7-days Tour Of The Secrets Of Ancient Crafts From Baku

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Baku, check-in at the hotel

Pass By: Baku Olympic Stadium, 323, Heydar Aliyev Avenue, Baku 1040 Azerbaijan
On the way from the airport to the hotel, the guests will pass by Baku Olympic Stadium, the largest stadium in Azerbaijan.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in 3* hotel in Baku. (Diplomat, AU Room or Azcot hotels)

Day 2: Baku sightseeing tour, visiting the “Old City” and the Carpet Factory.

Stop At: Highland Park, Baku Azerbaijan
The tour starts with a visit to the Highland Park. Highland Park is located on a hill in the western part of the city. This is the best place to see the city and Baku bay.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Baku Old City, Neftchilar Ave, Baku 1000 Azerbaijan
Next, the guests will visit the Old City - with its fortified walls, historic buildings and narrow cobbled streets. Guests will appreciate the main attractions of the Old Town, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the famous Maiden Tower. Just imagine that the stones under your feet keep the history of this ancient city - its honor and glory, misfortunes and sorrows.
During the walk, you will definitely feel that the air here smells like magic - the sea air, smelling of salt and oil, is mixed with the aromas of oriental spices and kebabs, flowing from numerous restaurants. Baku is like a young girl, is full of energy, beautiful, bright and full of life. It is ready to change, but, nevertheless, follows the precepts of the ancestors. Behind the walls the city life rages, and in the Old City everything is quiet and decorous, as it has been for centuries. Baku citizens do not like to live in a hurry.

Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: AZER-ILME CARPET-WEAVING CENTER, Baku, Azerbaijan
Next, guests will have a trip to the Azer-Ilme factory - where modern national carpets are made. Azerbaijani carpets, the high quality and fame allows them to spread widely throughout the world, and to be in great demand today. The factory at the modern technological level contributes to the further development of the traditional art of carpet weaving in Azerbaijan, which has made an invaluable cultural and material contribution to the treasury of world civilization. Here you can see the whole process of their creation - from beginning to end. In the dye shop, it will be shown how the threads are dyed with natural colorants, then carpets are woven from these threads in the weaving shop. Then they are washed, dried and ironed. Here you can get familiarized with the work of restorers, carefully restoring old samples of national carpet art.
The Azer-Ilme Gallery presents the best examples of unique Azerbaijani carpets and rugs. Besides it, the factory owns a shop where everyone can buy their favorite carpets, as well as women's silk scarves.
Next, there is a trip to the national restaurant, where the guests will taste the national dishes, as well as will have the opportunity to see the process of tandoor cooking (a special kind of bread) in a special oven of the same name.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Baku.

Day 3: Drive to Ismayilli region and visit the villages of Baskal and Lagich (180 km, 2 hours’ drive from Baku)

Stop At: Ismailly, Ismailly, Daghlig Shirvan Region
A trip to the village of Baskal. We begin our journey to the Ismayilli region, where you will learn about the unique Kelagai manufacturing process. Azerbaijani “Kelagai” is a traditional women's silk scarf. It determined the age and social status of the woman: the older the woman, the darker were the colors of her scarf — mostly black or blue, whilst young women wore light-colored scarves — white, beige, light blue, etc. “Kelagai” was tied in various ways depending on the region. The process of hot dyeing silk - “batik” - is very complex and is performed in several stages. You will enjoy the work of the masters, as well as will be able to try yourself as a kelagai master.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Lahich, Azerbaijan
Lagich is a unique monument of Persian urban planning and an architectural object of the Middle Ages. It is a medieval city with cobbled streets and squares, a well-developed water supply and sewerage system. The village is inhabited by tanners, engravers, potters, blacksmiths, wood and metal carvers, passing their knowledge from generation to generation. During the tour you will also see an ancient bridge connecting two villages, a 16th century stone water supply and samples of dwellings from the 19th century with frescoes; we will also visit the local history museum, where ancient carpets and brass items are stored.
Immediately upon arrival in Lagich, you will enjoy a meal at a local restaurant and get acquainted with the peculiarities of local cuisine (for extra charge).
Next, you will be organized a walk through the village, you will visit the workshops of blacksmiths, engravers, potters and other artisans. You can also buy a product you like or order a thing that will be made on the spot.

Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in the local house, where you can experience the very essence of the Caucasian family.

Day 4: Departure to Sheki, a sightseeing tour of the city, overnight in Sheki (150 km, 2 hours on the road)

Stop At: Sheki, Sheki, Shaki-Zaqatala Region
Sheki is one of the most famous and ancient places in Azerbaijan. Located at 700 meters above sea level, the city is surrounded by mountains and oak forests shaped as amphitheater. For a long time this ancient city was considered the center of sericulture and was an important node on the Silk Road.
Next, we will visit the Shebeke workshop (hand-made murals), the workshop for the production of the famous Sheki pakhlava and the weaving workshop, where the unique local “Tekulduz” technique will be displayed. Walking along the streets, we will also attend various craft workshops.
Duration: 1 day

Stop At: Sheki Khan's Palace, Sheki 0055 Azerbaijan
18th century Sheki Khan's Palace, famous for its amazing frescoes and outstanding glass works.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Sheki (Sheki Saray hotel).

Day 5: Transfer to Baku, check-in at the hotel, free day

Pass By: Ismailli, Azerbaijan
On the road from Sheki to Baku the guests will see beautiful mountains of Ismayilli.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Baku

Day 6: Absheron tour, ethnographic museum Gala.

Stop At: Absheron Region, Absheron Region
Gala - Museum-Reserve of Absheron Peninsula History
Ethnographic open-air museum "Gala" is located about 40 minutes from Baku and is a museum that was created on the site of archaeological excavations.
In the village, which is about five thousand years old, there is a number of neighborhoods that have survived to this day. During the tour, guests will get acquainted with the ancient dwellings, with the life of the past time, traditions, methods of farming.
Tour participants will be told about the way of life of people who lived here many centuries ago, and show the real objects of that time. However, the most important thing is not introduction to the museum exhibits, but the opportunity of immersion into the ancient life. In this museum, guests can bake real bread or try themselves clay sculpturing.
Farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant
Duration: 5 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Baku.

Day 7: Transfer to the airport and departure.

Pass By: Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, Heydar Aliyev Avenue, 1/1, Baku 1033 Azerbaijan
On the road from the hotel to the airport the guests will Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center.

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.