TWO PEAKS CLIMB: KAZBEK & ELBRUS
55
km
Distance
12
days
Duration
13 tours trips and available on request starting
17.06.2027, more 12 tours trips and available on request starting
TWO PEAKS CLIMB: KAZBEK & ELBRUS
12
days
55
km
2/3
difficulty
3/4
comfort
13 tours and on request —
17.06.2027, more 12 tours trips and available on request
13 tours and on request —
17.06.2027, more 12 tours trips and available on request
13 tours and on request —
17.06.2027, more 12 tours trips and available on request
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About the Program
This program includes climbs of two Caucasus 5000ers, offered directly by a local operator. Regular group departures run from June to September. The Kazbek route goes through Georgia and is stunning in itself; it also provides ideal acclimatization for Elbrus (5642 m, located in Russia). The tour is available in three package options with varying comfort and difficulty levels, including a full-service option with horse-supported gear transport and overnight stays in mountain huts.
Start:
Stepantsminda, Georgia
End:
Mineralnye Vody, Russia
Язык: русский, ангийский
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Three days of hiking with 30 kg backpacks or without (based on package). No previous climbing experience required.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotel in the village; tents or hut on the route depending on the package View Photo
FOOD
Self-cooked meals from provided ingredients or freshly prepared dishes by our chef (depending on the selected package)
Description by Day
Minimize
Day 1
Arrival
Participants arrive in Stepantsminda, Georgia, throughout the day. The nearest airports are Tbilisi (Georgia) and Vladikavkaz (Russia). Group transfers from Tbilisi or Vladikavkaz are included in Standard and Premium packages. Departure no later than 12:00. Upon arrival: hotel check-in, meeting with the guide, gear check and distribution.
Day 2
Sabertse Pass
Breakfast. Drive up the scenic mountain road to the Gergeti Church (featured on the tour cover). The guide will explain walking and breathing techniques to help you conserve energy while climbing. We then hike to Sabertse Pass (3150 m), a 3–4 hour ascent. From the pass, we’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Gergeti Glacier and Mount Kazbek. A final 30-minute descent brings us to Camp 1. Overnight in tents or in a mountain hut (depending on package).
Day 3
Meteostation
Kazbek dominates the horizon all day. We trek to Betlemi Hut (the Meteostation) at 3650 m. The route begins over rocky terrain, then crosses the glacier. The hike takes about 5.5 hours and covers 8.6 km. Overnight in tents or in the hut. Dinner provided.
Day 4
Ortsveri Glacier
Acclimatization day. We ascend to the Ortsveri Glacier at 4200 m, hiking across rocky ground and glacier fields, carefully navigating crevasses. The silence is broken by the sound of falling rocks from Kazbek’s cliffs, and the echoes fill the valley. The ascent takes 3–4 hours; descent back to camp takes 2 more. After lunch, we’ll hold a training session on basic alpine skills: walking in crampons, ice axe self-arrest and moving along fixed ropes.
Day 5
Rest Day
A full day to rest and recover. However, if the weather forecast for the coming days is poor, we may shift the summit attempt to this day instead. This is a flexible reserve day.
Day 6
Summit Day
We begin at 2:00 AM, wearing crampons and using headlamps. The round trip to the summit usually takes 10–12 hours. From the top of Kazbek, there’s a 360° panoramic view. On clear days, you’ll spot Elbrus, our next goal. Return to the Meteostation for the night.
Day 7
Descent to the Village
We descend to the Gergeti Trinity Church and continue by minivans to Stepantsminda. Overnight at the same hotel as on the first day of the tour. In the evening, we enjoy a festive dinner at a Georgian restaurant featuring traditional cuisine and fine Georgian wine, along with a ceremony to award summit certificates.
Day 8
Transfer to Elbrus
After breakfast, we head to Elbrus by private bus, crossing the Georgia–Russia border. The transfer takes 6 hours or more. We stay in a hotel at Cheget glade, a popular tourist area with local restaurants and souvenir shops. The cable car station to Mount Cheget is also located here.
Day 9
Rest Day and Ascent to the Hut
After the first part of the expedition, participants need time to recover. The first half of the day is free: you can book a traditional Russian banya or take the cable car up Mount Cheget for one of the best views of the double-summit Elbrus. In the afternoon we take the cable car up the snowy slopes of Elbrus and settle into the mountain hut. Light acclimatization walk and rest. Early bedtime to prepare for the summit push.
Day 10
Summit Day
We wake around 10:00 PM (exact time set by the guide). About an hour for final prep. The summit push begins from the high camp in rope teams, wearing crampons, helmets and headlamps, with ice axes in hand. We bring snacks, water and a thermos with hot tea. The ascent takes 8–10 hours; descent another 3–4. After the climb, we descend to the valley by cable car. Overnight in a hotel. Summit certificates awarded.
Day 11
Reserve Day
This is a backup summit day. The program includes up to three reserve days in case of bad weather. If this day isn’t used for the climb, you’ll choose one of two options: relax at the hotel in town or join an optional excursion to the Chegem waterfalls and the ancient city of the dead, Eltyuby. Hotel overnight in town.
Day 12
Tour Completion
At any time during the day, we arrange a private transfer to Mineralnye Vody Airport (included in Standard and Premium packages). You may book your flight home for any time today. If you decide to add our Moscow & St. Petersburg city tour, this will be your travel day to Moscow, and your journey will continue from there.
INCLUDED IN THE COST:
- Tour manager support at all stages, including help with booking your flights
- Tourist invitation for Russian visa (if required)
- English-speaking mountain guides – max 3 climbers per guide on summit day
- Accommodation: 5–6 nights in guesthouse, 1–2 in Elbrus hut, 5 in tents
- Meals on the route: freeze-dried food for self-cooking
- All transfers from Stepantsminda to Pyatigorsk
- Elbrus cable car ride (both ascent and descent)
- All safety measures: satellite phone, first aid kit, rescue registration
- High-altitude oxygen gear available on Elbrus if needed
- All group gear: ropes, stove, gas, etc.
- Two summit certificates (Kazbek and Elbrus)
STANDART PACK (+ ):
- Group transfer from Tbilisi or Vladikavkaz to Stepantsminda
- 5–6 nights in a 3* hotel, twin rooms (instead of guesthouse)
- Group gear and food carried by horses: you carry only personal items
- Full board meals on the route, with a cook (instead of freeze-dried food)
- Private transfer to Mineralnye Vody Airport anytime after the tour
PREMIUM PACK (+ ):
- Everything included in the Base package
- Group transfer from Tbilisi or Vladikavkaz to Stepantsminda
- 2 nights in a 4* hotel and 3–4 nights in a 3* hotel with breakfast (instead of guesthouse)
- 5 nights in mountain huts on Kazbek (instead of tents)
- All gear (personal + group) carried by horses; you hike with no load
- Full board meals on the route, with a cook (instead of freeze-dried food)
- Official numbered Elbrus summit badge from the Russian Mountaineering Federation
- Private transfer to Mineralnye Vody Airport anytime after the tour
NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST:
- Flights (all flights can be booked through us)
- Airport transfers at the start and end of the tour
- Personal gear and clothing (available for rent)
- Mountaineering insurance for all tour days (can be arranged through us)
- Russian and Georgian visa support (if required)
- Meals in towns and villages (Stepantsminda and Terskol/Cheget)
Tour Date
Guide
Spots Left
Cost
17.06.2027 -28.06.2027
Vladimir Khitrikov
USSR and Ukraine Champion, Master of Sports, mountaineering instructor. Speaks English.
Membersfrom:
8 spots
Basic package
25.06.2027 -06.07.2027
Vladimir Khitrikov
USSR and Ukraine Champion, Master of Sports, mountaineering instructor. Speaks English.
9 spots
Basic package
03.07.2027 -14.07.2027
Vladimir Khitrikov
USSR and Ukraine Champion, Master of Sports, mountaineering instructor. Speaks English.
9 spots
Basic package
11.07.2027 -22.07.2027
Vladimir Khitrikov
USSR and Ukraine Champion, Master of Sports, mountaineering instructor. Speaks English.
9 spots
Basic package
19.07.2027 -30.07.2027
Vladimir Khitrikov
USSR and Ukraine Champion, Master of Sports, mountaineering instructor. Speaks English.
Membersfrom:
7 spots
Basic package
27.07.2027 -07.08.2027
Vladimir Khitrikov
USSR and Ukraine Champion, Master of Sports, mountaineering instructor. Speaks English.
Membersfrom:
8 spots
Basic package
Information
Show all days
FLIGHT TICKETS
The tour begins in the village of Stepantsminda, Georgia. The two nearest airports are Tbilisi, Georgia (TBS) and Vladikavkaz, Russia (OGZ). The tour ends in the city of Pyatigorsk, with the closest airport being Mineralnye Vody, Russia (MRV), offering direct flights to Moscow, Istanbul and Tbilisi. You may also return to Tbilisi with our group transfer. All flights and transfers can be booked through our manager.
RULES OF ENTERING THE COUNTRY
Many countries have a visa-free regime with Georgia; others are eligible for an e-visa. Russia has a visa-free regime for citizens of 64 countries, and citizens of 55 countries (including all EU member states) are eligible for an e-visa, which is issued online within 4 days. In all other cases, a visa must be obtained at a Russian Consulate, which takes 3–4 weeks. You can apply up to 6 months before entry; a tourist invitation from our company is required. Any visa can be arranged through us.
INSURANCE
You must have mountaineering insurance valid in both Georgia and Russia for the full duration of the tour. We can arrange it for you. The policy covers up to USD 50,000 and includes helicopter evacuation and search and rescue services.
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
Mountaineering insurance
Insurance for all days of the tour, coverage amount 50,000 USD, including helicopter evacuation coverage.
Visa processing
The service includes processing a regular visa or an e-visa to Russia. For an e-visa, the consular fee is included in the price; for a regular visa, it is paid separately at the consulate during a personal visit.
Equipment and clothing rental
Rental of a complete set of necessary equipment and clothing — everything is included except the most personal items that cannot be rented.
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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