Day Trips around Baku, Azerbaijan

  Azerbaijan, as a country, was introduced in our previous blog, which can be accessed here - harshad : A day in Baku City, Azerbaijan

This blog covers one of the  day excursions from Baku in detail and just mentions the other day trips that travellers can enjoy during their visit to Azerbaijan

Day trip to Yanardag, Ateshgah, Mud Volcano, and Gobustan.

Yanardag. Yanardag literally means Burning Mountain.  This natural wonder is about 3000 years old. The natural gas beneath the ground has been seeping through the rocks and burning for all these years, and unlike Mud Volcanos, which are formed by natural gas that comes out with mud, this gas discharge is clear gas without mud.

Yagardag Selfie Point

This area was once home to Zoroastrians, and the fire served as a bond between them and nature. This natural wonder is part of the historical fire worship practised in this area, like the worship performed at the Fire Temple described in the latter part of this blog.

Eternal Fire burning for over 3K years

Admirers of Yanardag Fire

Gubustan.  This place of historic importance has Petroglyphs, or rock engravings, dating back to over 5,000 BCE or earlier. The prehistoric men of that era engraved a variety of objects, such as people, animals, and even a boat carrying people, etc. 

This place is really intriguing. Prehistoric people had knowledge of boats, river travel, dances, and animals, which is really surprising.

Glimpse of Gobustan

Petroglyphs (rock engravings), Human figures, People rowing a Boat

Animals

Ateshgah. This is a 17th-century Hindu, Sikh, and Zoroastrian Fire Temple. This has a fort-like pentagonal perimeter wall with rooms built inside along the walls. These rooms were most likely meant for travelers and monks. There are Hindu, Sikh, and Zoroastrian inscriptions on the stone above the doors of these peripheral rooms in Sanskrit and Farsi, indicating widespread cultural exchange between these communities in those times. The fire here, once upon a time, was due to natural gas seeping through the earth; however, today the fire that is seen is lit by natural piped gas supplied to this place. The religious importance of this place for Hindus, Sikhs, and Parsis must have been very high about two centuries ago.

Ateshgah, the peripheral wall with the entrance gate

The Market complex, inside the main compound but outside Ateshgah walls

Main Fire Temple, Ateshgah

The Atesh (Fire)

Stone Tablet in Devnagari at the entrance of one of the rooms

Bhagwan Ganesh in one of the rooms

Stone Tablet in Gurumukhi

Mud Volcano.   The readers know that Azharbijan is called the land of fire. This is because there is a lot of natural gas under the earth in Azerbaijan, and that gives birth to places like Yonardag and a large number of mud volcanoes. These mud volcanoes are formed by gas seeping through the Earth's crust, and this gas brings along water and mud from beneath the Earth's crust. 

Mud Volcanoes, the Landscape

One such area where tourists can see mud volcanoes in action is part of Gobustan National Park. You can see small raised mounds of earth. On top of these mounds, the mud volcanoes can be seen. However, it is not necessary that the mud volcanoes can be seen only on top of the earth mounds; sometimes the mud volcanoes may sprout from the plain area also. 

Mud Volcano close up

Another Shot

It is fun to watch mud volcanoes in action from a close quarter, as they are warm but not hot, their plume does not rise high, and they are very safe even when one is very close to them. The bud-bud sound, water, and mud coming out make these Mud Volcanos an interesting place to see and enjoy. 

Conclusion. This is an enjoyable trip that can be easily done in a day. One must learn a bit more about these places before the trip to derive the full value of this trip.

Other day trips from Baku (not done by us). There are mainly three to four circuits that can be done as a day trip from Baku. We described one such trip above. The other trips that can be done from Baku are -

(a) Guba, Candy Cane Mountain, and Khinaliq Village.

(b) Shamakhi, Ismailli, Gabala Mountain, and Sheki (Practically four regions of Azerbaijan).

(c) Khizi and Shahdag (the European part of Azerbaijan).

There are various combinations that get created out of the above-mentioned destinations. One can pick and choose and travel accordingly.

It may also be a good idea, subject to the availability of time, to stay in the mountain region for three to four days rather than making a day trip.

This is the end of this blog. All the comments are welcome. They encourage us to produce more and better blogs.

A day in Baku City, Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, a modern country worth visiting. Baku is its Capital. In this blog we are visiting this city, virtually.

We recently travelled to Azerbaijan for a quick four-day trip. However, let us know more about Azerbaijan before we visit Baku.

Azerbaijan has a dramatic blend of East and West, offering everything from the walled Old City of Baku—a UNESCO World Heritage Site amid striking modern skyscrapers—to the vast landscapes stretching from the lush Caucasus Mountains to the Caspian Sea shores. Known as the "Land of Fire," this country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia is celebrated for its ancient Zoroastrian temples, bubbling mud volcanoes, Silk Road caravanserais, and a patchwork of thriving artisan villages.  Its capital Baku is an ultra-modern city that takes pride in its glorious past.

Most travellers from India spend four to eight days at Azerbaijan. The direct flights from Mumbai and Delhi, along with a quick visa that can be obtained online, are other factors that contribute to this.

What to do in Azerbaijan

Generally, the four-day itinerary can be divided into three parts as follows (the fourth day being the departure day).

One day is utilised for the Baku City tour.

One day is meant  for an excursion to Gobustan Rock Carvings, Ateshgah Fire Temple, Mud Volcano and Yanardag Fire Mountain. Time permitting, one can also visit Bibi Heybat Mosque, a very aesthetically designed, beautiful building.

One day can be spent for excursion to Shahdag Mountain, Candy Cane Mountain and one or two enroute destinations.

There are a few more day excursions that can be done, but the above-mentioned ones are by and far the best. We only did the city tour and , Gobustan, Ateshga, and Mud Volcano.. We kept day three free and enjoyed the Boulevard vibes that day.

We will now do a virtual trip of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan

Baku City Tour

Baku has the right mix of ancient and modern. This being the capital of oil-rich Azerbaijan, its new area has skyscrapers, wide roads, and well-organised squares and gardens. Baku gives a feeling of being in Dubai.

What can we see in Baku in a day? Baku has  many places worth a visit, but what gets covered in a day is as follows-

(a) Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center and Museum. This massive and artistically designed building is named after the first president of independent Azerbaijan. The building's fluid form. by itself is a visual delight, but that is not all, it also houses a vintage car museum and eight floors of various spaces, including an auditorium that can house 1000 participants. There are many exhibitions that happen here on a day-to-day basis. 

The big I love Baku sign for Instagrammers is also located here. A detailed visit can take over two hours, but if one wants to enjoy the aesthetics of the building and see one odd exhibition, it may still take about one hour. Heydar Aliyev Center is omnipresent landmark as almost all major roads from Airport and other places flow around this place. Now let us see some photos -

Heyder Aliye Centre 

Vintage Cars in the Vintage Car Museum in this Center

(b) Flame Towers - These are three tall towers shaped in such a way that they appear like leaping flames coming out of the fire. They signify eternal fire and also represent what the name "Azerbaijan" means, the Land of Fire. one of the towers houses a housing complex of 130 apartments, the second one is a hotel, and the third one is an office complex.

Flame Towers

Highland Park - This large park, not far from Flame towers and (Caspian Sea) Boulevard, this park has viewing points giving an almost 360 degree view of Baku and its shoreline. More importantly, it also serves as a sacred place as it has a Alley of Martyrs where memorial stones of the Azerbaijani Soldiers who died for the nation and an eternal flame are placed along the longest walkway. Since there are walkways and gardens at multiple levels in this garden, it is a walker's paradise. This park also serves as a cultural space to hold cultural programmes. This park also features the upper station of the Baku Funicular.

Baku Funicular - Built in 1960, this half-kilometer funicular has two coaches that alternately go up and down. It connects Highland Park to Neftchilar Avenue at a square right next to the beginning of the Boulevard. Since Highland Park is situated on higher ground, the Funicular makes it easy, comfortable, and a unique way to descend to the areas around the Boulevard. 

The Boulevard - The rich and famous of oil-rich Azerbaijan built huge mansions along the shore of the Caspian Sea about 100 years ago. Along came this Boulevard, which was artificially created on this Caspian Seafront. Today, Boulevard has over 5 kilometres (or maybe more as when certain areas are considered, this Boulevard actually extends to 24 km). It is a place that has something to offer for everyone. There is a Carpet museum along it. There is also a mini Venice where gondola boats take you through a small canal. It also has gardens, a performance arena, and food courts. It also has a toy train which runs along the length of the main Boulevard, and it is fun to enjoy this ride. There is also a big mall at the funicular end of the Boulevard, called Deniz mall, where many food outlets are available. One can spend at least half a day at Boulevard.

The Boulevard

Mini Gardens at Boulevard

Daniz Mall

Nizami Street - a street that is the happening place and the centre of activities in Baku. Nizami Street is where the original trading areas developed around 175 years ago. During detailed urban planning to manage the increasing population, this street was developed in the Baku (old) town around 1860. This street today boasts many big brand stores, restaurants, and other places of entertainment. This street also had houses of the rich and famous of Baku, and they are architectural marvels even today. Nizami street today is a pedestrian-only street, and when one chooses a hotel, be mindful to select a hotel in the old city around Nizami Street, but not on Nizami Street, unless you are comfortable lugging your luggage.

Nizami Street is where one should go for fun and nightlife. Don't miss visiting Nizami Street during your stay in Baku. 

Food Outlet By-lane of Nizami Street

Fountain Square  - This Square is on a radial of Nizami Street. This radial has mostly eating joints of various types, and this street originates from Fountain Square, where there is also a food court. This square, which has a huge arena, is used for public gatherings and functions. It is a lively place throughout the day and transforms into a happening place at night.

Practically, the Nizami Street, Fountain Square, and the Boulevard form the area where one should be to have a good time.

The Fountain

Icheri Shahar - Contiguous to the Boulevard, Nizami Street, Old Baku and Highland Park stands the old Citadel of Baku, called Icheri Shahar, meaning Inner City (old walled city). This was the only settlement in this place from 1200 CE (some say from 700 CE) till the Russians captured it in 19th century. With the arrival of the Russians, the outer settlements started coming up, which were obviously called Behari Shahar, meaning Outer city. 

As of today, there are two major attractions in the Icheri Shahar area. First is the Maiden Tower, a bastion of the old fort. History has it that it was part of a period when Iran and Azerbaijan adhered to Zoroastrianism and housed a fire temple. There are stories of the fortress of Baku under siege when a heavenly maiden appeared and saved Baku, hence Maiden Tower. Today, the tower houses a small museum on every floor, and there is a good view of Baku, including Icheri Shahar, from the tower top.

Another important landmark of Icheri Sheher is Shirvanshah Palace, which was built by the Shirvanshah dynasty king in the 15th century CE. It is a complex consisting of a palace, a diwanhana, a mosque, a burial place for the royals, and a mausoleum of a Sufi Saint.

This place is one of the two landmarks, the other being the Maiden Tower.

A Mosque entrance near the palace

Icheri Shahar Street

Maiden Tower

This, by and large, finishes the Baku city tour. This city is a delightful place to visit.  Baku has a variety of hotels, hostels, and B&Bs. Our favorite area to stay is Old City and Nizami Street, but there is a caution: Nizami is supposed to be a vehicle-free street. Staying at Nizami may entail carrying your own luggage for a short distance.

Food options are also aplenty, and vegetarian food is available. That means vegetarians can travel worry-free.

Baku is a safe city for everyone, including single female travellers. Overall, this place is worth visiting.