Itinerary
- Qala Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum Complex: You will meet your guide at your accommodation. The trip will start with a visit to Gala open-air museum. Gala Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum Complex is situated in the historical part of Gala village. There are 216 monuments in the territory of the village. You will see petroglyphs (stone carvings) dating back to the third and second millennia B.C and the Middle Ages, household ceramics and archaeological artifacts discovered in the Absheron Peninsula. Merchant’s house is a magnificent example of medieval dwelling houses existing in the village. Furthermore, tombstones, kurgans (artificial mound), various tools, such as "khana" (tool for carpet weaving) are demonstrated in the museum.
- Mardakan Castle: Then we'll continue with the trip to see the tower in Mardakan village. Mardakan toponym is related to the name of tribe “Mard” (meaning brave). With the consolidation of the Shirvanshahs kingdom, many towers were built in Absheron Peninsula. In addition to its historical significance, Quadrangular Tower in Mardakan is one of the majestic castles and a part of Absheron’s integrated defense system. The tower was located in such a convenient place, that seashore, Gala and Ramana fortresses were easily visible from the Tower.
- Yanar Dag: Later you will enjoy the view of Yanardag (Burning Mountain) - the burning mountain. In ancient times natural eternal flames were burning in many places of Absheron. Yanardag was declared State Historical-Cultural and Natural Reserve in order to protect natural monument.
- Ateshgah - Fire Temple: Our last stop will be Ateshgah temple, located approximately 30 km from the center of Baku in the suburb of Surakhany. You will learn a lot about the temple from your guide, particularly, more about the history of creation of such a temple in Baku and unique natural phenomenon of burning natural gas outlets.
Includes
- Exclusive souvenir postcard
- 0.5 lt bottled water per person
- Transportation costs
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Local English speaking guide
- Entrance tickets
- Food and drinks
Details
Absheron tour covers four main historical spots of Absheron peninsula: Ateshgah Temple, Yanar Dag - Burning Mountain, Qala Museum and Mardakan Tower.
Get acquainted with old household and ethnographic traditions of ancient people at Gala open-air museum. During the tour you will also visit Quadranqular Tower, one of the ancient towers located in Mardakan village. Moreover, you will also learn legends about Burning Mountain and the gas streams located nearby. Our last stop is Ateshgah Temple, a worshiping temple of Zoroastrians and Hindus.
Get acquainted with old household and ethnographic traditions of ancient people at Gala open-air museum. During the tour you will also visit Quadranqular Tower, one of the ancient towers located in Mardakan village. Moreover, you will also learn legends about Burning Mountain and the gas streams located nearby. Our last stop is Ateshgah Temple, a worshiping temple of Zoroastrians and Hindus.
Know Before You Go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Some territories may get muddy during autumn-spring seasons, so consider wearing comfortable shoes or even boots if you're booking in these seasons
