Republic of Azerbaijan Travel Itinerary - Visa Application Document body { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: #000000; color: #ffffff; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0; padding: 40px 20px; } .container { max-width: 1000px; margin: 0 auto; } header { text-align: center; margin-bottom: 40px; } h1, h2, h3, p, span, li, strong { color: #ffffff; } h1 { font-size: 2rem; margin-bottom: 5px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; } .document-meta { font-size: 1rem; margin-bottom: 30px; } .itinerary-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 20px; } .day-box { background-color: #000000; border: 2px solid #000000; outline: 1px solid #333333; padding: 20px; page-break-inside: avoid; } .day-header { border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .day-header h2 { margin: 0; font-size: 1.4rem; } .day-header .location { font-size: 1rem; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; } .activity-list { list-style-type: none; padding: 0; margin: 0; } .activity-list li { margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 15px; position: relative; } .activity-list li::before { content: "-"; position: absolute; left: 0; top: 0; } .highlight { font-weight: bold; } footer { margin-top: 40px; padding-top: 20px; border-top: 1px solid #000000; } .tips-section { margin-bottom: 20px; } .tips-section h3 { font-size: 1.2rem; margin-bottom: 10px; text-transform: uppercase; } .tips-list { list-style-type: square; padding-left: 20px; font-size: 0.95rem; } .tips-list li { margin-bottom: 8px; } .official-note { text-align: center; font-size: 0.9rem; font-style: italic; margin-top: 30px; } @media print { body { background-color: #ffffff !important; color: #000000 !important; padding: 0; } h1, h2, h3, p, span, li, strong, .location { color: #000000 !important; } .day-box { background-color: #ffffff !important; border: 2px solid #000000 !important; outline: none !important; margin-bottom: 20px; box-shadow: none !important; } .day-header { border-bottom: 1px solid #000000 !important; } footer { border-top: 1px solid #000000 !important; } @page { margin: 2cm; } } Travel Itinerary Destination: Republic of Azerbaijan (Baku, Gobustan, Absheron, Sheki) Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights Purpose of Travel: Tourism Day 1 - Arrival in Baku & The Caspian Skyline Arrival & Transfer: Depart from Dhaka (DAC) and arrive at Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) in Baku. Clear immigration by presenting your ASAN e-Visa and valid passport. Transfer via private vehicle or the Airport Express Bus (approximately 30 minutes) to your centrally located hotel in the capital. Baku Boulevard (Dənizkənarı Milli Park): Spend your first afternoon walking along this pristine, miles-long seaside promenade hugging the Caspian Sea. Established in 1909, it offers a perfect introduction to the city's blend of European, Soviet, and modern Islamic aesthetics. Highland Park (Dağüstü Park): Ride the Baku Funicular up to Highland Park just before dusk. This elevated terrace provides an unparalleled, sweeping panoramic view of the entire Bay of Baku and the sprawling cityscape below. The Flame Towers: From your vantage point at Highland Park, witness the iconic Flame Towers illuminate the night sky. These three sweeping skyscrapers are covered in 10,000 high-power LED luminaires, projecting mesmerizing displays of fire that symbolize Azerbaijan's ancient Zoroastrian heritage. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Baku. Day 2 - Icherisheher: The Ancient Inner City Icherisheher (Old City): Dedicate the morning to exploring Baku's historic core, a highly preserved UNESCO World Heritage site. Wander through the maze of narrow, cobblestone streets enclosed by 12th-century defensive walls. Palace of the Shirvanshahs: Tour this 15th-century masterpiece of Azerbaijani architecture. Explore the sprawling sandstone complex, which includes the main palace, the burial crypts, the Shah's mosque with its finely carved minaret, and the historic bathhouse. The Maiden Tower (Qız Qalası): Visit Baku's most enigmatic and iconic landmark. The exact date of construction remains a mystery (estimated between the 4th and 12th centuries). Climb the ancient stone spiral staircase to the roof for excellent views over the old town. Muhammad Mosque & Caravanserais: Walk to the Muhammad Mosque (Siniqqala), dating back to 1078, making it the oldest Islamic building in Baku. Later, explore the Bukhara and Multani Caravanserais, historic stone inns that once hosted merchants traveling along the Great Silk Road. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Baku. Day 3 - Spiritual Heritage & Avant-Garde Design Bibi-Heybat Mosque: Start the day at this stunning spiritual center overlooking the Caspian. A masterful 1990s reconstruction of a 13th-century mosque destroyed during Soviet rule, it features breathtaking green and gold mirrored interiors and houses the tomb of Ukayma Khanum, a descendant of the Prophet (PBUH). Heydar Aliyev Center: Shift from ancient to ultra-modern by visiting this architectural triumph designed by the late Zaha Hadid. The building is renowned for its flowing, curved, and completely fluid exterior (lacking a single straight line) and houses extensive exhibits on Azerbaijani culture and history. Taza Pir Mosque: Visit this prominent mosque completed in 1914, serving as the spiritual center for Muslims in the Caucasus. Its grand stone architecture is crowned with minarets and a dome finished in pure gold. Nizami Street & Fountain Square: Spend the evening strolling along Baku's premier pedestrian avenue, renowned for its ornate late 19th-century European architecture. Enjoy a traditional dinner of Azerbaijani Plov (saffron rice with dried fruits and meat) or Dolma in a local restaurant. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Baku. Day 4 - Gobustan Prehistoric Wonders & Mud Volcanoes Transit to Gobustan: Depart Baku for a 1-hour drive south along the Caspian coast to the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape (a UNESCO World Heritage site). The terrain shifts dramatically into a rugged, semi-desert environment. Gobustan Petroglyphs: Explore the open-air museum featuring over 6,000 ancient rock engravings spanning 40,000 years of human history. The carvings vividly depict prehistoric hunting scenes, tribal dances (Yalli), reed boats, and shamanistic rituals. The Mud Volcanoes: Transfer into specialized off-road vehicles (often vintage Soviet Ladas) to navigate the cracked, lunar-like landscape to reach the Dashgil mud volcanoes. Azerbaijan hosts nearly half of the world's mud volcanoes, which continuously bubble and eject cold, thick grey mud. Coastal Return: During the return drive, pass by the first industrially drilled oil well in the world (drilled in 1846) and take a final sunset stop near the Bibi-Heybat complex for evening coastal photography. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Baku. Day 5 - The Absheron Peninsula: The Land of Eternal Fire Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain): Travel to the Absheron Peninsula to witness this extraordinary natural phenomenon. A 10-meter wall of fire burns continuously along the edge of a hillside, fueled by subterranean natural gas seeps—a sight famously documented by Marco Polo in the 13th century. Ateshgah Fire Temple: Visit this highly atmospheric, castle-like religious complex in Surakhani. Built in the 17th and 18th centuries by Indian Shivaite and Zoroastrian pilgrims traveling the Silk Road, the pentagonal courtyard surrounds a central altar where natural fire once burned eternally. Mardakan Fortresses: Explore the imposing 12th-century defensive quadrangular and circular castles in Mardakan, originally built by the Shirvanshahs to protect the peninsula from naval invasions originating from the Caspian Sea. Absheron Regional Mosques: Stop at local village mosques en route to observe the distinct regional limestone carving styles unique to the Absheron region before returning to the capital. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Baku. Day 6 - Sheki: Silk Road Grandeur in the Caucasus Mountains Transit to the Mountains: Embark on a scenic 4-hour drive northwest from Baku toward the Greater Caucasus mountain range. The arid landscape gradually transforms into lush, forested foothills as you approach the historic city of Sheki. Sheki Khan's Palace: Tour the crown jewel of the city, an 18th-century summer palace. The exterior and interior are masterworks of "Shebeke"—intricate wooden lattices filled with thousands of pieces of colorful stained glass, assembled entirely without the use of glue or nails, alongside exquisite Persian-style frescoes. Sheki Karvansaray: Step back in time by walking through the Upper Caravanserai. This massive 18th-century stone inn features vaulted brick ceilings and expansive courtyards designed to safely house hundreds of Silk Road merchants and their camels. Juma Mosque & Local Delicacies: Visit the historic Juma Mosque of Sheki. Conclude the afternoon by visiting a local sweet shop to sample authentic Sheki Halva (Pakhlava)—a rich, syrupy dessert made with rice flour, hazelnuts, and traditional spices. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Sheki (or within the historic Karvansaray hotel, if booked). Day 7 - Return to Baku, Final Acquisitions & Departure Morning Transit to Baku: Enjoy a final mountain breakfast before undertaking the morning drive (approx. 4 hours) or boarding the scenic regional train back to the capital city of Baku. Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum: Spend your final afternoon at this visually striking museum situated on the Baku Boulevard. The building itself is brilliantly designed in the shape of a giant rolled carpet and houses the largest collection of Azerbaijani carpets globally, detailing the intricate regional weaving schools. Souvenir Acquisitions: Procure final export items before departure. Highly recommended purchases include traditional Armudu (pear-shaped) glass tea sets, pure silk Kelaghayi scarves featuring ancient paisley (buta) patterns, and premium local saffron from the Absheron region. Airport Transfer & Departure: Transfer securely to Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD). Complete all exit customs and immigration procedures before boarding your return flight to Dhaka (DAC), concluding your Azerbaijani expedition. Essential Travel Notes & Embassy Tips ASAN e-Visa & Border Protocols: Bangladesh citizens require a visa for Azerbaijan. The ASAN e-Visa system is fast and efficient. Ensure you print a physical copy of the e-Visa, alongside your hotel bookings and return flight, to present to immigration officials. Note: Azerbaijan's land borders are currently closed to passenger traffic; you must enter and exit via air. Armenian Travel Restriction: If your passport contains a stamp from Armenia, you may face intensive questioning at the border. If your passport contains stamps or evidence of travel to the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region without explicit permission from Baku, you will be denied entry and deported. Currency & Digital Payments: The local currency is the Azerbaijani Manat (AZN). While major hotels and upscale restaurants in Baku accept international credit cards, carrying AZN cash is essential for visiting rural areas like Sheki, Gobustan, and small local bazaars. Public Transit & Navigation: In Baku, purchase a "BakuCard" (BakıKART) for seamless access to the very deep, Soviet-style metro system and public buses. For point-to-point transit, download the Bolt or Uber applications, which are highly affordable and bypass the need to negotiate with local street taxis. Climate & Wind Preparedness: Baku translates to the "City of Winds" (Badu-Kube). The coastal winds off the Caspian Sea can be exceptionally strong year-round. Pack modular, windproof layers, regardless of the season, and comfortable walking shoes for the cobblestones of Icherisheher. Internet & Communication: While Wi-Fi is common in Baku, purchasing a local SIM card (Azercell or Bakcell) at the airport is highly recommended for reliable navigation in mountainous areas like Sheki. WhatsApp is the primary mode of communication used by local guides and drivers. Language Accessibility: Azerbaijani (a Turkic language closely related to Turkish) is the official language, and Russian serves as a strong secondary language. English proficiency is growing among the youth in Baku but remains limited in rural areas. Download offline language packs on Google Translate. Cultural Modesty: Azerbaijan is a strictly secular but culturally traditional country. While European-style clothing is standard in Baku, both men and women should dress modestly (covering shoulders and knees) when entering active mosques or religious shrines. Women will be asked to cover their hair. This document is prepared for visa application, immigration clearance, and comprehensive travel planning.