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Baku city tour & IchariShaher (Walking Tour of the Old Town)

Baku sightseeing tour. Over the last 10 years, under the influence of new economic and social conditions, the appearance of Baku has noticeably changed. Today, the city’s look significantly differs from what it was during the Soviet period. The modern city of Baku consists of the Old Town, the downtown, the two residential zones, and the industrial and oil-processing zones. The City Tour places the greatest emphasis on the Old Town, the historical part of the city, which is also a fortress. Most of the walls, strengthened after the Russian conquest in 1806, survive. This section is picturesque, with its maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings. Part of a palace, a mosque, and a minaret date from the 11th century

Sites to visit:

• The Old Town, called IchariShaher in Azerbaijani, extends from the curve of the Baku Bay through the hills behind it, and much of the area is closed to vehicular traffic.
• “Maiden Tower” 9 c., the Complex of Shirvan Shahs’ Palace -15 c. medieval Caravan Saray -15c., medieval Markets square, handmade carpet’s workshop art studio.
• Boat Tour: The Bay of Baku is the natural harbor for Azerbaijan’s capital city and the main port of Baku. It is located in a wide curve on the southern side of the Absheron Peninsula, sheltered by the Baku archipelago. The excursion gives you a great opportunity to have a splendid panoramic view of Baku from the sea, and to see the city’s nice beaches and the bay itself dotted with oil derricks. (In good weather only)
• Private yacht cruising around Baku bay with the beautiful view of the City. Lunch arranged on board.

*Boat tour depends on weather conditions.

Absheron Peninsula -The Land of Fire and Castles

The Absheron Peninsula, an extension of the Caucasus Mountains, juts 35 miles into the Caspian Sea, the largest inland sea in the world, covering 386,400 sq. km. (149,200 sq. miles). The wide plain contains ravines and salt lakes, and some parts are frequently flooded by tides. Vineyards and tea plantations are located here, but the region is particularly noted for its oil deposits.

Sites to visit:

• You will visit the oldest oil producing fields on the Absheron Peninsula, observe the natural gas outlets (Yanar Dag – “Burning Mountain”) and mud volcanoes together with the current on- and offshore fields.
• Tour of the Ateshgyakh Fire-Worshippers’ Temple, 3 hours; (18th century) is located within Greater Baku in the village of Surakhany (9 miles from Baku). The historical roots of the monument go back to the days when Azerbaijan statehood was only taking shape and establishing itself, and Zoroastrianism, the central part in whose ritual is played by fire, was the dominant religion in the country. People worshipped fire, seeking its protection against adversity and oppression and begging it for happiness and wellbeing. These ancient fires arebelieved to have given Azerbaijan its name, which is thought by some researchers to mean “a land of fires.”

Special visits:

• Visiting Noble House (Not open for public)

Includes: Enter to the famous house of the Noble Brothers, see all their lifestyle during their life in Baku. See the first photos of the Oil Boom when the oil was found in Azerbaijan. Enjoy Champagne and Caviar tasting. One of the world’s best black caviar with what Azerbaijan is famous.

• AZERILME Carpet Manufacturing Center / Guests will have a chance to see how carpets are made and all carpet waiving processions. Taking photos and videos with the waiver personal. See different rooms how the nets are made and colored, also show room of ready carpets.

Baku – Shemakhi – Sheki

After breakfast drive to Sheki via Shemakhi.En route Short stop to visit Shemakhi. Upon arrival enjoy Sightseeing tour of Shekhi.

• Diri Baba Mausoleum (15th cc), is a shrine partly built and partly carved on a huge cliff.
• Juma-Mosque (Friday Mosque) of Shemakhi city is the second earliest mosque built in Caucasus (743-744 y)
• Seven Domes- complex of tombs built for Shirvan’s Royal Family in 18th cc.
• A highlight of our afternoon’s explorations will surely be Sheki Shahs Palace, a built as a summer residence in the 18th century; thus is the only remaining structure from the larger splendid complex, once surrounded by the fortress walls.
• Visit a bakery; see how traditional sweets are made; enjoy tea and sweet tasting.
• Enjoy Shebaka Workshop

Lunch en route. Dinner and overnight in Sheki.

Sheki – Lagodekhi – Signagi – Kvareli

After breakfast visit local Bazaar. Drive to Lagodekhi border. Border formalities. Change guide and drive. Continue sightseeing in Georgia.

Explore picturesque and the most fertile part of Georgia - Kakheti, which borders the Great Caucasus range from the north Alazani Valley, summits of which are over 3,000 m. This region is known as a birthplace of viticulture and wine- making. Enjoy breath-taking views of Kizikhi area and unusual Charm of Signagi Royal Town. Have a walk in narrow streets of the town in shadow of wooden balconies richly decorated with the lace of carved ornaments.

Sites to visit:

• Signagi Royal Town
• Bodbe Nunnery complex

Lunch with wine tasting at a winery Pheasant’s Tears.

Dinner and Overnight at Kvareli Eden Spa.

Optional:

• Wine spa treatments are available at Hotel Kvarel Eden

Kvareli – Tsinandaly – Tbilisi

After breakfast continue sightseeing of Kakheti – The land of wine. The history, culture and lifestyle of Georgians are embodied in Georgian wine. It is a symbol of Georgian hospitality, friendship, tolerance and a key to the mystery of Georgian longevity.

Sites to visit:

• Gremi Architectural Complex;
• Tsinandaly Family Estate,
• Alaverdi Cathedral 11th cc.

For lunch be a guest of a local family; Enjoy lunch with variety of home-made dishes and home-made wines. In the yard will be arranged village corner with bread baking and traditional sweet “Churchkhela” making; Drive to Tbilisi via Gombori Pass. Check in at Hotel. Introduction of Old Tbilisi with a glass of Georgian Sparkling wine from the terrace of the restaurant “Kopala”; Dinner at a restaurant. Overnight at hotel

Full day Tbilisi sightseeing program

Here myth and history, culture and traditions, diverse nature and hospitable people; all intermingle with one another, inspired poetry, polyphonic songs and elegant dancing. A blend of cultures, a smell of spices, different nations meeting on street corners, different faiths sharing the same courtyards - this is Tbilisi, the city that has been dominated by traders, warriors, tyrants and dictators in turn. Take a walk around the old town and breathe in the living past.

Sites to visit:

• The district of Sulphur bath houses; Sioni Cathedral (7th -19th cc); Holly Trinity Cathedral – 2004; walking tout along Rustaveli Avenue. Visit Janashia State museum of History and its treasury.

Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Optional:

• Aperitif before lunch at EleneAkhvlediani House museum; here in typical atmosphere of traditional Georgian house-studio, which once was a favourite meeting place of painters, artists and public figures, will be specially organized aperitif and classic Trio Concert;
• Evening event at Tbilisi Sulfur bathhouses; Here guests will be treated by excellent massage and will be offered tee and fruit.

Toward the peaks of Caucasus Mountain Range: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Chateau Mukhraani – Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)

In order to see the high peaks, roaring rivers and mountain lifestyle of Georgia’s northern borderlands we will travel towards Mtiuleti and Khevi provinces via one of the oldest roads in Georgia, which the Russian Tsar Alexander I named the Georgian Military Highway.

Sites to visit:

• Explore Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns and the cultural and religious center of Georgia. It was the capital of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the third century BC. Located at the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers Mtskheta was a crossroad of many trade routes. Today it is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a living museum, with many architectural and historical monuments: Jvati Church; Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
• Drive north, towards the high peaks of Caucasus Mountain range. En route visit Ananuri Architectural complex overlooking Jinvali Dum.

Lunch en route; Dinner and overnight at Hotel Rooms in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)

Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) – Tbilisi

After breakfast enjoys 4wd adventure to visit Gergety Trinity Cathedral beautifully located on the slope of Mount Kazbek – a spent volcano soaring to the height of 5047 m above sea level. Enjoy short walking tour in picturesque Truso Gorge, littered by the ruins of medieval villages and fortresses.

Lunch en route. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Optional:

• Traditional dinner party with singers; polyphony ensemble will join guests during dinner at Traditional restaurant. Group will feel the atmosphere of Georgian dinner party, with traditional songs and long speeches of “Tamada” – toast master.

Departure

Transfer to the airport.