Mount Elbrus
The Seven Summits are the highest mountains on each of the seven continents of the Earth – Mount Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson, Carstensz Pyramid. Climbing to the summit of all of them is regarded as a mountaineering challenge, first achieved on 30 April 1985 by Richard Bass.
Mount Elbrus is the highest peak in Europe and one of the Seven Summits. Mt. Elbrus, a dormant double-coned volcano, rises to 18,510ft / 5642m. Its double peaks tower over the stunning western Caucasus Region of Russia, near the border of Georgia. Elbrus is the highest point in all of Europe (& Russia), making this climb one of the renowned ‘Seven Summits’. Boasting 22 glaciers on the peak, this is the perfect introductory climb for anyone with a strong fitness level who wishes to build glacier climbing skills, climb a moderate high-altitude peak, and explore the fascinating and diverse Russian culture in the Caucasus mountains and the famed cities of St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Our Elbrus Climb is from the accessible south side, which benefits from the use of snowcats and chairlifts to gain altitude and mountain huts for sleeping. This means that you only have to carry a small pack on all of your climbing days, allowing you to enjoy your summit experience much more. Lots of time is spent acquiring the necessary skills to climb a glaciated snow and ice route, and the terrain creates a perfect progression from low-angled cramponing early on the mountain to more exposed and steeper slopes on the summit day.
The first few days are focused on day trips that allow us to acclimatize and develop glacier climbing skills. After that we move up to a mountain hut known as the Barrels. We continue to carry only light packs, even at this camp high on the mountain. Summit day on Elbrus is strenuous and long. We wake around 3 am and have a quick breakfast before boarding a snowcat to take us to our previous high point on the mountain at 15,000ft / 4572m. From there we put on our crampons, attach to the rope, and break out the ice axe and begin the climb. As the sun rises, we will be high on the mountain, with the sun giving us energy for the final push. From the summit, we will enjoy well-deserved views of the surrounding peaks before making a quick descent back to the hut.
Mount Elbrus Climbing Itinerary
Brief Itinerary
Day 1 - Fly from Moscow to Mineralnye Vody. Transfer to Baksan Valley hotel and overnight at hotel (2300m/7,546ft)
Day 2 - Baksan Valley – Official procedures and Expedition Arrangements
Day 3 - Travel from Baksan Valley to Garabashi (4045m/13,270ft)
Day 4 - Barrel Shelter – Acclimatization Hike to Pastukhov’s rocks (4800 m/15,748ft)
Day 5 - Barrel Shelter – Acclimatization and Preparation for Summit of Elbrus
Day 6 - Barrel Shelter to Mount Elbrus Summit (5642m/18,510ft)
Day 7 - Contingency day for Summit
Day 8 - Travel from barrel Shelter to Baksan Valley. Check in to Hotel
Day 9 - Depart from Mineralnye Vody Airport
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - Fly from Moscow to Mineralnye Vody. Transfer to Baksan Valley hotel and overnight at hotel (2300m/7,546ft)
Fly to Mineral Vody and travel by bus to Terskol in the Baksan Valley. This short flight should give you excellent views of the Caucasus and possibly your first peak of Mt. Elbrus. The bus ride is 3-4 hours but will pass quickly with stunning views. Our hotel in Terskol is new, next to the ski lifts, and has excellent local and international food.
Day 2 - Baksan Valley – Official procedures and Expedition Arrangements
Today we take an acclimatization hike in the stunning Baksan Valley. Steep paths wind all through the valley and many options exist, including possibly using one of the local ski lifts to gain more altitude. We would either hike up to the cable car station Cheget-3 (3100m) on Mt. Cheget or Terskol Peak (3150m), depending on the physical condition of the participants and the weather. This is the last day before we leave the valley and after the hike, we will visit the equipment store in order to hire any missing gear. We return to the hotel in Baksan Valley for the night.
Day 3 - Travel from Baksan Valley to Garabashi (4045m/13,270ft)
Today we begin our actual climb of Mt. Elbrus. Through a combination of ski lifts and hiking, we arrive at The Barrels, cozy mountain huts at 12,300ft / 3750m on Elbrus. We first take the cable car system from Azau road-head to Mir Station from where its either a one-hour walk or a chairlift taking us to Garabashi. To ensure we stay well-fed and healthy, we will have a Russian cook with us at the huts preparing mountain food and making our stay more comfortable.
Day 4 - Barrel Shelter – Acclimatization Hike to Pastukhov’s rocks (4800 m/15,748ft)
Climb to Pastukhov Rocks at approximately 15,000ft / 4572m. As well as a chance to practice our glacier and crampon skills, this is also an important climb for acclimatization and a great time to see the route on the mountain in daylight. We return to the Barrels for the night.
Day 5 - Barrel Shelter – Acclimatization and Preparation for Summit of Elbrus
Rest and practice additional crevasse rescue and advanced glacier skills. Since tonight’s climb is quite long and will require all of our energy, it is important we conserve, while also eating and hydrating as much as we can today. Night in the Barrels.
Day 6 - Summit Day of Elbrus (5642m/18,510 ft)
Summit Day! We wake around 3 am for a quick breakfast and hot drink. An optional snow-cat (weather dependent) takes us to our previous highpoint at Pastukhov Rocks, just below 15,000ft / 4572m. From there it is almost 4,000 vertical feet (1,220 meters) to the summit of Elbrus, primarily on open moderately angled glaciers. We should reach the summit mid-morning and have stunning views of the Caucuses from Europe’s highest summit. The round-trip climb back to the hut takes around twelve hours.
Day 7 - Reserved Day
An extra summit day. If we have already climbed Elbrus, we descend to the Baksan Valley today. Night in hut or hotel.
Day 8 - Travel from barrel Shelter to Baksan Valley. Check in to Hotel
Return to our hotel in the Baksan Valley. If we have already descended this day can be spent hiking, climbing, or just relaxing and celebrating our ascent.
Day 9 - Depart from Mineralnye Vody Airport
Drive from Baskan Valley to Mineral Vody. Transfer to the Airport. Depart for home. Trip concludes!
Mount Elbrus Climbing Cost
Cost Inclusions
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All Airport transfers during the trip as per Itinerary (Mineralnye Vody Airport) Pick up and Drop
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Ground transfers between Mineralnye Vody Airport – Baksan Valley and Return
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All hotel accommodation in Baskan Valley as per the itinerary on twin sharing basis
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All accommodation in barrel shelters as per the Itinerary on sharing basis
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All meals in Baskan Valley hotel as per Itinerary
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Full board meals during the expedition (while on the mountains)
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Hygienic freshly cooked meals in shelters for members, guides, and the entire crew
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Cable car tickets for one ascent and one descent in the mountain
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Expedition Permit and Park fee
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Experienced and professional climbing Guide
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A technical team of well-experienced guides and support staff
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Group cooking equipment and necessary gear
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Group Climbing Gears, Fixed and Dynamic ropes, snow bar, all group climbing/mountaineering equipment supplies
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A comprehensive first aid medical kit
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PTA Staff costs including their salary, insurance, airfare, equipment, food, and accommodation
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Achievement Certificate after successfully Climbing Elbrus
Cost Exclusions
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International Airfare (Moscow) and domestic airfare (Mineralnye Vody Airport)
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Visa fees
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Personal Expenses – Telephone Calls, Internet, Laundry, Personal clothing, trekking and climbing gears, Camera and Drone Permit Fee
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Any meals during the transit
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Additional Hotel stays in case of early arrivals or departures
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Medical insurance, Accident cover, Emergency evacuation, high altitude rescue, other medical emergency expenses
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All expenses incurred from in the event of early departure (evacuation fees, transport, extra hotel nights, etc.)
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Reserve day – Taking an additional summit attempt after the first attempt
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Snow Cat ride during the Expedition
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Tips and Gratitude for Base Camp Staff and support staff
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Any other items not mentioned under the head ‘Cost Inclusions’
Registering for Elbrus ExpeditionEligibility:
Is this Climbing suitable for me?
Mount Elbrus expedition is graded as a challenging climb. This expedition helps climbers to test their skills and improve their endurance. Such high-altitude climbs should not be underestimated, and the members should approach the expedition with proper training. We highly suggest that you start working on your fitness two months before the expedition. Previous high-altitude climbing experience is mandatory to sign up for the Mount Elbrus Expedition. Excellent physical endurance, focus, and determination are required to complete the Mount Elbrus Expedition successfully. Happy Climbing!
Trek Booking and Payment
Advance Booking Amount 30%
We suggest that you book your Mount Elbrus Expedition at the earliest and confirm your slot. This also enables you to get a good deal on your to and fro flight tickets and organizing your trip efficiently. A booking confirmation will be sent by e-mail along with the payment instructions and other trip details. All payments have to be made through an online transfer/ cheque deposit/ demand draft. After the payment for the booking is done, please mail us your transfer details at [email protected] so that we can follow up efficiently.
COVID-19 Full Travel Credits
After confirmation of the trip, if you cannot travel on the booked dates due to the COVID-19 travel restriction, you can postpone the trip to a future date whichever seems safe and suitable for you. You can choose any departure date that is convenient for you and we will offer a Full Travel Credit without applying any charge. Travel Credits can be redeemed on any trip which departs within 1 year of the original departure date. It cannot be redeemed for cash or cash equivalent. Travel credit can be transferred once to a friend or family member to be used against a new booking. The transfer is subject to our approval prior to the creation of the new booking.
Cancellation Policy
If you wish to cancel your Elbrus expedition booking, please e-mail us at [email protected]
Cancellations are processed only by e-mail and refunds for the same are as follows:
Cancellations before 30 days from the start date of the trek
— 90% refund
Cancellation between 30 days & 20 days to the start date of the trek
— 50% refund
Cancellation less than 20 days to the start date of the trek
— no cash refund
Mount Elbrus
Region - Russia
Duration - 09 Days
Grade - Challenging
Max Altitude - 5642m/18,510ft
Best Season - July-Sep
The Seven Summits are the highest mountains on each of the seven continents of the Earth – Mount Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson, Carstensz Pyramid. Climbing to the summit of all of them is regarded as a mountaineering challenge, first achieved on 30 April 1985 by Richard Bass.
Mount Elbrus is the highest peak in Europe and one of the Seven Summits. Mt. Elbrus, a dormant double-coned volcano, rises to 18,510ft / 5642m. Its double peaks tower over the stunning western Caucasus Region of Russia, near the border of Georgia. Elbrus is the highest point in all of Europe (& Russia), making this climb one of the renowned ‘Seven Summits’. Boasting 22 glaciers on the peak, this is the perfect introductory climb for anyone with a strong fitness level who wishes to build glacier climbing skills, climb a moderate high-altitude peak, and explore the fascinating and diverse Russian culture in the Caucasus mountains and the famed cities of St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Our Elbrus Climb is from the accessible south side, which benefits from the use of snowcats and chairlifts to gain altitude and mountain huts for sleeping. This means that you only have to carry a small pack on all of your climbing days, allowing you to enjoy your summit experience much more. Lots of time is spent acquiring the necessary skills to climb a glaciated snow and ice route, and the terrain creates a perfect progression from low-angled cramponing early on the mountain to more exposed and steeper slopes on the summit day.
The first few days are focused on day trips that allow us to acclimatize and develop glacier climbing skills. After that we move up to a mountain hut known as the Barrels. We continue to carry only light packs, even at this camp high on the mountain. Summit day on Elbrus is strenuous and long. We wake around 3 am and have a quick breakfast before boarding a snowcat to take us to our previous high point on the mountain at 15,000ft / 4572m. From there we put on our crampons, attach to the rope, and break out the ice axe and begin the climb. As the sun rises, we will be high on the mountain, with the sun giving us energy for the final push. From the summit, we will enjoy well-deserved views of the surrounding peaks before making a quick descent back to the hut.