DAY 1 ISTANBUL – BAKU
After baggage and check-in procedures at the Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal, we depart on Turkish Airlines flight TK340 at 12:05 to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. We arrive in Baku at 15:50 local time. Following our arrival, we begin a panoramic city tour of Baku with our private bus waiting for us at the airport, offering our first encounter with the city. We explore key landmarks including the dazzling Haydar Aliyev Cultural Center with its modern architecture, the peaceful Venice Park, the seaside Boulevard stretching along the coast, the impressive Flame Towers, the meaningful Turkish Martyrs’ Cemetery, the Carpet Museum, and the National Assembly Square. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. After settling into our rooms, we have free time. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 2 BAKU
We start the day with breakfast at the hotel. We meet in the lobby at the time indicated by our guide. After the meeting, we set off to carry out the “Absheron Peninsula & Ateshgah & Yanardag & Shopping Tour” with lunch included. Our first stop is the Ateshgah Temple, one of the sacred centers of Zoroastrianism. This special place, known by the legend of the “Eternal Fire,” still preserves the mystical atmosphere of the past. Afterwards, we visit Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain), one of nature’s extraordinary miracles. In this region, natural gas emerging from underground has been burning for centuries without ever going out, making it one of Azerbaijan’s symbols described by Marco Polo as the “Land of Fires.” After returning to Baku, we have lunch at our designated restaurant, then head to Port Baku/Crescent Mall, the destination for shopping in the latter part of the day. World-famous brand stores, modern restaurants, and a pleasant atmosphere await you. You will have free time here for shopping and relaxation. Return to the hotel after the tour. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 3 BAKU
We start the day with breakfast at the hotel. We meet in the lobby at the time indicated by our guide. After the meeting, we will carry out the “Gobustan & Mud Volcanoes and Haydar Aliyev Museum Tour.” The first stop of our tour is Gobustan, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and carries traces from prehistoric times. This open-air museum area located on the shores of the Caspian Sea sheds light on thousands of years ago with its rock carvings and painted stones. Afterwards, we closely observe the Mud Volcanoes, which are found only in certain regions worldwide and are abundant in Azerbaijan. Live geological movements will mesmerize you with this unique natural phenomenon. In the afternoon, we return to Baku and visit the Haydar Aliyev Cultural Center, an architectural masterpiece of modern Azerbaijan. Designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, this iconic structure attracts attention both with its exterior facade and the exhibitions inside. Inside the cultural center, there are personal belongings of Haydar Aliyev as well as ethnographic and archaeological collections. After the tour, we return to our hotel.
Extra: In the evening hours, for guests who wish, our guide will organize an extra “Azerbaijan Night with Dinner” (80 EUR per person). This enjoyable evening, where we will experience local flavors and Azerbaijani culture accompanied by traditional music, will remain as an unforgettable memory of your journey. Return to the hotel after the tour. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 4 BAKU – ISTANBUL
After breakfast at the hotel, we check out of our rooms. We meet in the lobby at the time indicated by our guide, then begin our “Baku Old Town & Surakhani Ship Museum Tour.” First, we visit the Surakhani tanker, which played an important role in Azerbaijan’s history of maritime oil transportation and was converted into a museum in 2017 after comprehensive maintenance and repair. Innovative solutions were applied in the halls of the Surakhani tanker museum, which is 123.5 meters long and weighs 4696 tons. Here, we learn about the history of the Caspian Sea, oil production in Absheron, the development of seafaring, ships among the firsts in the world, sea giants, navigation facilities that are an inseparable part of seafaring, sea knots with a history of approximately 5000 years, and equipment used to operate ships. After visiting the museum, we embark on a journey through stone streets in the Icheri Sheher (Old City) region, bearing traces of history, and closely see important structures such as Maiden Tower, Shirvanshahs Palace, Miniature Book Museum, and historic hammams. Finally, we have free time on Nizami Street, formerly known as Targovi, one of Baku’ liveliest spots reminiscent of Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul.
After free time, we meet at the time indicated by our guide and set off towards Baku Heydar Aliyev Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, we complete passport and baggage procedures, then depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK335 at 20:50. We arrive in Istanbul at 23:05 local time, concluding our tour.