Trip to Azerbaijan

Relish a breakfast meal and proceed on the Absheron Tour. We start with Ateshgah also called the ‘Fire Temple of Baku’ (Fire Worshippers Temple), a famous attraction. The temple is used as a Hindu and Zoroastrian place of worship in the pentagonal complex. The Persian and Indian inscriptions are mesmerizing. “Atash” is the Persian word for fire where the flames are worshipped. The temple has a courtyard surrounded by cells for monks and a tetra pillar-altar in the middle. It was built in the 17th and 18th centuries and was abandoned in the late 19th century as the Indian population diminished. The natural "eternal flame" went out in 1969, after nearly a century.We then proceed to the Fire Mountain called ‘Yanar Dag’. This is located on a hillside on the Absheron Peninsula, on the Caspian Sea some 25 km from the north of Baku. Yanar Dag means ‘Blazing Mountains’. This is a natural gas fire that continuously burns, a highlight attraction of the tour After traditionally starts at Freedom Square continuing west to the Old City and beyond. Since 2012, the Yeni Bulvar (New Boulevard) has virtually doubled the length to 3.75 km. *Our tour proceeds to Old City (Icherisheher) which is the historical core of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The Old City is the most ancient part of Baku, which is surrounded by walls that were well protected. In 2007, the Old City had a population of about 3000 people. There are several historic monuments located in the territory of Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage sites). In December 2000, the Old City of Baku, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower, became the first location in Azerbaijan to be classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.The tour proceeds to visit The Heydar Aliyev Center noted for its distinctive architecture and freeflowing style. This is a 57,500 square meter building complex in Baku, Azerbaijan designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid and noted for its distinctive architecture and flowing, curved style that eschews sharp angles. The center is named after Heydar Aliyev, the first secretary of Soviet Azerbaijan from 1969 to 1982, and president of the Azerbaijan Republic from October 1993 to October 2003. Back to the hotel or drop off at any point in the city centre. Overnight stay in the comforts of your booked hotel. (Vehicle 8 hours)