Your journey begins with a purposeful transition from arrival into immersion, as you're welcomed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport or your designated hotel in Baku and transported directly into the heartland of Azerbaijan’s oldest spiritual and cultural axis - Shamakhi. The first stop, Diribaba Mausoleum, impresses immediately with its geometric precision, embedded dramatically into the limestone cliffs and evoking centuries of Islamic architectural mastery.

Juma Mosque

From the Diribaba Mausoleum, the Juma Mosque stands as a formidable example of continuous religious presence, recognized as the oldest and largest mosque in Azerbaijan, with layers of history reflected in every arch and stone.

Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum

The itinerary continues with the atmospheric Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum complex, offering not just architectural value, but also commanding panoramic perspectives over Shamakhi’s undulating landscape. This is followed by a refreshing change of context at the local Alpaca Farm an unexpected yet enriching rural experience where visitors can interact with the animals and observe modern agritourism within a traditional setting.

Midday transitions into a sensory exploration at the Abgora Wine House. Here, indigenous grape varieties meet ancient fermentation methods, and wine tasting becomes a cultural engagement, not just a beverage sampling.

The day concludes with a visit to Silent Lake, a secluded alpine reservoir that reflects the sky in perfect symmetry and offers a final moment of stillness surrounded by natural tranquility. After a full day of cultural, architectural, and environmental contrasts, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel in Shamakhi for overnight rest. Total tour time spans 8 to 10 hours, guided by expert narration and supported by well-paced transitions between each site.

Shamakhy Astrophysical Observatory

Following a well-paced morning departure from your Shamakhi hotel, the day commences with an encounter few itineraries deliver the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory. Positioned at high altitude with optimal atmospheric clarity, this premier scientific facility offers direct access to powerful telescopes and rare insights into planetary research, giving travelers not only panoramic views of the Caucasus but also a tangible connection to cosmic exploration. The visit transforms travel into intellectual enrichment.

Lahic

Descending from space to stone, the next destination is Lahic, a highland village suspended in time, where stone-paved alleyways, copper workshops, and hand-built homes reflect centuries of skilled craftsmanship. Unlike superficial tourist stops, Lahic is a living, breathing heritage site, where each encounter with an artisan is an education in tradition, sustainability, and refined technique.

The experience intensifies with a stop at the Zarnava Suspension Bridge engineered for functionality but delivering raw visual drama. The bridge offers wide, sweeping views of forested valleys, remote riverbeds, and the surrounding Ismayilli region, making it one of the most dramatic points for landscape immersion on the journey.

The day concludes with a drive into Gabala, a region known for its elevation, tranquility, and mountain air. The evening is reserved for rest at your hotel, after a day that spanned astronomy, architecture, and highland authenticity. Total experience duration ranges from 5 to 6 hours, with continuous interpretation provided by a knowledgeable guide

Begin the day with departure from your Gabala hotel and head straight into one of the region’s most commanding landscapes - Tufandag Mountain Resort. The aerial cable car experience is more than scenic; it positions you above dense alpine forests and delivers uninterrupted views of the Greater Caucasus, an ideal opening to a day centered on elevation both physical and cultural.

Next, the serene Nohur Lake presents a quiet counterpoint, where the environment's stillness and the mountain backdrop offer ideal conditions for a brief yet refreshing pause.

Yeddi Gozel Waterfall

The flow continues toward Yeddi Gozel Waterfall, a site valued for its multi-level cascades and surrounding cliffs, adding geological depth to the journey.

Chotari Albanian-Udi Church

Cultural weight intensifies with the visit to Nidj Udi Village, home to the Chotari Albanian Church an architectural and historical remnant of the ancient Caucasian Albanian civilization. The stop is not symbolic; it is critical for understanding the region’s complex pre-Islamic heritage.

Bio Garden

Crossing into Sheki, the tour progresses to the Bio Garden, an agricultural initiative rooted in sustainable practices. This segment adds a layer of regional intelligence highlighting how local ecology, food systems, and innovation intersect.

Sheki Karvansaray

From there, the itinerary transitions to Sheki’s architectural core: the Caravanserai, a historic lodging point for Silk Road traders that now stands as a preserved monument to the city's mercantile past.

Sheki

The final cultural touchpoint is a visit to the renowned Sheki Halva shops, where traditional confectionery methods are maintained with precision, giving guests a direct taste of the city’s culinary signature. Arrival and check-in at your hotel in Sheki completes a day that successfully fuses elevation, antiquity, sustainability, and flavor. Tour duration ranges between 6 and 8 hours, with expert commentary provided throughout.

Palace of Shaki Khans

This day is designed to immerse you in the cultural and aesthetic command of Sheki - a city where visual excellence, royal lineage, and artisanal mastery intersect. The experience opens with a guided visit to the Sheki Khan’s Palace, a structural landmark of extraordinary craftsmanship, where every stained-glass panel, geometric ceiling, and miniature fresco tells the story of an architectural era defined by skill and control rather than ornament.

Abad Ceramics And Applied Art Center

From royal aesthetics to contemporary interpretation, the journey continues to the ABAD Ceramic Arts Centre, where traditional Azerbaijani techniques are translated into modern forms. This stop bridges heritage with innovation, presenting how local artisans sustain design language across generations.

The tour then shifts to the Sheki Museum of History and Local Lore, delivering concise context through curated artifacts that trace Sheki’s transformation from a strategic Silk Road hub to a modern cultural center.

Sheki State Art Gallery

This is followed by a stop at the Sheki Art Gallery, offering a broader visual narrative of the region through curated local works.

Next, you’ll enter the Craftsmen’s House, with its hallmark Shebeke Workshop a live demonstration of ancient stained-glass window-making done entirely without glue or nails. It’s a segment that highlights precision, patience, and discipline the defining values of this artistic legacy.

Fazil Labyrinth-museum

The final stop is the Fazil Necropolis, a historical burial site that concludes the day with quiet gravity, anchoring the aesthetic and intellectual journey in a sense of continuity and reverence. This condensed but content-rich itinerary spans approximately 4 to 5 hours and delivers a sophisticated exploration of Sheki’s cultural infrastructure, led by expert guidance throughout.

Church of Kish

This day offers a focused, high-content exploration of Sheki’s layered identity where sacred history and artisanal industry co-exist in architectural precision and enduring relevance. The itinerary opens at the Kish Albanian Church, one of the oldest Christian structures in the Caucasus. Built on pre-Christian foundations and restored with archaeological rigor, the site reveals the region’s early religious pluralism and architectural foresight.

Sheki

The journey advances to the Shekihanovs’ House, an aristocratic residence representing 19th-century Sheki elite life. This elegant complex presents refined interior layouts, classic décor elements, and original spatial logic a rare preservation of Azerbaijani domestic nobility.

At the Sheki Silk Factory, you engage with the living heritage of the Silk Road economy. From raw silk production to finished textile, the factory presents an uninterrupted tradition that continues to define Sheki’s economic and cultural imprint.

Sheki Khan's Mosque Complex

The itinerary then leads to the Khan Mosque, a compact but culturally significant structure that reflects the sober geometry and spiritual symmetry of Islamic design in the region.

Adjacent to this, the Abdulkhaliq Hammam still resonating with echoes of ritual cleansing and social gathering offers a historical understanding of how personal and communal space were once intertwined.

Sheki Wines

The final segment of the day takes you to the Az Abrau Wine Museum, where Azerbaijani viticulture is interpreted through a curated collection of artifacts and followed by a refined tasting of locally produced wines, highlighting the region’s microclimatic strengths and production techniques. This route spans approximately 5 to 7 hours and presents a dense but purposeful sequence of stops each delivering structural, spiritual, and material insight into Sheki’s evolving identity.

Kurmuk Temple

This day expands the cultural and geographical scope of the journey with a deep dive into Qakh and Ilisu regions where Azerbaijani identity intersects with untouched highland scenery and rare architectural assets. The day begins with a visit to the Kurmuk Temple, an elevated sanctuary that marks the intersection of Christianity and Caucasian highland tradition. Its isolated setting and historical significance make it one of the most authentic religious landmarks in the region.

The tour proceeds to the Qum Basilica, where remnants of early Christian architecture reflect ancient influences not typically found in central Azerbaijan.

A short transfer leads to Sumug-gala Castle, an elevated fortress that delivers structural minimalism and mountain views with historical gravitas highlighting the region’s defensive history and topographic adaptation.

You will then cross the Ulu Bridge, a 17th-century structure that continues to serve as both a historical monument and functioning passageway, linking timelines and terrains.

Ulu Mosque

Nearby, the Ulu Mosque provides a compact yet meaningful example of how Islamic architecture was adapted to small mountain communities.

The experience continues through the Icheri Bazaar, the atmospheric old quarter of Qakh, where preserved facades and traditional layouts offer insights into trade and community life.

In Lekit Village, the Honey House provides not only a tasting of local organic products but also insight into mountain-based micro-industries that have thrived outside of industrial economies.

Qakh

Concluding the day, the Qakh History and Ethnography Museum presents a disciplined curation of archaeological finds, ethnographic artifacts, and regional documentation placing today’s sites into a meaningful historical continuum. The route is carefully paced over 6 to 7 hours and forms one of the most diverse and content-rich days of the itinerary.

The final day offers a distinctive blend of cultural immersion and transition, beginning with a leisurely breakfast followed by check-out from the hotel. Before departure, a visit to the vibrant Sheki Bazaar delivers an authentic encounter with local commerce, where artisanal crafts, regional delicacies, and traditional produce converge offering a last tangible connection to Sheki’s rich cultural fabric.

Travelers then embark on their journey to either Baku or the Georgian border at Lagodekhi, ensuring a seamless and reflective conclusion to the tour. The route is enriched with insightful commentary from the professional guide, framing the final hours with historical context and regional highlights. The transfer duration ranges from approximately 3 to 7 hours, depending on the destination, allowing ample time to absorb the journey’s depth while anticipating what lies ahead. This closing day balances meaningful cultural engagement with smooth logistics, delivering a purposeful and memorable farewell that resonates beyond the trip itself.