Biblical Landmarks & Pagan Roots: Visit the cliff-framed Khor Virap Monastery boasting postcard views of Mt. Ararat, the UNESCO-listed rock-cut Geghard Monastery (featuring a live acoustics choir performance), and the 1st-century AD Garni Pagan Temple.
High-Altitude Fortresses & Lakes: Climb the volcanic slopes of Mt. Aragats to the high-alpine Lake Kari and the dramatic, medieval Amberd Fortress perched over a massive river gorge.
The Blue Eye & Little Switzerland: Travel to the turquoise waters of Lake Sevan and stay overnight in the historic mountain resort town of Dilijan, stopping to meet a traditional local wood-carver.
Tbilisi & Old Capital Exploration: Ride the aerial cable car up to the 4th-century Narikala Fortress, wander past the sulfur bathhouses and waterfalls of Old Tbilisi, and stand at the river confluence overlooking Mtskheta (Georgia’s ancient spiritual heart).
The Greater Caucasus Adventure: Journey up the famous Georgian Military Highway past the Ananuri Fortress to Stepantsminda. Board a 4WD jeep to scale the plateau up to the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church, set against the towering, snow-covered Mt. Kazbek.
8,000 Years of Wine: Explore the romantic, fortified town of Sighnaghi (the City of Love) in the Kakheti wine region, concluding with a private tasting inside the famous Khareba Wine Tunnel carved into the Caucasus rock.
Arrival: Touch down at Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan. Meet your professional local Armenian guide outside the customs area and transfer directly to your hotel for check-in and refreshments.
Afternoon: Embark on a familiarization showcase of the pink-tuff capital. Stop first at Victory Park beneath the colossal Mother Armenia Monument for a sweeping panoramic view across central Yerevan and Mt. Ararat. Walk down the massive stone steps of the Cascade Complex, a vibrant open-air sculpture museum featuring world-renowned modern installations. Conclude your evening at the lively Vernissage Open-Air Market to browse handmade Armenian woodwork, silver, and traditional rugs.
Overnight: Yerevan.
Morning: Drive east out of the capital into the rugged Azat River Gorge to tour Geghard Monastery (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Explore the unique medieval rock-cut chambers carved directly out of the solid volcanic mountain walls, and listen to a live vocal choir performance demonstrating the room’s exceptional natural acoustics.
Afternoon: Continue to the nearby village of Garni to explore the Garni Pagan Temple, a 1st-century AD Greco-Roman colonnaded structure standing as the lone pre-Christian temple in the country. Perched on a triangular cliffside, enjoy views over the deep canyon. (Optional: Board localized 4×4 jeeps to descend to the canyon floor to marvel at the massive basalt pillar columns known as the “Symphony of Stones” for an added fee).
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel. Savor a traditional, home-cooked Armenian lunch at a local private estate house in Garni. Enjoy free evening shopping time back in Yerevan.
Overnight: Yerevan.
Morning: Travel south through the agricultural plains of Ararat, tracing the routes where history states Noah planted his first vineyards. Arrive at the iconic Khor Virap Monastery, perched dramatically on a lone hill right against the closed international border wall, providing an unmatched view of the snow-capped peaks of Biblical Mt. Ararat.
Afternoon: Navigate a winding canyon gorge flanked by sheer rosy-red limestone cliffs to reach the masterfully carved 13th-century Noravank Monastery. Admire the complex architectural stone façades adorned with intricate geometric cross-stone swastikas and relief carvings.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel. Sit down for an Indian-style lunch at an Armenian restaurant tucked near the Noravank Gorge before driving back to Yerevan.
Overnight: Yerevan.
Morning: Dedicate your day to exploring the alpine heights of Mt. Aragats, an extinct four-peaked volcano standing as the highest mountain peak in Armenia. Drive past volcanic tuff stone quarries up to Lake Kari ($3,200\text{ meters}$ / $10,498\text{ feet}$ above sea level). Discover an ancient, prehistoric Vishapaqar (Dragon Stone) standing by the water channel, a relic from ancient water-worshiping eras.
Afternoon: Travel down to a wind-swept rocky ridge at 2,300 meters to tour the fortress walls of the 7th-century Amberd Fortress. Take a scenic stroll along the perimeter walls overlooking the deep confluence of the Amberd and Arkashen river gorges.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a late lunch served at an Indian restaurant back in Yerevan.
Overnight: Yerevan.
Morning: Depart Yerevan for the alpine resort town of Tsaghkadzor. Board the central mountain ski lift to slide up the emerald slopes of Mt. Teghenis for a serene walk through the pine forests.
Midday: Head to the spectacular “Blue Eye of Armenia”—Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude freshwater volcanic lakes in the world ($6,500\text{ feet}$ above sea level). Watch the water dynamically shift color from brilliant turquoise under sunlight to a deep evening slate gray.
Afternoon: Drive through the Dilijan tunnel into the lush, dense forests of the Tavush province, known as the “Switzerland of Armenia.” Explore the 19th-century timber-balconied houses along Sharambeyan street, visit an active master woodcarver shaping traditional Khachkars (cross-stones), and travel deep into a dense mountain valley to tour the 10th-century Haghartsin Monastery Complex.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy an Indian-style lunch at a scenic restaurant right by the shores of Lake Sevan.
Overnight: Dilijan.
Morning: Head north into the dramatic Debed River Canyon to explore the architectural landmarks of Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries (UNESCO World Heritage Sites). Marvel at these 10th-century structural masterpieces perched across the deep canyon walls, showcasing the height of medieval Armenian religious design.
Afternoon: Enjoy a local lunch with panoramic views over the canyon gorge. Drive directly to the Sadakhlo border checkpoint. Clear customs, step across the frontier zone into Georgia, and switch to your Georgian guide and private vehicle. Drive onwards to the ancient capital of Tbilisi for check-in.
Evening: Celebrate your crossing with a Welcome Dinner hosted at a traditional Georgian or Indian restaurant.
Overnight: Tbilisi.
Morning: Explore the old world lanes of Tbilisi. Take a scenic ride in the city Cable Car up to the ancient 4th-century Narikala Fortress for a bird’s-eye view over the Mtkvari River banks. Walk down through the botanical paths to the hidden Tbilisi Waterfall and the domed brick structures of the historic Abanotubani Sulphur Bathhouses. Walk along the grand avenues of Rustaveli and Agmashenebeli, and explore the open-air vintage finds at the Dry Bridge Market.
Afternoon: Take a short drive north to Mtskheta (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the historical spiritual heart of Georgia. Ascend the hill to the 6th-century Jvari Monastery for a spectacular view over the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Walk through the walled town center to tour the grand interior of the 11th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Return to Tbilisi for free time among Old Town’s cafes and craft boutiques.
Overnight: Tbilisi.
Morning: Travel up the winding Georgian Military Highway into the dramatic peaks of the Greater Caucasus. Stop first to photograph the stone turrets of the 17th-century Ananuri Fortress, beautifully set against the sapphire waters of the Jinvali Reservoir. Drive past the high-altitude ski fields of Gudauri.
Afternoon: Arrive at the mountain settlement of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) at the base of the towering Mt. Kazbek ($5,047\text{ meters}$). Board private 4WD mountain jeeps to ascend the steep ridges up to the plateau of the Gergeti Trinity Church ($2,200\text{ meters}$). Enjoy alpine views of the surrounding snow-covered jagged peaks before returning to Tbilisi.
Overnight: Tbilisi.
Morning: Travel east into Kakheti, a premier agricultural region boasting an unbroken 8,000-year history of continuous wine production. Arrive at the romantic, red-roofed fortified town of Sighnaghi, strolling along its 18th-century stone defensive wall overlooking the sweeping Alazani Valley.
Afternoon: Continue to the famous Khareba Wine Tunnel, a massive military bunker carved into the Caucasus rock face that has been converted into a premium vintage storehouse. Experience a traditional Georgian wine tasting highlighting their ancient amphora (Qvevri) clay-vessel aging techniques. Drive back to Tbilisi for a final free evening.
Overnight: Tbilisi.
Savor your final breakfast at the hotel, complete standard check-out formalities, and transfer via private vehicle to Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) for your departure flight back home.
Accommodation: Hotel stays in shared Double/Twin rooms with daily breakfast (DoubleTree/Aviatrans in Armenia; Gallery Palace/Astoria/Citrus/Gureli in Georgia).
Ground Logistics: Full point-to-point private ground transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle scaled to group size.
Guides: Professional English-speaking national guides (Armenian guide up to the border; Georgian guide from the border onwards).
Prepaid Activities: Mountain ski lift tickets in Tsaghkadzor, Narikala Fortress Cable Car tickets in Tbilisi, Kakheti Khareba wine-tasting fees, and dedicated 4WD mountain jeep transportation up to Gergeti Trinity Church.
Value Adds: Complimentary mineral water distributed daily onboard your vehicles.
International airfares and individual multi-destination flight routing.
Schengen-adjacent Visa Charges or electronic tourist visas for Armenia and Georgia.
Mandatory 5% GST surcharge added at billing checkout.
Armenian Segment Meals & Logistics (Paid Locally): All lunches and dinners ($15 USD per lunch; $25 USD per Indian dinner), and Garni Canyon 4×4 Jeep rentals ($15 USD total per jeep vehicle).
Georgian Segment Meals (Optional Supplement): Surcharges of $15 USD per person per lunch and $20 USD per person per dinner (if not ordering independently).
Entrance tickets and admission fees to select history museums or internal monastery crypts.
Discretionary tipping fees for regional drivers, waitstaff, and local guides.
Personal incidentals (laundry services, long-distance phone cards, bar tabs, luggage porterage).
Comprehensive international travel and medical insurance protection policies.
Name or Date Adjustments: Strictly not permitted once corporate booking tokens are finalized.
Institutional Disruptions: SVM Travel World and its South Caucasus ground suppliers are not liable for delayed itineraries, border gate closures, or site omissions caused by unforeseen flight changes, highway landslides, sudden geopolitical border updates, or vehicle anomalies. Supplemental emergency cost mappings must be settled on the spot by the passengers.
