WWT22228
Arrival in Baku
Greeting guests at the airport, transfer and accommodation at the hotel
Leisure time and overnight at the hotel
Breakfast at the hotel
Excursion to the Highland Park and Old City / Shirvanshah Palace and Maiden Tower
Excursion to Heydar Aliyev Center
09:00 Breakfast at the hotel
10:00 Visiting the Highland Park and Old City. The history of the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, goes back to the antiquity, although the precise date of its origin is still unknown. The territory of the Absheron Peninsula, where the city is located on, has a favorable geographical position: a calm bay, a warm dry climate, fertile soil and natural resources.
Therefore, the emergence of the ancient settlements here was quite natural. The Highland Park is located on a hill in the Western part of the city. This is the best spot to overview the city itself, along with the Baku Bay and the Seaside Boulevard, which celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2019. Further, the guests will get acquainted with the Old City, which is called «Icheri Sheher». Many historical and architectural monuments are concentrated on its territory, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the symbol of the city of Baku – Maiden Tower, Caravanserais, mosques, etc.
14:00 Our tour goes on with a visit to the Heydar Aliyev Center. The Heydar Aliyev Center was built by world-famous architect Zaha Hadid. An internationally recognized architectural work, the building of the Heydar Aliyev Center has become a signature landmark of modern Baku due to its innovative and cutting- edge design.
The Center achieved a famous «Design of the Year Award» back in 2014. Extending on eight floor levels, the center accommodates a 1000-seat auditorium, temporary exhibition spaces, a conference center, workshops, and a museum.
18:00 Return to the hotel and leisure time
Breakfast at the hotel
Excursions across the Absheron Peninsula sights
Excursion to Gobustan archaeological reserve and mud volcanoes
Excursion to the Temple of fire-worshipers «Ateshgah» and ethnographic museum «Gala»
09:00 Breakfast at the hotel
10:00 Departure for an excursion to the historical and archaeological reserve of Gobustan. The archaeological reserve of Gobustan, an open-air museum located in the south-east of the Great Caucasus. Gobustan petroglyphs dating back to 5,000-20,000 years, perfectly preserved rock carvings, are a kind of artistic archive of human evolution on planet Earth.
They reflect the history of this region for almost 15 thousand years – from the end of the Upper Paleolithic era to the Middle Ages. They reflect the history of this region for almost 15 thousand years – from the end of the Upper Paleolithic age to the Middle Ages. Today, Azerbaijani scientists have identified, described and studied more than 4,000 petroglyphs (rock paintings in stone carving techniques) and this important work still continues.
Before starting a Gobustan tour, guests will visit the interactive museum, where they can get information about the history and nature of Gobustan using special multimedia programs and touch screens.
Next point of the tour is the area of Mud volcanoes, a rare natural phenomenon appeared in Azerbaijan 25 million years ago. Azerbaijan has nearly 400 mud volcanoes on its territory. They occur where tectonic movement allows subterranean gases to escape to the surface. A few of these gas leaks are constantly on fire, shooting small perpetual flames into the air, however, mud volcanoes never grow to the size of a normal volcano.
14:00 Excursion to the Temple of Fire Worshipers «Ateshgah» The tour goes on with the ancient legacy of Zoroastrianism. Located 30 km away from Baku, there is one of the most mysterious sights of Azerbaijan – Ateshgah, The Temple of Fire Worshippers. Part caravanserai, part fire temple, it stands on the site of a natural-gas burning from the earth crust. It is called «the eternal fire». In ancient time Ateshgah was a sacred place to Zoroastrians. Though the temple’s current incarnation was built by 18th century Indian Shiva devotees.
15:00 Excursion to the ethnographic reserve «Gala». Tour to ethnographic museum «Gala», located on the Absheron peninsula. An ethnographic open-air museum «Gala» is about 40-minutes’ drive from Baku, created on the site of archaeological excavations. In the village, which is about five thousand years old, there is a number of neighborhoods that have survived to this day.
During the tour, guests will get acquainted with the ancient dwellings, with the life of the past, traditions and methods of farming. However, the most important that it is not just an excursion and introduction to the museum exhibits, but the opportunity of immersion into the real ancient life. At the museum area, guests can bake real bread in «tendir», try themselves in clay pottering and carpet weaving.
18:00 Return to the hotel and leisure time
Breakfast at the hotel
Check-out from the hotel and visit to «Yashil Bazaar»
Transfer to the airport
After the check-out from the hotel, the group will have a convenient transfer to the Heydar Aliyev international airport. Depending on the time of departure, there is a chance to visit colorful Eastern Bazaar called «Yashil Bazar». The guests may buy some dried fruits, traditional Azerbaijani tea, nuts and sweets there.
Transfer to the Baku International Airport for departure back to your hometown.
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