Grand Caucasus Tour (Azerbaijan - Georgia - Armenia) - 14 Da

Arrival to Baku, Azerbaijan. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Baku

Panorama of the city presented to the height of the mountainous part of a television tower clearly gives an idea of the contrasts and the extent of Baku, the horseshoe bay of Baku. Later we explore the oldest district of the city – “Old Baku” or “Icheri Shey-Har” (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with its maze of cobbled streets and 12th century wall-stones. During the medieval period of Baku, such monuments as the Synyg Gala Minaret (11th century), the fortress walls and towers (11th–12th centuries), the Maiden Tower, the Multani Caravanserai and Hajji Gayyib bathhouse (15th century), the Palace of the Shirvanshahs (15th-16th centuries), the Bukhara Caravanserai and Gasimbey bathhouse (16th century) were built. In 1806, when Baku was annexed by the Russian Empire and the traditional architectural look of the Old City changed. Many European buildings were constructed during the 19th century and early 20th century, using styles such as Baroque and Gothic. Baku thus has an original and unique appearance, earning it a reputation as the 'Paris of the East'. This afternoon we visit the the Fire Temple, known locally as the Atashgah. Overnight in Baku Meal plan: (B-/L-)

This morning we leave the capital and travel to Shemakha, for a long time the capital and trade centre for western Azerbaijan and now a small town. We briefly visit the Grand Mosque, a very large and attractive building from the late 19th century, Yeddi Gumbez 'Seven Tombs', yet only three of these desecrated octagonal royal tombs remain reasonably complete. They are 18th-19th century mausoleums of the Khans of Shemakha. We continue to Sheki, one of the most ancient settlements and architectural centers of Azerbaijan founded more than 2700 years ago. The setting here is stunning -- lying in forested hills with views of the Caucasus Mountains. On arrival we visit the mosaic-fronted Khan's Palace, a beautiful piece of Islamic architecture, and the History Museum. We will also have a walk through the busy market of Sheki.  Overnight in Sheki Meal plan: (B-/L-)