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Azerbaijan8 daysMax 12Solo-friendly

Azerbaijan – Land of Fire

An 8-day journey through Baku's UNESCO old city, burning hillsides, ancient rock carvings, and Silk Road trading towns.

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As Featured In

The TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational GeographicThe TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational Geographic
About this journey

The story behind the route

A curious country, Azerbaijan shares the trait of its Caucasian neighbours of not really belonging to either Europe or Asia, taking elements from both but in a class of its own. With flaming hillsides, ancient temples and the grandeur of Baku, this intriguing little country is as unusual as it is enigmatic. Our short tour to Azerbaijan starts in the capital, a mish mash of Soviet planning, medieval architecture and modern buildings, distinctly unique and rather alluring. We explore the surrounding Absheron Peninsula with Yanardag, the fire mountain and the Temple of the Fire Worshippers, and then gaze in amazement at the bizarre mud volcanoes of Gobustan, yet another quirky side of Azerbaijan. After exploring the historic centre of Baku we head away from the big city to Sheki with its centuries old caravanserais, old Khan’s Palace and a distinct flavour of yesteryear, as well as visiting nearby monasteries and churches. Returning back to the capital, we have a little more time to soak up its ambience and also take a boat trip on the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest body of inland water. For those with a little more time to spare, why not extend your visit with a brief stay in Nakhchivan, a landlocked Azeri enclave with some fantastic old monuments and superb scenery.

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The journey

Azerbaijan – Land of Fire

Key moments

The moments that define this trip

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route
map
  1. Icheri Sheher — Baku's Walled Old City

    Explore Azerbaijan's capital including the medieval fortress of Icheri Sheher, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with ancient mosques, the Shirvanshahs' Palace, and a 15thcentury caravanserai. The area dates back to the 11th century and reflects the city's oil-era European architectural legacy

  2. Yanardag Burning Mountain and Ateshgah Fire Temple

    Visit the 'flaming mountain' of Yanardag on the Absheron Peninsula, where underground gases seep through sandstone and burn continuously. Tour the UNESCO-listed Ateshgah fire-worshippers' temple and the Gala open-air museum.

  3. Lahij Mountain Village

    Stop at Lahij, a historical ethnographic reserve in the mountains where local artisans produce hand-crafted copperware and carpets. Ancient mosques, baths, and cobbled streets line this mountain settlement that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

  4. Sheki and Khan's Palace

    Visit the delightful Silk Road town of Sheki, an independent khanate until the 1820s. The Khan's Palace, built in 1762 without nails, is elaborately decorated with ornate geometric patterns; old caravanserais and mosques line winding traditional streets.

  5. Mingachevir River Boat Trip

    Take a boat trip on the Kura River at Mingachevir, enjoying tea with local jam while on the water. Continue to Ganja, Azerbaijan's second city, to visit the 17th-century Shah Abbas Mosque and the extraordinary 'bottle house' decorated with nearly 50,000 bottles.

  6. Gobustan Petroglyphs and Mud Volcanoe

    Visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site containing over 6,000 rock engravings dating back 40,000 years, depicting dances, warriors, and boats. Witness Azerbaijan's famous mud volcanoes, which bubble and belch from their cones in an otherworldly landscape.

Key moments for Azerbaijan – Land of Fire

Full itinerary · 8 days

Prefer a PDF? Get the printable dossier
Dates & prices

Pick your departure

Reserve your place with a 10% deposit. Final balance due 70 days before departure. Single-room supplements optional — most travellers happily share.

  • Departure
    4 Sept 202611 Sept 2026
    Guaranteed
    From
    £1,645 pp
    Single supp. +£240
    Book now
  • Departure
    14 May 202721 May 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £1,645 pp
    Single supp. +£240
    Book now
  • Departure
    24 Sept 20271 Oct 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £1,645 pp
    Single supp. +£240
    Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Azerbaijan journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

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What's included

Everything covered — and what's not

Included in the price

  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Overland transport throughout with professional driver
  • All accommodation
  • Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
  • Meals as listed
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

  • International flights (, contact , us, for expert advice and a quote)
  • Any airport taxes
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa – when required
  • Drinks
  • Items of personal nature
  • Tips (Discretionary)
Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Azerbaijan Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Azerbaijan that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

For additional official guidance, travellers may also refer to:

Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens — nationals of other countries should check the current position with their respective government travel authority.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Independently verified reviews from travellers who joined Azerbaijan – Land of Fire. Rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ reviewers.

Azerbaijani tour with Naxcivan extension. The highlights just kept on coming — not a dull day in the itinerary. The extension to Naxcivan was worth doing and provided the best experience of all: a hike up to Alinja Castle, 1700 steps, to see a "mini Machu Picchu." Hotels were good and the food provided was excellent.

SteveO

Azerbaijan

We had a wonderful holiday in Azerbaijan and Georgia — flawlessly organised. Travelling as a family of four we were able to see so many wonderful sights in both countries. Both countries were delightful in every way!

Mrs L S 25

Azerbaijan

Stunning scenery, friendly people, and history galore. Everything promised was delivered and worked without issue — the local guides were absolutely amazing.

Adamski

Azerbaijan

An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!

Anna

This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!

Grete

My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.

Frank

Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.

Cathy

Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.

Lynn

We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.

Andy

We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.

Jennie

Azerbaijani tour with Naxcivan extension. The highlights just kept on coming — not a dull day in the itinerary. The extension to Naxcivan was worth doing and provided the best experience of all: a hike up to Alinja Castle, 1700 steps, to see a "mini Machu Picchu." Hotels were good and the food provided was excellent.

SteveO

Azerbaijan

We had a wonderful holiday in Azerbaijan and Georgia — flawlessly organised. Travelling as a family of four we were able to see so many wonderful sights in both countries. Both countries were delightful in every way!

Mrs L S 25

Azerbaijan

Stunning scenery, friendly people, and history galore. Everything promised was delivered and worked without issue — the local guides were absolutely amazing.

Adamski

Azerbaijan

An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!

Anna

This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!

Grete

My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.

Frank

Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.

Cathy

Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.

Lynn

We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.

Andy

We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.

Jennie

Want to customise this tour?

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Common questions

Things travellers usually ask

  • How many travellers will be in my group?

    Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

  • Can I travel solo?

    Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.

  • How fit do I need to be?

    Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

  • When are the next departures?

    The next available departures are 4 September 2026; 14 May 2027; 24 September 2027. See the "Pick your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

  • What's included in the tour price?

    Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; All accommodation; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

  • Where exactly does this trip go?

    This tour visits Azerbaijan. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

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