ETHNO DISCOVERS

Arrival in the airport named after Heydar Aliyev. Meet with the local staff and transfer to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel. Free time till the next day.

The day starts with the discover of the most anscient part of Baku, the Old City. Here you'll discover tha past of Azerbaijan and formation of the personality of the city. Walking part starts from the main gate of the Old City the Double Gate, crossing Main Square and the great Silk Road. Visit includes middle age Karavansarays, the most anscient building of the city Maiden Tower 8 century b.C, Juma mosque, Shirvanshahs' Palace the residence of local dinasty of 9-16th centuries and various souvenir shops. Tour continuous with the famous Fountain square, the living heart of the city and Nizami street, the shopping artery of Baku. After all you'll be able to admire amazing panoramic view of Baku's bay from the altitude of the Martyrs' Alley.

Absheron Peninsula in Azerbaijan always was a place where different ethnical groups lived together. Now a lot of them are mixed between each other, but we are going to discover some of the most interesting villages of the area. The day starts with the visit to example of religious tolerancy of Azerbaijan to Fire Temple. Since the prehistorical ages fireworshippers habitaded this area together with muslims and christians. After that we invite you to ethnographical park in Gala village where there are remins of the living style of local community since the Bronze age. After visit to Gala drive to Mardakan suburb where in the middle of countryside houses you'll find an architectonical example of the Middle Age constructure, a defensive tower of Mardakan.

Today we depart to the North of Azerbaijan to Quba settlement, where in 175 km from the capital lives the biggest community of Mountain Jews. Here you will study the history of these brave people and their life. After Quba your way goes to the mountains, to the altitude of 2350 m where lives isolated community of 4,5 thousands years old called ketch. This village, Khinaluq is the highest and the most authentic community in Azerbaijan. Overnight in local house in Khinaluq or in hotel in Quba.

This day we go more ahead the North, to Qusar town, where you're invited to meet an ethnographical group extended in the mountains of Caucasus, called lezgi. Here you can taste authentic food and learn their complicated language in Laza village, the last point of Azerbaijan on the Caucasus. Here, not far from the magic waterfalls you can understant all variety of our culture and nature. Overnight in local house or in hotel.

The drive of today takes about 5 hours, but no matter, if you are going to see more miracles. Now we depart to the Nord-West of the country to the village Lahidj, where lives a community of artists and copper masters wellknown because of their lifestyle and authentic language. Overnight in local home or guest house.

There are some very interesting religious communities in Azerbaijan and we are going to explore one of them in Nidj village. There you can admire an authentic monophysite christian church of 17th century old. Drive back to Baku,accomodation in hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel according to departure time. Check out and departure to the airport. Good luck and sweet trip!