Upon arrival at Baku International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, ensuring a smooth and comfortable start to your journey. As you drive through the city, the contrast between Baku’s historic character and its modern identity quickly becomes apparent - from the ancient walls of the Old City to the striking contemporary skyline shaped by bold architectural design.

After check-in at the hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Take time to relax after your journey or enjoy a gentle walk in the surrounding area, soaking in your first impressions of Azerbaijan’s vibrant capital. Overnight in Baku.

Travel Details: Arrival at Baku International Airport; Expected travel distance ~25 km; Overnight at a hotel in Baku (- / - / -)

Today’s exploration of Baku begins with a panoramic view of the city and the Caspian Sea from Highland Park, the highest point in the capital. Walking through Martyrs’ Alley, a place of remembrance and quiet dignity, the Flame Towers rise above the skyline - a modern symbol of Azerbaijan’s enduring spirit.

From here, the journey continues into the heart of the city: Icherisheher, the UNESCO-listed Old City. Passing through its ancient gates, you step into a world of narrow stone streets and rich history. The iconic Maiden Tower stands at the center of many legends, while the Shirvanshahs’ Palace reveals the refined architecture of medieval Azerbaijan. Along the way, caravanserais, mosques, and traditional bathhouses reflect centuries of daily life and trade. In the afternoon, walk along Nizami Street, Baku’s vibrant central boulevard, before visiting the Haydar Aliyev Center - a striking contemporary landmark designed by Zaha Hadid. Its flowing white forms contrast sharply with the historic cityscape, providing ample time to explore the surroundings and take photographs.

The day concludes at Yashil Bazar (Green Bazaar), one of Baku’s most authentic local markets. Here, stalls overflow with fresh produce, herbs, nuts, and spices brought from villages across the country, offering a final glimpse into everyday Azerbaijani life.

Highlights of the Day:

• Baku City Tour: Discover Baku’s past and present with a panoramic view from Highland Park, a visit to Martyrs’ Alley, and an exploration of Icherisheher (Old City), a UNESCO site featuring the Maiden Tower, Shirvanshahs’ Palace, and historic caravanserais.
• Yashil Bazar: A visit to Baku’s most authentic local market, filled with fresh produce, spices, nuts, and village-made goods that reflect everyday Azerbaijani life.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance: ~20 km round trip; Overnight at a hotel in Baku (B / - / -)

Today, you leave Baku for a short drive into the semi-desert landscapes south of the city, where you visit one of Azerbaijan’s remarkable mud volcanoes. Here, cool grey mud slowly bubbles to the surface, shaped by underground gases. The quiet, lunar-like setting offers a striking introduction to the country’s unique geology.

Nearby, you continue to Gobustan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking the Caspian Sea. Often described as an open-air museum, Gobustan preserves thousands of prehistoric rock carvings etched into stone by early inhabitants, offering a rare glimpse into life thousands of years ago.

You then visit Bibi-Heybat Mosque, one of the most significant monuments of Islamic architecture in Azerbaijan, before continuing along the Absheron Peninsula - a landscape deeply connected to the country’s ancient fire-worship traditions. Next, you explore Ateshgah, the historic Fire Temple, built above natural gas vents that once fed an eternal flame revered by Zoroastrians. The story of fire continues at Yanardag, the Fire Mountain, where flames still rise naturally from the earth, burning steadily on a hillside near the capital.

In the evening, you return to Baku after a full day of exploration, reflecting on a journey shaped by nature, faith, and ancient history.

Highlights of the Day:

• Mud volcanoes near Gobustan: Visit one of Azerbaijan’s most unusual natural phenomena, where cool mud bubbles gently to the surface in a stark, otherworldly landscape.
• Gobustan National Park (UNESCO): Exploration of an open-air rock art museum overlooking the Caspian Sea, with thousands of prehistoric petroglyphs depicting early human life and rituals.
• Absheron Peninsula – Ateshgah & Yanardag: Discover Azerbaijan’s ancient fire-worship traditions at the Fire Temple and the naturally burning hillside of Yanardag, where flames continuously rise from the earth.

Travel Details: Expected travel distance: ~70 km round trip; Overnight at a hotel in Baku (B / - / -)

The final morning in Baku offers time to reflect on the journey through Azerbaijan. From ancient rock carvings and eternal flames to mountain villages and Silk Road towns, the experiences of the past days come together as a clear and lasting impression.

At the scheduled time, a transfer takes you to Heydar Aliyev International Airport for your departure. You leave with a deeper understanding of the country’s landscapes, traditions, and everyday life encountered along the way. For those wishing to continue, the journey may be extended with a visit to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Travel Details: Transfer to Baku International Airport for departure or to join the extension to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (B / – / –).