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Summary

This travel guide unveils the rich cultural tapestry and natural wonders of the Absheron Peninsula, offering a detailed itinerary for independent travelers seeking to explore beyond Baku. From the lunar landscapes of the Qobustan Mud Volcanoes to the ancient flames of Yanar Dag and the spiritual serenity of Ateshgah Fire Temple, each day is packed with unique discoveries. The guide emphasizes the ease of using public transport to uncover these gems, providing a cost-effective and adventurous way to experience Azerbaijan's land of fire.

🌋 Day 1: Exploring Gobustan & Yanar Dag

Begin your adventure with the ancient petroglyphs and mud volcanoes of Gobustan, followed by the mesmerizing flames of Yanar Dag.

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🌋 Qobustan Mud Volcanoes

The Gobustan region is home to one of the largest concentrations of mud volcanoes in the world, offering a lunar landscape due to the intense tectonic activity in the region.

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<div class="-md-ext-youtube-widget"> { "title": "GOBUSTAN MUD VOLCANOES AND PETROGLYPHS: An ...", "link": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAHQ9ErtLtQ", "channel": { "name": "Away with the Steiners"}, "published_date": "Jun 26, 2023", "length": "19:31" }</div>

<div class="-md-ext-youtube-widget"> { "title": "Amazing MUD VOLCANOES & Qobustan | Azerbaijan Travel ...", "link": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nNrNLrn9u0", "channel": { "name": "Travel With Mansoureh"}, "published_date": "Feb 18, 2023", "length": "10:24" }</div>

<div class="-md-ext-youtube-widget"> { "title": "Amazing Mud Volcanoes in Azerbaijan. Will Lada make it?", "link": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ln_hwViK9U", "channel": { "name": "RussianPlus"}, "published_date": "Jun 13, 2022", "length": "6:47" }</div>

Tips

Accessible by taking a taxi straight from Baku or by taking Elet bound bus 195 till the south end of Qobustan and taking a taxi from there.

🏞️ Gobustan Petroglyphs

Explore more than 600,000 rock paintings depicting prehistoric life, showcasing the region's long history of human habitation amidst a landscape that was once full of green forests.

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Tips

Reachable by taking a taxi straight from Baku or by taking Elet bound bus 195 till the south end of Qobustan and taking a taxi from there.

Travel Information
📞   Phone: +994 12 544 66 27
🌐   Website: http://www.gobustan-rockart.az/
🕒   Hours: See hours
⏳   Typical duration: 45 min
📍   Address: 496H+H9C, Qobustan, Azerbaijan
🔗   Profiles: Facebook Instagram

🕌 Bibi Heybat Mosque

Visit the Bibi Heybat mosque, a reconstructed mosque around the tomb of Ukeyma Khanum, offering insight into Azeri culture and the significance of pirs in the region.

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Tips

Easily accessible by taking bus 124 from 28th May or Sanahil bus station, making it convenient to combine with a trip to Gobustan.

Travel Information
📍   Address: Bibiheybət məscidi, Baku, Azerbaijan

🔥 Yanar Dag

Witness the natural gas fire that blazes continuously on a hillside, known as the burning hill, where even some of the streams near Yanar Dag can be ignited with a match.

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<div class="-md-ext-youtube-widget"> { "title": "Yanar Dag: The Fire Mountain in Baku Azerbaijan", "link": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAgu8Hp9-XI", "channel": { "name": "Kai Alive"}, "published_date": "Nov 11, 2023", "length": "4:44" }</div>

<div class="-md-ext-youtube-widget"> { "title": "Yanar Da\u011f (Burning Mountain) in Baku, Azerbaijan - 4K", "link": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaBEBcxFp5s", "channel": { "name": "Hotels Are Amazing"}, "published_date": "Feb 6, 2023", "length": "1:25" }</div>

<div class="-md-ext-youtube-widget"> { "title": "The Yanar Dag, or Burning Mountain, is said to have been ...", "link": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Huj8xTDxtWM", "channel": { "name": "DiscoveryChannelInd"}, "published_date": "Jan 10, 2023", "length": "0:16" }</div>

<div class="-md-ext-youtube-widget"> { "title": "Yanar Da\u011f - the fire mountain of Baku, Azerbaijan", "link": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKtfYW9Nw7o", "channel": { "name": "Ang Fang Industries"}, "published_date": "Apr 15, 2018", "length": "1:21" }</div>

Tips

Reachable by taking bus number 217 from Koroglu metro station to Yanardag Reservation till the last stop, offering a unique and unforgettable experience.

🌅 Day 2: Ateshgah, Mir Movsun Agha & Mardakan

Discover the spiritual Ateshgah fire temple, seek blessings at Mir Movsun Agha Pir, and explore the ancient Mardakan.

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🕌 Ateshgah Fire Temple

Ateshgah Fire Temple, located in the Absheron Peninsula, is a historical site revered by Zoroastrians and Hindus, showcasing ancient fire worship practices. The temple's origins remain unclear, but it was a place of worship for both Zoroastrians and Hindus, with inscriptions in Persian, Sanskrit, and Punjabi. The current structure was built by Hindu and Sikh merchants in the late middle ages, and it is associated with Zoroastrianism, an ancient religion that revered fire as a sacred symbol of purity.

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Tips

To get there, take bus number 184 from Koroglu metro station to Surakhani railway station.

Travel Information
📞   Phone: +994 12 452 44 07
🌐   Website: http://ateshgahtemple.az/
🕒   Hours: See hours
📍   Address: C285+5CW, Baku, Azerbaijan

🙏 Mir Movsun Agha Pir

Mir Movsun Agha Pir is a shrine believed to have healing powers, attracting hundreds of visitors for miraculous cures. It is a place where locals believe that a visit can make any wish come true. Visitors still visit the grave of Mir Movsum Agha looking for miraculous cures, and the shrine receives enough meat donations to help 600 local people who could otherwise not afford to eat meat.

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Tips

To reach the shrine, take bus number 136 from Koroglu metro station to Suvelan Cimerliyi.

🏰 Mardakan

Mardakan, an ancient village in the Absheron Peninsula, is known for its castle and unique healing practices at the Hassan pir shrine. The village is home to the old Mardaken castle from the 13th century and the Hassan pir shrine, where visitors undergo unique mystical treatments to relieve shock, fear, and anxiety.

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Tips

To visit Mardakan, take bus number 136 from Koroglu metro station to Nizami Merkezi.