Guaranteed Tours – Granitas tour

Home

Day 1 – Arrival in Baku

Arrival at Heydar Aliyev International Airport. Meet and greet with your representative and transfer to your hotel.

After check-in, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 2 – Baku City Tour & Old City Experience

Discover Baku, where modern architecture blends seamlessly with centuries of history.

Start with panoramic views from Highland Park, overlooking the Caspian Sea and the iconic Flame Towers. Continue to the Heydar Aliyev Center, a masterpiece of modern architecture designed by Zaha Hadid.

Enjoy a carefully selected gastronomic lunch before entering the Old City, where guests will be introduced to traditional Azerbaijani cuisine, including dolma, a dish recognized as part of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Explore the UNESCO-listed Old City (Icherisheher), including the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Walk through its historic streets filled with mosques, caravanserais, and artisan shops.

During your time in the Old City, enjoy a traditional samovar tea table featuring local sweets such as pakhlava and homemade jams. The tea is prepared in a traditional style, often infused with local herbs and spices such as thyme and cloves, creating a rich and aromatic flavor.

Continue along Baku Boulevard and visit the Carpet Museum, where guests will be introduced to the Azerbaijani carpet weaving tradition, recognized as part of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. During the visit, observe the intricate craftsmanship and, when available, a live demonstration of traditional weaving techniques.

In the evening, enjoy a special dinner at the Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant, where traditional Azerbaijani cuisine is presented in a refined setting.

The evening is accompanied by a live performance of traditional Azerbaijani mugham music, inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Guests will experience authentic sounds performed with traditional instruments such as tar and kamancha, also recognized within Azerbaijan’s musical heritage, along with traditional percussion instruments.

Day 3 – Gobustan & Absheron Heritage Experience

Begin the day with a visit to the unique mud volcanoes, one of Azerbaijan’s most remarkable natural phenomena, where guests can experience this unusual landscape up close.

Continue to Gobustan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient rock carvings dating back thousands of years. Explore the petroglyphs that reflect early human life and beliefs.

On the way back, visit the historic Bibi-Heybat Mosque, followed by a stop at the First Oil Well, marking the beginning of the world’s industrial oil production.

Enjoy a lunch featuring fresh fish dishes from the Caspian region, offering a unique taste of Azerbaijan’s coastal culinary traditions.

In the afternoon, explore the Absheron Peninsula, including the Ateshgah Fire Temple, historically associated with fire worship and ancient trade routes.

Continue to Yanardag, the natural eternal flame that has been burning for centuries.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, where guests will observe a live demonstration of traditional Azerbaijani cooking, including the preparation of kebabs and qutab.

Day 4 – Shamakhi, Lahij & Sheki Journey

Depart from Baku in the morning (around 08:00) and travel towards the western regions of Azerbaijan.

Your first stop is Juma Mosque Shamakhi, one of the oldest mosques in the Caucasus, reflecting the country’s deep historical and spiritual heritage.

Continue to Lahij, a historic mountain village renowned for its traditional copper craftsmanship. Walk through its stone-paved streets and observe local artisans at work, preserving centuries-old techniques passed down through generations. This visit offers a rare insight into one of Azerbaijan’s most authentic mountain communities, where traditional crafts and lifestyle have been preserved for centuries.

Please note: The visit to Lahij is subject to weather conditions and road accessibility.

Proceed to the Gabala region and visit Nohur Lake, a scenic spot surrounded by mountains.

Enjoy a late lunch combined with a wine tasting experience at Savalan ASPI Winery, where guests will discover local wines and regional flavors.

In the afternoon, visit Nij Village, home to the Udi people, considered descendants of ancient Caucasian Albania, offering a unique cultural insight.

Continue to Sheki in the evening.

Dinner in Sheki featuring traditional local cuisine, including the famous piti dish.

Overnight in Sheki.

Day 5 – Sheki Heritage & Return to Baku

Sheki is considered one of the most culturally rich regions of Azerbaijan, known for its unique architecture, craftsmanship, and historical significance along the Silk Road.

Begin the day with a visit to Kish Church, an ancient Albanian church reflecting the early Christian heritage of the region.

Continue to a local guesthouse for an authentic cultural experience. Guests will enjoy a traditional samovar tea table accompanied by local sweets, including the famous Sheki halva.

During the visit, observe the preparation of traditional bread in a tandoor oven, reflecting ancient culinary techniques associated with the UNESCO-recognized lavash bread tradition shared across the region.

Proceed with a Sheki city tour, including the historic center and key landmarks of one of Azerbaijan’s most charming regions.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional cuisine.

In the afternoon, depart for Baku.

Day 6 – Departure

Breakfast at the hotel.

Check-out and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Inclusions

Accommodation in selected hotels (4* / 5*)
All meals included with curated gastronomic experiences
Wine tasting experience
Cultural experiences and demonstrations (tea ceremony, bread-making, cooking demonstration)
Professional English-speaking guide
All transfers and transportation
Entrance fees to all mentioned sites
All experiences and activities as described in the program

Exclusions

International flights
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Early check-in / late check-out
Visa (if required)

Day 1 – Arrival in Baku (Azerbaijan)

Meet and greet at Baku International Airport. Transfer to the hotel and check-in. Free time to rest after your international flight. Overnight in Baku.

Day 2 – Ancient Petroglyphs & Baku City Highlights

Begin your journey with a visit to the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape (UNESCO), home to over 6,000 prehistoric carvings. Then explore the mud volcanoes — a rare natural wonder.
Visit the Bibi Heybat Mosque and the world’s first industrial oil well.
Afternoon Baku sightseeing:

Azerbaijan Carpet Museum
Mugham Center
Little Venice & Baku Boulevard
Highland Park with panoramic views of the Flame Towers
Continue to the Old City (UNESCO) including the Maiden Tower and Shirvanshah Palace.

Day 3 – Absheron Peninsula & Village Life

Visit the futuristic Heydar Aliyev Center, a symbol of modern Baku.
Then explore the sacred Ateshgah Fire Temple, followed by the Gala Ethnographic Museum showcasing traditional Azerbaijani life.
Stop by the eternal flames of Yanardagh and stroll through the colorful restored alleys of Balakhany Village, famous for murals and historic homes.

Day 4 – Silk Road Heritage: Shamakhi – Lahij – Sheki

Drive to Shamakhi, former capital of the Shirvanshah dynasty.
Visit:

Diri Baba Mausoleum, carved into rock
Yeddi Gumbaz tombs, resting place of ancient rulers
Kelekhana Tombs, silent witnesses of medieval grandeur
Continue to Lahij Village, renowned for its copper artisans and cobblestone streets (weather permitting).
Arrive in Sheki, visit a Kelaghayi silk scarf workshop (UNESCO), a symbol of Azerbaijani culture.
Overnight in Sheki.

Day 5 – From Sheki to Georgia’s Wine Country

Visit Kish Village, home to the oldest Christian church in the Caucasus, and the elegant Sheki Khan Palace (UNESCO).
After lunch, cross the Azerbaijan–Georgia border via Lagodekhi.
In the Kakheti wine region, enjoy a tasting at the legendary Khareba Winery, built inside a mountain.
Visit Gremi Fortress and continue to Telavi, the heart of Kakheti. Overnight in Telavi.

Day 6 – Romantic Georgia: Signaghi & Tbilisi

Explore Signaghi, Georgia’s “City of Love,” with its 18th-century fortress walls and cobbled streets.
Visit Bodbe Monastery, the resting place of Saint Nino.
Later, explore the Tsinandali Estate, the former home of Georgian nobility, featuring a historic wine cellar and lush garden.
Drive to Tbilisi for overnight.

Day 7 – Capitals & Cathedrals: Tbilisi & Mtskheta

Begin the day with a Tbilisi city tour:

Narikala Fortress
Peace Bridge
Sulfur Bath District
Sameba Cathedral
In the afternoon, visit Mtskheta (UNESCO), Georgia’s ancient spiritual capital. See Jvari Monastery and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.
Return to Tbilisi for final overnight.

Day 8 – Departure

Transfer to Tbilisi International Airport for your return flight. Farewell and end of services.

Day 1 – Arrival & Baku City Tour

06:45 – Arrival at Baku International Airport
Meet and greet. Transfer to a local restaurant for breakfast.

10:00 – Full-day tour starts:

Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape (UNESCO)
Mud Volcanoes
Bibi-Heybat Mosque and the First Oil Well in the world

Afternoon sightseeing tour:

Flag Square, Carpet Museum, Mugham Center
Little Venice, Baku Boulevard, Highland Park, Flame Towers
Walking tour of the Old City (UNESCO): Maiden Tower, caravanserais, mosques, Shirvanshah Palace, etc.
Tea table experience with local sweets

Overnight in Baku.

Day 2 – Fire Temples & Village Heritage

Heydar Aliyev Center
Ateshgah Fire Temple
Gala Ethnographic Museum
Yanardagh (Burning Mountain)
Balakhany Village

Overnight in Baku.

Day 3 – Mountains & Cultural Villages

Candy Cane Mountains photo stop
Beshbarmag Mountain
Visit Khinalig Village (UNESCO-listed transhumance route)
Return to Baku in the evening.
Overnight in Baku.

Day 4 – Shamakhi, Lahij & Udi Village – Transfer to Sheki

After breakfast, depart for Shamakhi:

Visit Diri Baba Mausoleum, Yeddi Gumbaz Tombs, Kelekhana Tombs, and the Juma Mosque
Continue to Lahij Village (weather and road condition permitting) for copper craftsmanship experience.
Visit Nij Udi Village, home of the Caucasian Albanian Christian community.
Drive to Sheki and visit a Kelaghayi Silk Scarf Workshop (UNESCO Intangible Heritage).
Overnight in Sheki Marxal Hotel 5★.

Day 5 – Sheki Highlights & Return to Baku

Morning visit to:

Kish Village and the Old Albanian Church
Sheki Khan Palace (UNESCO)
Shebeke glass workshop
Sheki Halva tasting experience

Return to Baku in the afternoon. Overnight in Baku.

Day 6 – Departure

Transfer to Baku International Airport for departure.
End of services.

Day 1 – Arrival & Baku City Wonders

06:45 – Arrival at Baku International Airport.
Meet and greet by your guide. Transfer to a local restaurant for breakfast.

10:00 – Start full-day tour:

Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape (UNESCO)
Mud Volcanoes
Bibi-Heybat Mosque and the first industrial oil well in the world

Afternoon sightseeing tour:

Flag Square, Carpet Museum, Mugham Center
Little Venice, Baku Boulevard, Highland Park, Flame Towers
Walking tour of the Old City (UNESCO): Maiden Tower, caravanserais, mosques, Shirvanshah Palace, and more
Enjoy a traditional tea table with local sweets

Overnight in Baku.

Day 2 – Fire Temples & Ethnographic Discoveries

Visit the iconic Heydar Aliyev Center
Continue to the Ateshgah Fire Temple
Explore the Gala Ethnographic Museum
Witness the natural flames at Yanardagh (Burning Mountain)
End the day walking through the historic Balakhany Village, with its colorful murals and restored buildings

Overnight in Baku.

Day 3 – Mountains, Villages & UNESCO Landscapes

After breakfast, depart Baku for a scenic mountain day:

Stop at the colorful Candy Cane Mountains for photos
Drive past Beshbarmag Mountain, a spiritual pilgrimage site
Visit the remote highland village of Khinalig, part of the UNESCO-listed Cultural Landscape of Khinalig and the Transhumance Route
Walk through this ancient mountain community and enjoy panoramic views of the Greater Caucasus

Return to Baku in the evening. Overnight in Baku.

Day 4 – Departure

Transfer to Baku International Airport for your return flight.

Day 1 – Arrival & Baku City Wonders

06:45 – Arrival at Baku International Airport.
Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to a local restaurant for breakfast.
At 10:00, begin your full-day guided tour:

Morning Program:

Visit the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape (UNESCO)
Explore the unique Mud Volcanoes
Visit the historic Bibi-Heybat Mosque and the site of the world’s first industrial oil well

Afternoon Baku Sightseeing Tour:

Flag Square – symbol of national pride
Azerbaijan Carpet Museum – modern building shaped like a rolled carpet
Mugham Center, Little Venice, and Baku Boulevard
Highland Park with panoramic views of the Flame Towers

Old City Tour (UNESCO-listed Icherisheher):

Maiden Tower, Shirvanshah Palace, mosques, caravanserais, and hidden alleys of medieval Baku
End with a traditional tea table with local sweets (pakhlava, shekerbura)

Return to hotel for overnight stay in Baku.

Day 2 – Fire Temples & Village Heritage

Visit the Heydar Aliyev Center, an architectural icon of modern Azerbaijan.
Continue to explore the Absheron Peninsula:

Ateshgah Fire Temple, a sacred site of ancient fire worship
Gala Ethnographic Museum, showcasing Azerbaijani village life, crafts, and heritage
Yanardagh (Burning Mountain) – a natural gas fire blazing from the hillside
Balakhany Village – walk through restored cobbled streets and colorful murals of Baku’s oldest oil village

Return to Baku for overnight stay.