Duration: 7-8 hours

Itinerary: Yanardag, Ateshgah Temple, Gala Museum Complex, Mardakan Castle and Ramana Castle

Pick-up & Drop-off: your hotel (within Baku)

Category: Private tour

Language: English

Prices per group (in US dollars):

* VIP – A choice of luxury cars are available (Mercedes S-class,  E-class, V-class, and etc.)

** The economy package includes driver and museum guide services.

• Pick-up & Drop-off at your hotel (inside Baku)
• Personal English speaking guide (other languages on request)
• Personal Driver & air-conditioned vehicle

• Entrance fees
• Food and drinks
• Insurance

There are barrows, relating to the period from the third millennium BC before the XX century, crypts, at home, 4 constructions for storage of water, a wreck of the ancient castle, 5 mosques, 3 baths and other in the territory of the reserve covering 156 hectares. To preserve these monuments, as well as further enrich the reserve through archaeological finds discovered in Absheron, in 2008, with the support of the Haydar Aliyev Foundation, the first open-air archaeological and ethnographic complex was created here. The museum complex occupies 2 hectares of territory.

Quadrangular fortress of Mardakan (12th century)

The quadrangular castle in the settlement of Mardakan had been constructed by 12th century by the order of Akhsitan the First, the son of Shirvanshakhs Manouchehr Third. The name of Akhsitan and date of 1187/8 carried also by an inscription on a quadrangular tower. The successor of a dynasty Kesranids thus wanted to immortalize the victory over the enemy. Fortress is hundred years younger than the well-known Round castle standing nearby, and above it on 10 meters. Thus, height of the castle reaches 22 meters. Internal division of fortress consists of five tiers connected by a spiral staircase.

Mosque Tuba-Shakhi (15th century)

Tuba Shah Mosque – located in the village of Mardakan. It is an architectural monument of Azerbaijan and is a religious building, widely used in the construction of the northern regions of Azerbaijan. The mosque has been built in 15th century and got its name in honor of the woman, who ordered its construction. Round fortress (13th century)

Ateshgakh (Zoroastrian Temple)

The temple of an eternal flame Ateshgakh – the real Azerbaijani exotic. Know about it almost around the world. It is located in 30 km from the center of Baku, on the outskirts of the settlement of Surakhany. This territory is known by such unique natural phenomenon as the burning exits of natural gas, escaping outside, adjoins to oxygen and lights up. The temple was built in the 17-18t h centuries. It has been built by the Hindu community living in Baku belonging to a caste of Sikhs. However, temple history Ateshgakh much more ancient. Originally, in this territory the sanctuary of Zoroastrians fire worshippers was located (approximately the beginning of our era). They attached to inextinguishable fire mystical significance and came here to bow to a shrine. After adoption of Islam, the temple of Zoroastrians was destroyed. Many Zoroastrians went to India and there continued the belief.

Ramana fortress

There is the 14th century fortress located in the village of Ramany not far from Baku- Ramana. It was constructed of a white stone.  The height of fortress is 15 meters. Raman’s fortress was constructed by order of Shirvanshakhs in the defensive purposes. There are written certificates that in the Middle Ages from Raman’s fortress to the Maiden tower there was an underground road.

Yanardag (the burning Hill)

Yanardag one of the most magnificent and natural sightseeing of Absheron Peninsula. The mountain slope captured by a flame, which cannot be extinguished by the rain, filled up with sand, burning throughout already thousand years. Frightening and at the same time fascinating fiery landscape actually speaks very simply: from a top soil the natural gas at contact with oxygen turning into a flame is emitted.

In the territory of the reserve are also located the mud volcano of Gyrmeki, oil wells in Gyrmeki’s valley, the Wolf cave, the Complex from megaliths Gavaldash(Singing Stone) and several cemeteries which more than 1000.

Entrance tickets (per person) – Ateshgah- 3$, Gala Complex – 3$, Mardakan Castle – 2$, Ramana -2$, Yanardag – 7$