Booking for : Holiday in Azerbaijan
Holiday in Azerbaijan
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Azerbaijan is burning on all cylinders. Indeed, its name even means Land of Fire.
With an economy that exploded through oil and natural gas exploitation, its capital Baku, on the Caspian coast, looks a bit more like Dubai than the remote eastern frontier many of us imagine it to be.
Although falling oil prices are changing that. Sandwiched between Iran and Russia, it was an important stop on the Silk Road trading route for centuries however, and so even though it’s now often viewed as nothing more than a land fueled by oil, the history of Persian, Russian and Turkish influences scattered through the dramatic Caucasus Mountains or along its Caspian Coast are pretty prey to serious culture vultures.
AZERBAIJAN HAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF MUD VOLCANOES IN THE WORLD. WHICH IS A GOOD METAPHOR. THE COUNTRY’S APPEAL IS SORT OF MESSY, BUT IT HAS A POWERFUL IMPACT JUST WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT TO
Outside Baku you will still witness traditional lifestyles, meet mountain village artisans, trek in the great Caucasus Mountains, see surreal mud volcanoes and one of the world’s most extraordinary display of ancient petroglyphs. Which have, thankfully, nothing to do with petrol.
Azerbaijan is…
weird, wonderful, wacky and winsome. All in a morning.
Azerbaijan isn’t…
all about oil and booming Baku. Its richest reserves lie in its history and people. And the Caucasus Mountains. They’ll all still be there when the oil runs out.
AZERBAIJAN MAP & HIGHLIGHTS
Azerbaijan is a land of dichotomies. If it had to choose a star sign it would struggle. Both water and fire, the capital Baku is on the Caspian Sea, but also home to oil drilling derricks. The Caucasus Mountains are as earthy as you can get, peppered with traditional elevated villages such as Lahic, where subsistence farming and traditional art forms still thrive. And then there is fire. Everywhere. From the permanently alight natural gas ‘flaming mountain’ of Yanardag to fire worshippers’ Ateshgah temple, both on the Absheron Peninsula . And as for air, just head to the omnipresent mountains. Bring a hipflask of vodka with you to combine air and fire. And you’ll have got Azerbaijan.
1. Abershon Peninsula
Absheron is all about fire, with gas resources literally bubbling to the surface. Such as the ‘flaming mountain’ of Yanardag, where gases that seep up are permanently alight, giving the country its name, meaning ‘Land of Fire’. Other highlights include open air Gala Museum, portraying the peninsula’s people over the centuries, including the ‘fire-worshippers’’ Ateshgah temple, now a museum.
BAKU
2. Baku
Baku is booming, if a bit bonkers. Hard to know if that’s because of its seismic history, oil money or location between deserted salt flats and the Caspian Sea. Whichever, it’s all going on in Baku. The walled historic centre, Icheri Sheher, is what most tourists seek, although checking out estate agents’ windows in the modern, and cosmopolitan centre is also an attraction, with prices verging on London’s.
3. Ganja
Azerbaijan’s second city is not related to mind altering drugs but will take you on quite a trip. You can take a spa bath in oil – yes, real petroleum-based oil. See a house made entirely of bottles, wander through real life at the bazaar, from cobblers to clothmakers, teahouses to trinket traders. And see some truly brutal Soviet architecture such as 1949 City Hall or, in total contrast, 17th Century Shah Abbas mosque.
4. Gobustan National Park
With the usual Azerbaijani banquet of bizarre and beautiful seen at the park’s mud volcanoes, interspersed with caves and giant boulders boasting petroglyphs from 10,000 BC. Located in the arid Greater Caucasus foothills, but flanked by the Caspian Sea, the limestone rock broke away in clumps over the years and tumbled down slopes to create a UNESCO Site that definitely rocks.
5. Lahic
A village in Caucasus highlands where a tiny mountain community still leads very traditional lifestyles. Hardly surprising, as they are cut off from the world in winter. Although treated as a ‘folk park’ by Bakuvians, visit when there are no crowds to capture real life. Say ‘hello’ in native Lahic language to one of many coppersmiths or blacksmiths; you may even be invited in for vodka.
SHAKI (AKA SHEKI)
6. Shaki (Aka Sheki)
This ancient town surrounded by Caucasus’ peaks was part of the Silk Road with traders en route to the Caspian Sea. Also once the world’s silk capital, still with small outlets. During this time it was ruled by the Shaki Khanate feudal system. You can still visit old ‘caravanserais’ or inns, as well as the Khan’s Palace – a perfect place to share a video of you singing ‘Shaki Khan, Shaki Khan’ (a generation thing, sorry).
11 AZERBAIJAN HOLIDAYS
GEORGIA, AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA HOLIDAY
A scenic journey through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia
From 3,275 EUR ,
15 days ex flights
Small group travel: 2021: 18 May, 25 May, 30 Jun, 27 Jul, 18 Aug, 1 Sep, 29 Sep
ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN AND GEORGIA TOUR
Small group tour of the Caucasus
From 3,410.33 EUR to 3,610.33EUR
19 days inc flights
Small group travel: 2021: 4 May, 11 May, 15 May, 18 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 7 Sep, 11 Sep, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 12 Oct, 19 Oct
SILK ROAD HOLIDAY, AROUND THE CASPIAN SEA
The legacy of the Silk Route around the Caspian Sea
From 4,000 EUR
16 days ex flights
Small group travel
AZERBAIJAN HOLIDAY
Geological oddities and ancient heritage in Azerbaijan
From 1.125 EUR
8 days ex flights
Small group travel: 2021: 16 Jun, 14 Sep
CAUCASUS HOLIDAY, ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN & GEORGIA
Journey through three Caucasus states
From 3,359 EUR
14 days ex flights
Tailor made: This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
AZERBAIJAN SMALL GROUP HOLIDAY
Flaming mountains and ancient history on the edge of Europe
From 1,178.00 EUR
8 days ex flights
Small group travel: 2021: 5 May, 8 Sep
2021: 3 May, 6 Sep
2021: 3 May, 6 Sep
GEORGIA, ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN SMALL GROUP TOUR
A comprehensive tour through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia
From 2,920.00 EUR
20 days ex flights
Small group travel: 2021: 5 May, 8 Sep
2021: 3 May, 6 Sep
2021: 3 May, 6 Sep
CAUCASUS SMALL GROUP TOUR
Charms and contradictions of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia
From 2,915.00 EUR
15 days ex flights
Small group travel: 2021: 11 May, 5 Oct
ARMENIA, GEORGIA AND AZERBAIJAN HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
Three stunning countries in one unforgettable tour
From 1,842.00 EUR to 1,950.00 EUR
13 days ex flights
Small group travel: 2021: 11 May, 13 Jun, 5 Jul, 1 Aug, 12 Sep, 21 Sep, 3 Oct, 1 Nov
2021: 16 May, 11 Jun, 8 Sep, 10 Sep
2021: 16 May, 11 Jun, 8 Sep, 10 Sep
AZERBAIJAN HOLIDAY, TAILOR MADE
Discover the best of old and new Azerbaijan
From 2,746.00 EUR
8 days ex flights
Tailor made: This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Day 1: ,Baku
Baku - Arrive in Baku and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore. Overnight Central Park Hotel or similar.
Day 2:,Baku
Baku - Spend today exploring Baku. We visit the National Museum and the historic quarter with buildings dating back to the 14th century including ancient caravanserais, mosques, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the enigmatic and mysterious Maiden’s Tower, among other sights. Overnight Central Park Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 3:,Absheron
Absheron Peninsula - Gobustan - Head out of Baku to the fascinating Absheron Peninsula with its ‘flaming mountain’, Yanardag, and the Temple of the Fire Worshippers at Ateshgah. From here we head to Gobustan, known for its prehistoric rock art and unique mud volcanoes. Return to Baku for the evening. Overnight Central Park Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 4:,Guba – Krasnaya Sloboda
Head north to the town of Guba. On the way we stop at the mountain of Beshbarmag, a natural fortress that is a local site for pilgrimage. From here we continue to the town of Guba and spend some time exploring its sights including the Sakina Khanum Mosque and the medieval baths. We then head to Krasnaya Sloboda, a unique town populated almost entirely by Azerbaijan’s small Jewish population. Return to Guba in the evening, stopping at the traditional village of Xinaliq on the way. Overnight Terrace Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 5:,Shamakha - Lahic - Qabala
Continue to Shamakha, visiting the 13th century mausoleum of Diri Baba in the village of Maraza en route. At Shamakha we visit the historic mosque, the seven tombed mausoleum of Yeddi Gumbaz, and the graveyard of the Shirvanshahs. From here we drive to the traditional village of Lahic with its old mosques, cobbled streets and craftsmen, and then continue to Qabala for the evening. Overnight Qabala Karavansarai or similar. (B)
Day 6:,Shekhi
Drive to Shekhi. Shekhi is one of the most interesting towns in Azerbaijan and this afternoon we visit the medieval fortress and the Khan’s Palace with its elaborate decorations, among other sights. Overnight Issam Hotel or similar.
Day 7:,Kish – Baku
We stop at the village of Kish, site of the oldest church in the Caucasus, then return to Baku for the night. Overnight Central Park Hotel or similar.
Day 8:,Baku
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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