10-Day Elbrus Traverse: South to North

11-Day Elbrus Traverse: North to South 

Dates in season 2025 ->

• Visa invitation letter. We will send this as soon as we receive your deposit and a copy of your passport.
• Local registration for foreigners in accordance with Russian law.
• Group transfer (MRV airport - Kislovodsk, Kislovodsk - Base Camp, Cheget - Kislovodsk, Kislovodsk - MRV airport)
• Accommodation in a hotel in Kislovodsk (twin room with breakfast)
• Accommodation on the north slope in base camp (10-14 bed cabins) and in high camp (8-bed cabins).
• Accommodation in the mountain hotel "Heart of Elbrus" (8 bedded rooms with shared facilities)
• Accommodation in one of the hotels in the Cheget Glade: "Snezhny Bars", "Smile", "Solnechnaya Glade" (2-3 bedded rooms).
• Accommodation in a hotel in Kislovodsk (twin room with breakfast)
• Services of an experienced guide who will accompany you throughout the programme, as well as assistant guides on the day of the ascent.
• Three meals a day made from natural products, including packed lunches for acclimatisation outings and the ascent. Chef services are included throughout the tour.
• 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.
• Porter services for transporting group equipment and food from base camp to the upper camp.
• Permit to visit the Prielbrusie National Park.
• Ski lift and cable car fees
• Transport of personal belongings from Base Camp to Kislovodsk (if necessary)
• Commemorative badge "For climbing Elbrus"
• Certificate of ascent or of reaching a certain altitude for each participant.

Additional amenities in the "Comfort" tariff

• Individual transfer from/to Mineralnye Vody airport
• Single room supplement in a hotel in Kislovodsk 
• Superior accommodation in base camp (4-bedded cabins)
• Superior accommodation in high camp (4-bedded cabins)
• Superior accommodation in the mountain hotel "Heart of Elbrus" (comfortable 4-bed rooms with bathroom on the floor)
• Superior accommodation in a hotel on the Cheget Glade (single standard room or twin accommodation in superior hotel rooms)
• Please note! The number of Comfort and VIP tariff places is limited due to the limited availability of this type of accommodation. We recommend early booking.

Not included

• Entry visa for Russia
• Compulsory mountaineering insurance
• Private transfer from/to MRV airport (30$)
• Single supplement in Kislovodsk hotel (55$ per person)
• Porter services for personal belongings (400 rubles per 1 kg of cargo from Base Camp to High Camp).
• Single supplement in Terskol/Cheget hotels (45$ per person)
• Optional snowcat lift (approximately 200-250$ per person)
• Personal clothing and equipment, much of which can be hired (see kit hire list)
• Expenses for personal items such as gifts, alcohol/bottled drinks, laundry, etc
• Snowcat lift descent fees (if you choose not to walk down) 
• Expenses related to an unscheduled descent for any reason.
• Additional climbing attempt (450 USD)
• Climbing the second peak (optional): $120
• Gratuity for guides (at your discretion).

Additional Services

• Personal equipment hire: sleeping bag, boots, crampons, etc.
• Single supplement in Terskol: $45 per day.
• Single supplement in Kislovodsk hotel (55$ per person)
• Snowcat lift: Approximately $200-250 per person.
• Climbing by snowcat: from high camp to the Pastukhova Rocks (4800 m) or the Kosaya Shelf (5100 m) and return costs around $200-250 per person. Using a snowcat conserves energy and time, enhancing ascent success.
• Extra night in hotel at Cheget Glade: $55 for a twin or triple room, $45 for a single room. Breakfast included; other meals are not provided.
• Individual airport transfer: approximately $80-90 needed if:
• Arriving in Mineralnye Vody after 14:15 on the first day.
• Return flight is earlier than 11:30 or much later on the last day.
• Extra Summit Attempt: $450 for 1-3 people needed if:
• Initial conditions are suitable but deteriorate to dangerous weather (e.g., storms, heavy snow, dense fog), requiring descent.
• One or more participants feel unwell or abandon the climb.
• Additional climbing attempt: $450 for guiding services, plus $100 per person for mountain lodging and meals for you and your guide.
• Climbing the second peak (optional): $120

Itinerary

Please arrive in Mineralnye Vody by 14:00. For early or late arrivals, we can arrange an individual transfer at a cost of approximately $30 for up to 3 people. It takes about 50 minutes to get to Kislovodsk by group transfer. Upon arrival we will check into the hotel where we will spend the night. In the evening there will be a welcome dinner and itinerary briefing. Overnight in Kislovodsk.

Day 2: Transfer to Base Camp (2500 m)

In the morning, around 8 a.m., all participants prepare for departure by loading backpacks, food, and equipment into a comfortable off-road vehicle. We will drive through Karachay-Cherkessia, passing through the villages of Kichi-Balyk and Khasaut, with stops for photos at the most picturesque spots. After a three-hour drive, we will reach our base camp at an altitude of 2500 meters. Here, our first excursion will be a visit to the warm Narzan Baths of Dzhila-Su, for which the North Elbrus region is famous. On the way, you will be impressed by the power and beauty of the 40-meter-high Sultan waterfall. We will also have the opportunity to taste Narzan from 14 different springs. Overnight at base camp.

Day 3: Acclimatization hike to the Mushroom Rocks (3200 m)

Today we will make an excursion to the Valley of the Stone Mushrooms. This is a surprisingly flat area at 3200m covered with huge mushroom shaped boulders. Here you can walk, drink tea and take unique photographs of these natural stone wonders. The guide will give a theoretical session on the basics of mountaineering and mountain safety. We will then return to base camp for the night.

Day 4: Acclimatization Climb to High Camp (3800 m)

Today, we will bring some of our equipment up to the high camp at 3800 meters. We will carry the mountaineering boots, crampons, and ice axe first, and bring the rest tomorrow. On our return, we will pass through the Valley of Stone Mushrooms. This surprising and flat area at 3200 meters is covered with large boulders shaped like mushrooms. Here, you can walk, enjoy some tea, and take unique photographs of these natural stone wonders. After descending, we will spend the night back at the base camp.

Day 5: Move to High Camp (3800 m)

We will collect the rest of our belongings, hand over any extra equipment to the porters, and set out for the high camp. An early start will allow us ample time to enjoy the ascent. The route from Base Camp leads us through a narrow gorge and transitions from high grassland to the alpine zone, offering breathtaking views of Elbrus’s glaciers and the lower Caucasian steppes to the north. The final stretch takes us through the moraine alongside the Mikelchiran Glacier. Once at the high camp, we will acclimatize, have lunch, and rest.

Day 6: Acclimatisation Climb to the Lenz Rocks (4800 m)

Today, we will ascend to the Lenz Rocks at 4800 meters, traversing fields of snow and ice. This climb will serve as a fitness and preparation test before our summit attempt. At 3900 meters, we encounter a crevasse zone. For safety, we will use crampons and ropes, moving as a roped team for the first 500 meters. Once we pass the glacier zone, the terrain becomes easier, allowing us to move more freely. We will return to the high camp for the night.

Day 7: Rest Day. Snow and Ice Training (3800 m)

A rest day is a crucial part of our preparation for a successful summit. Today, we have the opportunity to catch up on much-needed rest. There will be no trekking today. Instead, we will focus on snow and ice training (weather permitting), including knot-tying exercises. The day will also include lunch, board games, dinner, and a discussion of tomorrow's plans, with an emphasis on an early departure. Overnight in high camp.

Day 8: Summit day on Elbrus (5642 м)

Summit day is the most important and difficult day of the expedition. We get up at around midnight and have a light breakfast. Then we put on our harnesses and head out to the route. Our trek will be approximately 8 hours for the ascent and 4 hours for the descent. By the time of the ascent you will be acclimatised and able to walk properly, breathe and use crampons and ice axes if necessary. It is important to remember that you will need strength not only for the climb, but also for the descent! We meet the dawn on the slope above the Lents Rocks, take beautiful photos, enjoy the panorama of the Main Caucasus Mountains and beautiful peaks such as Ushba, Donguz-Orun, Nakru and others. If you want to climb both peaks, you will have to do it in two stages: first climb to the West Peak (5,642m), then descend to the saddle and finally climb to the East Peak (5,621m). Descent to the Heart of Elbrus Hotel on the southern slope by 17:00-18:00.

Day 9: Reserve day. Descent to the Cheget (3800 m - 3000 m) 

In case of bad weather, this day will be used as a backup to wait for better conditions. If the ascent goes as planned, we will descend to  the Cheget Glade  in Terskol, where we can rest and celebrate our successful climb. 

Day 10: Reserve day. Transfer to Kislovodsk.

Today we will return to Kislovodsk after breakfast. At a festive dinner we will distribute certificates to all participants.

Day 11. Transfer to Mineralnye Vody Airport. Fly home.

In the morning a transfer will bring you to the airport of Mineralnye Vody by 10:00 am. Due to possible delays on days 8-9, we recommend that you buy a return ticket for the afternoon.If your return flight is earlier or much later and you do not want to wait at the airport, you can book a private transfer to the airport for $30.