Azerbaijan Tours & Holidays
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays
Lahij 1/19
Baku 2/19
Baku 3/19
Sheki 4/19
Sheki 5/19
Sheki 6/19
Lahij 7/19
Baku 8/19
Baku 9/19
Lahij 10/19
Sheki 11/19
Baku 12/19
Baku 13/19
Baku 14/19
Sheki 15/19
Shamakhi 16/19
Azerbaijan 17/19
Gobustan 18/19
Kish 19/19
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Overview
Since ancient times, Azerbaijan has been known as 'The Land of the Sacred Fire’. With rich reserves of oil and natural gas deposits erupting continuously from the earth, it positioned itself at the heart of the Zoroastrian religion for centuries, attracting fire worshippers from all over the world. Still remarkably untouched by tourism, the fires of Zoroastrianism may be long extinguished but you can still enjoy the promise of a warm welcome.
Its capital is Baku, a fascinating ...
Since ancient times, Azerbaijan has been known as 'The Land of the Sacred Fire’. With rich reserves of oil and natural gas deposits erupting continuously from the earth, it positioned itself at the heart of the Zoroastrian religion for centuries, attracting fire worshippers from all over the world. Still remarkably untouched by tourism, the fires of Zoroastrianism may be long extinguished but you can still enjoy the promise of a warm welcome.
Its capital is Baku, a fascinating city built around a bay on the Caspian Sea. A place blessed with an engaging mix of European flair and eastern promise, it is home to a number of impressive highlights including the old caravanserais and mosques of the medieval walled settlement of Icheri Sheher, the carved stone palace of the Shirvan Shahs and the mysterious Maiden's Tower.
A stroll through its atmospheric streets will also reveal turreted stone towers and the elegant domes of the Hadji Haib baths. With many of the sights to yourself, discovering the riches of Azerbaijan takes a little time and a good guidebook…just the way intrepid travel used to be.
Start your journey
Group tours
Azerbaijan Georgia & Armenia – Across The Caucasus
Explore the rich history, culture and scenery of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan on this popular trip.TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Classic Azerbaijan
This classic itinerary covers the very best of Azerbaijan where tradition meets modernity in the cosmopolitan capital, ancient Silk Road trading towns and craft villages in the lesser-explored Azeri Greater Caucasus
Classic Caucasus
This classic itinerary takes you on a journey through the Caucasus offering the very best the region has to offer, from colourful cities packed with history, to rural villages and stunning UNESCO religious sites, passing through some of the world's most beautiful mountain landscapes.
Complete Caucasus
This extensive itinerary takes you on an in-depth tour of the Caucasus - rich in history, religion and mountain landscapes. Delve beneath the surface and experience everyday life where Europe meets Asia.HIGHLIGHTS OF AZERBAIJAN
BEST EXPERIENCES
Enjoy the opera in Baku
Take in an evening of beauty, grace and cultivation with a visit to the gorgeous Opera House, built by Georgian millionaire Daniel Mailov in 1911 and considered by many to be the finest building in the city.
See mud volcanoes and cave paintings
Explore the otherworldly landscape of Gobustan National Park, home to dramatic mud volcanoes and ancient cave paintings. Discover thousands of rock art showing animals, hunting scenes, dances and ships and even graffiti left by passing Roman armies
Visit the land of sacred fire
Home to an abundance of natural oil and gas deposits, Absheron is a fascinating area to visit. Discover the ancient and modern methods of oil extraction, as well as the various religious cults associated with oil, with a visit to a Zoroastrian fire temple.
Discover Baku’s many museums
Baku is home to several fascinating museums, including the Azerbaijan History Museum, housed in the 1896 mansion of Z. Taghiev, the richest of the oil barons, as well as the unusual Fizuli Museum of Manuscripts and the many 'house museums', former famous houses or apartments now open to the public.
Explore Sheki's Khan's palace
Visit the stunning Palace of the Sheki Khans, once the summer residence and a must-see for any visit to Azerbaijan. With its magnificent frescoes, typical Azeri shebeke windows and mosaics, the palace was recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Hunt for Silk Road treasures
Sheki is one of the oldest towns in the Caucasus, founded more than 2,700 years ago. Here discover the work of jewellers, potters, engravers and embroiders, who for centuries have sold their goods to Moscow, St Petersburg and even Western Europe.
Visit a 1st century church
Explore the village of Kish, home to the oldest church in the Caucasus. Researchers are now working together to learn more about the history of this beautiful church, believed to be one of the oldest in Christendom, dating from the 1st century AD.
Discover Azerbaijan’s handicrafts
Home to ancient cobbled streets bursting with artisanal charm, Lahij is the heart of Azerbaijan’s handicrafts industry. Here you will meet carpet weavers, leather traders, jewellery makers, and of course the famous ‘UNESCO’ coppersmiths.TOP PLACES TO VISIT
Baku
Baku is a pleasant city, built around a bay on the Caspian Sea, with a wide and shady promenade. Central Baku is made up of the medieval walled city known as "Icheri Sheher" with its medieval mosques,...
Lahij
Sheki
The Ancient Town of Sheki was at the centre of the trade routes crossing the region. Silk embroidered in gold by local craftsmen was exported from Sheki to the four corners of the known world. The palace ...
Discover more
WHEN TO GO
Baku
Sheki
INSPIRATION
60 SECOND GUIDE TO GEORGIA
Lying at the crossroads of trade and tradition for centuries, Georgia is one of Europe’s undiscovered gems. Sandwiched between the snow-covered peaks of the Caucasus Mountains and the glittering wate…
Lunch with the Locals
At Wild Frontiers we believe it is crucial to support the local communities we visit and to do so in a responsible manner. This is achieved largely through our small group sizes, allowing us to integrate organically with local people, customs and traditions as well as our strong relationships with l…
Exploring Azerbaijan
Sales consultant Natalie has recently returned from our two week Across the Caucasus group tour. Below Natalie talks about a whirlwind 36 hours in Baku exploring the best of Azerbaijan’s vibrant, elegant and diverse capital, followed by a journey into the Greater Caucasus Mountains. In a short sp…
Marc gets acquainted with Azeri hospitality
Within my first 24hrs ever in the Caucasus, I faced my first major dilemma. I knew that I was due to meet the group off their international flight at Baku airport at 1am and yet there I was just 4 hours earlier being offered my 4th shot of vodka by my overwhelmingly congenial Azeri host. Not wanting…Meet the expert, Natalie
Natalie is our Causcaus expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Natalie by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Azerbaijan though you should be up to date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Please note we are not medical professionals and so we highly recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Azerbaijan the official unit of currency is the Azerbaijan Manat (AZN).
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours we frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your guides will be able to advise you accordingly.
In the churches and cathedrals women should cover their heads with a scarf or hat, while men should take their hats off.
Language & Religion
The official language of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani belonging to the Turkic language family. Azerbaijani is closely related to Turkish, Qashqai and Turkmen. 99% of Azerbaijan’s population are Muslims belonging to the Shia sect which is the 2nd highest Shia population outside of Iran.
Time
Azerbaijan is 5hrs ahead of GMT.
A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
Azerbaijani food is characterised by its use of fresh and healthy ingredients. Meals often begin with salads: tomatoes, small cucumbers, white cheese and a variety of delicious herbs. Caviar from the Caspian Sea washed down with a glass of iced Vodka is a speciality, cheap (compared to the West) and widely available. These may be followed by a hearty soup, for instance dyshbara (dumplings in broth), piti (lamb and peas) or dovga with meatballs, herbs and sour cream. Popular main courses are shashlyks or kebabs cooked over a charcoal fire and fish, particularly sturgeon fresh from the Caspian Sea. It is also delicious grilled in the same way over charcoal and served with a pomegranate sauce – Narsharab.
AZERBAIJAN REVIEWS
Bridget Oeppen
I really enjoyed the variety of landscapes seen on this trip.
Sir Terence Clark
Azerbaijan was a revelation. Our tour took us to some of the enchanting wilder parts where time seems to have stood…
Andrea Bradbury
There were so many major highlights on this trip.The 3 cities all very different...
David Tolcher
Each country was very different and every day had its highlights
Alan Cassels
The three cities of Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan, were gems, lively and picturesque...
Catherine Wilkinson
My first Wild Frontiers trip blew my expectations away - I'm not sure I'll be able to cope travelling with other…