2 Days With Lahidj Nidj And Sheki With Hotel
About this tour
This program is for the people who are interesting in history, nature and ethnography. During this tour you will visit most interesting and unique places in north-west area of Azerbaijan that can be reached without using any additional equipment or means of transportation. You will visit Shemakha, Lahidj, Nidj and Sheki
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Baku to Sheki
Lahidj At the next day our first main destination point is Lahidj. Till 1982 there was almost no road to Lahic. That’s why Lahic almost stayed unbroken and unchanged for many hundred years There is no exact data of the origin of the Lagich settlement and the chronicle of this place is based on the legend. According to one of them, Persian shah Kai Khosrow killed a respectable ruler of one of the cities in the struggle for power. It caused indignation of masses. In order to save own life, he fled the country. The shah found shelter in the mountains not far from current place of Lagich where he spent the rest of his life. The village was formed by his servants and their families from the tribe lagich, who settled near the shelter of their master. Gradually, the settlement expanded and turned into artisans’ center. It was already then, hundred years ago, when copper became the main material of Lagich craftsmen. Local dwellers learned to melt it in their motherland, in Iran. In the new place, artisans developed their skills and established trade connections. Craftsmen workshops with melting stoves appeared on the territory of the village and the fame of beautiful and unique copper pieces spread around. Big caravans from Turkey, Georgia, Persia, and Dagestan started pass across Lagich. Merchants would deliver food, copper, fabric to the village and would take back cold steel, souvenirs and other copper household items with themselves. Road to Lahic is amazing. Just because of the road it worth to go there. Nidj The settlement of Nij is a unique district, with its unusual planning lay out, transport systems, and its public, private and religious buildings. Nij is also a unique place, as various ethnic and religious groups co-existed throughout the centuries. The settlement of Nij is divided into several quarters, based on the family relationships of its residents. Practically all the names of these quarters are in the Azeri language – such as Hajibayli, Darabag, Daramahla, Vazirli, Farimli, Malbel, Agdamekli, Melikli, Falshyly, Manjyly, Delekli, Chirmakhli and Abdally. As in their past, Udis are today involved in a variety of vocations, which include farming, cattle breeding, rice cultivation, horticulture, poultry farming, craftsmanship and viticulture. Many Udi ceremonies, rites, and calendar days of the Udis are linked to farming. Traditional ceremonies, rites, beliefs and traditions are the integral elements of an intangible cultural heritage. This is mostly reflected in the names and observance of national holidays. One such holiday is called Comrad, and is celebrated near a church, whereby, according to the tradition, the sacrifice of a black sheep is required. It is worth noting that this rite is similar to the Gurban Holiday (Eid al-Adha) – a sacred holiday of Islam, widely celebrated by Azerbaijanis. One of the popular holidays of the Udi people is Zhogulun Akhsibay, celebrated on the arrival of Spring. On that day, each family cooks a meal called kherse, paints eggs and jumps over bonfires. Many elements of this holiday are similar to those of the Novruz (Spring) Holiday of Azerbaijan. These unique features of the Udis’ cultural heritage have, in the past, been observed by many scholars and travelers who visited Nij. Throughout the 19th century, information about the Udis, and particularly their language, was studied and published by Russian and Western researchers. Alexander Dumas, the French writer, in his book Tales of the Caucasus, provides detailed information about the specific economic activities, language and culture of the Udis living in Nij.
Day 2: Sheki to Baku
Sheki City located on its territory for more than 2,500 years old.This tidy city has an ancient history, with interesting places to visit, narrow streets to walk along, where each tourist makes hundreds of photos. Recently, Sheki became a place of the international and local festivals that attracted many people of disparate interests, from sweet lovers to the festival of sweets to bikers, who earlier this summer gathered together in the city. Sheki has many historical and architectural attractions. The majestic Palace of Sheki Khans, located in the city fortress, takes a special place with its magnificent wall paintings and colorful windows’ mosaic. The palace was the residence of Sheki khans back in 1762. The interior design of the palace reflects the best traditions of Azerbaijani architecture. The palace is considered as one of the most beautiful architectural monuments of medieval Azerbaijan. Here you can also buy souvenirs, and try national costumes. Another must-see place in Sheki is the local Old Fortress. There are 11 historical bathhouses here, and one of them built in 19th century, is still in operation. Most of the historical monuments from different periods are located in this part of the town, including the 5th century Albanian temple (please read here http://indyguide.com/article/one-of-the-oldest-churches-in-the-world-1-century-ad) Day 1 09:00 – 12:00- transfer to Lahidj (tea brake on mountain pass) Multiply stop on the road (Diri Baba thomb, Shemakha mosque) 12:00 - 13:00 – Lahidj tour 13:00 – 14:00 –dinner in a house of local inhabitant 14:00 - 16:00 - transfer to Nidj 16:00 – 16:30 - visitint Albanian church 16:30 - 18:00 - transfer to Sheki 18:00 - hotel check-in, rest Day 2 09:00 - 12:00 - visiting Sheki Sheki Khan's palace and Karavansaray, 1 AD church in Kish 12:00 - check-out 12:00 - 13:00 - lunch 13:00 - 18:00 - transfer to Baku (tea stops on the road) Includes • Individual driver and the guide • Lunch in Lahidj • Accommodation in 4* hotel on BB basis in Sheki Saray 4* (2 persons per room DBL/TWIN) • All tickets
What's included
What to know
Nothing
Route & locations
Baku to Sheki