Turkey & Azerbaijan Tour

Upon arrival in Baku, meet and greet local guide there and then we proceed  to Ateshgah ( Fire Temple) often called the “Fire Temple of Baku” is a castle-like religious temple in Surakhani town (in Suraxanı raion), a suburb in Baku, Azerbaijan. Based on Persian and Indian inscriptions, the temple was used as a Hindu, Zoroastrian, and Sikh place of worship. “Atash” is the Persian word for fire. The pentagonal complex, which has a courtyard surrounded by cells for monks and a tetrapillar-altar in the middle, was built during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was abandoned in the late 19th century, probably due to the dwindling of the Indian population in the area. The natural eternal flame went out in 1969, after nearly a century of exploitation of petroleum and gas in the area, but is now lit by gas piped from the nearby city.  Afterwards we continue to visit Yanardagh which is a phenomenal hill that has natural gas source that burns continuosly. Later on we proceed to Movsum Agha Tomb and Mosque  who was a physically challenged person, who was believed to have supernatural powers by the residents of Baku and outskirt villages. A shrine was built for Mir Movsum Agha in Shuvalan after his death; that shrine now has a blue maiolica, Central Asian-style dome. The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev and the First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva are regular visitors to Mir Movsum Aga’s sanctuary. The First Lady once donated a carpet decorated with an image of Movsum Mir Aga that was made by painter Kamil Aliyev to the sanctuary. In 2011, historian Tarana Jabiyeva wrote a book about Mir Movsum Agha called “Eternal resident of Icheri-Shahar” that was presented by the Union of Writers of Azerbaijan.

Overnight in Baku.

After breakfast at hotel, we continue our programme by city tour in Baku. First we are going to make a stop at Upland Park to have a panoramic view of Baku Gulf. Afterwards we make sightseeing tour by bus passing Martyr’s Lane and Flame Towers where you may see modern buildings of Azerbaijan. Later on we pass thru Baku Boulevard and Caspian Sea Shore. After that we visit Carpet Musesum and then a walking tour around Baku Old City. After we have our lunch we continue visiting Maiden Tower which  is a 12th-century monument in the Old City, Baku, Azerbaijan. Along with the Shirvanshahs’ Palace, dated to the 15th century, it forms a group of historic monuments listed in 2001 under the UNESCO World Heritage List of Historical Monuments as cultural property, Category III. It is one of Azerbaijan’s most distinctive national emblems, and is thus featured on Azeri currency notes and official letterheads. Later on we proceed to visit The Baku Museum of Miniature Books which is the only museum of miniature books in the world, settled in the old part of Baku, called Inner City. The museum started its operation on April 2, 2002. In 2015 the Museum of Miniature Books was presented the Certificate of the Guinness Book of Records as the largest private museum of miniature books. After we end our programme there, we return to hotel and have a rest for the next day. 

Overnight in Baku.

After we have our breakfast at hotel, we proceed to Gobustan State Reserve which is located west of the settlement of Gobustan, about 64 kilometers to southwest of the centre of Baku was established in 1966 when the region was declared as a national historical landmark of Azerbaijan in an attempt to preserve the ancient carvings, mud volcanoes and gas-stones in the region. Gobustan State Reserve is very rich in archeological monuments, the reserve has more than 6,000 rock carvings, which depict people, animals, battle-pieces, ritual dances, bullfights, boats with armed oarsmen, warriors with lances in their hands, camel caravans, pictures of sun and stars, on the average dating back to 5,000-20,000 years. Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve acquired national status in 2006. As a part of the 31st Session of the UNESCO World Legacy Committee held in Christchurch, New Zealand on June 23 – July 2, 2007 included within the World Social Legacy List. Later on we continue our programme by visiting One of the most important and visible example of new architecture in Azerbaijan Haydar Aliyev Center. The Haydar Aliyev Cultural Center includes the history of rise of the Caspian Sea in the Azerbaijani mythology. Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid was appointed as an architectural designer of the Haydar Aliyev Center in 2007. The center is considered to be the one of the symbols of modern Baku. The area of the complex is 15.93 hectares. The straight line has not been used in the project. The lines of the building symbolize the merging of the past with the future. Center aims breaking from the monumental Soviet architecture which is quite common in Baku and to express the sensibilities of Azeri culture and the optimism of a nation that looks to the future. After we end our programme there, we proceed to hotel and then have a rest fort he next day. 

Overnight in Baku.

Early check out from hotel and then proceed to airport for the flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, meet and greet local guide and then proceed to Istanbul Old City. First we will visit Hippodrome Square which was the center of chariot races in Roman Era and also used as a public gathering center in Ottoman Era. After we enjoy history with beautiful remainings such as Egyptian Colomn, Serpentine Colomn , Constantine Colomn etc., we will continue our trip by visiting Hagia Sophia or St. Sophia which was built as an Orthodox Church by Emperor Justinian in 537 AD. However the giant worship center was converted in a Mosque by Sultan Mehmet the Second in 1453. It is now a museum where you can enjoy the harmony of two culture in the same building. After our time finishes at Hagia Sophia, we continue our trip visiting Topkapı Palace which was built by Sultan Mehmet the Second in 1475. Topkapı Palace is the biggest palace in Turkey and also one of the biggest in the World by its 80 acres area. Topkapı Palace is the most visited palace in Turkey while it offers to its visitors many beautiful small mansions with nice view of Bosphorus Strait or Golden Horn, many valuable jewelleries which was used by the Sultans, Holy Relics such as David’s sword, Moses’ Staff and so on. Afterwards we proceed to hotel.

Overnight in Istanbul

After breakfast at hotel, we check out hotel and then start our programme. First we take a short cruise trip and enjoy the beautiful Bosphorus Strait with hundreds of houses by the strait and many beautiful palaces from Ottoman Era. Later on we are going to have our free time for shopping at Grand Bazaar which is the biggest and the oldest shopping center in Turkey. After that we have our free time at Taksim Square to enjoy time as locals do in Istanbul. After we have our dinner, we proceed to airport for flight back to your home.

Till we meet on another trip…