Azerbaijan Tours & Holidays

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

AZERBAIJAN VISA:

All travellers to Azerbaijan require a visa. It is not possible to get a visa on arrival at Baku Airport or at any land border into Azerbaijan. All travellers must apply for a Single Entry Tourist E-Visa to Azerbaijan in advance.

We have partnered with The Visa Machine to provide your e-visa for Azerbaijan. This service is included in your trip cost. We advise that you apply for your e-visa no later than 3 months before your trip to allow time for processing. Azerbaijan e-visas are processed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Azerbaijan and usually take around 4 weeks to be processed, with up to 6 weeks in peak travel season not uncommon.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. To obtain your Azerbaijan e-visa use this link: https://evisa.gov.az/en/

2. Use the Checklist to make sure you have everything you need before you start as you will not be able to save once your start filling in the application.

3. Once you are satisfied you have all information with you to apply for your Azerbaijan e-visa click on the ‘Apply Now’ link and follow the instructions.

4. If you have any trouble with the online form or want to check the status of your Azerbaijan e-visa application please contact The Visa Machine on visasupport@thevisamachine.com or during UK working hours on +44(0) 207 148 6402.

In established restaurants, bars, hotels and taxis, a 5-10% service charge is usually added to the bill - though feel free to tip more than this for exceptional service. At restaurants where a service charge isn’t included, 10% is the acceptable gratuity. Although tipping at other places isn't mandatory it will be well received, and setting aside a small amount for porters, guides and drivers is also a good idea.

Internet cafes with reliable and fast connections can easily be found in all of Azerbaijan’s major cities and towns.

Mobile coverage is extensive throughout the capital and major cities, but pretty much non-existent in the remote mountainous parts of the country. Roaming agreements are in place with most international cellular companies.

Clean and flushable Western-style toilets are generally the go at established tourist attractions across the country, though one should be prepared for some pretty ordinary squat/pit toilets elsewhere. Carry your own supply of soap and toilet paper, as these aren’t always at hand.

1.5 litre bottle of water = .60 AZN

Bottle of local beer = 2.5 AZN

Meal at an inexpensive restaurant = 8 AZN

Meal at a mid-range restaurant = 40 AZN

Tap water isn't safe to drink in Azerbaijan. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, bring water purification tablets or ask your leader where filtered water can be found.

Some major credit cards will be accepted at some high-end restaurants and hotels, but it's best not to rely on these.

ATMs are prevalent in Baku and other major towns, though won’t necessarily be internationally connected or reliable. Be sure to have other payment methods when visiting the country.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

• 1 Jan New Year's Day
• 2 Jan New Year Holiday
• 3 Jan New Year Holiday
• 4 Jan New Year Holiday
• 20 Jan Martyrs' Day
• 8 Mar International Women's Day
• 20 Mar Persian New Year / Novruz Holiday
• 21 Mar Persian New Year / Novruz Holiday
• 22 Mar Persian New Year / Novruz Holiday
• 23 Mar Persian New Year / Novruz Holiday
• 24 Mar Persian New Year / Novruz Holiday
• 9 May Victory Day
• 28 May Republic Day
• 29 May Republic Day Holiday
• 15 Jun National Salvation Day
• 25 Jun Ramazan Bayrami
• 26 Jun Azerbaijan Armed Forces Day
• 26 Jun Ramazan Bayrami
• 1 Sep Gurban Bayrami / Feast of Sacrifice
• 2 Sep Gurban Bayrami / Feast of Sacrifice
• 3 Sep Gurban Bayrami / Feast of Sacrifice
• 9 Nov Flag Day
• 31 Dec International Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis

Please note these dates are for 2017. For a current list of public holidays in Azerbaijan  go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/azerbaijan/public-holidays

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

From Australia?

Go to: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

From Canada?

Go to: https://travel.gc.ca/

From the UK?

Go to: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

From New Zealand?

Go to: https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/

From the US?

Go to: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.