The highest European point – Mount Elbrus is a dream for many mountaineers all over the world.
It is a crater of an extinct volcano on a side ridge of the Russian Caucasus Mountains. Its double-headed snow covered peak and its glaciers (the longest of them is 8,2 km) are traditional targets for many climbers. The high altitude (835 meters higher than Mont Blanc), accompanied by lack of oxygen and strong wind are the main difficulties climbers face on the way to the Elbrus top. Yet those whoreached the top enjoy the right to be considered true climbers - which is one reason this route is so popular.
You can climb up to Elkbrus from either the south side (this itinerary) or the north side (you may see our other offer).
Tour Highlights
♦ Caucasus Mountains range, stretching about 1,127 kilometers (about 700 miles) between Black and Caspian seas
♦ The highest point of Europe - Mt. Elbrus
♦ Moscow - the capital of Russia
Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival at the Mineralnye Vody airport (MRV) before 2 p.m. There are several domestic flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg and international flights arriving from Istanbul and Dubai. Our guide will be awaiting you outside the arrival hall. Once everyone has arrived, the bus leaves the airport heading to the town of Terskol. The drive will take 3 - 3.5 hours. Upon arrival at the hotel you will have some free time for resting and taking a shower, then dinner and first briefing with the guide.
Day 2. After breakfast the group will go for its first acclimatization day. Today you'll ascend the peak Terskol (3100 m) or Mt. Cheget (3100 m), this depends on weather conditions. The hike will take 4-5 hours. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3. Transfer to Azau lift station on Mount Elbrus which will take around 10 minutes. Ascent up to Mir station (3500m). Acclimatization hike up to 4100m. Descent to hotel. Since this is the ast day before moving to the hut, after coming back to the hotel you will visit our rental shop in order to hire climbing gear. The guide will assist you by choosing the right size. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4. This is the day when we move to the Cheeper Azau mountain hotel located at an altitude of 3000 m near the Stary Krugozor cable car station. You can leave all not necessary stuff at hotel. It will not be necessary to carry your backpacks self because the group will reach the hotel using ski lifts. There will be only a short distance of 30 m to walk from the cable cars to the hotel. After lunch, we will make an acclimatization climb to the the highest cable car station in Europe - Gara-Bashi (3847 m) or to the Mir station (3455 m), depending on weather conditions.Overnight at hotel Cheeper Azau.
Day 5. Today we take the ski lift up to the Gara-Bashi station, located at an altitude of 3847 m.We put on climbing equipment there and do an acclimatization hike to the Pastukhov rocks (4800 m). Overnight at the hotel Cheeper Azau.
Day 6. Day of rest. After breakfast, we pack the backpacks and take the ski lift up to the hut at 3800 m (The Heart of Elbrus or Leaprus Hut). There will be no hikes on this day, just a short snow- and ice course not far from the hut.
Day 7. Summit day. After early breakfast at 2 a.m. the group will be picked up by a snow-cat and taken up to 4800 m or even higher. The further way to the summit takes on average 4-6 hours. Overnight at hut. It is possible to descend to the hotel, if the group comes back from the summit early, but this will cause extra expenditure for accommodation and meals at the hotel, because this night is already paid for the hut.
Day 8. Descent to the hotel or reserve day for the summit attempt. In the last case the group has to descend to the hotel by whatever means required on same day in order to be in time at the airport on the next day. Celebration dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 9. Depart to the airport at 06.30 a.m. in order to be there by 09.30 a.m. If this time doesn't suit you, it is possible to order a private airport transfer.
Good to know:
♦ The arrival transfer on day 1 is scheduled according to the flight arriving at Mineralnye Vody before 14 h. While the departure transfer is scheduled according flights departing after 9.30am.
♦ Riding the snow-cat on summit day is obligatory, unless there are 3 people who want to avoid it. If there are 3 such climbers, we provide them with a guide free of charge. Otherwise they have to pay for a private guide on the summit day (€350).The exact cost depends on number of passengers: up to 4400 m it costs €500 and up to 4800-4900 m - €1000 per vehicle (max 12-14 people). You also can hire a snow-cat on your way down and this will be cheaper than on the way up.
♦ Mountaineering insurance is highly recommended for climbing Mount Elbrus.
How to get there: Please, contact us if you would like us to help you find suitable flights at the best price. When helping you to find flights we always try to find the best price for you according to the departure and arrival times. Prices vary depending on the airline and current availability. However, remember that the cheap airfares are often difficult or impossible to reschedule or cancel. Payment of the ticket is with your own credit card directly to the airline or travel agent airline, which also sends out confirmation of booking. A service charge (non-refundable) will be added if you want us to help you find the appropriate plane ticket.
Visa: ►All nationals need visa to enter Russia. Please, check at the Russian embassy in your country about visa regulations ►we provide visa support while you have to take care of applying for your Russian visa.
Checklist and Equipment Hire
Price Includes:
- Invitation letter for visa. We send this to you as soon as we get your deposit and passport copy. - Local registration for foreigners according to the Russian law. - Transportation. Group airport transfers airport - Terskol - airport. Individual transportation costs (€80
max 3 people). Accommodation in accordance with itinerary: At 2200 m: - 3* hotel Snezhny Bars shared twin or triple room in the foot of Elbrus – 4 nights At 3000 m: - Mountain hotel Cheeper Azau
shared 5- and 7-bed rooms
WC and shower en-suite – 2 nights At 3800 m: - Mountain refuge Heart of Elbrus at 3800 m
mixed dorm (8 people)
toilet outside - Cable car tickets in accordance with itinerary - Meals at hotel and at hut in accordance with intinerary - Guides. One guide for the group throughout the tour and assistant guide(s) for the summit day in ratio 1:3. - One summit attempt. For example
when a group starts in weather conditions which allow to go
and later it changes to the dangerous ones (like storm/ heavy snowfall/ dense fog) and the group has to descend; or one/ several participants feel bad and give up on climbing this is considered as an expended attempt. You can take an additional attempt against €400 for guiding services + hut fees and food (about €75 per day for 1 person) for you and your guide. - Celebration dinner at a local restaurant - Climbing certificate - Park fee - Oxygen equipment for emergency cases
Not Included:
- Riding snow-cat (ratrak
a vehicle transporting people along the snow slopes). The exact cost depends on number of passengers: up to 5000-5100 m - €1000 per vehicle (max 12-14 people). You also can hire a snow-cat on your way down and this will be cheaper than on the way up. - Single occupancy supplement - €40 per night - Hire of personal equipment (such as sleeping bag
boots
crampons
etc) - Taking an additional attempt after the first attempt has been expended (this doesn't include cases when the weather was bad from the beginning and the group hasn't started the climb). - Cost of additional night at hotel when you decide to descend to the valley on the reserve days because this days are already paid for at the refuge. The cost of an extra night can make €55 per person (double or triple room) or €75 (single room). Meals at hotel on reserve days are also not included (only breakfast). - Individual transfer from or to airport - €80. - Mountaineering insurance. It is highly recommended for climbing Mount Elbrus
Additional Services:
rent of snowcat: on the spot
individual transfer from or to the airport - €80
Gallery
Currency fluctuations might cause correction of price at any time.
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