5 Days Tour Through History, Faith, and Folklore in the Caucasus

5 Days Tour Through History, Faith, and Folklore in the Caucasus

By VLA_tourism

Free cancellation available

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Features

Free cancellation available
5d
Mobile voucher
Instant confirmation
Selective hotel pickup

Overview

Whether you’re drawn by history, handicrafts, cuisine, or the great outdoors, this 5 days itinerary provides a perfect introduction to the diverse cultural landscape of northwestern Azerbaijan. This itinerary offers a rich blend of natural beauty, ancient craftsmanship, architectural marvels, and authentic Azerbaijani hospitality. Start your adventure in Shamakhi, exploring the iconic Juma Mosque and serene landscapes. Visit Lahij, a charming mountain village famous for its cobbled streets, copperware artisans, and traditional Caucasian architecture. Continue to Gabala, a picturesque region nestled in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus, offering lush forests, lakes, and the popular Tufandag Mountain Resort. Explore Sheki, a UNESCO-listed town renowned for its exquisite Khan’s Palace, historic caravanserais, and local crafts at the ABAD Center. Conclude your tour in Qakh, a hidden gem boasting a mix of Albanian, Georgian, and Azerbaijani cultural heritage.

Activity location

Diri Baba Mausoleum
- 5600, Qobustan, Gobustan, Azerbaijan

Meeting/Redemption Point

Icherisheher Tourism Information Center
- Baku, Baku, Azerbaijan

Check availability

Excluded Entry Tickets

5d
English

Sedan car, Minivan, Mini bus
Pickup included

Travellers

Language options: English

Starting time: 9:00

Price details

RM 4,277.12 x 2 AdultsRM 8,554.24

Total

Included Entry Tickets

5d
English

Sedan car, Minivan
Pickup included

Travellers

Language options: English

Starting time: 9:00

Price details

RM 4,730.75 x 2 AdultsRM 9,461.50

Total

What's included, what's not

Bio Garden Sheki (if the Included Entry Tickets option selected)
24/7 in situ and remote assistance
Comfortable transportation
Sheki Khan Palace (if the Included Entry Tickets option selected)
Kish Albanian Church (if the Included Entry Tickets option selected)
Pick-up from your hotel, and drop-off back to your hotel
Diribaba Mauseloum (if the Included Entry Tickets option selected)
Sheki Museum of History and Local Lore (if the Included Entry Tickets option selected)
Cable Car ride 2x lines in Tufandag Mountain Resort (if the Included Entry Tickets option selected)
English speaking tour guide
Nohurlake boat riding (if the Included Entry Tickets option selected)
Sumug-gala Castle (if the Included Entry Tickets option selected)
Lahic Village Museum (if the Included Entry Tickets option selected)

Know before you book

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We only provide 2 price option here. First is guide and driver, second is guide, driver and entrance fees. But the accommodation and meals are for the guests to separately choose. We can only assist the guests about the hotel booking. Travelers are asked to read Inclusions section carefully as we offer two price options with Included Entry Tickets and Excluded Entry Tickets.

Activity itinerary

Day 1: Shamakhi and Lahij Tour + Transfer to Gabala - Tracing the Echoes of Ancient Civilizations

5 stops
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Not included

Diri Baba Mausoleum

40m
Admission ticket not included

Departing from the modern pulse of Baku, today’s journey ventures into the historic heart of Shamakhi, once the glittering capital of the Shirvanshahs. The first stop, the Diribaba Mausoleum, emerges almost mystically from the cliffs - a 15th-century Sufi tomb entwined with legends and spirituality, carved directly into the rocky face of the hills.

Juma Mosque

In the heart of Shamakhi lies the Juma Mosque, a living monument to Islamic architecture dating back to the 8th century. With its elegant domes and history marked by resilience through earthquakes and invasions, it stands as a testament to Azerbaijan’s Islamic heritage.

Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum

Nearby, on a hilltop with sweeping views, the Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum - the “Seven Domes”- serves as the eternal resting place of the Shamakhi Khans, whispering stories of royal dynasties long faded into time.

Lahic

1h 30m

As the road begins to wind through the Caucasus foothills, you arrive in Lahij village, a mountain village seemingly untouched by time. Here, cobbled streets echo with the clang of copper as artisans continue the centuries-old tradition of metalwork and hand woven carpets. The aroma of mountain herbs and village tea fills the air, welcoming travelers into this cradle of craftsmanship.

Gebele

1h 30m

The day concludes with a scenic drive to Gabala, where the mountains grow higher, the air crisper, and the hospitality ever warmer. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel. Relax and prepare for the next day’s journey deeper into Azerbaijan. Total transfer and tour duration of the day will cover about 10 to 12 hours by the explanation of professional guide and driving distances among the sightseeings:

Day 2: From Alpine Escapes to Silk Road Secrets — Gabala to Sheki Tour

6 stops
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Not included

Tufandag Mountain Resort

2h
Admission ticket not included

After the breakfast at the hotel, begin the day immersed in the grandeur of Tufandag Mountain Resort, where cable cars ascend into misty alpine vistas. Whether it's lush green slopes or snow-covered peaks, the Caucasus never fails to impress.

Nohur Gol

Next, serenity takes form at Nohur Lake, a tranquil mirror reflecting the surrounding forests and mountains. A perfect spot for quiet contemplation, light walking, or a gentle boat ride.

Yeddi Gozel Waterfall

Adventure resumes at Yeddi Gozel Waterfall, a seven-tiered cascade hidden deep within a forested ravine. A short hike leads to a fairy-tale setting of rushing water and birdsong, where nature feels untouched and sacred.

Chotari Albanian-Udi Church

From there, the tour turns cultural with a visit to Nidj Village, home to the ancient Udi people, guardians of the Chotari Albanian Church. Here, stone walls and sacred icons preserve the memory of the Caucasian Albanian Christian civilization - older than most churches in Europe.

Sheki Karvansaray

In the afternoon, the journey leads into Sheki, but not before a refreshing stop at the Bio Garden -an eco-farm where visitors can taste local fruits and organic products straight from the earth.

Sheki

Once a resting place for merchants and traders, this beautifully preserved inn evokes the mystery and majesty of the trade routes that shaped empires. Before nightfall, indulge in a visit to Sheki halva shops, where sweet artisans craft the city’s most famous delicacy - Sheki pakhlava - layered with nuts, honey, and tradition. At the end of a full and enriching day, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel. Relax and prepare for the next day’s journey deeper into Azerbaijan. Total tour duration of the day will cover about 6 to 8 hours with driving distances among the sightseeings and by the explanation of professional guide.

Day 3: Sheki Tour— City of Artisans, Cultures and History

4 stops
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Not included

Abad Ceramics And Applied Art Center

The 3rd day is a deeper dive into the artistic and cultural core of Sheki. The morning begins at the ABAD Ceramic and Applied Arts Centre, a modern creative space empowering local artists. Here, traditional techniques blend with modern design, and travelers can witness the making of fine ceramics, weaving, and woodwork.

Museum Of History, Ethnography And Local Lore

30m
Admission ticket not included

Continue to the Sheki Museum of History and Local Lore, housed in a traditional noble mansion. The exhibits trace Sheki’s rich timeline - from prehistoric settlements to its golden age as a khanate - through artifacts, costumes, and stories.

Sheki State Art Gallery

20m
Admission ticket not included

Art Gallery showcases local painters and sculptors, offering a contemporary lens on Azerbaijani identity, nature, and heritage.

Sheki's craft shops

At the Craftsmen’s House, visitors step into a world of delicate craftsmanship through a live demonstration of Shebeke - an intricate art form of stained glass assembled without glue or nails. This tradition, passed down through generations, transforms colored glass and wood into dazzling geometric windows. At the end of a full and enriching day, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel. Free time more than 4 hours to discover the Sheki by your own and have a rest at the hotel. Total tour duration of the day will cover about 4 to 5 hours by the explanation of professional guide

Day 4: Through the Valley of Spirits - Sheki, Qakh, and Ilisu Tour

6 stops
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Not included

Church of Kish

30m
Admission ticket not included

The day begins with a journey to Kish Village, home to one of the oldest Christian churches in the Caucasus. The Kish Albanian Church, believed to date back to the 1st century, rests peacefully among mulberry trees and ancient stone tombs - its glass dome filtering light into a sanctuary of timeless silence.

Kurmuk Temple

From here, venture to the Qakh region, where religious history and untouched nature coexist. The Kurmuk Temple, nestled in a forested hillside, remains a spiritual sanctuary visited by pilgrims of different faiths.

Qum Basilica

Nearby, the Qum Basilica stands in quiet dignity as a remnant of early Christianity, its ruins framed by rural beauty and sacred mystery.

Sumug Gala Tower

30m
Admission ticket not included

Rising above Qakh is Sumug-gala Castle, a medieval fortification offering sweeping views of the surrounding valleys. It’s a short hike, but one rich with the echoes of warriors and watchmen who once stood guard over these lands.

Ulu körpü

Visit the charming Ulu Bridge, an arched stone structure that has connected communities for centuries.

Ulu Mosque

And nearby, the Ulu Mosque and Abdulkhaliq Hammam reflect daily life in historical Qakh - spiritual, communal and enduring. At the end of a full and enriching day, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel. Relax and prepare for the next day’s journey deeper into Azerbaijan. Total tour duration of the day will cover about 6 to 8 hours with driving distances among the sightseeings and by the explanation of professional guide

Day 5: Sheki Bazaar & Departure - A Farewell to the Highlands

1 stop
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Not included

Heydar Aliyev International Airport

Before departing, stroll through the bustling Sheki Bazaar - a vibrant center of daily life where the air is filled with the scent of dried herbs, spices, fruits, and warm bread. It’s a place to pick up local cheese, homemade preserves, and final souvenirs crafted by village hands. Depending on your travel plans, transfer either back to Baku - through winding forest roads and valleys - or onward to the Lagodekhi border, gateway to neighboring Georgia and the broader Caucasus. As to 2 transfer options in the itinerary, return to Baku (Approx. 5 hours by road) or transfer to Lagodekhi (Approx. 90 minutes to the border crossing).

Location

Activity location

Diri Baba Mausoleum
- 5600, Qobustan, Gobustan, Azerbaijan

Meeting/Redemption Point

Icherisheher Tourism Information Center
- Baku, Baku, Azerbaijan

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