Classic Azerbaijan
Example Itinerary
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Overview
A fascinating week-long journey through the largest of the Caucasus states, this intriguing itinerary offers up a rich mix of the old and the new, contrasting the country’s ancient heritage with its modern counterparts and taking you on a trip from the shores of the Caspian Sea to the southern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains.
Beginning ...
A fascinating week-long journey through the largest of the Caucasus states, this intriguing itinerary offers up a rich mix of the old and the new, contrasting the country’s ancient heritage with its modern counterparts and taking you on a trip from the shores of the Caspian Sea to the southern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains.
Beginning in Baku you will take a tour of its medieval heart, exploring its alleys, mosques and palaces before moving on to the imposing mansions of the city’s 19th century oil barons. The Absheron Peninsula then provides an opportunity to visit the Zoroastrian fire temple of Ateshgarh, and take a dip in the Caspian Sea, before heading deep into the Caucasus Mountains.
You’ll explore the charming cobbled streets of Lahij and the magnificent frescoes and palaces of Sheki next, before exploring the village of Kish, home to the oldest church in the Caucasus. The journey back to Baku then takes you along the Caspian shore, to the volcanic deserts and ancient rock art that lies to the south of the capital
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
How Tailor-Made Works
Discuss your initial ideas with one of our experts, the types of things you want to see and do.
Your expert will start designing your perfect trip. Within a day or two we'll send a suggested itinerary.
At this stage you can still tweak anything from accommodation to experiences and dates, using our expert advice.
Time to prepare for your trip, safe in the knowledge you'll be in the expert hands of local guides and drivers throughout.
Relax and enjoy...through our partners you'll have support on the ground as well as 24-hour emergency assistance in the UK.
Example Itinerary
This is an example itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes and budget, or build a trip from scratch.
Day 1 Arrive Baku & City Highlights
On arrival into Baku you will be greeted by your Wild Frontiers representative and transferred directly to your hotel for check in. This afternoon, your guided walking tour of Baku includes the medieval walled city "Icheri Sheher" with its narrow alleyways, mosques and Palace of the Shirvan Shahs. Visit the 12th century Maiden's Tower, the imposing mansions of the oil barons, built in the oil boom of 1870-1914 and Martyr's Hill, with its superb views over the Bay of Baku.
Day 2 Baku: Visit the Land of the Sacred Fire
This morning, enjoy a half-day excursion to the Absheron Peninsula, known for its natural oil and gas deposits. Discover ancient and modern oil extraction methods and learn about the religious cults linked to oil. You'll pass by small villages and oil drilling platforms before reaching Ateshgah, a Zoroastrian fire temple built in the 18th century by Indian merchants on an older temple site. The peninsula was a pilgrimage site for Zoroastrians, believed to be where fire worship began. Next, visit medieval fortresses and the Amirjan mosque, known for its beautiful carpets displayed in the Baku Carpet Museum. The afternoon is free in Baku for shopping, relaxing, or more sightseeing. For an evening activity why not check out the gorgeous Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, possibly the finest building in all of Baku.
Day 3 Baku - Diri Baba - Shamakhi - Lahij
Head west and into the foothills of the Caucasus, en route visiting the Diri Baba (living grandfather) Mausoleum, and also stop at Shamakhi, once the capital of Shirvan and home to the 19th century Grand Mosque and the ‘seven tombs of the khans of Shamakhi’. Leave the main road and head into the mountains to visit the charming village of Lahij, the centre of Azerbaijani handicrafts, where you will stay for the night.
Day 4 Lahij - Sheki: Cultures & Communities
Spend the morning exploring this beautiful village before driving through some of the region's most spectacular scenery as you follow the southern foothills of the Caucasus Mountains. Here you will reach the town of Sheki, one of the oldest centres of culture in Azerbaijan, founded more than 2,700 years ago.
Day 5 Sheki: Morning Tour & Visit Kish
Sheki is known for its charm and is one of the most ancient towns in the Caucasus, dating back to the late Bronze Age. Visit the Royal Summer Palace of the Sheki Khans with its magnificent frescoes and stained glass as well as Sheki Museum and Fortress. In the afternoon explore the village of Kish with the oldest church in the Caucasus dating from the first century and enjoy a walk in the surrounding Caucasus foothills.
Day 6 Sheki - Ganja: Batik & Museums
Before departing Sheki this morning, visit a Kelaghai workshop to learn about making silk headscarves using batik techniques. Then, travel to Ganja, Azerbaijan's second city and industrial centre, which takes about three hours. Founded in the 5th century AD, Ganja was the center of Caucasus Albania until the 11th century and has a history of Persian and Russian rule. It briefly served as the capital of an independent Azerbaijan in 1918 and was named Kirovabad during the Soviet period, reverting to Ganja in 1989. The birthplace of the poet Nizami Ganjavi, Ganja is Azerbaijan's literary centre. Visit the 17th-century Shah Abbas Mosque, the Orthodox church, Nizami's Mausoleum, and the "Bottle House," decorated with 50,000 glass bottles.
Day 7 Ganja - Gobustan - Mud Volcanoes - Baku
You will head east back towards Baku today, en route driving through the volcanic desert to Gobustan. This mountain outcrop and cave complex is covered in thousands of rock paintings dating from the early Stone Age to the Bronze Age. You will also see the old oil fields of Bibi Heyat, learn about oil production in this area and see the bizarre mud volcanoes.
Day 8 Depart Baku
Today you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport in time for your onward flight.
EXAMPLE ACCOMMODATION
Sheki Saray Hotel, Sheki
Completed in 2006, the Sheki Saray Hotel enjoys an excellent location in the centre of the town and offers good standards of comfort. High ceiling rooms are tastefully decorated blending modern style with traditional local furnishings. They all offer uninterrupted views of the Caucasus Mountains and the red roofs of Sheki, and feature modern amenities including satellite TV, telephone, mini fridge and a well-equipped bathroom. The popular restaurant serves international cuisine and a selection of local specialities, and guests can also enjoy a cold or hot drink with Sheki halva in the garden grounds.
Molokan Inn Hotel, Baku
Located in central Baku next to one of the city's oldest parks, the beautiful Molokan Inn Hotel is a welcome addition to the capital's higher end offerings. The 21 rooms and suites are beautifully finished with Art Nouveau touches, spacious with en suite bathrooms with views of either the park or the courtyard, as well as a generous selection of modern amenities. The hotel offers a substantial breakfast, and guests are within walking distance of Baku's most popular areas where they can find an array of wonderful restaurants serving both local and international cuisine.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
MEALS
TRANSPORT
ENTRANCE FEES
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
Positive Impact of this Trip
Making a Difference
Community Tourism
People and local communities have always been at the heart of Wild Frontiers and the travel experiences we offer. Through community tourism we have the opportunity to generate real positive impact, supporting people we visit through sustainable local development, and in turn help to alleviate poverty and protect culture and environments in often more vulnerable destinations. While doing so, our clients gain richer travel experiences and more meaningful connections with the people they meet.
Conservation and Climate Action
As a travel company, we hold a responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint and contribute to sustainability, and work closely with local communities to support their efforts. By implementing initiatives such as carbon measuring, tree-planting, reducing single-use plastic and promoting eco-friendly practices, we can help mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on fragile ecosystems and local communities. Additionally, prioritising conservation efforts helps preserve natural habitats and wildlife, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the wonders of our planet.
Wild Frontiers Foundation
The Wild Frontiers Foundation aims to provide a platform to create awareness, raise money and deliver funding to projects in countries where we operate as a travel company. Through the foundation, we are able to channel money into grass roots projects, which we have either established ourselves or support through charity partners. These include initiatives focused around education, the empowerment of local people and community conservation.
START PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
Expert travel consultants
Up-to-date knowledge and advice from our experienced consultants on the best places to stay, things to do and regions to visit to make your holiday the trip of a lifetime.
EXPERIENCED LOCAL GUIDES
We use experienced local guides to help bring the sights to life, introduce you to local characters and ensure you get under the skin of your destination.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATION
Whether you are looking for a boutique hotel, homestay, local guesthouse, luxury spa, tented camp or heritage hotel, our experts can select the perfect property for you.
24-HOUR SUPPORT
Our local agents are there to help you on the ground should you need any assistance, and in addition you will be given a 24-hour UK emergency phone number.Meet the expert, Natalie
Natalie is our Causcaus expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Natalie by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258
OTHER ITINERARIES IN AZERBAIJAN
Check out our group tours in Azerbaijan
As well as private tailor-made trips, we also offer small group tours (max size 12) to Azerbaijan. Led by an experienced tour leader, travel with a group of like-minded people on one of our award-winning group tours.
View Group Tours in Azerbaijan