WEEKEND TOUR TO NAKHCHIVAN – 4 DAYS

OPTION 1: Flight to Nakhchivan from Terminal 2 of Baku airport at 19:00 evening
OPTION 2: Arrive in Nakhchivan from Istanbul with Turkish airlines at 06:20
OPTION 3: Arrive in Nakhchivan from Tabriz, Iran (Julfa customs operate 24 hours)

Travel to Azerbaijan’s isolated enclave Nakhchivan, the Azeri enclave wedged between Turkey, Iran and third country. Known as the land of Noah, it shares no land border with Azerbaijan and the only access is by airplane.

Nakhchivan, the land of the ancient Azerbaijan, is one of the places of civilization in the world. The people of Azerbaijan created an old and rich culture in this land. The richest historical, scientific and cultural heritages of the Azerbaijan people were formed in this land.
Transfer to your hotel and check in.
Overnight at the hotel.

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Breakfast at your hotel.
Visiting of Prophet Noah’s Tomb: This is one of the important places on the territory of the autonomous republic related to the Flood. It is claimed, researched and confirmed that Prophet Noah has been buried here. As Prophets Noah and Adam lived in the same period of time in history, both were caught by the Flood 10,000 years ago. The graves of Noah’s wife and mother are in the town of Marand, in Southern Azerbaijan (south-western Iran). It is strongly believed that Noah’s own grave is in an area called Kohnagala (old fortress) in the town of Nakhchivan. This place is visited by people as a Pir (place of worship). Large-scale archaeological excavations have been carried out here in recent years.
Visiting XII century Momina Khatun Monument: This tomb is viewed as a magnificent monument of the national architecture and a pearl of the Eastern architecture. It is also called the Atabay tomb, or the Atabay dome. Once 34 meters high, the tomb has crumbled over time. It is now 25 meters high following the latest restoration. Until the nineteenth century, there used to be several other buildings, including a mosque, near the tomb. The monument is the emblem of the town of Nakhchivan. It is also the beauty of the town. The tomb was built in 1186 in memory of the mother of Atabay ruler Mahammad Jahan Pahlavan. It is called the Taj Mahal of Nakhchivan.
Visiting Yusif Ibn Kuseyir Tomb: It is the result of high engineering that the tomb of Yusif Kuseyir oglu is the only monument among the tower shape tombs of Azerbaijan in which the pyramidal cover reached our time over the last 800 years undestroyed. The inscription of the tomb says that “This tomb belongs to Yusif Kuseyir oglu, Khaja, glorious chief, wise man of religion, the blessed man of Islam, the leader of the sheykhs”. That inscription shows the tomb was built in 557 by Hijri, in the month of Shavval (Christianity 1162). But in the inscription from the main facade in the left, the name of the engineer of the tomb “It is the deed of Ajami Abubakr oglu Nakhchivani, builder”.

Visiting Khan’s House: This house, built in keeping with the Eastern architectural style of the 18th and 19th centuries, was a home of the Nakhchivan ruler Rahim khan. The house has a basement and eight large rooms. It is located in the Gadim Gala (Old Fortress) quarter, 50-60 meters from the Momina Khatun tomb. The network (shabaka) style was widely used in the windows of the building. The house was built on a high hilltop called the “Khan height”, which makes it look extremely magnificent and beautiful. There is a spectacular view of the town from this point.
Lunch at your leisure.
Travel to Garabaghlar village of Sharur region to see XII century monument: The Mausoleum is located in a village of the same name. You can tell that looking at the ruins of small mausoleums scattered over ancient sepulchral fields and the fortifications with towers. Once there were 10,000 houses, 70 mosques, mausoleums 40 of them with minarets. One of them - Garabaglar (named after the place) has survived until now and making impression on the numerous visitors. The mausoleum is only a part of the complex in the center of which tower slender minarets connected (in the middle) by the portal. From a distance this structure looks similar to the city gate. There are no ruins of fortifications, instead of them stand rectangular prisms on each side of the minarets.
Visit Duzdagh Salt mines Hospital – a unique asthma bronchitis treatment center in the world: The salt mines for natural medical treatment of asthma and bronchitis. The medical treatment is made by keeping the patients in the empty salt mines for several hours per a day.
This is physiotherapy hospital Duzdagh (Salted Mountain) for natural medical treatment of asthma and bronchitis. The Asthmatics are staying in the mountain Duzdagh about one month for asthma treatment. The treatment gives on 80% of positive result. Very interesting place and unique. Duzdagh also extracts food salt.
Dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Transfer to Hotel, free time, rest.

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Breakfast at your hotel.
Meeting your guide and driver at your hotel lobby and start the tour.
You will visit Alinja Fortress - one of the strongest defensive construction of the XII century. During Turko-Mongolian conqueror Timur’s attack to Nakhchivan in 1386-1399 the fortress served as a head quarter and place of treasure of ruling Atabayler dynasty. After 14 years siege Timur’s army was not able to occupy the fortress.
Lunch at the local restaurant.

Later you will visit to Ashabu – Kahf Caves (as stated in Koran surah 18 - al-Kahf The companions of the cave based on old Greek legend Seven sleepers of Ephesus). There is also an Anglo-Norman poem, Golden Legend related with the same legend. German, British, Slav, Indian, Jewish, Chinese, and Arabian version of this legend exist also.
Drive back to Nakhchivan city.
Visiting Nakhchivan carpet museum.
Visiting Nakhchivan history museum.
Visiting Heydar Aliyev Museum if enough time.
Dinner at the local restaurant.
Overnight at your hotel.

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1. Turkish Airlines: Transfer to the Nakhchivan International airport at 05:50, Flight to Istanbul at 07:20, arrive in Istanbul at 09:50 – catch your international flight
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2. Turkish Airlines: Breakfast at your hotel – Bus Transfer to Igdir Turkey – at 08:00 (2 hours driving), Flight to Istanbul at 12:55, arrive in Istanbul at 15:25 – catch your international flight (several flights available after 12:55)
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3. Azerbaijan Airlines: Breakfast at your hotel – 09:00 - airport transfer in Nakhchivan – Flight to Baku at 11:00, arrive in Baku at 12:00 – catch your international flight (several flights available after 11:00)
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4. Breakfast at your hotel – Transfer to Julfa, Iran – at 08:00 (35 minute driving) – land pass to Iran and continue your tour.

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