Georgia/Arménie Combined, in the Heart of the Caucasus

Before leaving Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, you visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Tbilisi State Museum, closed on Mondays.

You head to Mtskheta, capital of the ancient kingdom of Iberia, which extended over part of Georgia two millennia ago. You discover two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Jvari Monastery, built in the 6th century on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city, then the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, built in the 11th century.

You continue north and stop at Ananouri. Its fortress from the 16th and 17th centuries overlooks the Jinvali Lake and offers views of the surrounding landscapes. Ananouri

You then take the Georgian Military Road, between gorges, valleys and passes. You arrive at Kazbegui (Georgia), where you settle in for the night.

The morning begins with a hike to the Church of the Holy Trinity of Gergeti, located at 2,170 meters altitude. You enjoy the mountainous landscapes surrounding Kazbegi before continuing your journey towards central Georgia.

About ten kilometers from Gori, Georgia, you discover the cave city of Uplistsikhe. Built in the 1st millennium BC on the Silk Road, it preserves a collection of caves, wine cellars and Georgian stoves, as well as a basilica and a theater.

You then reach Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. A photo stop is planned in front of the museum dedicated to his life and in front of his birthplace.

Optional, for an additional fee: visit to the Stalin Museum.

You return to Tbilissi, capital of Georgia for the night.

You leave Tbilissi early in the morning to reach Kakhétie, in the east of Georgia. In this wine-growing region, the tradition of qvevris, large terracotta amphoras used to produce unfiltered wines, remains very much alive.

You discover Sighnaghi (Georgia) by walking through its cobbled streets. Located at 800 meters altitude, this city known for its wine, carpets and history overlooks the Alazani Valley, with the Caucasus Mountains as a backdrop.

You then enter a family wine cellar to discover traditional winemaking techniques and taste wine directly from the qvevri.

You continue to Tsinandali (Georgia) and its historic vineyard associated with Alexandre Chavchavadze. The discovery includes a museum visit, followed by a wine tasting.

You return to Tbilissi for the night.

You head south towards Sadakhlo, at the border between Georgia and Arménie.

After passport control and changing your guide and vehicle, you continue towards Alaverdi. Despite Soviet industrialisation, the region has preserved its natural landscapes and many historical monuments.

A few kilometres east of the city, you discover the Haghpat Monastery, built between the 10th and 13th centuries and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

After lunch at Haghpat, you visit the Sanahin Monastery, also inscribed on the World Heritage list. Passing successively into the hands of the Kiurikian, Zakarides and then Arghoutian families, this complex testifies, like Haghpat, to Arménie's religious architecture from the 10th to the 13th century.

You take the road towards Dilidjan, the last stop of the day. You discover its old town and historic monuments, in a forest setting. Its pure air and thermal springs contributed to its reputation as a climatic resort.

You join the Gochavank Monastery, built in the 12th and 13th centuries under the Zakharid dynasty. You discover this architectural complex composed of several churches, chapels and a library.

You continue towards the Lake Sevan, a vast body of water located at approximately 1,900 meters above sea level. On its shores, you discover the Sevanavank monastery, with the churches of the Holy Apostles and the Holy Mother of God.

You join Noradouz, an ancient village in the Gegharkunik region, near the lake. Besides its ancient church, it is known for its medieval cemetery, where several hundred khachkars stand, these stone steles adorned with sculpted crosses.

You head back to the road towards Erevan, the Armenian capital, where you settle in at the hotel.

You join the Geghard Monastery, at the entrance to the upper Azat valley. Largely troglodytic, this complex of churches and stone crosses bears witness to medieval Armenian architecture. A former major cultural and ecclesiastical center, it preserves many relics of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

As an option, for an additional fee: a spiritual music concert in the monastery, to appreciate the acoustics of the place.

You continue towards Garni to discover its temple dedicated to the Sun god, a vestige of the Hellenistic period in Arménie.

You then share lunch with a local family and discover the artisanal process of making lavash, traditional Armenian bread.

Back in Yerevan, you visit the Armenian Genocide Memorial and its adjoining museum, on the Tsitsernakaberd hill. A moment dedicated to memory and reflection.

You end the day at the Mother Armenia statue, which overlooks the capital from the top of a hill.

You cross the Ararat Plain to reach Khor Virap. Perched on a hill amid vineyards and orchards, it offers a viewpoint over Mount Ararat, which dominates the surrounding landscapes.

You continue eastward towards the Vayots Dzor region, passing through the village of Areni. Wine-making tradition here dates back over 6,000 years. You discover local wine production methods, between artisanal processes and more modern techniques.

After lunch in Vayots Dzor, you explore the region and visit the Noravank monastery, nestled in a gorge of the upper Amaghou valley.

You then head to Goris, where you settle in for the night.

You start the morning with a visit to the old town of Goris. Nestled in an enclosed landscape dotted with rocky columns, it owes its nickname of "Little Cappadocia" to this setting.

A winding road then takes you to Tatev. To reach the monastery, you take the Tatev Wings Aerial Tramway, which travels over five kilometers above the Vorotan Canyon. You discover this monastic complex, once a major cultural and academic center.

You then discover the Tatev Monastery, which was an important center of Armenian culture and learning. This visit combines historical discovery and views of the canyon landscapes.

You continue towards Zorats Karer, also called Karahundj. This megalithic complex, often compared to Stonehenge, consists of large perforated stones whose arrangement is associated with star observation. A short walk on the site allows you to observe its layout.

You continue on the road to return to Erevan.