Day 1: Istanbul - Ganja - Imamzade Complex - Sheki
Time 03:15 We recommend you to be at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport...
Time 06:20 Depart for Ganja, a city often mentioned in Dede Korkut stories, with the scheduled flight number VF 313 by Ajet Airlines.
Time 09:45 Arrival. After necessary formalities, we start our Ganja Tour with our private vehicle. We will explore this beautiful city on foot in some places during our tour. Among the locations we will visit are the Haydar Aliyev Park, a 450-hectare oxygen reservoir of the city, the Bottle House built using 5,000 bottles in honor of the architect's brother and other soldiers who could not return home during World War II, the Atatürk Avenue which is the heart of the city, the Philharmonic Hall that has hosted many important concerts, Friday Mosque built in the 17th century, and the Alexander Nevsky Church, constructed in accordance with Byzantine architecture with donations from both Christian and Muslim populations. During our free time, you can have your lunch at one of the places offering delicious Azerbaijani dishes. Afterwards, we set off for Imamzade Complex. (approximately 7 km) Surrounded by red bricks, this beautifully designed complex includes a tomb belonging to Hz. Muhammad’s grandson Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, a mosque, and a caravanserai. We then take a wonderful road adorned with forests, lakes, and mountains towards Sheki. (approximately 145 km) Upon arrival, we visit Sheki, Azerbaijan’s oldest, most authentic, and beautiful city. Known for its soft-spoken people and unique culture and cuisine, Sheki is characterized by the Upper and Lower Sheki Caravanserais that are now partially used as hotels, historic stone and wooden buildings scattered across narrow, cobblestone streets, the magnificent Han Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site from the Persian era, the Sheki Crafts Workshop, Etnography Museum, Art Gallery, Art House, and Sheki Castle comprising walls and buildings, and the Sheki Khan Palace, built especially for the Khan’s relatives, which delights visitors with its beauty. We will see only some of the city’s key religious structures, including the Khan and Friday Mosques. During our free time in the bazaar, you can taste the famous Azerbaijani Tea with Sheki Halva and purchase various handcrafted art pieces, including some of the world's finest silk products. After the tour, we will transfer to our hotel and check into our rooms. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 2: Sheki - Gabala - Shahdag - Baku
After breakfast and checking out, we head towards Gabala, famous for its natural beauty (approximately 120 km) Along the way, Nature National Park's stunning views will accompany us. During our free time by Nohur Lake, Gabala, boasting mountains, forests, and waterfalls, will recharge your energy. Next, we head to Shamakhy (approximately 95 km). Known from the Shamakhy Siege, which played a significant role in the Ottoman-Safavid Wars, Shamakhy is also famous for wine-making and carpet weaving in the Caucasus. Here we will see the old city center, the Yeddi Gumbez Tomb located at the foot of the Gulistan Castle that houses the Shirvan Khan Tombs, and the Friday Mosque. After that, we continue on to our final destination for the day, Baku (approximately 125 km). Upon arrival, we check into our hotel. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 3: Baku (Dinner with Azerbaijani Night)
After breakfast, we depart from our hotel for the Full-Day Baku City Tour. In recent times, traditional and historical Baku has added a very modern look due to numerous investments made. In this comprehensive tour where you can see and learn about the most important areas of New and Old Baku, we first visit Martyrs' Lane and then go to Highland Park. Here, you will enjoy panoramic views of Baku city and Baku Bay and have the opportunity to take plenty of photos. Next, we head to the Old City, also known as Inside the Fortress, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can see and learn about Baku’s historical and traditional features. Here and in the surrounding areas, we will see the Maiden Tower, built in the 12th century, the Friday Mosque from the 15th century, the historically significant Siniggala Minaret and Mohammed Mosque, the only Miniature Book Museum in the world, the Shirvan Shah Palace, regarded as one of the pearls of Azerbaijani historical architecture, the palace that now serves as the Academy of Sciences, the city’s heart Istiklal Avenue, the Fountain Square, named after the historical fountain found here, the Municipality Park famous for the Philharmonic Fountain, and the National Carpet and Kilim Museum which houses precious handicrafts will be among the places we visit. After that, we head towards the modern face of the city, visiting several futuristic architectural works, including the world-famous Flame Towers and reach Baku Boulevard. This area, also known as a parallel pedestrian avenue to the region called ‘’Little Venice’’, consisted of a promenade built a century ago where oil barons constructed their mansions. At the end of our tour, we head to a local venue for Dinner with Azerbaijani Night featuring Folklore Performances. In one of the historical venues of the city, you will enjoy traditional Mugham music along with local delicacies, after a beautiful night we will transfer back to the hotel. Then, transfer back to the hotel. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 4: Baku - Ateshgah - Absheron - Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center - Istanbul
After breakfast, there will be free time. After emptying the rooms, we start our tour with a short journey to Ateshgah (Fire Temple). This temple is one of the three Zoroastrian temples that have survived to this day and is the most important one. It was originally built in the 3rd century AD. Famous for its eternally burning fire since ancient times, especially during the period when the Silk Road was active, it was rebuilt by Zoroastrian pilgrims who came to the region in the 17th century. After visiting here, we will head to Absheron Yanar Dag to watch the dancing flames. After that, we will continue our tour with a visit to the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, designed by the Iraqi-British futurist architect Zaha Hadid, with its impressive area of 101,000 square meters that made headlines worldwide. The complex, symbolizing the rise of the Caspian Sea in Azeri mythology, consists of theaters and conference halls, museums, and art galleries. (IMPORTANT NOTE: On some days, the cultural center does not accept visitors. Since today and timing are not previously announced, our company cannot be held responsible for this situation. In such cases, the center will be viewed from the outside. If it is open, entry will be allowed.) After this free time, we will transfer to the airport at the time designated by our guide. After necessary formalities,
Time 18:25 Departure for Istanbul with the scheduled flight number VF 178 by Ajet Airlines.
Time 20:30 Arrival. We hope to meet you on another journey...