Caucasus - Azerbaijan - One week in Baku, Gebele, Sheki
One week in Azerbaijan - Baku, Gebele, Sheki
Azerbaijan is good for both summer and winter tourism. To cover major places we need approximately a week.
During our trip we covered versatile places across the country: Mausoleum -> Observatory -> Safari Park -> Alpaca Farm -> Cable car journey -> Mountain Peak view -> state reserve -> Waterfall -> Lake -> Biogarden -> Palace -> Museum -> river -> Bottle house -> Rock Art -> Mini venice -> Carpet Museum -> UNESCO Old city -> Pink Lake -> Fire mountain(Yanardag) -> Mud volcano
Day one: Visiting Shamakhi and stay in Ivanovka
We headed to Qabala first as it is the most beautiful natural area in Greater Caucasus mountain range. On the way to Qabala, we visited few places in Shamakhi.
Shamakhi
Astrophysical Observatory
The largest astrophysical observatory in Azerbaijan. Established in the Soviet era 1959, it was used to study the stars and secrets of the universe. You can browse a small museum, admire the largest telescope in the region and even do some stargazing if visiting after dark.
Safari Park
The modern Shamakhi Safari Park covers an area of over 1,000 hectares in the high-mountain area of Pirgulu and is home to more than 1,000 wild animals brought over from different countries. Here, you have every chance of meeting and even photographing red deer, Altai wapiti, mouflon, alpaca, fallow deer, bison and yak in their natural habitat.
Shamakhi Alpaca Farm
Alpaca Azerbaijan is the first alpaca breeder and farm in the country, specializing in alpaca fleece processing and production of high quality alpaca products as well as the first of it's kind interactive farm where you can bring your family and children to get to know our beautiful animals.
Ivanovka Village
The most famous Molokan village is Ivanovka, located in the Ismayilli region. This is the last place in the world where Kolkhoz (collective farms) from Soviet times are preserved. Producing its own milk and cereals, the village boasts auto farms, mills, cattle breeding facilities, poultry farms, and even brick and tile factories. There also exists a milk processing plant that produces cheese and sour cream and a bakery that produces scrumptious Russian bread.The products of this collective farm won recognition among the residents of the capital. It grows wheat, sunflower, vegetables, produces dairy products - butter, sour cream, cheese, and honey.
Qabala (Azerbaijani: Qəbələ)
Gebele / Gabala is a city in northern Azerbaijan. Qabala is a tourist destination due to the combination of its spring climate, mountainous landscape, and diverse fauna. The highest mountain peak of the republic- Mount Bazarduzu (4466 meters) is situated in this region.
Chukhur Gabala
dating back to the 4th century BC. The city has a large war memorial, numerous ancient stone houses and the Rashidbek monument, which is shaped like a huge book.Qabala Cable Car
Amazing place, wonderful views good to go in the early morning or before sunset.
Two stops costs 16 AZN or Four stops 22 KZN
There are big swings at the top of fourth station.
4 stations - Qabala, Tufandag, Duruja, YatmishGoshal
Savalan ASPI winery
Their factory tour costs $30 per person. It includes Factory tour, vineyard tour, wine and cognac cellar, museum and tasting of 6 wines, 2 distillates. (with light snacks, to interrupt the taste). Also they will give a complimentary small bottle of white wine. Prior booking is suggested to avoid delay - winetour@savalan.az
Red, white(Viognier, traminer) and Rose wines
Red, white(Viognier, traminer) and Rose wines
Dessert wines(Moscato) are sweet wines typically served with dessert. A wine is considered “dry” when all of the grape sugar is converted to alcohol during fermentation, while a sweet wine still has some residual sugar.
Lavender Field / Essenso Lavanda Sahəsi
Festival 31st May - 30 June
Nohur Lake/Gol
Lake was created after WWII with a purpose to supply water to surrounding villages. Presently Nohur Lake has become a popular recreation spot. It has a large tree-lined body of water reflecting the Greater Caucasus Mountains in its green-blue waters.Yeddi Gozel Waterfall
The name means 'seven beauties' due to the seven stages of the falls.
Khal-Khal Waterfall
A great place to rest and relax among the trees, and enjoy the view of the small waterfall that descends from the top of the rocks to pour into the lake, you can see the golden fish swim in the lake.. The area is full of activities, including fishing (trout), boat rides, cafes and restaurants. Entry is 5 manat per person.Sheki
Sheki's architecture, notably influenced by Safavid, Qajar and Russian building traditions bears witness to the circulation of different ideas and cultures within it. The Khan Palace, situated in the historic centre of Sheki, as well as number of merchant houses, reflect the wealth generated by silkworm breeding and the trade in silk cocoons from the late 18th to the 19th centuries.
Sheki Khan’s Palace
interior wall paintings and stained-glass windows constructed without glue or nails – a local technique called shebeke.
500-year-old plane trees that dates from the 1760s
Museum of People’s Applied Arts, History, Ethnography and Local Lore
Aşağı Tala, Zaqatala
Zagatala is famous for variety of rose types, such as rainbow, Crimea etc. They also become famous for making rose jam, rose water and rose syrups.
AzRose MMC - The Lecheq Farm and Distillery, which has been operating since 2016, cultivate plants on 182,5 ha: Rose Farm – 145 Ha, Lavender Farm – 36 Ha, Peppermint Farm – 1.5 Ha. Tours of the rose fields at Lecheq Farm and Distillery start in late April to early June from 7am to 12am. Lavender season starts from early June to early July.
Ganja
Mingachevir Kur river and Riverside boulevard
Heydar aliyev parki
Zəfər Taği, Main Alley, amphitheater, Mərkəzi
When you enter the Khan’s Garden your attention is caught by the plane-tree alley more than one hundred years old, unique in the Southern Caucasus for its layout and fan-shaped palms. Among them are high Himalayan Cedars reaching for the skies, Himalayan Pines with their characteristically beautiful hanging branches covered with long needles. As well as these, the evergreen cypresses, Pitsunda and Crimean Pines, black pines, the Caucasian Palms, various species of white pines, Pekelman Firs, Satin Cedars, Eastern Thuyas and other evergreen trees and bushes make the garden especially beautiful.
is an unusual private residence in Ganja built from glass bottles.
The Nizami Mausoleum, built in honor of the 12th-century Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi, stands just outside the city of Ganja. The mausoleum was originally built in 1947 in place of an old collapsed mausoleum, and rebuilt in its present form in 1991. Timing 10-4pm(Mon-Fri)
Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape covers three areas of a plateau of rocky boulders rising out of the semi-desert of central Azerbaijan, with an outstanding collection of more than 6,000 rock engravings.
The state of preservation and the extensive range of petroglyphs here are truly incredible and the information centre does a very good job of explaining what you can see. It is also air-conditioned which was very welcome even at the end of September.
A mud volcano is a landform created by the eruption of mud or slurries, water and gases. Azerbaijan has the most mud volcanoes of any country, spread broadly across the country. Mud volcanoes are associated with oilfields. Rich oil and gas fields are found in the territories of mud volcanoes.
Yanardağ can be translated as “burning mountain” and the hills here appear to be permanently ablaze due to the gas deposits under the surface of the sandstone found here.
The name of the lake is Masazir Lake as the lake is located in the Masazir village near Baku. It looks pink only in certain angles and certain times.
The Little Venice in Baku is the great & clean refreshing park with man-made waterways. You can take a ride in gandolas (venetian boats).
It was the first specialised museum of carpets in the world. The exhibition includes three floors: 1st floor: Development of Azerbaijan carpet and its role in traditions. 2nd floor: Azerbaijani carpetweaving schools. 3rd floor: Carpetweaving of the contemporary period.
The Center, designed to become the primary building for the nation's cultural programs. The architecture is simply amazing. The inside has a lot of history for Heydar Aliyev's life, including his impressive car collection.
(Historic city center)
'Pakhlava' is lighter in colour and baked on a copper tray over a campfire. It’s extremely tender and has a taste exuding hints of roses and saffron.
Sheki 'halva' (a local variation of pakhlava) made of layers of rice dough lattices stuffed with ground nuts, syrup, spices and saffron.
'Ganja dovga', a yoghurt-based soup with herbs.
'keta' / Qutab (Azerbaijani Stuffed Flatbread)
'shah pilaf', a rice dish resembling a massive pie packed with meat, dried fruit and onions and baked with a covering of lavash flatbread.
Azerbaijani Plov (Pilaf)
Dolma. Some types of dolma are made with whole vegetables, fruit, offal or seafood, while others are made by wrapping grape, cabbage, or other leaves around the filling. Wrapped dolma are known as sarma.
According to the 2021 President Decree the following division of economic regions was approved:.png)
Virtual tour https://www.azerbaijan360.az/en/what-to-see/heydar-aliyev-centers-parks/ganja-heydar-aliyev-park/
Khan Baghi
When you enter the Khan’s Garden your attention is caught by the plane-tree alley more than one hundred years old, unique in the Southern Caucasus for its layout and fan-shaped palms. Among them are high Himalayan Cedars reaching for the skies, Himalayan Pines with their characteristically beautiful hanging branches covered with long needles. As well as these, the evergreen cypresses, Pitsunda and Crimean Pines, black pines, the Caucasian Palms, various species of white pines, Pekelman Firs, Satin Cedars, Eastern Thuyas and other evergreen trees and bushes make the garden especially beautiful.
Bottle house
is an unusual private residence in Ganja built from glass bottles.Nizami Ganjavi Mausoleum
The Nizami Mausoleum, built in honor of the 12th-century Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi, stands just outside the city of Ganja. The mausoleum was originally built in 1947 in place of an old collapsed mausoleum, and rebuilt in its present form in 1991. Timing 10-4pm(Mon-Fri)
Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape (UNESO)
Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape covers three areas of a plateau of rocky boulders rising out of the semi-desert of central Azerbaijan, with an outstanding collection of more than 6,000 rock engravings.
The state of preservation and the extensive range of petroglyphs here are truly incredible and the information centre does a very good job of explaining what you can see. It is also air-conditioned which was very welcome even at the end of September.
Mud volcanoes
A mud volcano is a landform created by the eruption of mud or slurries, water and gases. Azerbaijan has the most mud volcanoes of any country, spread broadly across the country. Mud volcanoes are associated with oilfields. Rich oil and gas fields are found in the territories of mud volcanoes.Baku
Yanardag
Yanardağ can be translated as “burning mountain” and the hills here appear to be permanently ablaze due to the gas deposits under the surface of the sandstone found here.
Masazir-salt-lake / Pink lake
The name of the lake is Masazir Lake as the lake is located in the Masazir village near Baku. It looks pink only in certain angles and certain times.Highland Park
Flame towers
Mini-Venice
The Little Venice in Baku is the great & clean refreshing park with man-made waterways. You can take a ride in gandolas (venetian boats).Working Hours:
10 AM – 11:30 PM
The Ticket Price:
5 - 10 AZN
Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum
It was the first specialised museum of carpets in the world. The exhibition includes three floors: 1st floor: Development of Azerbaijan carpet and its role in traditions. 2nd floor: Azerbaijani carpetweaving schools. 3rd floor: Carpetweaving of the contemporary period.Dəniz Mall
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is sits on what looks like an ocean bed, and the water here is indeed salty.
Heydar Aliyev Centre
The Center, designed to become the primary building for the nation's cultural programs. The architecture is simply amazing. The inside has a lot of history for Heydar Aliyev's life, including his impressive car collection.
The "I Love Baku" sign is located a short distance.
Baku Congress Centre is another attraction just nearby.
Love Park
Workshop Ali Shamsi / Мастерская Художника Али Шамси
Palace of The Shirvanshahs
Icherisheher
(Historic city center)
Maiden Tower
Dolma restaurant
Fountain square
Dənizkənarı Milli Park (Baku boulevard)
Park Bulvar Mall
Cuisine
'Pakhlava' is lighter in colour and baked on a copper tray over a campfire. It’s extremely tender and has a taste exuding hints of roses and saffron.
Sheki 'halva' (a local variation of pakhlava) made of layers of rice dough lattices stuffed with ground nuts, syrup, spices and saffron.
'Ganja dovga', a yoghurt-based soup with herbs.
'keta' / Qutab (Azerbaijani Stuffed Flatbread)
'shah pilaf', a rice dish resembling a massive pie packed with meat, dried fruit and onions and baked with a covering of lavash flatbread.
Azerbaijani Plov (Pilaf)
Dolma. Some types of dolma are made with whole vegetables, fruit, offal or seafood, while others are made by wrapping grape, cabbage, or other leaves around the filling. Wrapped dolma are known as sarma.About Azerbaijan
Geographically, Azerbaijan is located in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia, straddling Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Three physical features dominate Azerbaijan: the Caspian Sea, whose shoreline forms a natural boundary to the east; the Greater Caucasus mountain range to the north; and the extensive flatlands at the country's center. There are also three mountain ranges, the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, and the Talysh Mountains. The highest peak of Azerbaijan is Mount Bazardüzü (4,466 m).
Timezone GMT+4Language AzerbaijaniCurrency Manat (AZN)Tel code 994Airport Baku (GYD) [Heydar Aliyev International Airport]Visa https://evisa.gov.az/
According to the 2021 President Decree the following division of economic regions was approved:.png)
- Baku economic region (Baku);
- Nakhchivan economic region (Nakhchivan, Babek, Julfa, Kangarli, Ordubad, Sadarak, Shahbuz and Sharur); (separate no land border)
- Absheron-Khizi economic region (Sumgayit, Absheron and Khizi);
- Mountainous Shirvan economic region (Agsu, Ismayilli, Gobustan and Shamakhi);
- Ganja-Dashkesan economic region (Ganja and Naftalan, Dashkasan, Goranboy, Goygol and Samukh);
- Karabakh economic region (Khankendi, Agjabedi, Aghdam, Barda, Fuzuli, Khojaly, Khojavend, Shusha and Tartar);
- Gazakh-Tovuz economic region (Agstafa, Gadabay, Gazakh, Shamkir and Tovuz);
- Guba-Khachmaz economic region (Khachmaz, Guba, Gusar, Siyazan and Shabran);
- Lankaran-Astara economic region (Astara, Jalilabad, Lerik, Lankaran, Masalli and Yardimli);
- Central Aran economic region (Mingachevir city, Agdash, Goychay, Kurdamir, Ujar, Yevlakh and Zardab);
- Mil-Mugan economic region (Beylagan, Imishli, Saatli and Sabirabad);
- Sheki-Zagatala economic region (Balakan, Gakh, Gabala, Oguz, Sheki and Zagatala);
- East Zangazur economic region (Jabrayil, Kalbajar, Gubadli, Lachin and Zangilan);
- Shirvan-Salyan economic region (Shirvan city, Bilasuvar, Hajigabul, Neftchala and Salyan).
Comments
Post a Comment