ELBRUS CLIMB FROM THE EAST #BR#TO BOTH SUMMITS
46
km
Distance
11
days
Duration
2 tours trips and available on request starting
01.07.2026, more 1 tour trips and available on request starting
ELBRUS CLIMB FROM THE EAST #BR#TO BOTH SUMMITS
11
days
46
km
3/3
difficulty
1/4
comfort
2 tours and on request —
01.07.2026, more 1 tour trips and available on request
2 tours and on request —
01.07.2026, more 1 tour trips and available on request
2 tours and on request —
01.07.2026, more 1 tour trips and available on request
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About the Program
The route passes through the wild and stunning Irik Chat Gorge and the eastern slope of Elbrus, along the Achkeryakol lava flow and past Elbrus’s side crater. After reaching the summit, the group descends via the southern side using a snowcat and cable car, arriving at the hotel the same day after eight days of full autonomy. This is the same program we organized for Ryan Pyle’s TV show Extreme Treks during the filming of his Elbrus episode.
Start:
Airport of Mineralnye Vody (MRV), Tbilisi (TBS)
End:
Airport of Mineralnye Vody (MRV), Tbilisi (TBS)
Язык: русский, ангийский
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Daily hikes with 15 kg backpacks. No technical skills needed. A support team assists along the way.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotel 3★, tents on the route (double accommodation).
FOOD
Full board during the trek, with a cook included.
Highlights
What Will You Do?
Swim in a waterfall, taste mineral springs, cross a glacier, and see Caucasian rhododendrons.
You’ll learn basic mountaineering skills and cross a rushing mountain river using fixed cables.
We’ll climb Mount Paton and enjoy its breathtaking 360° panoramic view.
Finally, we’ll summit both peaks of Elbrus — the highest mountain in Europe and Russia.
Description by Day
Minimize
Day 1
Arrival
We’ll meet you at Mineralnye Vody Airport at any time of day or night. If you’re arriving via Tbilisi (Georgia), please plan to arrive one day earlier. Transfer to our local office, where you’ll meet your guide, check your personal equipment, and receive any missing gear. Overnight at a 3-star hotel, twin room accommodation.
Day 2
Camp 1
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to the starting point of the route — the village of Elbrus. The transfer takes about three hours. From there, we hike up through the beautiful Irik Chat Valley, stopping by a natural Narzan spring — a unique, sparkling mineral water source. Camp 1 is set in a pine forest next to a river and a small waterfall where you can take a refreshing dip.
Day 3
Irik Chat Valley
We start the day with a training session on walking and breathing techniques — a simple but effective way to help you hike longer and with less fatigue. Here the forest gives way to alpine meadows. The trail begins with a steep ascent that leads to a wide open valley where marmots are often seen. We camp on the grass with stunning views of the surrounding rocky peaks and the pass we’ll climb the next day. Elevation gain: 430 m. Overnight altitude: 2,750 m.
Day 4
Paton Peak
Today we spend the whole day climbing Paton Peak (3,930 m). This is not only a beautiful route but also an excellent acclimatization climb. The trail begins with a crossing of a fast mountain river using fixed steel cables that we installed here a few years ago. We continue up over rocks to reach the ridge. From the summit, there’s a panoramic view of Mount Elbrus, the Achkeryakol lava flow — a side crater of Elbrus — as well as the surrounding mountains and valleys. On the descent, we’ll stop for lunch by a mountain lake.
Day 5
Irik Chat Pass
We continue ascending through the Irik Chat Valley. The grassy slopes gradually turn into rocky terrain as we walk alongside the glacier’s tongue and climb up to the Irik Chat Pass (3,667 m). This is our Camp 2 for the night, offering two spectacular views: to the south — the valley we came from, and to the north — the Djikaochenkez ice plateau, Kalitsky Peak, and Mount Elbrus. In the afternoon, your guide will conduct a rope team training session. Elevation gain: 917 m.
Day 6
Glacier Crossing
Today we traverse a wide snow-and-ice plateau — a glacier that we’ll cross roped together, as there are many hidden crevasses beneath the snow. We approach the lower rocks of the Achkeryakol lava flow and continue a bit higher to an altitude of 4,000 m. This is Camp 3 — our summit camp. In the afternoon, we’ll hold another training session to practice two essential mountaineering skills: walking in crampons on snow and ice, and self-arrest technique with an ice axe on an icy slope. Elevation gain: 400 m.
Day 7
Acclimatization to 5,000 m
Our main acclimatization climb. We start early in the morning, carrying only essentials — snacks, water, and a thermos with hot tea. The route leads up to 5,000 m, reaching the edge of Elbrus’s side crater. The trail alternates between rock and snow. You’ll feel the thin air today — it will be tough, but this climb provides excellent altitude adaptation. Elevation gain: 1,000 m.
Day 8
Rest Day
A well-deserved rest day before the summit push. We’ll review and practice the mountaineering techniques learned earlier and prepare our backpacks for the climb. We’ll go to bed early to get enough rest before the ascent. If the weather forecast for the coming days looks unfavorable, we may skip the rest day and move directly to the summit attempt.
Day 9
Summit Day
We wake up at 22:00 and start our climb to the summit of Mount Elbrus. You’ll be fully equipped, so your backpack will be light. The ascent takes 8–12 hours. After reaching the eastern summit, we descend to the saddle. If time, weather, and strength allow, the guide may lead the group to the western summit, though it’s not guaranteed. Descent via the south slope, snowcat pickup at 5,000 m, then cable car to the village. Hotel check-in and certificate ceremony.
Day 10
Reserve Day
This extra day may be used for another summit attempt if weather conditions were poor on the previous days. If the weather remains unfavorable for all three days, the group will descend along the same route taken on the ascent. This descent takes the whole day. In either case, by evening you’ll be back in town and comfortably settled in your hotel.
Day 11
End of the Program
Breakfast at the hotel. Individual transfer to Mineralnye Vody Airport or Tbilisi (the Tbilisi transfer is not included in the tour price). Please book your return flight for this day in the evening.
INCLUDED IN THE COST:
- Visa invitation (if required) and assistance with flight arrangements
- Personal airport pickup in Mineralnye Vody (MRV) and return transfer at the end of the program
- Mountain guiding service: max 3 climbers per guide
- All transfers as per program, descent by snowcat and cable car
- Accommodation: 2–3 nights in 3* hotel (twin rooms), tents on route (2 people per tent)
- Full board on the route, cook service, breakfasts in hotels
- Porters and horses for transporting food and group equipment
- Tents, mats, group gear (ropes, gas, kitchen, etc.), first aid kit
- Emergency oxygen equipment for altitude sickness support
- National Park entry fee and registration with Rescue Service
- Certificate of successful Elbrus climb with online verification
- Official Elbrus Climb badge issued by the Russian Mountaineering Federation
NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST:
- Flights to Mineralnye Vody (MRV) or Tbilisi (TBS)
- Lunches and dinners in city or village restaurants
- Transfer from Tbilisi or Kutaisi (if arriving there)
- Personal gear and clothing – available for rent at our office
- Mountaineering insurance for all tour days (mandatory)
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 or duffel bag, 100 liters
Backpack rain cover
Small backpack, 35 l
Crampons
Ice axe
Trekking poles
Climbing helmet
Harness + 3 biners + leash
Headlamp + extra batteries
Sleeping bag (comfort temperature of -10°C)
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 or duffel bag, 100 liters
Backpack rain cover
Small backpack, 35 l
Crampons
Ice axe
Trekking poles
Climbing helmet
Harness + 3 biners + leash
Headlamp + extra batteries
Sleeping bag (comfort temperature of -10°C)
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).
Mountaineering Insurance
Mountaineering insurance with coverage of $50,000 USD, including helicopter evacuation, for the entire duration of the tour.
Transfer from Tbilisi
Private transfer from Tbilisi Airport (Georgia) to Elbrus or Essentuki (Russia) or back at your specified time (price listed is for the entire vehicle, one way, up to 3 people in the car).
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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