CLIMBING TWO SUMMITS: #BR#KAZBEK AND ELBRUS
55
km
Distance
13
days
Duration
11 tours trips and available on request starting
05.08.2024, more 10 tours trips and available on request starting
CLIMBING TWO SUMMITS: #BR#KAZBEK AND ELBRUS
13
days
55
km
2/3
difficulty
3/4
comfort
11 tours and on request —
05.08.2024, more 10 tours trips and available on request
11 tours and on request —
05.08.2024, more 10 tours trips and available on request
11 tours and on request —
05.08.2024, more 10 tours trips and available on request
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About the Program
Mt Kazbek is located right on the border between Georgia and Russia, standing at 5,054 m. The route is beautiful in itself, but it also serves as excellent acclimatization before climbing Mt Elbrus (5,642 m). We will climb Kazbek through Georgian territory, then cross the Georgia-Russia border and climb Elbrus. A Premium package offers maximum service and comfort at all stages. Early booking discounts apply. Tour to Kazbek and Tour to Elbrus are also available separately from each other.
Start:
Stepantsminda, Georgia
End:
Mineralnye Vody, Russia
Язык: русский, ангийский
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Basic package: treks with 30 kg backpacks. Premium package: all treks without backpacks.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Basic package: guesthouse and tent. Premium package: 4-star hotel, mountain huts View Photo
FOOD
Basic package: participants prepare meals from freeze-dried food (included). Premium: includes 3 meals a day in restaurants and at the hotel, on the trail - meals in mountain huts (prepared by guides)
Description by Day
Minimize
Day 1
Meeting
Participants gather in the village of Stepantsminda (Georgia) at any time during this day, where our tour begins. You have 3 options for getting there:
1. On your own.
2. Using our group transfer from Pyatigorsk: the bus departs at 7:30 AM, takes 6 hours or more.
3. Using our individual transfer from Tbilisi Airport (TBS) or from the city itself.
Accommodation in a guest house (basic package) or in a 4-star hotel with a beautiful view of Kazbek (Premium package). Equipment check/distribution.
Day 2
Sabertse Pass
Breakfast. Ascent to the mountains in SUV minivans to the Gergeti Church (featured on the cover of this tour). The instructor will teach walking and breathing techniques that help conserve energy during the climb. After that, we hike to the Sabertse Pass at an altitude of 3,150 meters. The transition takes 3-4 hours. From the pass, there's a beautiful view of the Gergeti Glacier and Kazbek itself. Accommodation will be in tents (Basic package) or in the comfortable mountain shelter Altihut (see photo).
Day 3
High Camp
A long trek to the Meteorological Station shelter at an altitude of 3,650 meters (see photo). Throughout the day, Mount Kazbek will be in front of our eyes. We start by walking on rocks, then onto the glacier. The journey takes 5.5 hours, covering a distance of 8.6 km. Accommodation will be in tents or in a mountain shelter.
Day 4
Ortsveri Glacier
Acclimatization hike to 4400 meters. The route includes rocky terrain and traversing crevasses. We practice essential mountaineering skills: walking in crampons, self-arrest on snowy slopes with ice axes, and moving on rope rails. The ascent takes 5 hours, and the descent 2 hours.
Day 5
Rest Day
A day of rest to recharge energy. However, if the weather forecast for the following days is unfavorable, we may use this day for climbing. It serves as a reserve day if needed.
Day 6
Summit Day
We start at 2 AM, equipped with crampons and headlamps. The ascent and descent usually take 10-12 hours. From the summit of Mount Kazbek, you'll enjoy a 360-degree view, with Mount Elbrus visible in the distance. We then return to the Meteo Station.
Day 7
Descent to the Village
We descend to the Holy Trinity Church and then by minivans to the village of Stepantsminda. We will stay in the same hotel where we stayed on the first day of the tour. In the evening, there will be a celebratory dinner in a Georgian cuisine restaurant with the best Georgian wine, and certificates for climbing Kazbek will be awarded.
Day 8
Transfer to Elbrus
The transfer across the Georgian-Russian border to Elbrus will take 6 hours or more. Accommodation in a hostel (Basic package) or in a 3-star hotel (Premium package).
Day 9
Rest Day
After the first stage of the tour, climbing Kazbek, participants usually need this day for recovery. Therefore, we simply rest on this day. We will take a walk along the forest trail and visit the mineral water springs. However, if necessary, this day will be used as an additional reserve day in case of bad weather.
Day 10
Elbrus Slope
We ascend the snow slope of Elbrus via cable car. We will stay in a mountain shelter. Rest before the climb. Around 5 p.m., we go to sleep to get some rest before midnight.
Day 11
Summit Day
We wake up at midnight, with 1 hour for preparations. We set off for the summit of Elbrus. From the camp, we proceed in roped parties, with crampons, ice axes, helmets, and headlamps. We carry snacks, a thermos with hot tea, and water. We move very slowly to maintain our breathing and conserve energy. The ascent usually takes 8-10 hours, with the descent taking another 3-4. (If you wish to use oxygen during the climb, it can be rented from us.)
Day 12
Descent to the Valley
We descend to the valley by cable car, followed by a transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day's program will be decided with group members. Options include a forest walk to a mineral spring or a Russian sauna with birch branches and an ice plunge (not included in the tour price). The evening will feature a celebratory dinner with the presentation of medals and certificates. If needed, this day may serve as a reserve day for climbing Elbrus.
Day 13
Tour Conclusion
After breakfast, there's a group transfer to Pyatigorsk, followed by individual transfers to Mineralnye Vody Airport at a designated time. Book your return flight for this day, with departures not before 2:00 p.m. If departing from Tbilisi, ensure your flight is no earlier than 8:00 p.m., requiring an individual transfer. Contact our manager for assistance with selecting the best flight options.
INCLUDED IN THE COST:
- Assistance from a tour manager, including help with choosing flights and obtaining visas
- Services of professional mountain guides - no more than 4 participants per guide
- Accommodation: 4 nights in a hostel, 2 nights in a mountain hut, and the remaining nights in tents
- Food: a package of freeze-dried products for self-preparation during the trek
- All transfers as per the itinerary, starting from Stepantsminda to Mineralnye Vody Airport
- Cable car ascent and descent on Elbrus
- All safety measures: satellite phone, first aid kit, rescue service registration, etc.
- Mountaineering oxygen equipment for altitude sickness aid (on Elbrus).
- All group equipment: ropes, kitchen, etc.
- Two certificates - for climbing Kazbek and Elbrus
PREMIUM PACK (+ ):
- 2 nights in a 4* hotel, 3 nights in a 3* hotel (double occupancy), +5 nights in mountain huts
- Meals in Stepantsminda and Terskol - in the restaurant and at the hotel. On the route - in shelters
- Transport of personal and group gear to the high camp on horses and the descent of gear
- Two medals for successful climbing Mt Kazbek and Mt Elbrus
- 30% discount on equipment rental
NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST:
- Airfare to Tbilisi or Mineralnye Vody
- Meeting at Tbilisi or Mineralnye Vody airports and transfer to the starting point of the tour
- Personal gear and clothing - all available for rent at our office
- Mountaineering insurance for all tour days (mandatory)
- Meals in Stepantsminda and Terskol
Tour Date
Guide
Spots Left
Cost
23.07.2024 -04.08.2024
Oleg Kondrakov
Master of Sports in mountain tourism, mointaineering and mountain tourism instructor
The group is now on the route
—
05.08.2024 -17.08.2024
Oleg Kondrakov
Master of Sports in mountain tourism, mointaineering and mountain tourism instructor
4 spots
Book
19.08.2024 -31.08.2024
Pavel Baryshnikov
Mountaineering Instructor, speaks French
Spots sold out
02.09.2024 -14.09.2024
Oleg Kondrakov
Master of Sports in mountain tourism, mointaineering and mountain tourism instructor
7 spots
Book
07.06.2025 -19.06.2025
Oleg Kondrakov
Master of Sports in mountain tourism, mointaineering and mountain tourism instructor
9 spots
Book
21.06.2025 -03.07.2025
Oleg Kondrakov
Master of Sports in mountain tourism, mointaineering and mountain tourism instructor
12 spots
Book
02.07.2025 -14.07.2025
Oleg Kondrakov
Master of Sports in mountain tourism, mointaineering and mountain tourism instructor
12 spots
Book
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FLIGHT TICKETS
The tour starts in Stepantsminda, Georgia. The nearest airports are Tbilisi (TBS) and Kutaisi (KUT). Flying into Mineralnye Vody (MRV) is an option, though transfer from there takes at least 6 hours. For convenience, it's best to book your return flight from Mineralnye Vody (Russia), where the tour concludes. Direct flights from Mineralnye Vody to Istanbul, Tbilisi, Dubai, Yerevan, and other cities are available. Our manager can help you to find the best flight option from your city.
RULES OF ENTERING THE COUNTRY
For citizens of many countries, Georgia operates a visa-free regime or an e-visa is available (please verify with our manager). Russia also has a visa-free regime for citizens of 64 countries, and citizens of 55 countries can access electronic visa without visiting the Consulate. In other cases, a visa must be applied for at the Russian Consulate in your country - it takes 3 weeks, and you can apply up to 3 months before entering the country. A tourist invitation from us is required.
INSURANCE
You need to obtain mountaineering insurance valid in Georgia and Russia, which can be arranged through us. The coverage amount is 50,000 USD. The insurance covers potential expenses for emergency medical assistance, including hospitalization, search and rescue operations in the mountains (including helicopter use), 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
Transfer from Mineralnye Vody
Private airport pick-up at Mineralnye Vody, group transfer to Stepantsminda (6 hours or more) and/or back (price is one-way).
Transfer from Tbilisi
Private transfer from Tbilisi Airport to Stepantsminda or back at your specified time (price indicated is one-way, with the car accommodating up to 4 people).
Equipment and Clothing Rental
Renting a complete set of necessary equipment and clothing is available - includes everything except for personal items that are not available for rent (see lists).
Oxygen Equipment
Rental of an oxygen equipment set for use during the summit ascent (optional)
Mountaineering Insurance
Insurance for all tour days, coverage amount of $50,000, includes helicopter evacuation coverage.
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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