Azerbaijan is one of the first sites of prehistoric humans’ habitations. It possesses the rich cultural heritage: more than 7,500 natural, archaeological, architectural and historical monuments. Thos Heyerdahl, Norwegian archeologist and historian who is mostly known as “Kon-tiki Man”, proposes that Azerbaijan was the site of an ancient advanced civilization from which people migrated to Northern Europe several millennia ago. You will travel back in time to have a look at the habits and traditions of Azerbaijani people who lived few centuries ago.

1^st Day: Arrival to Baku, meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel, check in (14:00). Free time.

2^nd Day: Breakfast at the hotel. Pick-up at 10:00 am. 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.

Not far from Gobustan there is a second miracle that will amaze you no less than the prehistoric drawings on the rocks – these are Mud Volcanoes. NASA geologists have concluded that they are similar in structure to the hills on the planet Mars. Azerbaijan ranks first in terms of the number of mud volcanoes: 350 out of 800 mud volcanoes in the world are located here, one of which is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest in the world.

On the way back to Baku you will stop next to the one of the most popular mosques in Baku. Built in the 13th century by Shirvanshah Farrukhzad II Ibn Ahsitan II, Bibi Heybat Mosque was completely destroyed by the Bolsheviks in 1936 and restored later in the end of the 20th century. It includes the shrine of Ukeyma Khanum (a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad) and today is the spiritual center for the Muslims of the region and one of the major monuments of Islamic architecture in Azerbaijan.

In the end of the tour you will 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 and have a close look at the famous landmark of the city Flame Towers Baku. The surface of the Towers is fully covered with LED screens which reflect different visual characters in motion, easily visible from the far corners of the city.

Lunch time.

Free time suggestions:

• Pedestrian Nizami (former Torgovaya) Street – old trading zone with lots of shops and boutiques
• Fountain Square – most popular public place with many restaurants and shops, main location for public festivals, shows and celebrations
• Park Boulevard Mall – first shopping mall in Baku
• Baku Boulevard – a promenade established in 1909, second largest one in Europe
• Boat trip along Baku Bay (seasonal)
• “I love Baku” sign – place for taking photos near Heydar Aliyev Centre

3^rd Day: Breakfast at the hotel. Check out, transfer to the airport.

Hotel accommodation in Baku at 3* hotel on BB basis

All transportation according to the program, including airport-hotel-airport transfers

English speaking guide

Local insurance

1 bottle of water per person per excursion day

Flight tickets &  visa (if required)

Extras at the hotel, tips at the sites

Tickets to the museums(per person): Gobustan Historical-Artistic Preserve & Museum – 9$ (compulsory). Special off road transport to reach Mud Volcanoes – 9$ per car (4 pax) (compulsory)

Lunches and dinners

• Full payment should be done 3 days prior to arrival.
• Infants (up to 3 y.o.) are free of charge.
• Cancellation more than 3 days before check-in date is free of charge.
• Cancellation less than 3 days before check-in date is subject to 100% charge.

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.

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).

Comfortable shoes are strongly recommended during excursions.