My partner and I had long wanted to experience the ADY night train from Baku to Sheki, so we were specifically looking for a local guide who could show us around and provide deeper insights into Sheki’s rich history and culture. After reaching out to VLA Tour, they organized a fantastic 3.5h private tour in Sheki for us, covering key highlights such as Kish Church, the Caravanserai, Sheki Bazaar, and the Sheki Khan Palace, all with a dedicated guide and driver. Our guide, Zamina, was exceptional. She shared incredibly detailed and thoughtful explanations about the history of Sheki, including its complex cultural background and connections with the broader Caucasus region. One of the most memorable aspects was her storytelling about how Azerbaijani people preserve religious artifacts across different faiths, respecting all places of worship as sacred. It added a meaningful cultural perspective to the experience. The drive up to Kish Church involved some bumpy, unpaved (cobblestone-like) roads, but our driver—Zamina’s husband—handled it skillfully and safely, making the journey smooth despite the terrain. We also enjoyed a lovely tea break near Kish Church, where we learned more about Azerbaijani tea culture—another highlight that made the experience feel authentic and personal. Overall, a five out of five experience. Since we only joined the tour within Sheki (without transportation from Baku), the cost was about half compared to full packages, which made it even more worthwhile. I would highly recommend contacting VLA Tour if you’re planning to start your tour from Sheki and are looking for a well-organized, insightful, and culturally rich experience.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and detailed review. It was truly a pleasure for us to organize your experience in Sheki. We are especially happy to hear that you enjoyed the private tour with Zamina and that her explanations about Sheki’s history, culture, and the broader Caucasus region added meaningful value to your visit. Sharing the multicultural and tolerant traditions of Azerbaijan is something we deeply care about, so your appreciation of these stories means a lot to us. We are also glad that the journey to Kish Church was comfortable and safely managed despite the road conditions. The tea break near Kish and the opportunity to introduce Azerbaijani tea culture are exactly the kind of authentic local moments we always hope our guests will remember. Thank you as well for highlighting the flexibility of starting the tour directly from Sheki. We always try to provide options that best match our guests’ travel plans and preferences. We sincerely hope to welcome you back to Azerbaijan again in the future for more cultural and regional discoveries...
