All-Inclusive Mount Kazbek Climb in Georgia

An all-inclusive ascent to Climb Mount Kazbek in Georgia with Beka, a local IFMGA certified mountain guide. Experience one of the Caucasus’ most emblematic peaks, standing 5054 m tall (the third-highest mountain in Georgia) on this 6-day venture.

Group

Caucasus

6 Days

Jun - Sep

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Discover the amazing mountain culture of the Georgian Caucasus.
Climb the emblematic Mount Kabek in Georgia.
Join certified local guides on an exciting mountain climbing adventure.

Description

Climbing Mount Kazbek in Georgia is an ideal choice for those looking to explore the Caucasus. It is also great for beginner mountaineers, as it is not a technical climb – however I still recommended my guests to have a great fitness level. We will spend about 7 hours trekking per day with altitude gains of around 1400m. If you are unsure about your preparation level for this ascent, you can write to me and I will be happy to advise you.

The base during your climb with me will be at an old Soviet Union meteorological station, converted into a mountain hut. Because the season is usually quite busy, we will also have the option to sleep in tents outside the hut.

I will lead a training session during our acclimatization walk for safety and different techniques. You will learn how to walk on glaciers with crampons, as well as ice axe usage and climbing techniques. All of these trainings will enhance your mountaineering knowledge and build your confidence to reach the summit.

From Tbilisi airport where I pick you up, the drive is around 3-hours to Stepantsminda. There, I will check your equipment, and the following day, we will drive to the 14th century Trinity Church, where the trekking begins at an altitude of 2,200m. We will reach the Kazbek summit on day 5, and transfer you back to the airport on day 8. You can find a detailed, day-by-day itinerary below.

I will be glad to welcome you and show a very special peak in Georgia. I have summited this majestic peak more than 50 times, and each time I still am rewarded with seeing my client’s emotion after reaching the summit.

For a more intermediate climb in Georgia, you can also follow me on an ascent to the summit of Mount Tetnuldi.

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Dinner
Transport during the trip
Transportation start and back
Mules and horses
Cooking utensils

Price details

ALLIN PRICE INCLUDES:
 6 days with GMGA certified local mountain guide (English and/or Russian speaking
 All vehicle transportation during the trip from arrival to departure.
 All Accommodation (Hotel Tbilisi (2 nights) Hotel Stepantsminda (1 night)  Basecamp hut or tents (34 nights))
 Breakfast in hotels
 Breakfast and dinner on mountain/basecamp
 Group allocated horse for transporting gear to basecamp (with a maximum of 60kg)
 Some provided equipment
 Cooking gear
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
 Airline tickets
 Travel insurance
 Alcoholic beverages and snacks
 Lunches during the trip
 Dinners while staying in the hotel (guide will provide local recommendations for best restaurants and Georgian cuisine)
 Equipment rental fees
 Personal clothing and gear

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS). Meet the driver and transfer to the hotel in Tbilisi or Kazbegi (depending on the flight schedule). Check in and rest for the night.

Day 2: Stepandsminda

Meet the driver at the hotel and transfer to Stepantsminda (if not done on arrival day). The drive takes about 2.5 hours. Check-in at the hotel and meet the local Mountain guide. Receive an introduction and briefing about the upcoming days’ plans. Ensure you have all the necessary equipment and clothing for climbing Mount Kazbek. This day is reserved for renting any required equipment. Rest for the night.

Day 3: First climbing day

After an early breakfast and checkout, the driver will transfer the group and Mountain guide to the historical 14th-century Trinity Church, where the trekking begins at 2,200m. Meet the horses, which will carry the gear to the basecamp. The first part of the terrain is through an open grass valley, which is slightly inclined and relatively easy. As we ascend, we’ll see the village of Stepantsminda, Trinity Church, and the beautiful surrounding mountains. After 3 hours, we’ll reach the ridge and get a magnificent view of Mount Kazbek. Another 2 hours of trekking will bring us to a glacier where we’ll put on crampons and begin crossing. After 2 more hours, we’ll hike up the Moraine until we reach the base camp at 3,653m. The base camp hut, formerly a Soviet Union meteorological station, will be our base.

Trinity Church Altitude: 2200m

Base Camp Hut altitude: 3653m

Vertical gain trekking: 1452

Travel time trekking: 7 hours

Day 4: Acclimatization trek

We will spend this day acclimatizing and training. After an early breakfast we will then trek up to a ridge, leading us to a small church cabin at 3,950m. Shortly thereafter, we descend back to basecamp and proceed to a snowy slope next to the camp where your guide will go through important demonstrations on climbing, equipment, and safety techniques. We will review crampon, and ice axe usage. There will be exercises for glacier walking and icy slope walking. All of these exercises will further build our foundation and confidence to reach the summit of Kazbek. We will have an early dinner and rest early to prepare for early morning rising.

Base Camp Hut altitude: 3653m

Acclimatization trek: 4000m

Vertical gain trekking: 347m

Travel time trekking: 1.5 hour

Day 5: Summit day

We wake up at 02:00 on this morning. After breakfast, we gather and prepare backpacks and equipment. At this point, we start the climb to Mount Kazbek with headlamps. When we reach 3,900 m, we rope together and start walking the slightly inclined glacier. After reaching the plateau at 4400m, we will witness the breathtaking sunrise and be able to view the meadows in the Russian territory. Here we can relax and take a moment to soak in the glacier environment around us. Now we start to gradually incline on a slope (20 degrees) which is leading us to the saddle of Mount Kazbek’s two summits. The most technical part is the last 100 vertical meters from the saddle to the summit. Here we will climb snow and icy slopes (up to 45 degrees). Reaching the summit will be a memorable experience for everyone after a 7 hour ascent all together. After some time, we will start the descent back to base camp, taking around 5 hours total. Now we can decompress, relax, enjoy dinner and rest.

Day 6: Reserve day

Reserve day in case of bad weather on summit day. If we are unable to leave the hut and attack the summit, we will spend this day resting in the hut and reserving our energy to summit the next day.

Base Camp Hut altitude: 3653m

Mount Kazbek Summit: 5054m

Vertical gain climbing: 1400m

Travel time climbing: 7 hours

Descent time to base camp: 5 hours

Day 7: Descent

After an early breakfast, we will leave the basecamp and trek back down to Trinity church. Here, we can take the time to visit the Trinity church site, which is a symbol of Kazbegi from the 14th century which is still being used today. The driver will meet the group and transfer all to Stepantsminda hotel to retrieve stored belongings and proceed to Tbilisi. We will stop on the way to Tbilisi in a local restaurant to enjoy delicious Georgian cuisine and congratulate each other on such a journey together. Check in to Tbilisi hotel.

Day 8: Departure

Early breakfast at the hotel, checkout, and transfer to airport with the driver.

Equipment you will need to bring

 Harness – Mountaineering or climbing harness with 2 screw karabiners and 60cm sling. Harness should be able to fit with your mountaineering jackets on.  Helmet – Standard climbing helmet.  Alpine Climbing Boots – Shoes should be waterproof, insulated, and with a solid sole. Preferably, semi-automatic or automatic crampons should fit the boot. (B2 or B3 crampons). The boots should be designed for alpine mountaineering and ice climbing.  Overboots / Gaiters – Gaiters are essential to avoid getting the boots wet. Protecting you from getting wet and from hitting your trousers with crampons.  Crampons – Crampons should be automatic or semi-automatic. Designed for ice and mixed climbing. 12 point steel with anti-balling, which is preventing snow sticking.  Ice Axe – Designed for technical mountaineering and for ice climbing, with adze and sharpened picks. 1 pair is needed.  Trekking Poles – Telescopic to suit your size and for different terrain. Main luggage bag (up to 80L) – All gear can be packed here and extra items which is not needed on trekking day. The horse will take this directly to the basecamp as to alleviate weight from your other bag.  Backpack (35-50L) – This size bag is recommended because larger is unnecessary and leads to excess weight. Recommended to bring a waterproof cover in case of rain. This bag will be on your back during trekking to the basecamp and for the summit.  Headlamp – Fit to size.  Eye protection – sunglasses for mountaineering that fit face snug and tight. Should be the 3-4th category  Waterproof Shell Jacket (1)  Down Jacket (1) – Light-medium weight preferably. Hooded or without a hood is fine.  Mid Layer Jacket (1) – Fleece Jacket to put on top of thermal layer.  Thermal Base Layer Shirt (1) – Can be a synthetic or wool layer. Should be long sleeve, preferably ¼ or ½ zipper for ventilation.  Waterproof Shell Trousers (1 pair)  Thermal Base Layer Underwear/Leggings ( 1pair) – Can be synthetic or wool.  Beanie hat, buff, balaclava – Gear to keep the head and face warm.  Water Proof Insulated Gloves or Mittens – 1 Pair. For the summit  Trekking Gloves – 1 pair. Should be warm, but not bulky. Only for trekking and on the base camp.  Socks – Lightweight and medium weight mountaineering wool socks. (3 pairs)  Base Camp Slippers – Comfortable slippers for tent and basecamp wear.  Comfortable trekking trousers (1 pair) – For leisurewear in base camp and for trekking  Basecamp kit and toiletries – Includes toothpaste and toothbrush. Deodorant. Soap. Baby wipes or wet napkins. If you wear contact lenses, bring lenses solution, contact holder, and bring extra lenses in case of losing a pair.  Microfiber towel – Used for drying hands and face. Body size is not needed, as there is no shower at the base camp.  Mess kit – Bowl and utensils for base camp and climbing meals  Sleeping bag – Suitable for -15 Degrees – -10 Degrees Celsius  Sleeping mat / pad – Rollable or inflatable.

About the guide

Beka

4.2

(4)

Mountain Guide

I am a IFMGA/GMGA certified mountain guide, with more than 10 years of experience in the Caucasus mountain region.

Mountain Guiding and alpine sport is the most gratifying passion in my life. As an official team member of the United Federation of Georgian Mountaineers, I have led some of the most challenging ascents and expeditions in the Caucasus. In addition, I have completed successful ascents in Himalayas, Tian Shan, Pamir, Alps, and more. Aside from climbing, I have a big enthusiasm for ski mountaineering. I have completed many first ski descents in the region, such as Mt. Tetnuldi West Face descent, and more. In the winter and spring season, I enjoy guiding my guests on the backcountry of the Caucasus mountains, and sharing my experience and love for this region. In the summer season, I guide groups up iconic peaks such as Mt. Kazbek and more.

I am the founder of The Alpine Project, a full-scale mountaineering tour agency. My team and I are experts in the region, and we are deeply inspired by guiding our guests and welcoming them to Georgia. Please contact me if you have any further questions about my experience and my offers.

Languages

Russian | Georgian | English

Certificates

IFMGA | GMGA

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What people are saying about this trip

Zono

We fully enjoyed our trip to Mt. Kazbegi with professional guide Beka! And also thanks so much for Explore-Share online support, they are so kind to support us to book guide!