Diri Baba mausoleum, Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum (“Seven Domes”), Juma Mosque, Alpaca Farm, Baskal village, Kelaghayi workshop
Unforgettable adventure awaits you at Alpaca Farm. Alpacas are naturally friendly creatures. Their amusing interactions with one another, friendliness toward humans, and opportunity to pet and hug them will allow you relax and have a fun time.
Visit the workshop for an improvisation masterclass on making Kelaghayi, and then take a stroll through Baskal’s narrow cobblestone streets.
Shamakhi (2-2,5 hour drive from Baku) is an astonishing place with extraordinary nature, incredible architecture, ancient culture, rich history and interesting customs. Shamakhi city is the ancient capital of Shirvanshah’s dynasty (9-15th century).
Your first stop on the way to Shamakhi will be at Diri Baba mausoleum, a two-story monument of the 15th century in Maraza village. Peculiarity of the construction is that it was embed in the cliff and it creates an impression that it is suspended in the air. The monument is considered to be a sacred place. Legend says that a saint named Diri Baba (living, immortal old man) was buried here and remained incorrupt for more than 300 years.
Shamakhi is an ancient city of Azerbaijan which was the capital of Shirvan Dynasty during 9th -16th century. On the 18th century it was the center of Shamakhi Khanate. Not far from Shahmakhi city you will see “Yeddi Gumbaz” (“Seven Domes”) mausoleum, the 18th century mausoleum of the khans of Shamakhi.
In the city you will visit Juma Mosque, one of the oldest Muslim temples in Azerbaijan, as well as in the South Caucasus and the Middle East and the biggest mosque of the Caucasus.
After that, unforgettable adventure awaits you in the Shamakhi mountains at Alpaca Farm. Alpacas are naturally friendly creatures. Their amusing interactions with one another, friendliness toward humans, and the opportunity to pet and hug them will allow you to relax and have a fun time. You can meet and feed an entire alpaca family, as well as participate in other engaging activities like yoga and picnics on the green grass among alpacas. These experiences will definitely release you from stress and everyday routine. Besides warm and sweet memories, you will have chance to buy some home handmade items, shirts, hats, and other souvenirs available in the gift shops.
After leaving Shamakhi and entering Ismayilli region we will make a stop at Basqal village that used to be a great weaving center of Shirvan in middle centuries. Here you will visit Basqal Silk Center, historical mosque & hammam. Basqal Silk Center is famous for its production of ‘kelaghais’, beautiful headscarves traditionally worn by Azerbaijani women.
The colors of the scarf are often saying something about the status of its wearer. In the past, silk weaving and kelaghayi making were practiced at every household in the village with secrets being passed from one generation to the next, but the craft virtually disappeared during the Soviet era. The revival began in the early 2000s.
Drop into the factory for an impromptu kelaghayi masterclass followed by a stroll through Basqal’s narrow cobblestone streets.
Return to Baku.
Transportation according to the program
Professional guide (English, Russian, Arabic)
Tickets to the museums (per person): Diri Baba–6$ (compulsory), Alpaca Farm – 25$ (compulsory)
Any tips at the sites
Pick-up time: 09:00
Pick-up / drop-off point: your hotel in Baku
The organizer reserves the right to change the order of the places to visit in case of necessity.
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