Climbing Mt. Elbrus from the South

Tour activities

Elbrus is the highest point of the Caucasus, Russia, and Europe. The highest mountain massif of Elbrus volcano (according to one opinion Elbrus is an extinct volcano, and according to another – a dormant volcano) is located north of the Main Caucasus Range. The west summit of Elbrus (5,642 m high) and the east (5,621 m) are separated by a saddle (5,340 m). Around the highest point of Europe you can see the most beautiful and famous peaks of the Caucasus: Ushba, Donguz-Orun, Nakra-Tau.

Climbing Elbrus is a prestigious extreme journey that is accessible to physically healthy people. The ascent route starts from Baksan valley, runs along the southern slope of the mountain and is considered classic. As statistics of our previous years shows, nine out of ten of our guests successfully ascend Mount Elbrus in favorable weather conditions (and in summer the weather is quite stable).

Climbing Elbrus for newcomers to mountaineering is a good start, necessary to understand how interesting mountaineering is for them. Many features of mountaineering are impossible to feel, going to lower mountains.

The proposed program of ascent to the top of Elbrus is a classic climbing route.

Difficulty category: 2A according to the mountaineering classification.

Maximum height: 5642 / 5621 m.

Professional guides, high-quality equipment and optimal program of acclimatization will make this trip maximum safe for you. For formed groups any dates are possible.

We do not recommend for those who have medical contraindications!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: due to the heightened risk of the tour, the orders of tour guides during the ascent or in preparation for it regarding security are compulsory for all participants.

* Disputable questions can be solved either BEFORE the ascent of Elbrus by negotiations, or AFTER the descent to the shelter.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

the route is not technically difficult, although it requires the use of special climbing equipment: crampons, ice axe

you'll get skills in using special climbing equipment as a result of learning how to move on snow and ice

good physical shape, endurance, and good-quality equipment are needed

a high degree of exposure to natural factors: altitude, thin air, cold, frequent winds, no visibility in bad weather, emission of sulfuric gases, increased activity of solar radiation

personal climbing equipment, as a rule, is rented on the spot

lodging in hotels and shelters

TOUR ITINERARY

Arrival at Mineralnye Vody airport till 14:00 (2.00 p.m.). Our representative will meet you in the airport arrival hall.
For early or late arrivals, we can arrange a private transfer for $80 (for up to 3 people).
14:15 A group transfer (about 3 hours, 185 km) will take us to Cheget Glade (2000 m), at the foot of Elbrus.
Check into the hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner with an itinerary briefing in the evening.
On this day you can hire equipment which will be necessary during next day: trekking boots, telescopic poles, glasses, jacket, thermos, etc.
Overnight at the hotel.
There are twin and triple rooms in the hotel, with toilet and shower.
- Accommodation in a hotel
- Electricity available
- Good mobile signal
- Shower available
Breakfast at the hotel.
Acclimatization hike past the Maiden Braids waterfall (2800 m) to the RAS Observatory (3100 m), or along the slopes of Mount Cheget, from Cheget-2 Station (2750 m) – near the famous Ai café – to Cheget-3 Station (3050 m).
* Depending on a physical condition of participants and weather (the decision is made by the guide in coordination with participants).
This is the last day before you leave the valley and after hike you can visit equipment store in order to hire something. Your guide will assist you by choosing equipment.
Overnight at the hotel.
- Accommodation in a hotel
- Electricity available
- Bad mobile signal
- Shower available
Breakfast at the hotel.
Pack your climbing equipment. 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 30 m to walk from the cable cars to the hotel.
We will transfer to the Cheeper-Azau Hotel after a short 3 km drive to the Azau Glade.
A cable car will take us to the Stary Krugozor station.
Check into the hotel, lunch.
In the afternoon we will make an acclimatization climbing to Sarykaya-Su waterfall to the Mir station (3450 m) or a nearby glacial lake. Depending on the group’s condition and weather, we may continue to the Gara-Bashi station (3850 m).
Overnight at the Cheeper-Azau Hotel.
* An intermediate overnight stay at this altitude is very important because it ensures smooth acclimatization of the body, while using the abrupt change in the overnight height from 2200 m (Cheget glade) to 3800–4100 m (the height of all assault huts), which is common in many programs headache and insomnia, but also serious disorders in the body.
- Accommodation in a hotel
- Electricity available
- Bad mobile signal
- Shower available
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today we go up by the cable car to the Gara-Bashi station, located at an altitude of 3847 m, there we put on climbing equipment and make an acclimatization hike to the Pastukhov rocks (4600–4800 m). Training includes crampon use, self-arrest techniques and rope work.
Overnight in the hotel Chiper Azau.
Dinner.
- Accommodation in a hotel
- Electricity available
- Bad mobile signal
- Shower available
Breakfast at the hotel.
Tomorrow is a difficult day and today you have the day for a rest.
After a late breakfast, we collect equipment necessary for storming the summit assault.
Accommodaion at the Heart of Elbrus shelter or the Leaprus eco-hotel.
Additional snow and ice lessons in good weather conditions.
Lunch, table games, dinner, briefing with a discussion of tomorrow's plans and an early lights out.
- Electricity available
- Bad mobile signal
- No shower
- Accommodation in guesthouses
Early breakfast.
More than 90% of participants in climbing Elbrus from the south use a snowcat for an additional fee. This vehicle transports climbers (maximum 12 people including 3 non-paying guides) to an altitude of 4700–5000 meters and saves 3–4 hours and a lot of energy. In the case of using a snowcat or snowmobiles, groups leave the hut around 03:00–04:00.
On a request of the group members (at least 3 people) it is possible to refuse to use the snowcat and, without any additional fee, make an attempt to climb with one or more guide assistants. Access to the route of participants on foot in this case is 3–4 hours earlier than the main group. Gpoup on foot should be aware that if one of the participants in this mini-group feels unwell or has other reasons to refuse to continue climbing, all the reat are also obliged to descend to the hut. In case of a forced descent to the hut before reaching the top of the main group, participants who are in good physical condition can make a second attempt to climb the same day with using a snowcat. If the number of people wishing to climb without using a snowcat is less than 3 people, it is necessary to use the services of an individual guide for an additional fee about 300 euros.
The summit is usually reached at 10:00–13:00 (10 a.m – 1 p.m), depending on the rate of climb of the group. From 14:00 all members of the group move only downhill. Descent from the summit to the upper hut takes 4–6 hours.
Dinner, overnight in the hut.
* Generally we stay at the hut this night. If all members of the group come back from the top before 15:00 (3 p.m.) we can discuss the possibility to descend and have overnight at the hotel Cheeper Azau or at a hotel on the Cheget Glade. However this will require additional payment for hotel accommodation and meals, because this night is paid for the hut.
- Electricity available
- Bad mobile signal
- No shower
- Accommodation in guesthouses
This is a reserve day in case of bad weather on the previous day.*
After successful ascent attempt – descent to the Cheget Glade.
Gala dinner and presentation of certificates on climbing Elbrus (additional payment).
Free time for extra excursions to the most beautiful sights of Elbrus region: Lake Gizhgit, Chegem Waterfalls, the Thermal complexes Geduko or Aushiger, where you can take a dip in mineral water pools (optional, extra fee).
Overnight at the hotel.
*The tour price includes one ascent attempt. The attempt is considered to be the group's leaving the shelter together with the guides no later than 05:00 and climbing to an altitude of at least 4500 meters. If the attempt was not used on the planned day of ascent (due to bad weather), then the next (reserve) day is used without additional charge.
If the ascent to Elbrus has turned out to be impossible for the whole group or separate participants (because of bad feeling or other factors), the attempt can be repeated the next day, having paid one more night accommodation in a mountain shelter and services of guides.
We will do our best to make the ascent to the summit of Elbrus take place, but we cannot guarantee 100% success. If the ascent was prevented by insufficient physical preparedness of the participant or unfavorable weather conditions, the organization does not pay any compensation.
- Accommodation in a hotel
- Electricity available
- Bad mobile signal
- Shower available
Breakfast.
Transfer to Mineralnye Vody airport early in the morning at 06:30–07:00 to be in time for the flight which departs at 11:30 or later.
If you need to be at the airport earlier or your flight departs much later than 11:30, you can order an individual transfer.
* If you want to continue your vacation in Elbrus region, we can extend your stay at the hotel for an additional fee and provide you with a return transfer to the airport at no extra charge on any days of arrival and departure of our groups.
- Good mobile signal

What is included in the price

English speaking guide service
visa support
local registration for foreigners according to the Russian law
all transfers according to the program: group airport transfers airport – Terskol – airport
accomodation (3* hotel shared twin or triple room in the foot of Elbrus, mountain hotel Chiper Azau, mountain refuge at 3800 m, mixed dorm)
guides (one guide for the group throughout the tour and the guide assistant(s) for the summit day in ratio 1:2/3)
full board during the whole trip (except dinner on Day 7) including packed lunches for acclimatization outings and the ascent. Chef services are included throughout the tour
cable car tickets for one ascent and one descent on Mt. Elbrus
group equipment: ropes, carabiners, ice drills, first aid kit
safety equipment: GPS navigators, radios, registration with the Ministry of Emergency Situations, expedition medical kit, etc.
ski lift and cable car fees
certificate of ascent or of reaching a certain altitude for each participant
fee for visiting the National Elbrus Park
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 $ 450 for guiding services + hut fees and food for you and your guide)
additional amenities in the Comfort tariff:
superior accommodation in a hotel on the Cheget Glade (single standard room or twin accommodation in superior rooms)
superior accommodation in the mountain hotel Cheeper-Azau (3-4 bedded rooms)
superior accommodation in the mountain hotel Heart of Elbrus (comfortable 4-bedded rooms with a bathroom on the floor)
additional amenities in the VIP tariff:
accommodation in the exclusive panoramic eco-hotel Leaprus (12-bedded rooms) instead Heart of Elbrus

What is not included

tickets to / from Mineralnye Vody
mountaineering insurance – highly recommended!
riding snow-cat (ratrak, a vehicle transporting people along the snow slopes). The exact cost depends on altitude of ascent: up to 5100 m it costs $ 200–250 per person. Basic capacity of the snow-cat is 12 people, including 3 guides who don't pay. You also can hire a snow-cat on your way down and this will be cheaper than on the way up
single supplement – $ 45 per day
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). Additional attempt costs $450 for the guiding services + hut fee and meals for you and your guide ($ 100 each)
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 be $ 55 (double or triple room) or $ 80 (single room)
meals at hotel on reserve days (only breakfast)
individual transfer from or to airport
optional excursions
dinner on Day 7
porter services
alcohol drinks
tips

Price clarification

Tour price per 1 person (combined group, fixed dates):

Standard – $ 1 490

Comfort – $ 1 890

VIP (Leaprus) – $ 1 990

Single supplement in Terskol/Cheget hotels – from $ 45 per day

Please note: the number of Comfort and VIP tariff places is limited due to the availability of this type of accommodation. Early booking is recommended.

Accommodation according to the booked tariff:

Standard

Cheget Glade Hotels: Snezhny Bars, Smile or Solnechnaya Glade (2/3-bedded rooms)
Mountain hotel Cheeper-Azau (5–8-bedded rooms with private bathroom)
Mountain hotel Heart of Elbrus (8-bedded rooms with shared facilities)

Comfort

Cheget Glade Hotels: Superior single or twin rooms
Mountain hotel Cheeper-Azau (3–4 bedded rooms)
Mountain hotel Heart of Elbrus (4-bed rooms with shared bathroom on the floor)

VIP

Same as Comfort, but with accommodation in the panoramic eco-hotel Leaprus (exclusive accommodation in 12-bedded rooms) instead of Heart of Elbrus.

How to get there

The tour starts in Mineralnye Vody, it's 2 hours by flight from Moscow.
Aeroflot and S7 airlines operate direct flights from Moscow.
You can get to Mineralnye Vody by train also (1–1,5 days from Moscow).

On the first day you must arrive in Mineralnye Vody not later than 14:15 to catch the group transfer.
If you arrive later, we can arrange a private transfer for you

On the last day group transfers will ensure you arrive at the airport in time for flights departing after 11:30.
If your flight departs earlier or much later, a private transfer can be arranged for $80–100.

Please note: the journey from Terskol to the airport takes approximately 3 hours.