Azerbaijani cuisine, though influenced by the dishes of other cultures, also has distinctive features. Its richness is deeply rooted in the country’s history, traditions and values, as well as its versatile climate and location along the Caspian Sea. Azerbaijani cuisine features a range of different dishes such as saffron flavored plov, variety of kebabs grilled on coal, rich soups, stuffed fish & chicken and lots of other meals cooked with the use of nuts, fruits, fresh aromatic herbs and seasonings.
1st Day: BAKU. Arrival to Baku, meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel, check-in, free time.
Suggestions for free time:
2nd Day: BAKU. Pick-up at 09:00. Instead of the usual breakfast in the hotel you will have Traditional Azerbaijani breakfast in the restaurant: fried eggs with tomatoes, home made butter, cheese, honey, sour cream and of course, fresh bread baked in ‘tandir’.
Our excursion will start at “Icherisheher” metro station to guide you down the street and get acquainted with the stories and legends of the historical mansions built by Azerbaijani oil barons in the very beginning of the 20th century. And the first one on the way is a beautiful City Hall, which is nowadays hosting Baku Mayor’s Office, designed by Polish architect Joseph V. Goslavski in the Baroque style (1900-1904). He had also built the Empress Alexandra Russian Muslim School for Girls (1901), first school for Muslim girls in the Caucasus, sponsored by the Azeri oil baron and philanthropist Zeynalabdin Taghiyev. You will make a stop at gorgeous Palace of Happiness (Wedding Palace) to listen to the touching story of its owner, oil baron Murtuza Mukhtarov. It was built in Neo-Gothic style by famous architect Joseph Ploshko in 1912. Same architect had created the next pearl of Baku architecture, Ismailiyya Palace (1908-1913) which was ordered by Musa Naghiyev, yet another oil baron, in commemoration of his deceased son Ismayil. The building currently serves as the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan.
Next to it is Gosha Gala Gapysy (Paired Fortress Gates), the entrance in the fortress walls, a portal which will take us from the Baku of the beginning of the 20th century to the Baku of the 12th century. Icherisheher (Inner City), known as a “Fortress” or “Old City”, is a unique historical and architectural conservation area in the center of Baku. This is one of the most ancient places of the country where archaeological excavations revealed burial vaults of the Bronze Age. Maiden Tower (12th century) (without entering) and The Palace of Shirvanshahs (13th-16th centuries) (without entering) are the best-known historical monuments located in the Old City. Besides them there are a lot of other unique monuments such as mosques, minarets, the remnants of caravanserais “Multani” and “Bukhara”, ancient baths, etc. Here you will also visit Miniature Book Museum, the only museum in the world dedicated to miniature editions of books. Some of the books are no bigger than a thumb. The studio of the freelance artist Ali Shamsi is also worth seeing.
We will take a break for lunch, and a delicious adventure awaits you in a cozy restaurant in the Old City. This atmospheric establishment reflects the contrasting facets and elegance of the cultures depicted in the famous book “Ali and Nino.” Stepping into the cozy atmosphere of the “Kurban Said” restaurant, you will feel like the characters of the literary masterpiece, enjoy exquisite authentic cuisine, and the hospitable hosts will share with you the romantic love story of Ali Khan Shirvanshir and the Georgian princess Nino Kipiani.
Lunch time. Main dishes: Dushbarya – a traditional soup with tiny dumplings cooked in broth with vinegar and garlic sauce. According to tradition, the dumplings should be small enough so that ten of them can fit on a tablespoon! It may take a long time to prepare, but it is definitely worth it. Dolma is a gem of Azerbaijani cuisine, traditionally made from grape leaves stuffed with ground meat, rice, onions, and herbs. Its name comes from the verb “dolmaq,” which in Azerbaijani means “to fill, to stuff.” It is traditionally served with gatyg (sour yogurt).
You will have a walk through the Philharmonic Park, formerly known as the Governor´s Garden, towards the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall (1910-1912) built in Italian Renaissance (exterior) and German Rococo (interior) styles. You can make nice photos next to a French-style Baroque fountain while listening to the classic music.
Cross the street and walk down to Baku Boulevard to view the International Mugham Center (without entering) created in order to widely promote Azerbaijani ‘mugham’ (folk musical composition) in the world and shaped as the national musical instrument – ‘tar’. Here you will also see Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum (without entering), designed by Austrian architect Franz Janz and looking like a rolled carpet.
Wander between the decorative stone bridges of so-called Little Venice, a small town on the water and one of the jewels of Baku. It has two large and several small islands and its gondolas are travelling in the channels full of still and clean water. Free time. Overnight in Baku.
3rd Day: BAKU-GOBUSTAN – LANKARAN
Breakfast at the hotel. Pick up from hotel at 9:00 for excursion to Gobustan and Hirkan National Park in Lankaran region, visiting “Citrus Valley” farm.
Want to have a close look at the Baku`s most popular landmark? Baku business and hotel complex Flame Towers Baku is composed of 3 buildings. The surface of the Towers is fully covered with LED screens reflecting different visual characters in motion, easily visible from the far corners of the city in the evening. Walk along the Alley of Martyrs which is usually being included in the protocol visits of the foreign officials. Enjoy the panoramic view of the city and its bay from Baku’s Highland Park (also called Upland Park), the highest point in the Azerbaijani capital.
Have you ever seen where civilization has started? Seek no more, because Gobustan Historical-Artistic Preserve is exactly what you need! Included in the UNESCO heritage list, being one of the cradles of human civilization, Gobustan located barely one hour drive from Baku. It has an astonishing collection of over 6,000 ancient petroglyphs depicting the ways of life dating back as far as 40,000 years. Innovative technology will help you to get closer to the prehistoric times in Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Museum using its touch screens provided with special multimedia programs, educational and entertaining games, interactive displays, 3D video, etc.
Ideally nestled between the Caspian Sea and the Talysh Mountains, Lankaran is in a very beautiful part of Azerbaijan situated on the south of the country. It is the land of adorable nature and different tastes. This area is also a home to numerous hot springs called Istisu (literally “hot water”), where local long-livers have been healing themselves for centuries. Enjoy citruses, tea, mountains and lake views!
We will stop over at “Citrus Valley” plantation located in Istisu district. While showing around the owner of this 18-hectare farm will give a brief view of citrus gardening; you can also take an active part in fruit picking (Oct.-Dec.) or just try (and buy) local oranges, lemons, mandarins, kiwis or feijoa as well as the jams made from these fruits. Excursion will be followed by lunch & tea break with local jams.
Lunch. Main dish: Lavangi is a very popular dish in the southern region of Azerbaijan, Lankaran. Lavangi is made from a whole fish (or chicken) stuffed with a paste of nuts, raisins, plums, onions, and herbs, and, of course, the famous Lankaran tea.
Finally, we will reach Hirkan National Park, one of the pearls of Azerbaijani nature located in the south of the country, in the heart of the Talysh Mountains. Here, you won’t find any camping areas, cafes, bars, restaurants and other delights of modern tourism because this area is home to a natural wilderness dating back 60 million years with its own truly unique flora and fauna. This region has existed since the Ice Age and could easily be called a botanical garden. The Hirkan Forest is home to another natural gem – Lake Khanbulan, and while tigers used to inhabit the area until the late 1930s, today it is one of the last habitats of the Caucasian leopard.
Driving back to Baku. Overnight in hotel.
4th Day: BAKU – GABALA Breakfast at the hotel. Pick up from hotel at 08:00 for transfer to Gabala.
Gabala is one of the most beautiful provinces of Azerbaijan with rich and ancient history. For 600 years the city named Kabala used to be the capital of Caucasian Albania, an ancient state that used to exist on the territory of modern Azerbaijan back in the days. The ruins of the ancient city and the main gate of Caucasian Albania had survived until today.
We will visit Nidj Village unique for its Udi minority group. Udis are Christians and considered to be descendants from one of the main tribes living in Caucasian Albania and till today have preserved their own language and traditions. People here are very hospitable;
Next, we head to the Albanian-Udin Church of St. Eliseus, located in the village of Nij in the Gabala region. It was built in 1723 with funds from the local residents and was named after the Jotari quarter of the village. During the Soviet era, the church was used as a hazelnut warehouse. The lower part of the walls is made of travertine sourced from the Caucasus, while the vaults are constructed from red fired brick.
After that, we will visit the largest Albanian church – the Church of the Holy Virgin Mary (Bulun). Founded in the 12th century, the church was repeatedly destroyed by natural disasters. It was completed and services were held there only in the 18th century. In the 19th century, an attempt was made to change the church’s style to a Gregorian one. Today, the church is under the control of the Udin people, descendants of ancient Albania
When visiting the village of Nij, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the museum-restaurant ‘Udi Ocaghi.’ It is a gem and a hallmark of the city. The tables are placed right in the garden, and the design of the place is in keeping with authentic traditions. The museum, which we will visit, is also located there. One could say it is a ‘Udin house,’ filled with artifacts from the early 20th century.”
Then we will enjoy a delicious lunch of Udi-Albanian cuisine.
Lunch. Main dish: “Qoz dolmasi” – dolma made from nuts with spices and the local sweet “Uchgulag” – translated as “3 ears” – is prepared from hazelnuts and sugar, covered with dough, and then fried in oil before serving.
After tour we will stop to taste Azerbaijani wine at Savalan ASPI winery. The name of this wine is actually the name of the place where the grapes have been harvested, the most beautiful place in Gabala district, the heart of the province, the valley of Savalan. There is also a legendary mountain, a magnificent natural monument, which protects the area from all winds and nicknamed by people as a “sleeping beauty”. This mountain has become the symbol of Savalan wines and was put on the labels. The company’s international winemaking team combines experts from Italy and Azerbaijan to create a range that includes nearly 20 different wines. During excursion you will get acquainted with the wine producing process, have excursion in the area and try Savalan wines with snacks.
Back to Baku. Overnight in hotel.
5th Day: Breakfast at the hotel. free time. Check out, transfer to the airport.
4-night accommodation in 4* hotels on BB basis
Breakfasts at the hotel
All transportation according to the program, including airport-hotel-airport transfers
Excursions according to the program
Professional English-speaking guide during excursion days
Entrance tickets: Gobustan Museum, Mud Volcanos Complex, Citrus Valley, Ethnographic Museum of the Albanian People – Udin
Wine tasting in Savalan Winery
Lunch at Kurban Said Restaurant
Lunch + tea ceremony with homemade jams at Citrus Valley
Lunch in Gabala at the restaurant of the Albanian People’s Museum – Udin
1 Traditional Azerbaijani breakfast
1 bottle of 0.5L water per day
Flight tickets & visa (if required)
Extras at the hotel, tips at the sites and restaurants
Entrance tickets to museums/ entertainment places not mentioned in the Inclusions
Lunches and dinners, except the ones included in the program
The organizer reserves the right to change the hotel to the different one of the same category.
The organizer reserves the right to change the order of excursions in case of necessity.
It`s possible to organize Traditional Azerbaijani breakfast on other days of the tour as well for additional price.
Check-in to the hotels: 14:00 (can be 15:00 in some cases).
Early check-in before 06:00 in the morning is subject to 100% of the room rate, early check-in between 06:00 and 14:00 is subject to 50% of the room rate (please confirm with our reservation managers before booking).
You can extend your stay, add more excursions and/or change the hotel category for additional payment (please confirm with our reservation managers before booking).
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