7N/8T
Amazing Quba and Azerbaijan: Grand Caucasus Circuit
3N Baku + 2N Quba + 1N Gabala + 1N Sheki
Inbegriffene Leistungen
Mahlzeiten
Hotels
Transfers
Übersicht
Experience the complete diversity of Azerbaijan on this extraordinary 8-day expedition with SkyGlobals. Explore the vibrant capital of Baku, admiring the futuristic architecture of the Heydar Aliyev Center, the LED spectacle of the Flame Towers from Highland Park, and the ancient stone alleys of the UNESCO-listed Icherisheher (Old City). Discover prehistoric petroglyphs and bubbling mud craters at Gobustan, the sacred hearth of the Ateshgah Fire Temple, and the natural burning hillside of Yanar Dag. Journey north to Quba to visit the unique Mountain Jewish settlement of Krasnaya Sloboda and take an exhilarating 4x4 mountain expedition up to Khinalug Village, an ancient settlement perched 2,350 meters sheer in the clouds. Cross into the resort heartland of Gabala to ride the Tufandag Mountain cable car and visit the Seven Beauties Waterfall, then continue to the ancient Silk Road haven of Sheki to marvel at the stained-glass Shebeke windows of Sheki Khan's Palace and the historic stone Caravanserai. Complete with verified hotels, private chauffeured transport, 4x4 mountain transfers, and all entry tickets, this package delivers the definitive Azerbaijani grand tour.
Reiseverlauf
1
Morning / Afternoon: Land at Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD). Meet your private chauffeur outside the arrivals terminal exit. Transfer via private AC vehicle to your hotel in central Baku. Check in, unpack, and freshen up.
04:30 PM – 07:00 PM (Icherisheher UNESCO Old City): Enter through the medieval double fortress gates into Baku’s historical center. Walk through cobblestone alleys flanked by 15th-century sandstone architecture, ancient hammams, and artisan shops. Stand before the cylindrical stone ramparts of the Maiden Tower (Giz Galasi).
07:30 PM – 09:30 PM (Baku Boulevard & Dinner): Stroll along the seaside Baku Boulevard, admiring views of the Caspian waterfront and illuminated skyscrapers. Enjoy an authentic Azerbaijani welcome dinner featuring fresh lamb qutabs, grilled kebabs, and pilaf. Overnight stay in Baku.
04:30 PM – 07:00 PM (Icherisheher UNESCO Old City): Enter through the medieval double fortress gates into Baku’s historical center. Walk through cobblestone alleys flanked by 15th-century sandstone architecture, ancient hammams, and artisan shops. Stand before the cylindrical stone ramparts of the Maiden Tower (Giz Galasi).
07:30 PM – 09:30 PM (Baku Boulevard & Dinner): Stroll along the seaside Baku Boulevard, admiring views of the Caspian waterfront and illuminated skyscrapers. Enjoy an authentic Azerbaijani welcome dinner featuring fresh lamb qutabs, grilled kebabs, and pilaf. Overnight stay in Baku.
2
09:30 AM – 11:30 AM (Heydar Aliyev Center): Visit the architectural masterpiece designed by Zaha Hadid. Marvel at its fluid, curved white envelope that eliminates sharp angles, and capture keepsake photos in front of the "I Love Baku" sign on the manicured lawns.
12:00 PM – 02:00 PM (Baku National Museum of History): Tour the museum housed inside the 19th-century Italian Renaissance mansion of philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, viewing ancient Caucasian archaeological artifacts, numismatics, and restored imperial halls.
02:30 PM – 05:30 PM (Fountain Square & Nizami Street): Walk pedestrian-only Nizami Street (Torgovaya), admiring late-19th-century oil-boom architecture, browsing boutique shops, and relaxing at outdoor cafes.
06:00 PM – 07:30 PM (Baku Eye & Seaside Park): Board an enclosed cabin on the 60-meter Baku Ferris Wheel (Baku Eye) on the seaside promenade for panoramic sunset views across the Caspian harbor and the glowing Flame Towers. Overnight stay in Baku.
12:00 PM – 02:00 PM (Baku National Museum of History): Tour the museum housed inside the 19th-century Italian Renaissance mansion of philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, viewing ancient Caucasian archaeological artifacts, numismatics, and restored imperial halls.
02:30 PM – 05:30 PM (Fountain Square & Nizami Street): Walk pedestrian-only Nizami Street (Torgovaya), admiring late-19th-century oil-boom architecture, browsing boutique shops, and relaxing at outdoor cafes.
06:00 PM – 07:30 PM (Baku Eye & Seaside Park): Board an enclosed cabin on the 60-meter Baku Ferris Wheel (Baku Eye) on the seaside promenade for panoramic sunset views across the Caspian harbor and the glowing Flame Towers. Overnight stay in Baku.
3
09:00 AM – 11:30 AM (Gobustan Historical-Artistic Reserve): Drive 65 km south along the Caspian coastline. Tour the interactive Gobustan Museum before exploring open-air limestone shelters to view UNESCO-listed prehistoric rock art and petroglyphs (dating back 5,000 to 40,000 years).
11:45 AM – 01:15 PM (Mud Volcanoes by 4x4 Lada Niva): Switch into rugged Soviet 4x4 Lada Niva cars to climb the clay ridges of Dashgil. Walk among cold, bubbling mineral mud cones and crater pools in an otherworldly terrain.
01:45 PM – 03:00 PM: Return to central Baku for lunch.
03:45 PM – 05:15 PM (Ateshgah Fire Temple): Drive northeast onto the Absheron Peninsula to the 17th-century castle-temple in Surakhani. Tour the stone cells where ancient Zoroastrian, Hindu, and Sikh Silk Road travelers worshipped eternal natural gas flames burning at the central altar.
05:45 PM – 07:15 PM (Yanar Dag - Burning Mountain): Head to Yanar Dag in Mammadli to witness the 10-meter natural gas fire that has burned continuously along the sandstone hillside for decades, especially striking at dusk. Return to the hotel by 08:30 PM. Overnight stay in Baku.
11:45 AM – 01:15 PM (Mud Volcanoes by 4x4 Lada Niva): Switch into rugged Soviet 4x4 Lada Niva cars to climb the clay ridges of Dashgil. Walk among cold, bubbling mineral mud cones and crater pools in an otherworldly terrain.
01:45 PM – 03:00 PM: Return to central Baku for lunch.
03:45 PM – 05:15 PM (Ateshgah Fire Temple): Drive northeast onto the Absheron Peninsula to the 17th-century castle-temple in Surakhani. Tour the stone cells where ancient Zoroastrian, Hindu, and Sikh Silk Road travelers worshipped eternal natural gas flames burning at the central altar.
05:45 PM – 07:15 PM (Yanar Dag - Burning Mountain): Head to Yanar Dag in Mammadli to witness the 10-meter natural gas fire that has burned continuously along the sandstone hillside for decades, especially striking at dusk. Return to the hotel by 08:30 PM. Overnight stay in Baku.
4
08:30 AM (Check-Out & Northward Highway Drive): Board your private vehicle and journey north toward the Greater Caucasus along the modern M1 highway (170 km / 2.5 hrs).
11:00 AM – 01:00 PM (Quba City Orientation & Krasnaya Sloboda):
Krasnaya Sloboda (Red Settlement): Cross the Kudyalchay River bridge to visit the world's only entirely Mountain Jewish town outside of Israel and the US, exploring its distinctive red-roofed mansions and active synagogues.
Juma Mosque & Sakina Khanum Mosque: View the 19th-century octagonal red-brick Juma Mosque with its 16-meter central dome.
02:00 PM – 04:00 PM (Traditional Carpet Weaving Workshop): Visit an authentic carpet cooperative in Quba to observe master artisans hand-knotting intricate "Chichi" and "Pirabadil" geometric wool rugs, a heritage recognized on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Late Afternoon: Check into your mountain resort in Quba (Quba Palace Hotel or Park Chalet Shahdag). Savor an authentic dinner of lamb saj and local apple pastries. Overnight stay in Quba.
11:00 AM – 01:00 PM (Quba City Orientation & Krasnaya Sloboda):
Krasnaya Sloboda (Red Settlement): Cross the Kudyalchay River bridge to visit the world's only entirely Mountain Jewish town outside of Israel and the US, exploring its distinctive red-roofed mansions and active synagogues.
Juma Mosque & Sakina Khanum Mosque: View the 19th-century octagonal red-brick Juma Mosque with its 16-meter central dome.
02:00 PM – 04:00 PM (Traditional Carpet Weaving Workshop): Visit an authentic carpet cooperative in Quba to observe master artisans hand-knotting intricate "Chichi" and "Pirabadil" geometric wool rugs, a heritage recognized on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Late Afternoon: Check into your mountain resort in Quba (Quba Palace Hotel or Park Chalet Shahdag). Savor an authentic dinner of lamb saj and local apple pastries. Overnight stay in Quba.
5
08:30 AM – 12:30 PM (4x4 Expedition to Khinalug Village): Board dedicated high-clearance 4x4 vehicles for an ascent into the alpine wilderness of Shahdag National Park. Drive along the river canyon to Khinalug Village (2,350 m):
Walk the steep stone terraces where flat-roofed stone houses are stacked directly upon one another like steps.
Meet local villagers speaking the ancient, isolated Kets language, and visit the village ethnographic museum and historical shrines.
01:30 PM – 03:00 PM (Mountain Lunch): Enjoy a rustic alpine lunch prepared by a local family, featuring fresh mountain cheeses, tandoor bread, and herbal mountain thyme tea.
04:00 PM – 05:30 PM (Quba Genocide Memorial Complex): On the return to town, visit the subterranean memorial complex designed with sharp, pyramid-like stone structures commemorating the victims of the tragic 1918 events.
Evening: Stroll through local apple and cherry orchards (seasonal). Overnight stay in Quba.
Walk the steep stone terraces where flat-roofed stone houses are stacked directly upon one another like steps.
Meet local villagers speaking the ancient, isolated Kets language, and visit the village ethnographic museum and historical shrines.
01:30 PM – 03:00 PM (Mountain Lunch): Enjoy a rustic alpine lunch prepared by a local family, featuring fresh mountain cheeses, tandoor bread, and herbal mountain thyme tea.
04:00 PM – 05:30 PM (Quba Genocide Memorial Complex): On the return to town, visit the subterranean memorial complex designed with sharp, pyramid-like stone structures commemorating the victims of the tragic 1918 events.
Evening: Stroll through local apple and cherry orchards (seasonal). Overnight stay in Quba.
6
08:00 AM (Check-Out & Scenic Drive to Gabala): Depart Quba for the scenic highway drive across the forested foothills of the Greater Caucasus (approx. 280 km / 4.5 hrs via the Shamakhi highway).
01:30 PM – 03:30 PM (Tufandag Mountain Resort): Arrive in Gabala. Board the multi-stage ropeway cable car at Tufandag, ascending through mountain pine forests to high panoramic platforms for aerial views over the Caucasus valleys.
04:00 PM – 05:30 PM (Yeddi Gozel - Seven Beauties Waterfall): Drive into the mountain gorge of Vandam. Walk shaded wooden staircases beside mountain streams cascading down multi-tiered rock faces.
06:00 PM: Check into your resort in Gabala (Gabala Garden Hotel / Qafqaz Riverside). Unwind in the spa or heated pool amidst crisp mountain air. Overnight stay in Gabala.
01:30 PM – 03:30 PM (Tufandag Mountain Resort): Arrive in Gabala. Board the multi-stage ropeway cable car at Tufandag, ascending through mountain pine forests to high panoramic platforms for aerial views over the Caucasus valleys.
04:00 PM – 05:30 PM (Yeddi Gozel - Seven Beauties Waterfall): Drive into the mountain gorge of Vandam. Walk shaded wooden staircases beside mountain streams cascading down multi-tiered rock faces.
06:00 PM: Check into your resort in Gabala (Gabala Garden Hotel / Qafqaz Riverside). Unwind in the spa or heated pool amidst crisp mountain air. Overnight stay in Gabala.
7
09:00 AM (Drive to Sheki - 90 km / 1.5 hrs): Drive northwest along the mountain foothills to the historic Silk Road mountain town of Sheki.
10:30 AM – 01:00 PM (Sheki Khan's Palace & History Museum): Tour the 18th-century summer palace of the Sheki Khans. Marvel at the intricate Shebeke wooden lattice windows fitted with thousands of vibrant pieces of Venetian stained glass assembled without nails or glue, alongside opulent ceiling frescoes depicting hunting and battle scenes. Visit the Sheki Museum of History.
01:30 PM – 03:00 PM: Savor an authentic lunch of Piti (slow-cooked chickpea and lamb stew served in individual clay pots).
03:30 PM – 05:30 PM (Sheki Karavansaray & Old Town): Visit the authentic 18th-century stone Yukhari Karavansaray, where Silk Road merchants and camel caravans historically lodged. Stroll through the cobblestone market quarters to browse handmade copper crafts, ceramic pottery, and silk kelaghayi scarves. Sample the famous local dessert, Sheki Halva. Overnight stay in Sheki.
10:30 AM – 01:00 PM (Sheki Khan's Palace & History Museum): Tour the 18th-century summer palace of the Sheki Khans. Marvel at the intricate Shebeke wooden lattice windows fitted with thousands of vibrant pieces of Venetian stained glass assembled without nails or glue, alongside opulent ceiling frescoes depicting hunting and battle scenes. Visit the Sheki Museum of History.
01:30 PM – 03:00 PM: Savor an authentic lunch of Piti (slow-cooked chickpea and lamb stew served in individual clay pots).
03:30 PM – 05:30 PM (Sheki Karavansaray & Old Town): Visit the authentic 18th-century stone Yukhari Karavansaray, where Silk Road merchants and camel caravans historically lodged. Stroll through the cobblestone market quarters to browse handmade copper crafts, ceramic pottery, and silk kelaghayi scarves. Sample the famous local dessert, Sheki Halva. Overnight stay in Sheki.
8
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Check out by 09:30 AM.
10:00 AM – 03:00 PM (Scenic Return Drive to Baku - 300 km / 4.5 hrs): Board your private vehicle for the highway transit back across Shamakhi to Baku.
03:30 PM – 05:00 PM (Baku Carpet Museum & Final Shopping): If flight schedule permits, stop along Baku Boulevard to visit the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, built in the shape of a giant rolled carpet, or pick up local saffron, caviar, and tea blends at the market.
Airport Drop-Off: Prompt private transfer to Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) in time for your international departure flight home.
10:00 AM – 03:00 PM (Scenic Return Drive to Baku - 300 km / 4.5 hrs): Board your private vehicle for the highway transit back across Shamakhi to Baku.
03:30 PM – 05:00 PM (Baku Carpet Museum & Final Shopping): If flight schedule permits, stop along Baku Boulevard to visit the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, built in the shape of a giant rolled carpet, or pick up local saffron, caviar, and tea blends at the market.
Airport Drop-Off: Prompt private transfer to Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) in time for your international departure flight home.
