Following the Footsteps of Lost Civilizations Information
Discover the timeless spirit of Azerbaijan — from the ancient rock art of Gobustan and mysterious mud volcanoes to the flames of Ateshgah and Yanar Dag, while exploring the historic Old City and the futuristic architecture of Baku.
From Ancient Rock Art to the Eternal Flames of Azerbaijan
What if you could walk through a city where ancient history, mysterious natural wonders and futuristic architecture exist side by side?
Welcome to Azerbaijan — the Land of Fire, where every journey reveals another chapter of a fascinating story.
Begin your adventure in Baku, a city where the medieval walls of Icherisheher stand alongside spectacular modern architecture. Walk through the narrow streets of the Old City, discover the legendary Maiden Tower and Palace of the Shirvanshahs, and uncover the stories of the oil barons whose fortunes transformed Baku into one of the most remarkable cities of the early 20th century.
Then leave the city behind and travel deep into the past.
In Gobustan, thousands of ancient petroglyphs carved into the rocks reveal the lives, beliefs and daily activities of people who lived here thousands of years ago. It is a place where history is not simply displayed in a museum — it is written directly into the landscape.
Continue to the extraordinary mud volcanoes, where the earth itself seems alive. Surrounded by an almost otherworldly landscape, you may understand why some of Azerbaijan’s geological formations have been compared to landscapes found on Mars.
But the journey does not end there.
Enter the legendary Land of Fire and discover Ateshgah, the ancient Fire Temple built around natural flames, followed by Yanar Dag — the Burning Mountain, where fire emerges naturally from the earth.
Finally, return to modern Baku and experience the striking contrast of the Flame Towers, Highland Park and Heydar Aliyev Center, where futuristic architecture creates a completely different face of Azerbaijan.
One journey. Thousands of years of history.
From prehistoric civilizations and medieval legends to eternal flames and a futuristic capital — Azerbaijan is a destination where the past and future meet.
Come and follow the footsteps of civilizations lost in time.
Following the Footsteps of Lost Civilizations Itinerary
DAY1 Day 1 – Arrival in Baku Arrival in Baku and airport meet & greet.
Arrival in Baku and airport meet & greet.
Transfer to the hotel and check-in at 14:00.
Free time at leisure.
How to Spend Your Free Time
- Take a walk along Nizami Street (formerly Torgovaya), one of Baku’s most popular pedestrian streets, filled with shops, boutiques and cafés.
- Enjoy a relaxing stroll along Baku Boulevard, a favorite leisure destination for both locals and visitors.
- Take a seasonal boat trip around Baku Bay.
- Enjoy traditional Azerbaijani tea served with pakhlava or white cherry jam.
- Visit Deniz Mall, one of Baku’s largest shopping and entertainment centers, whose distinctive design is inspired by the eight-pointed star featured on Azerbaijan’s national symbols.
- Explore Crescent Mall, one of Baku’s newest shopping and entertainment destinations, featuring an open-air terrace and Azerbaijan’s first musical fountain.
DAY2 Day 2 – Baku: Black Gold of the Caspian & Legends of the Old City
Breakfast at the hotel.
At 10:00, departure for the excursion:
Black Gold of the Caspian & Legends of the Old City
Highlights:
- Mansions of the Oil Barons
- Icherisheher (Old City)
- Palace of the Shirvanshahs
- Maiden Tower
- Multani and Bukhara Caravanserais
- Philharmonic Garden
- Little Venice
- Local souvenir shops
Our walking tour begins with fascinating stories about the magnificent mansions built by Azerbaijan’s wealthy oil barons at the beginning of the 20th century.
The first highlight will be the impressive National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature named after Nizami Ganjavi, famous for its distinctive blue majolica façade and sculptures of prominent Azerbaijani writers.
We will then continue along the street to the magnificent Ismailiyya Palace, built between 1908 and 1913 by architect Józef Ploško for oil magnate Musa Naghiyev in memory of his son Ismail.
Next, we will see the former Alexandrian Muslim Women's School, established in 1901 and considered one of the pioneering educational institutions for women in the Caucasus.
Our route will then take us to the elegant Palace of Happiness, a remarkable Neo-Gothic building constructed in 1912 and associated with the fascinating story of oil magnate Murtuza Mukhtarov.
We will continue towards the historic Baku City Duma building, constructed in Baroque style between 1900 and 1904 and now home to Baku City Hall.
Afterwards, we enter the beautiful Philharmonic Garden, formerly known as the Governor’s Garden, and admire the building of the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall, combining Italian Renaissance-inspired architecture with German Rococo interiors.
Icherisheher – The Old City
From the Philharmonic Garden, we enter Icherisheher, Baku’s historic Old City and one of Azerbaijan’s most important architectural and historical treasures.
Walking through its narrow ancient streets, we will discover the iconic Maiden Tower, the magnificent Palace of the Shirvanshahs, historic mosques, caravanserais, old bathhouses and traditional souvenir shops.
Visitors will have the opportunity to browse local shops offering national clothing, scarves, traditional hats, handmade carpets, ceramics and other Azerbaijani handicrafts.
For those familiar with Soviet cinema, Baku also offers a special connection with the famous movie “The Diamond Arm”, as well as several other Soviet-era films that were shot in the city.
Lunch
At the end of the walking tour, enjoy lunch at a cozy restaurant in the Old City, where you can experience authentic Azerbaijani cuisine and local hospitality.
Lunch in the Old City is included only in the Comfort and Premium packages.
Little Venice
After lunch, enjoy a short walk through Little Venice, a charming area on Baku Boulevard inspired by the canals of Venice.
Small waterways, picturesque bridges and traditional boats create a relaxing atmosphere in the heart of modern Baku.
Boat ride is included only in the Comfort and Premium packages.
Free time.
DAY3 Day 3 – Ancient Gobustan, Mud Volcanoes & The Land of Fire
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure for excursions at 10:00.
Dancing Figures of Ancient Gobustan & The Mud Volcanoes of Planet Mars
The Land of Fire: Ateshgah Fire Temple & Yanar Dag
Heydar Aliyev Center
Highlights:
- Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve
- Ancient rock carvings and petroglyphs
- Gobustan Museum
- Mud Volcanoes Tourist Complex
- Mud Volcanoes
- Yanar Dag Fire Mountain
- Ateshgah Fire Temple
- Highland Park
- Flame Towers
- Heydar Aliyev Center
We begin the day at Highland Park, one of the best viewpoints in Baku, offering spectacular panoramic views of the Caspian Sea, Baku Bay, the Flame Towers and the modern city skyline.
From here, we head outside Baku to explore one of Azerbaijan’s most fascinating prehistoric destinations — Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve.
Gobustan – Following the Footsteps of Ancient Civilizations
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gobustan is famous for its extraordinary collection of ancient rock carvings and petroglyphs.
The reserve contains more than 6,000 ancient rock engravings, offering a remarkable glimpse into prehistoric human life.
At the Gobustan Museum, interactive technologies, multimedia presentations, 3D videos and digital displays help visitors discover the region’s prehistoric heritage in an engaging way.
Mud Volcanoes
We continue to the Mud Volcanoes Tourist Complex, where visitors can learn about the geological characteristics and natural properties of mud volcanoes.
The complex also features exhibitions dedicated to the nature and wildlife of Gobustan.
Azerbaijan is famous for having one of the world’s largest concentrations of mud volcanoes, making this extraordinary landscape one of the country’s most unusual natural attractions.
Lunch
Lunch at a local restaurant.
The Land of Fire
After lunch, we continue our journey to discover why Azerbaijan is known as the “Land of Fire.”
The Land of Fire excursion is included only in the Comfort and Premium packages.
Our first stop is the historic Ateshgah Fire Temple, located in Surakhani.
Built around a natural gas flame, the temple became an important pilgrimage destination for Zoroastrians and Hindu fire worshippers. Today, it operates as an open-air museum.
We then continue to Yanar Dag, meaning “Burning Mountain”, a unique natural phenomenon where flames emerge from the earth due to underground natural gas.
Heydar Aliyev Center
The excursion concludes with a photo stop at the spectacular Heydar Aliyev Center, designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid.
The building is famous for its flowing, futuristic architecture, resembling waves rising from the ground.
Visitors can admire its extraordinary exterior from different angles and take memorable photographs, including at the popular “I Love Baku” sign.
DAY4 Day 4 – Departure
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check-out from the hotel and transfer to the airport.
If time permits, enjoy a final visit to the local Yashil Bazaar (Green Market).
Here you can discover a wide selection of local delicacies, fresh fruits, dried fruits, homemade cheeses, butter, honey, jams and preserves, including traditional feijoa and walnut varieties, as well as other Azerbaijani specialties.
End of the tour.
Following the Footsteps of Lost Civilizations What's Include
- Russian-speaking guide
- transfer
- hotel
- insurance
- water 0.5 l. per person per day
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Personal English speaking guide
Following the Footsteps of Lost Civilizations Not Include
- Meals
- light snacks
- entrance fees
Following the Footsteps of Lost Civilizations FAQ
What can I expect from the itinerary of the Following the Footsteps of Lost Civilizations tour?
The Following the Footsteps of Lost Civilizations tour offers a curated journey through historical landmarks and ancient sites. Participants will explore significant archaeological locations while uncovering the mysteries of vanished cultures. The itinerary is designed to provide an immersive educational experience, balancing expert-led site tours with ample time for personal discovery. You will travel through diverse regions, visiting key ruins and cultural centers that provide deep insight into how these ancient societies lived, thrived, and ultimately faded into history.
Following the Footsteps of Lost Civilizations Availability
Oops!!! No results found.
Dear user unfortunately, no information was found for the query you entered. But this is not the end please try again with a new search query.
Following the Footsteps of Lost Civilizations Trip Reviews
Similar Trips
We would be more than happy to help you. Our team advisor are 24/7 at your service to help you.
