Shamakhi, Lahij & Sheki: Azerbaijan Silk Road Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Baku → Shamakhi → Lahij (Overnight in Lahij)
6 stops
1
Baku
Your guide and driver meet you at your hotel, apartment, or airport arrivals area at 8:00 AM. Look for "Lord Travel LLC" sign.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
Diri Baba Mausoleum
Visit this unique 2-story mausoleum built in 1402 by order of Shirvanshah Ibrahim I. A gem of Shirvan-Absheron architecture, built on a mountain slope. Medieval travelers Adam Olearius, Cornelis de Bruyn, and Evliya Chelebi mentioned this as the home of a highly respected sheikh. A place of pilgrimage for Silk Road travelers for over 600 years.
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
3
Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum
Visit this cemetery complex perched on a grassy hill with great views over Shamakhi. Seven large tombs belonging to the last ruler of the Shirvan Khanate (1748-1820) and his family. Typical of Shirvan architectural school. Also buried here is celebrated poet Mirza Alakbar Sabir, whose satirical poems were published in Molla Nasreddin magazine.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
4
Juma Mosque
Visit Juma Mosque (743 CE) - the oldest mosque in the Caucasus and the second oldest in the region. A proud symbol of Shamakhi's Islamic and cultural legacy.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
5
Shamakhy Astrophysical Observatory
Drive 22 km north to Pirgulu, home to the Caucasus' largest observatory. Named after astronomer Nasiraddin Tusi (13th century). Visit the museum and see the region's largest telescope. Evening tours (June-August): Enjoy stargazing (stars, planets, celestial phenomena) with observatory staff. Stargazing only after dark and seasonal (June-August). Entrance fee not included.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
6
Lahij - State Historical And Cultural Reserve
Walk cobblestone streets of Lahij, meet copper craftsmen (2,000-year tradition), see ancient water system (1,500 years). Visit nearby Demirchi Village - a charming settlement known for traditional stone houses and authentic rural life. Stop at Chukhur Lake - a serene mountain lake surrounded by green forests, perfect for photos and peaceful moments. Overnight in Lahij.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Lahij → Gabala → Sheki
8 stops
7
Qabala
After breakfast, depart Lahij and drive towards Gabala (approximately 2 hours). Enjoy mountain valleys, rivers, and Silk Road landscapes.
2 minutes • Admission ticket free
8
Essenso Lavender Field
Seasonal visit (May-August only): Stop at a picturesque lavender field in the Gabala region. Walk through rows of blooming purple lavender, enjoy the aromatic scent, and take stunning photos. A perfect nature escape. Outside May-August, this stop is replaced with additional time in Sheki Old Town.
45 minutes • Admission ticket not included
9
Savalan ASPI Winery
Seasonal visit (May-August only): Visit a local vineyard and winery in the Gabala region. Learn about Azerbaijani winemaking traditions, walk through the vineyards, and enjoy wine tasting sessions featuring local grape varieties. Outside May-August, this stop is replaced with additional time in Sheki Old Town. Entrance fee not included.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
10
Shamakhy Astrophysical Observatory
After lunch, we’ll head to the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory, the largest of its kind in Azerbaijan. Established during the Soviet era, the observatory houses the region’s largest telescope and serves as a center for astronomical research. If our visit extends into the evening, you'll even have the chance to do some stargazing, ending the day under a spectacular night sky.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included
11
Sheki
Arrive in Sheki and begin a walking tour through the historic Silk Road streets with traditional architecture and mountain views.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
12
Palace of Shaki Khans
Visit 18th-century palace (UNESCO candidate), famous for stained-glass windows (shebeke) and frescoes. Built without nails. Entrance fee not included (approx 15 AZN).
45 minutes • Admission ticket not included
13
Sheki Karvansaray
Explore the 18th-century Silk Road caravanserai where merchants once rested with their camels and goods.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
14
Church of Kish
Visit the ancient Church of Kish (1st century) with panoramic valley views. An Albanian church with fascinating history.
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
Day 3
Sheki → Baku or Georgia Border
1 stop
15
Sheki
Enjoy free time to try Sheki halva (famous local sweet), visit shops, or relax at a cafe with mountain views. Your guide can provide recommendations. After free time, choose your preferred drop-off option when booking: Option A (Included): Return to Baku city or Heydar Aliyev International Airport (5-6 hours drive). Option B (Additional Charge): Transfer to Azerbaijan-Georgia border crossing at Balakan or Lagodekhi (1.5 hours drive) for onward travel to Georgia. Contact us for border transfer pricing. End of tour.
3 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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