Baku: Gobustan, Ateshgah and Yanardag

  • 0
ID: GYG631819-1051409
Category:
Country: Azerbaijan

Duration: 09:30 hours


Description

Discover the ancient rock carvings of Gobustan, the Ateshgah Temple, and the Yanardag fire on a day trip from Baku. See the mud volcanoes of Gobustan.
Discover the ancient art of the Gobustan Petroglyphs, explore the Ateshgah Fire Temple, and see the burning mountain of Yanardag on this full-day tour from Baku.

Start your day with a visit to the Gobustan Petroglyphs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about the ancient sites of primitive people who left behind a lot of rock paintings, or petroglyphs. These primitive monuments of art reflect the culture, economy, worldview, customs, and traditions of ancient people.

Afterward, visit the mud volcanoes of Gobustan. By the number of mud volcanoes, Azerbaijan ranks first in the world. There are 350 of them (about 800 in the world). Mud volcanoes are active all year round.

Next, visit the Ateshgah Fire Temple, a temple of fire in Azerbaijan, on the Absheron Peninsula, 30 km from the center of Baku, on the outskirts of the Surakhani village. At various times, the temple was revered by Zoroastrians, Hindus, and Sikhs.

The architectural complex is in the form of a hexagon with a jagged exterior wall and an entrance portal. In the center of the courtyard rises the quadrangular main temple, the altar, which was a place of pilgrimage for fire worshipers.

The first buildings of the temple Ateshgah belong to the II and III centuries. At that time, Zoroastrianism spread in Azerbaijan, in connection with which Zoroastrian temples were built in the regions. The temple Ateshgah acted until the VII century. However, in the XVI-XVII centuries, it received a second life.

Finally, visit Yanardag, one of the most amazing natural attractions of the Absheron Peninsula. It is a flaming mountainside, which cannot be extinguished either by rain or covered with sand, which has been burning for several millennia.

Not so long ago, Yanardag was given the status of a historical reserve of Azerbaijan, and the mountainside is on the protection of the state.

Highlights

  • Marvel at the ancient rock carvings and petroglyphs in the Gobustan Reserve
  • Visit the Ateshgah Temple, a place of pilgrimage for Zoroastrians and Hindus
  • See the Yanardag, a natural gas fire that has been burning for several millennia

Guiding languages

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This excursion encompasses a 66km journey from the heart of Baku to Gobustan exclusively, therefore anticipate rides of 40 minutes or more between destinations. Trips to the mud volcanoes are subject to weather conditions; they may not be available on rainy days or the days following rainfall. Visits to the mud volcanoes must be requested and are subject to an additional fee.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED

When should I book?

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.


Cancellations

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.