Caspian and Great Silk Road Adventures: Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan
Discover the history and the cultural heritage of Azerbaijan with optional extension to Turkmenistan
The Great Silk Road is considered one of the most remarkable achievements of the ancient civilizations. For the first time in the history of mankind it has connected different countries and nations from the Mediterranean to the Pacific Ocean, has combined their material, art and spiritual cultures. For many centuries on this route people were interchanging handicrafts, technologies, ideas and beliefs. Besides Central Asia the routes of the Silk Road also passed through the Caucasus, where an important role plays the small country of Azerbaijan. The country was chosen to be a transport corridor because it could provide safe and profitable passage of the caravans. In particular the talented and hardworking Azeri craftsmen had many goods to offer to foreign merchants and the land itself had abundant natural resources.
We invite you to make a tour of this Northern part of the Great Silk Road, where you will get ample knowledge and memorable impressions and you will see at first hand the grandeur of achievements of human civilization. For the adventurers the tour to magnificent Azerbaijan will continue with a sailing along the Caspian Sea and exploring of two other interesting countries along the Great Silk Road: Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Tour Highlights:
♦ Baku - the Walled City of Baku is under UNESCOs protection
♦ Sheki – this small city boasts cultural and historic monuments that reveal a 2700-year old history of Azerbaijan
♦ Gobustan – famous for its petroglyphs and bizarre landscape
Itinerary:
Day 1. Departure from your own country and according to the flight you might arrive same day or very early next morning.
Day 2. Baku
After breakfast we will visit the Martyrs’ Alley memorial, then we will have sightseeing in the Old City with buildings from 15th-16th c. The program includes a visit to the Carpet Museum and the mansions of the oil barons from 19th c. At the end of the sightseeing tour we will enjoy a boat tour in Baku Bay.
Day 3. Baku - Absheron Peninsula - Shamakhy - Lahij
After breakfast transfer to Absheron Peninsula. We will visit a Zoroastrian Fire Temple, the Qala State Historical-Ethnographic Preserve and Yanardaq Fire Mountains. We continue to Shamakhy to see the mosque and the mausoleum complex. The trip ends at Lahij - a mountain settlement of national craft, where we will overnight at private homes.
Day 4. Lahij - Sheki - Kish - Sheki
Sightseeing in Lahij, where you will get acquainted with the craft of carpet making. The program continues with sightseeing in Sheki with visit to the Khan’s palace from 18th c., the fortifications and the caravanserais in the old city. Drive to Kish, where you will visit the oldest church in the Caucasus and the Albanian castle. Back to Sheki. Overnight in Sheki in an old caravanserai building.
Day 5. Sheki - Ganja - Baku
From Sheki drive to Ganja, second largest city in Azerbaijan. Walk in the city with a visit to the historical-architectural complex in the center. Excursion to Goygol city (about 10 km from Ganja) for a visit of the former German colony of Helenendorf. Late evening arrival to Baku and accommodation at a hotel.
Day 6. Baku - Gobustan - Baku
Travel along the Caspian Sea shore (about 65 km) to the volcanic desert south of Baku. Gobustan is famous for its rock carvings from the Stone Age, depicting customs of the ancient tribes, hunting scenes, dances etc. You will also enjoy amazing landscape of mud volcanoes, which provide a quasi-lunar horizon. On the way back to Baku you will have the chance to observe the large offshore oil platforms.
Day 7. Departure
For those, who have chosen to visit only Azerbaijan there will be transport to the airport for departure. Those, who have chosen extension to Turkmenistan (or/and Uzbekistan) will be transported to the harbour, where you will take the ferry from Baku to Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan.
Extension in Turkmenistan:
Day 7. The ferry tour will take about 12-14 hours to reach Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan provided the weather conditions are good. After settlement of all border and custom formalities transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Day 8. Turkmenbashi - Ashgabat
After breakfast transfer to Ashgabat. The drive will take about 6-7 hours. Arrival to the city, accommodation at a hotel and free time.
Day 9. Departure
Early transfer to the airport in Ashgabat for departure.
Those, who would like to explore more of Turkmenistan and visit Uzbekistan as well, please read the program in the link below - The Great Silk Road (Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan)
Included in the price: ►Accommodation in a double room at a 3-star hotel in Baku, 2-star hotel in Sheki (old caravanserai building) and private home in Lahij with breakfast ►transport and entrance fees according to program ►English speaking tour leader throughout the tour and local English speaking guide ►a small bottle of water throughout the tour
Not included: ►Flight tickets ►visas to Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan►tips ►alcohol drinks ►other personal expenses ►fees for taking photos, where required ►meals not mention in the program ► insurance
Price of extra services: ►Single room supplement: 200 EUR ►Ticket to the ferry Baku - Turkmenbashi: 90 EUR ►Extension in Turkmenistan: 245 EUR / Single room: 60 EUR. The price in Turkmenistan includes 1 night at 4* hotel in Turkmenbashi, BB, 1 night at 4* hotel in Ashgabat, BB; transport Turkmenbashi - Ashgabat, transfer from the hotel to the airport in Ashgabat, visa invitation letter.
Visa: Visa to Azerbaijan should be obtained in advance. Please, contact the local embassy in your country. We will assist you with visa invitation. Visa to Turkmenistan will be obtained at Turkmenbashi upon arrival against presentation of visa invitation letter. Please, send to us a coloured scanned copy of your passport in advance in order to get this letter.
Good to know: The ferry between Baku and Turkmenbashi is mainly a cargo ship, so do not expect a ship with a lot of passenger comfort. It doesn't have exact schedule of departure. This means that you might wait for a few hours until the ferry is loaded and depending on the weather conditions before you leave for Turkmenistan. Bring your own food as the food onboard might be overpriced and maybe not to your taste. Bring USD in cash.
Recommended travel period of the year: spring, autumn
Vacation Extensions:
The Great Silk Road (Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan)
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