CLIMB MOUNT ELBRUS FROM THE EAST: #BR#THE WILD NATURE CHALLENGE
46
km
Distance
13
days
Duration
3 tours trips and available on request starting
10.06.2025, more 2 tours trips and available on request starting
CLIMB MOUNT ELBRUS FROM THE EAST: #BR#THE WILD NATURE CHALLENGE
13
days
46
km
3/3
difficulty
1/4
comfort
3 tours and on request —
10.06.2025, more 2 tours trips and available on request
3 tours and on request —
10.06.2025, more 2 tours trips and available on request
3 tours and on request —
10.06.2025, more 2 tours trips and available on request
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About the Program
This route is for those who value the journey itself, not just the destination. Unlike the routes from the south and from the north, the eastern route is absolutely wild; there's nothing here to remind you of civilization - not even roads. All you'll find are rivers, forests, waterfalls, glaciers, rocks, snow-capped peaks, and a plethora of diverse flowers, including Rhododendrons. Rarely encounter other tourists. In short, it's the perfect route to disconnect from the outside world for a while!
Start:
Airport of Mineralnye Vody (MRV), Tbilisi (TBS) or Kutaisi (KUT)
End:
Airport of Mineralnye Vody (MRV), Tbilisi (TBS) or Kutaisi (KUT)
Язык: русский, ангийский
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Daily treks carrying a backpack around 30 kg (option to hire a porter available). Technical skills not required.
ACCOMMODATIONS
3★ hotel (2 nights), on the route - expedition tents. View Photo
FOOD
Meals included. Two dinners and two breakfasts at the hotel. One lunch in a cafe. On the route, participants prepare food from freeze-dried products.
Highlights
What Will You Do?
Bathe in the waterfall, drink mineral water (Narzan), walk on the glacier, and see Caucasian Rhododendrons
Master basic mountaineering skills, and cross a mountain river via tight ropes
Climb to the top of Mount Paton and behold the grandiose 360-degree panoramic view from its peak
Climb to the summit of Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe and Russia
Description by Day
Minimize
Day 1
Meeting
We welcome you at any time at Mineralnye Vody Airport (MRV). We can also meet you in Tbilisi (TBS) or Kutaisi (KUT), but in this case, you should arrive early in the morning or the day before. Transfer to our office. Equipment and clothing check, rental equipment distribution. Accommodation in a 3* hotel, 2 people per room. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 2
First day of trek
After breakfast at the hotel, we meet at the office. Meet the guide. You can learn the guide's name and qualifications in advance from the arrivals list on this page. Group briefing - the instructor will discuss the upcoming route and answer questions. After the briefing, we head to the village of Elbrus. The transfer will take about 3 hours. A short trek up the Irik Chat gorge. We'll stop near a Narzan spring. Camp in a pine forest, next to a river and waterfall, where you can take a swim.
Day 3
Irik Chat Gorge
We start this day with a training session on walking and breathing techniques that will help you hike longer with less fatigue. The forest ends, and alpine meadows begin. The trek starts with a steep climb up, opening to a broad valley. Overnight stay by the river with a view of the rocky peaks and the pass we will ascend. Elevation gain for the day: 430 m. Altitude of overnight stay: 2750 m.
Day 4
Paton's Peak
We take only tea, snacks, warm clothes and set off for the entire day to the summit of Peak Paton, altitude 3930 m. This is not only our first acclimatization but also a very beautiful route. It begins with crossing a turbulent mountain river on metal cables that we installed here several years ago specifically for our groups. We climb up rocks and scree, ascend to the ridge. From the summit, a panoramic view opens up: to Elbrus and its Achkeriakolsky lava flow with a side crater, surrounding mountains, and two gorges.
Day 5
Irik-Chat Pass
We will keep moving up along the canyon. We will pass by the tongue of the glacier and climb to the Irik-Chat Pass at an elevation of 3667 m. This is our next campsite, and two picturesque views open up from here: to the South is the valley we came from, and to the North are the Jikauchenkez ice plateau, Kalitsky's Peak, and Elbrus. During the second half of the day, we will practice walking in rope teams. Today's elevation gain: 917 m.
Day 6
Glacier crossing
This day we are to overcome a wide snow-ice plateau. It's a glacier, and we will pass it roped together, as there are numerous crevasses under the snow. We'll approach the lower rocks of the Achkeriakolsky lava flow and climb a little higher, up to an altitude of 4000 m. Here, we'll set up camp. Another training session to practice two basic mountaineering skills: the technique of walking in crampons on snow and ice, and the technique of self-arrest with an ice axe on an icy slope. Elevation gain for the day: 400 m.
Day 7
Acclimatization at 5000 m.
The second and main acclimatization. We set off early in the morning. We travel light, taking only a snack, a thermos with hot tea, and water. We will ascend to an altitude of 5000 m. and approach the edge of Elbrus's side crater. The path goes through rocks and snow. On this day, you'll feel the lack of oxygen; it will be hard, but it will give you good altitude adaptation, and you will find the climb easier. Elevation change for the day: 1000 m.
Day 8
Rest Day
A rest day before the climb. We will conduct a practical training session and repeat the skills previously learned. We will take a little walk to keep the muscles and respiratory system toned. We will prepare our backpacks for the climb. Early lights-out to get enough sleep before the climb. In case the weather forecast for the following days is poor, we won't rest this day but will go for the climb.
Day 9
Summit Day
We rise at midnight, allowing one hour for preparations. We head towards the summit of Elbrus. From the assault camp, we move in roped teams, wearing crampons, with ice axes, helmets, and headlamps. We bring snacks, a thermos with hot tea, and water. We walk very slowly to maintain steady breathing and conserve energy. The ascent takes 8-12 hours, and the descent back to the camp is another 3-4 hours. (If you wish to use oxygen during the climb, you can rent it from us.)
Day 10
Descent to the Valley
Today, we need to make our way down over the distance that took us 3 days to climb. But descending is easier, and our backpacks have gotten lighter. Descending to Irik-Chat Valley will take all day. Camping in the forest near a waterfall; this way, we will move from "winter" back into "summer" in the course of one day.
Day 11
Return to Pyatigorsk
The descent to the village of Elbrus will take about 2 hours. Group transfer to Pyatigorsk. Along the way, we will stop for lunch at a cafe. Hotel accommodation. Rest and dinner. Presentation of certificates and medals for climbing Elbrus.
Day 12
Reserve Day
This is a backup day to be used for the summit attempt in case of bad weather on the initially planned days. If the reserve day is not used, the tour will conclude on this day, a day earlier than your scheduled departure home. In this case, you will incur additional costs for accommodation and meals for the day until your departure.
Day 13
Program Conclusion
Breakfast at the hotel. Our driver will take you to the airport at any time during this day.
INCLUDED IN THE COST:
- Assistance from a tour manager at all stages of preparation for the climb.
- Tourist invitation for obtaining a Russian visa (if required) and assistance with flight selection
- Professional mountaineering instructor services: no more than 4 participants per guide
- Payment for entrance to the National Park.
- Personal airport meet at Mineralnye Vody (MRV) and return transfer at program end
- All transfers as per the program
- Accommodation: 2 nights in a 3* hotel (double occupancy), tents on the route (3-4 person capacity)
- Meals: 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts at the hotel, 1 lunch, a pack of freeze-dried food for the route
- Group gear (ropes, gas, kitchen, etc.) and a 30% discount on personal gear and clothing rentals
- All safety equipment: satellite phone, GPS navigator, first aid kit, registration with the EMERCOM
- Mountain-climbing oxygen equipment for aid in case of mountain sickness
- Certificate of successful climb to Mount Elbrus
PREMIUM PACK (+ ):
- Porter services, carrying up to 15 kg of your gear to the upper camp and back
- 2 nights in a 4* hotel, single occupancy (instead of 3* double occupancy)
- Single tent accommodation on the route
- Medal for climbing Elbrus
- 30% discount on equipment rental
NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST:
- Flight to Mineralnye Vody (MRV) or Tbilisi (TBS) or Kutaisi (KUT)
- Transfer from Tbilisi or Kutaisi (if arriving there)
- Personal equipment and clothing (all available for rent from our office)
- Meals and accommodation for 1 day after the end of the tour, if the reserve day is not used
- Mountaineering insurance for all tour days (mandatory)
Tour Date
Guide
Spots Left
Cost
10.06.2025 -22.06.2025
Nikolai Sviridov
Candidate Master of Sports, Mountaineering Instructor, Belarusian Champion.
9 spots
07.07.2025 -19.07.2025
Nikolai Sviridov
Candidate Master of Sports, Mountaineering Instructor, Belarusian Champion.
11 spots
05.08.2025 -17.08.2025
Nikolai Sviridov
Candidate Master of Sports, Mountaineering Instructor, Belarusian Champion.
7 spots
Information
Show all days
FLIGHT TICKETS
You need to arrive at airport of Mineralnye Vody (MRV) or Tbilisi (TBS) or Kutaisi (KUT). Transfer from Tbilisi (Georgia) or Kutaisi (KUT) takes over 8 hours and is an additional charge. Mineralnye Vody is the nearest airport to Elbrus. Direct flights to Mineralnye Vody are available from Tbilisi, Istanbul, Aktau, Almaty, Antalya, Baku, Dubai, Yerevan, Tel Aviv, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Moscow, and many Russian cities. Our manager will help you find the best flight option.
RULES OF ENTERING THE COUNTRY
Russia welcomes citizens from 64 countries without a visa, while citizens of 55 countries can access an electronic visa without visiting the consulate. For others, obtaining a visa at the Russian Consulate in your country is necessary, taking up to 3 weeks; applications can be made 3 months prior to entry. A tourist invitation from us is required.
INSURANCE
You need to secure mountaineering insurance valid in Russia, which can be arranged through us. The coverage amount is 50,000 USD. This insurance covers potential costs for emergency medical assistance, including hospital stays, search and rescue operations in the mountains (including helicopter services), medical transportation, and repatriation to your permanent residence.
REQUIRED CLOTHING
Available for rent:
Mountaineering boots
Gaiters
Overboots
Down jacket rated for -15°C alpine conditions
Down mittens
Hardshell jacket
Softshell pants
Not available for rent (but available for purchase):
Polartec 200 jacket
Polartec thin gloves
Thin underwear (top and bottom)
Thick underwear (top and bottom)
Fleece hat
Hiking socks
Wool socks
Balaclava
Lightweight boots
Light pants
Cap
Mountaineering boots
Gaiters
Overboots
Down jacket rated for -15°C alpine conditions
Down mittens
Hardshell jacket
Softshell pants
Not available for rent (but available for purchase):
Polartec 200 jacket
Polartec thin gloves
Thin underwear (top and bottom)
Thick underwear (top and bottom)
Fleece hat
Hiking socks
Wool socks
Balaclava
Lightweight boots
Light pants
Cap
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Available for rent:
Backpack, 100 liters
Backpack rain cover
Crampons
Ice axe
Trekking poles
Climbing helmet
Harness + 3 biners + leash
Headlamp + extra batteries
Sleeping bag (comfort temperature of -10°C)
Sleeping pad
Glacier glasses
Ski goggles
Thermos (at least 1 liter)
Compression sack
Not available for rent (but available for purchase):
Personal hygiene items
Spoon, mug, bowl
Sunscreen 50 degrees
Backpack, 100 liters
Backpack rain cover
Crampons
Ice axe
Trekking poles
Climbing helmet
Harness + 3 biners + leash
Headlamp + extra batteries
Sleeping bag (comfort temperature of -10°C)
Sleeping pad
Glacier glasses
Ski goggles
Thermos (at least 1 liter)
Compression sack
Not available for rent (but available for purchase):
Personal hygiene items
Spoon, mug, bowl
Sunscreen 50 degrees
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Equipment and Clothing Rental
Full equipment and clothing rental - everything is included except for very personal items that aren't available for rent (see lists).
Oxygen Equipment Rental
Rent a set of oxygen equipment for use during the ascent (optional).
Transfer from Tbilisi
Private transfer from Tbilisi Airport (Georgia) to Pyatigorsk (Russia) and return at your specified time (price stated is for the entire car round trip, accommodating up to 4 people)
Mountaineering Insurance
Mountaineering insurance with coverage of $50,000 USD, including helicopter evacuation, for the entire duration of the tour.
How Do I Take Part?
You can reserve this tour on your own right now. It takes just 5 minutes. If you have questions, contact us in any way convenient for you.
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