Baku – The flames swaying in the wind

The tour starts at 09:15. After breakfast, depart for Gobustan, located approximately 60 km from Baku. The rock art landscape of Gobustan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserves thousands of carvings on the boulders of a semi-desert plateau. Images of hunters, wild animals, boats and groups of dancers tell the story of the lives, movements and beliefs of communities from the past. The museum explains these images in the context of prehistoric settlements and environmental changes, helping visitors interpret the small figures carved into the stone. Return to Baku for a walking tour of Icherisheher, the Old City, among historic buildings and the former residences of wealthy oil magnates. Icherisheher is Baku's fortified Old City, which is still inhabited and is recognised by UNESCO, together with the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower. Its narrow streets connect mosques, caravanserais and bathhouses that once served the medieval trading city. The fifteenth-century palace complex was the residence of the rulers of Shirvan, while the cylindrical tower, with its thick stone walls, is one of the city's oldest monuments. These architectural landmarks tell the story of Baku before the transformations brought about by the oil industry. Visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the Maiden Tower, the ruins of the Church of St. Bartholomew, an ancient hammam and historic mosques. Lunch is included. Dinner at leisure and overnight stay in Baku. (B/L/-)

After breakfast, visit the Baku viewpoint, offering panoramic views of the Caspian Sea bay. Continue with an excursion to the Absheron Peninsula to visit the Ateshgah Fire Temple in Surakhani and Yanar Dag, the Burning Mountain. The stone enclosure of Ateshgah surrounds a central fire altar and small cells once used by pilgrims. Inscriptions and the courtyard recall the Hindu and Sikh merchants who travelled to Absheron, alongside older local traditions associated with fire worship. The preserved complex dates mainly from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, when trade routes connected Baku with the Indian subcontinent. At Yanar Dag, natural gas escaping from the hillside feeds a line of flames along the base of the rock. The fire comes from the ground rather than from a volcanic eruption, providing a tangible explanation for Azerbaijan's name as the "Land of Fire". The low slope and exposed rock make it possible to distinguish this natural phenomenon from the altar at Ateshgah. On the way back to Baku, visit the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre (external visit), designed by Zaha Hadid, and Yashil Bazaar, renowned for its fresh produce, spices and local specialities. The centre is recognisable by its continuous white curves. The surface rises from the square and folds upwards to form the roof, avoiding the straight lines of a conventional façade. Viewing the building from the outside, visitors can appreciate from different angles how the structure relates to the surrounding green spaces. The stalls at Yashil Bazaar display seasonal fruit, aromatic herbs, nuts, dried fruit and fragrant spices. Pomegranates, tea and preserves are among the products associated with Azerbaijani cuisine. The market illustrates how produce from different regions reaches Baku and offers an opportunity to observe everyday shopping, with baskets of fruit, pickled vegetables and local specialities. Lunch is included. Overnight stay in Baku. (B/L/-)

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Guba, travelling through the magnificent landscapes of the Caucasus. Along the way, stop at the Candy Cane Mountains in the Khizi region, famous for their spectacular colourful stripes. Continue with a visit to the Red Settlement (Qırmızı Qəsəbə), a historic settlement of Mountain Jews, and a traditional carpet workshop, where visitors will discover the ancient art of Azerbaijani carpet weaving. Lunch at a restaurant. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to Khinalig, one of Azerbaijan's most picturesque mountain villages, where ancestral traditions and breathtaking landscapes come together to create a unique atmosphere. Khinalig forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage property Cultural Landscape of Khinalig People and the Köç Yolu Transhumance Route, recognised for its mountain settlement, seasonal pastures and long-established way of life. Visit the local History Museum. Return to Baku. Dinner at leisure and overnight stay at the hotel. (B/L/-)

Breakfast at the hotel and free time until departure, according to your flight schedule. Optional transfer to the airport. Check-out is by 12:00 noon. (B/-/-)