Mount Elbrus Climb

Join Grigory, an IFMGA-certified mountain guide, for this unforgettable Mount Elbrus climbing expedition. Explore the area surrounding the peak before ascending to the top of Europe via the mountain's southern face.

Caucasus

9 Days

Jun - Aug

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Enjoy the stunning scenery on and around Mount Elbrus.
Conquer one of the world's Seven Summits.
Acclimatize in Cheget, exploring the idyllic area.

Description

Situated in the heart of the Caucasus Range, in southern Russia, any Mount Elbrus climb is a scenic and thrilling challenge.

Rising to 5,642 meters (18,510 feet) in elevation, Elbrus is the highest mountain and volcano in Europe, making it a member of the Seven Summit and Seven Volcanic Summit clubs!

Our adventure to the top of the continent begins after we meet up at Mineralnye Vody airport. From here, we will transfer down to the idyllic little village of Cheget.

After this, we will transfer to the mountain and the real climbing begins. Over the course of the next four days, we will slowly make our way up toward the summit. The seventh day will be summit day and require an early start.

While not an overly technical ascent, it is a physically challenging one. However, all of our efforts will be rewarded with phenomenal views out over the surrounding mountains and valleys.

If you are an advanced climber, and already have prior acclimatization, then you can also join a shorter 5-day ascent. The difference is you will not have the acclimatization treks to prepare you for the climb and you must have extensive mountaineering experience to join this option.

So what are you waiting for? Book now for this unforgettably scenic and exciting Mount Elbrus climb!

If you like the look of this trip then I think you may also enjoy my 23-day expedition to the summit of Lenin Peak, in Kyrgyzstan!

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Transport during the trip
Rope

Price details

THE PRICE INCLUDES
* Meeting and transfer in a comfortable car\bus: airport – Mineralnye Vody Airport – Elbrus Mineral Waters
* Transfer to Elbrus valley
* Hotel accommodation in Cheget village for up to 5 nights, double accommodation
* Breakfast in hotel
* Ascent and descent by cable way – 2 times
* Accommodation in Shelter on 3800m on Elbrus
* The food at the shelter on Elbrus, 3 times a day, the chef will cook it for you
* One attempt to climb Mount Elbrus Western Summit
* Registration Rescue Service before climbing on Elbrus
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
* Flight to Mineralnye Vody Airport (MRV)
* Personal equipment and cloth rental
* Lunches and dinners in Cheget village
* Additional nights in hotel and shelter (in case of early descent from the mountain. If this is the case, we will book a hotel depending on room availability.)
* Second attempt to climb Elbrus
* Snow Cat service
* Insurance
* National Park fees (if the local authorities decide to introduce such fees it is usually 5 EUR or free)
* The Eastern Summit Climbing program

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Mineralnye Vody airport (MRV). Transfer to Elbrus valley.

Arrival at the Mineralnye Vody airport. Our guide or program manager meets your group at the airport.
We take a transfer to the Elbrus valley in a comfortable car or bus (4 hours). We arrive to Cheget village,
check-in at ZhaNtaMal hotel 3* (or similar).
You meet your guide, then have lunch and dinner in one of the restaurants, Caucasian cuisine.

Day 2: Acclimatization trek to Cheget (3200m). Preparation before climbing.

You have breakfast in your hotel. Then we take acclimatization trek to Cheget. From Cheget you can
enjoy a beautiful view on Elbrus. Descent down to the Cheget glade (it is possible to use cable car for
descent). Lunch and dinner in cafe.

Day 3: Trekking in Terskol valley. Ascent to the Observatory (3500m).

You have breakfast in your hotel. Then we take acclimatization trek to the Observatory in Terskol valley.
Descent. Lunch at the restaurant. After lunch you should start preparing everything for the ascent to
Elbrus slopes. After lunch we will do the equipment check. All the missing items can (should) be rented.
Dinner in cafe.

Day 4: Ascent to the shelter on the Elbrus slope. Acclimatization trekking to 4400 m.

Departure from the hotel to Azau glade. You can leave your spare luggage in the hotel.
We will ascent to the station Gara-Bashi (3800 m.) in gondola cable car, then check-in at the shelter,
and take an acclimatization trek to Priut (4100 m, 2 hours), or to the end of the Ridge (4400 m, 4
hours). There we will have some basic mountaineering training (how to use crampons and Ice-axe, self-
arrest skills). Dinner and overnight in shelter.

Day 5: Acclimatization trekking up to 4700 m. Descent to Azau. Overnight in the hotel.

Early wake up. Today we will take the familiar route to the Ridge of Rocks, and then climb to the
Pastukhov rocks (4700 m.). The turning point will depend on your mood, physical state and weather
conditions. After that we descent to the Azau glade. Dinner at the café and hotel overnight.

Day 6: Rest day. Return to the Shelter.

Late breakfast. Ascent to the Shelter in gondola cable car. We have lunch in the shelter and prepare for
the Elbrus ascent. Shelter overnight.

Day 7: Summit day

Early breakfast. You can use Snow cat service to ascent up to 4300, 4800 or 5000m. Anyway you will
follow the classic path through the Saddle. We will see the stunning scenery of the Caucasus Mountains
at dawn. From the top of Elbrus, you will see a breathtaking panorama of the Main Caucasus Mountain
Range and even Black sea. Descent from the top.
If the group manages get to the shelter by 1PM, then it is possible to descend to Cheget village on the
same day (the cable car works approximately until 3 PM). If the group gets down to shelter later than
1.30 PM, you will stay for dinner and overnight in the shelter.

Day 8: Reserve day/descent to the hotel

The reserve day can be used to adjust plans due to weather conditions.
1. Reserve day for climbing/
2. If the group did not have time to descent on a Summit day and had another night in Shelter, – today we
will have breakfast, then descent to Azau and transfer to the hotel.
Free time in the afternoon. In the evening we will have a celebration dinner.
Hotel overnight.

Day 9: Transfer to the airport

You have breakfast in your hotel. Departure to the airport. The transfer will depart at 10.30AM. We expect
you to arrive to Mineralnye Vody airport around 1.30PM.

Attention! If the reserve day was used and the group did not have time to go down to the Cheget village,
staying overnight in the shelter, the descent from Shelter is possible on the last day from 9PM, when the
cable car starts working. This is our PLAN B. That is why we recommend you to buy air tickets with
departure after 4PM!

Details

More info

Clothes for Elbrus climb

down jacket thick fleece jacket thermal underwear waterproof breathable outdoor jacket shirt with long sleeves (prevents sunburns) thick sweater (wool or synthetics) fleece pants with long side zips wind&waterproof breathable pants with long side zips wool or fleece hat balaclava liner gloves - 2 pairs medium weight fleece gloves wool or fleece mittens wind-stop shell overmittens

Footwear for Elbrus climb

thick socks - 2-3 pairs lighter socks - 3 pairs light weight trekking boots, or strong sheakers climbing boots, plastic or strong leather (must fit in snap-on crampons) gaiters

Personal climbing gear

crampons (must fit your climbing boots), snap-on type preferable ice-axe (glacier walking type, not a short "tool" for ice climbing!) collapsible ski poles glacier glasses sit harness two screwgate karabiners

Camping and trekking gear

down or synthetic sleeping bag good for -10C sleeping pad rucksack (40-50liters) 0,7-1 liter thermos personal first aid kit; head torch water bottle lip balm (spf 25+) and glacier cream (spf 40) pocket knife

Meeting point

Mineralnye Vody airport

Equipment you will need to bring

Crampons

Ice axe

Harness

Water bottle

Backpack

Helmet

Sunglasses

CLOTHES  Warm thermal underwear. It is better to have 2 sets; Fleece pants, but better WindBlock or Windstopper;  Wind- and waterproof pants and jacket of Gore-Tex or similar  Sweater made of fleece or SoftShel;  Jacket made of Windblock or Windstopper, or Softshel material;  Down jacket for -15C or colder;  Balaclava;  Several pairs of gloves;  Warm mittens;  Warm hat;  Warm trekking socks 3 pairs. SHOES  Double Climbing boots  Trekking shoes for everyday wear.  Sandals \ slippers MOUNTAINEERING AND HIKING EQUIPMENT  Trekking sticks  Ice axe (long)  Crampons  3 carbines  Ski mask  Sleeping bag  Safety system,  Climbing helmet – with no damage. Attention! Don't place your helmet in your luggage! Carry it in your hand luggage to avoid damage.  Head lamp  Thermos for 1-2 liters  Sunglasses with a UF-factor of at least 3  Sunscreen cream, with not less than 50 UF-factor RENTAL OF EQUIPMENT, SHOES, CRAMPONS AND OUTERWEAR IS AVAILABLE IN TERSKOL VILLAGE

FAQs

What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?

We understand that finding the perfect place to stay is an essential part of your adventure experience. To help you with this, we’ve curated a list of three highly recommended hotels that offer comfort, convenience, and a touch of local charm. These accommodations are well-suited for adventurers looking to relax and rejuvenate after an exciting day of exploration

Hotel Vavilon Nalchik Russia

See rooms

Hotel Dubrovka Nalchik Russia

See rooms

Hotel Zarina Nalchik Russia

See rooms

About the guide

Grigory

5.0

(3)

Mountain Guide

Grigory is a passionate and experienced KMGA/IFMGA/UIAGM guide with plenty of mountaineering under his belt. He has a Russian sports master which he acquired in 2006, he was the 2007 Moscow Mountaineering Champion and has guided since 2008 in Nepal, the Caucasus, Tien Shen range, Alps, and more. He is also a Certified Alpine Ski instructor since 2014 and has an Avalanche Rescue certificate from the Russian Association of Mountain Guides.

Languages

Russian | English

Certificates

KMGA | IFMGA

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