritage. This adventure is structured to be inclusive for all fitness levels, ensuring everyone can partake in the wonder and excitement. The tour wraps up with a visit to the Fire Temple and Yanar Dag, showcasing the country’s fiery legacy, leaving participants with a sense of awe and inspiration.

Who is this for?

Ancient Land & Unique Traditions is designed for a diverse audience, catering to anyone with a sense of curiosity and adventure. Whether you're a history buff eager to uncover ancient civilizations, a nature lover wanting to explore unique landscapes, or a foodie ready to indulge in Azerbaijani cuisine, this tour has something for everyone. Families can create lasting memories together, while solo travelers will feel welcomed in this engaging environment. Couples looking for a romantic getaway will find plenty of picturesque spots to enjoy, and even those who may have limited mobility will appreciate the easy accessibility of the tour. It’s a perfect choice for anyone wanting to experience the heart and soul of Azerbaijan, making it an ideal option for both seasoned travelers and those embarking on their first international adventure.

Why book this?

Booking the Ancient Land & Unique Traditions tour means investing in an experience that transcends conventional tourism. It offers a unique opportunity to explore Azerbaijan’s rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes in a way that feels both personal and immersive. With seasoned guides at the helm, travelers gain not only insights but also stories that bring each destination to life. The all-inclusive nature of the tour provides peace of mind, allowing participants to focus on enjoying their surroundings without worrying about logistics. This journey promises to weave together the ancient with the modern, offering a multifaceted perspective of Azerbaijan. It’s not merely a sightseeing trip; it’s a transformational experience that fosters a deeper appreciation for a country that beautifully balances its historic past with a vibrant present.

Good to know

Before embarking on the Ancient Land & Unique Traditions tour, travelers should be aware that while the itinerary includes a variety of incredible sites, personal expenses for additional activities in Shahdag and meals are not included. It is recommended to pack comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes, especially for visits to natural sites and historical landmarks. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, making it accessible to everyone. Guests should also remember to bring along their cameras, as the stunning vistas and historic architecture present countless photo opportunities. Additionally, travelers will have the chance to experience both Russian and English-speaking guides, ensuring clear communication and a rich understanding of the cultural significance behind each location. This tour not only promises adventure but also the chance to forge connections with a land steeped in history and tradition.

Reviews

Feedback from travelers who have experienced the Ancient Land & Unique Traditions tour paints a vivid picture of satisfaction and excitement. Many have raved about the knowledgeable guides who brought the history of Azerbaijan to life with engaging stories and fascinating facts. The diverse itinerary received accolades for its balance of natural wonders and cultural experiences, allowing participants to feel well-rounded in their exploration. Travelers have cherished the intimate settings of the private tours, often expressing that it allowed them to forge deeper connections with both the guides and the landscapes of Azerbaijan. Comfort and convenience have been highlighted, especially regarding the transport and accommodations provided. With overwhelmingly positive reviews, it’s clear that this tour offers an unforgettable journey through the heart of Azerbaijan, captivating all who embark on it.

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