Almost all first time visitors to the Caucasus are keen to ascend Mount Elbrus, 5642m, the Europe's highest mountain. The double-breasted summit of Elbrus can be seen for miles around from different parts of the Caucasus region. Both East (5621m) and West (5642m) summits are permanently covered with snow. Many of the remote side valleys where it is possible to have some acclimatization training are seldom visited even by locals.
Our standard trip is 15 days. During the first we week we train in using an ice axe and crampons and have a good number of acclimatization walks. But for those who are already rather acclimatized, there is also an opportunity to join us for a short 9-day trip. It is also possible to combine Short Elbrus trip with the ascent of Mt. Kazbek.
The trip begins with a Moscow city tour. Then we fly to Mineralnye Vody and drive to the base hotel in the Baksan Valley. From the hotel we make several trips following beautiful forested valleys, walking through alpine meadows, crossing glaciated mountain passes and climbing some of the easiest summits which provide superb panoramas of the Caucasus Range.
These initial trips will be porter supported and will involve camping and backpacking. They will provide us with fitness and acclimatization necessary for the ascent of Elbrus itself. For the ascent of Elbrus we use a cable car system to take us to the height of about 3800m, where we stay in the Garabashi Huts and/or Diesel Hut (4200m). The actual program will depend on the weather, group condition and the availability of a snowcap which we will use to help us up the lower slopes of the mountain (if available and necessary). The trip finishes in St. Petersburg. There will be a city tour with time to visit some of the wonders of this beautiful city.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Moscow. A 3-star hotel accommodation near the city center. Free time for sightseeing. Night in a hotel.
Day 2: Transfer to the airport for the flight to Mineralnye Vody, on the plains north of the Caucasus. Drive by private bus to the hotel in the Baksan Valley, near Elbrus. (B/L/D).
Day 3: Our trek starts with a pleasant walk up the Adyl-su valley to the "Green Hotel", an alpine meadow campsite at 2600m. This is an excellent day to tone up our muscles for the days ahead. (B/L/D).
Day 4: Walk up the Jankuat Glacier, ascend Eastern Jantugan Pass 3600m. A fine day with a mixture of terrain providing good practice with ice axe and crampons. If the weather and the group conditions are good possible to climb Gumachi, 3805m, Return to the camp and continue back to the hotel. (B/L/D).
Day 5: A short drive to Vierhny Baksan from where we walk up through woods then open mountain slopes to Syltran Lake at 2950m., one of the largest lakes in the Caucasus. Camp. This is a long, demanding day, excellent training for the long pull up Elbrus! (B/L/D).
Day 6: Cross the Syltran Pass, 3400m with a possible 30 min side trip to a nearby small summit and viewpoint. We descend by the Mukal Valley and then walk up by the Mkiara Valley to camp at 3200m. (B/L/D).
Day 7: Cross the glaciated Irik Pass, 3750m to a campsite in the forest lower down in the beautiful Irik valley. Camp. (B/L/D).
Day 8: Finishing our descent from the Irik valley we return to the hotel. The afternoon is free to relax, have a sauna or wander into Terskol. (B/L/D).
Day 9: We take the cable car/chair lift system up Elbrus and stay in the Garabashi Huts at 3800m or camp. (B/L/D).
Day 10: Acclimatization walk to Pastuchova rocks at 4800m. If conditions are good a summit attempt could be made. (B/L/D).
Day 11: We begin in the early morning hours to ascend the highest of Elbrus' twin peaks - the West Summit. You carry your day pack with the day's requirements. We return to spend the night in Garabashi or camp. (B/L/D).
Day 12: Spare day to attempt Elbrus if the weather on the previous day was bad (otherwise return to the hotel). (B/L/D).
Day 13: Return to the hotel. Relax and perhaps enjoy one of the fine walks from the hotel. (B/L/D).
Day 14: Drive to Mineralnye Vody, fly to St Petersburg; transfer to the hotel in the city center. Night at the hotel. (B/L/D).
Day 15: After breakfast we check out of the hotel. Take transport to the international airport for the flight home. (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The prices are calculated on a group basis for 6 and more participants.
Included: all group transport within Russia as per program, all accommodation in Russia, breakfast in the cities and all food in the Caucasus, tents and other group equipment on trek, guides, cook, porters, all the necessary permits and visa support.
Not included: international airport transfers, visas fee, flights.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Russia
Mountain/Rock Climbing
Hiking & Trekking
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