Upon arrival at Heydar Aliyev International Airport or designated meeting point, guests embark on a meticulously orchestrated journey through Azerbaijan’s rich historical landscape, moving beyond the ordinary into realms of timeless cultural heritage.

Diri Baba Mausoleum

The route to Gabala unfolds through the Maraza region, where the essence of centuries-old architecture and sacred sites reveals itself in profound detail. The first significant encounter is the Diribaba Mausoleum, a 15th-century masterpiece, seamlessly integrated into the natural cliffside. This monument stands as a silent testament to spiritual devotion, offering guests an extraordinary fusion of natural grandeur and architectural finesse rarely accessible to the general public.

Juma Mosque

Next, the itinerary leads to the Juma Mosque, an 8th-century marvel, distinguished not only by its survival through relentless seismic activity but also by its authentic representation of early Islamic architectural traditions in the Caucasus. Here, the gravity of history is palpable, inviting guests to appreciate the enduring craftsmanship and cultural resilience embodied in this sacred space.

Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum

The journey culminates at the Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum complex home to seven domed tombs belonging to the Shirvan royal lineage. Positioned strategically atop a commanding hill, this site provides sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding valley, delivering both historical context and visual magnificence under the guidance of a seasoned expert. Following this immersive exploration, travelers continue to the serene city of Gabala, where accommodations await, offering refined comfort and rest after a full day of cultural enrichment and discovery. This comprehensive excursion spans approximately 8 to 9 hours, expertly balancing insightful narration with measured travel, ensuring an intimate connection with the heritage landmarks en routeş

The day opens with departure from Gabala, transitioning into an immersive exploration of the northwestern highlands where the narrative of ancient civilizations, craftsmanship, and architectural integrity unfolds with rare authenticity. The route traverses through Nidj Udin Village, home to the most significant population of the Udi people. Here stands the Chotari Church, a modest yet monumental Christian relic preserved not by fortune, but by the enduring continuity of a community whose roots trace back over two millennia.

Palace of Shaki Khans

From this deeply historical vantage point, the journey proceeds to Sheki - a region renowned not only for its UNESCO-listed architecture but for its living artistic traditions that continue to define Azerbaijani cultural identity. The centerpiece of the day is the Sheki Khan Palace, a triumph of 18th-century craftsmanship, where intricate stained-glass windows, vivid frescoes and geometry reflect the refined tastes of the Sheki Khanate court. With architectural elegance matched only by historical gravity, this site sets the tone for the day’s richly layered encounters.

Abad Ceramics And Applied Art Center

The itinerary then guides guests through the ABAD Ceramic Arts Centre where an institution dedicated to reviving the handmade legacy of Azerbaijani pottery. Far beyond exhibition, the space serves as a working studio, where artists demonstrate centuries-old techniques with modern relevance, inviting observation and dialogue rather than staged performance.

Sheki State Art Gallery

Adjacent to this is a compact but sharply curated Art Gallery, showcasing both classic miniature styles and bold contemporary works rooted in Sheki’s folk narrative. It is not merely a gallery but a cultural dialogue suspended in visual form.

A visit to the Craftsmen’s House brings rare exposure to the creation of Shebeke ornate stained-glass latticework crafted entirely by hand without adhesive or fasteners. This precise art, passed down through generations, presents one of the few remaining disciplines in the world that combines mathematical design with meditative execution.

Sheki Karvansaray

The Caravanserai of Sheki offers a spatial and sensory connection to the region's Silk Road heritage. Once a resting place for merchants and emissaries, its inner courtyard now serves as a restored monument and marketplace, embodying both continuity and function. This architectural structure retains the pulse of historic trade routes while embracing curated commerce.

Sheki Wines

The tour concludes with a guided wine tasting at Sheki Sherab Winery, where travelers are introduced to native grape varietals and production techniques unique to this microclimate. The experience, led by a professional oenologist, is refined and deliberate, offering not only flavor but context linking land, labor and legacy in each glass. Guests return to the hotel in Sheki as the day concludes. The duration spans 6 to 8hours, with a deliberate tempo that allows for contemplation, instruction and aesthetic immersion across each site.

Church of Kish

The third day opens with a passage into Azerbaijan’s western highlands—regions where faith, resistance and architectural endurance converge across remote elevations and forgotten settlements. This day is not designed for casual sightseeing; it is shaped for travelers compelled by the intellectual and emotional gravity of place. The journey begins at Kish Church, a landmark widely regarded as one of the oldest Christian sanctuaries in the Caucasus. Its structure bears the markings of Caucasian Albanian heritage, a civilization obscured by centuries, yet enduring through stone and silence. More than a site, it is a spiritual artifact, preserved not by fortune, but by reverence.

Kurmuk Temple

Continuing through the pastoral contours of the region, the route leads to the Kurmuk Temple which is a modest sanctuary situated at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains. Small in scale yet immense in significance, it remains a living symbol of cross-cultural coexistence.

The next site, Qum Basilica, is an austere and powerful expression of early Christian architecture. Its foundational layout and subtle detailing reveal traces of Byzantine and Caucasian influence, providing a rare architectural link between ancient rites and modern observation.

From the spiritual to the strategic, the trail ascends to Sumug-gala Castle, a medieval fortification perched atop a commanding hill. Here, stone battlements overlook unbroken landscapes, with each layer of rock whispering stories of frontier defense, shifting empires, and the sovereign ambitions of once-forgotten principalities.

Ulu Mosque

Ulu Mosque follows an architectural and cultural landmark where religious practice, local craftsmanship, and communal identity converge. Its understated design reflects the regional interpretation of Islamic art, where form serves function without losing symbolic depth.

Descending into the valley, the route crosses Ulu Bridge, a stone structure whose centuries-old foundation still supports passage across the fast-moving waters below. It is not simply a functional bridge but a preserved act of regional engineering utilitarian, resilient, and historically grounded.

The final encounter is at Abdulkhaliq Hammam in Sheki is a traditional bathhouse whose stone chambers and architectural rhythm echo the social patterns of past centuries. Long before luxury was branded, this was where wellness, conversation and ritual intertwined. Its inclusion marks a symbolic return from the heights of history to the intimacy of lived experience. Total duration spans approximately 5 to 6 hours, delivered at a deliberate pace to balance historical commentary, contemplative space and natural transition. Guided by expert narration, each site is not presented but unfolded inviting reflection rather than passive observation.

The final day begins not with farewell, but with immersion. Before departure from Sheki, travelers are guided through the Sheki Bazaar - the city’s living core of commerce and tradition. This is not a curated showcase; it is a dynamic, sensory-rich encounter with everyday life, where color, sound, and scent converge into an experience that cannot be replicated or staged. From early morning, the market pulses with rhythm and negotiation. Stalls overflow with produce cultivated in mountain-fed soil: vine-ripened tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, late-summer berries and foraged herbs whose aromas mark the seasons more precisely than any calendar. Each product tells a story of altitude, rainfall and generational farming knowledge.

After one to two hours within this microcosm of Sheki’s identity, the journey continues toward departure. Depending on the route selected, travelers will be transferred either toward Baku across plains and mountain bends, a transition from cultural depth to urban scale—or to the Lagodekhi border, where the Caucasus becomes a corridor between two nations. Total transfer durations range from 2 hours to the Georgian frontier to 6 to 7 hours for those returning to Baku or its airport. En route, moments of pause are offered for photography, reflection or final commentary from the guide ensuring the journey ends not in haste, but in continuity.