Climbing to the Highest Mountain in Europe - Elbrus (EL-01)

Arrival in Moscow. Our driver will meet you in the arrival sector with a Go Russia sign board. Transfer to the hotel.

Transfer to the airport. Our driver will meet you with a Go Russia sign board at the hotel lobby.

Flight from Moscow to Mineralnye Vody.

Our driver will meet you at the airport with a sighboard with your name. On the way from the airport we pass local cities and villages and in approximately 4 hours, arrive in the valley of the Baksan River. Here we can already see the snow-capped summits. Check-in at the hotel.

A day to acclimatise. After breakfast we hike up to the Cheget peak (3,050m) for approximately 5 hours, stopping to relax at the “Ai” café (2,750m), from where you will enjoy a panoramic view of the Baksan valley and the twin summits of Mt.Elbrus. The route is not technically difficult, and the degree of the slope is app. 15-25°. Return to the hotel.

Another day to acclimatise. After breakfast we go trekking in the Terskol valley which offers magnificent views of Mt.Elbrus. We will be gradually ascending the area through beautiful meadows and along the river Terskol (5 hours). Return to the hotel. Free time.

Breakfast. Check out from the hotel.

Drive to the cable-car station "Azau" and then up to the "MIR"/Garibashi station (3,750 m) by two lift trams. Begin an acclimatisation hike to 4,200m. (Up to the former refuge “Prijut 11”). Overnight at Barrels hut (Bochki).

Breakfast.  Acclimatisation hike higher up to the Pastukhova rocks (4,700m). The route is not too steep with the last part being the steepest at 20 to 25 degrees, but it is tough going at this high altitude. Be prepared for hard walking. Overnight stay at Bochki camp.

Rest day. Overnight at the Bochki camp.

Today we attempt to reach the main target of our trip – the summit of Mt.Elbrus. We will wake up very early, at 3 a.m., to start our climbing. Using the headtorches we make our way to the Pastukhova rocks where we stop for a short rest and have some drinks. From Pastukhova rocks the slope is not more than 20-25 degrees, but the high altitude starts to affect your stamina. Over 5,000 m the route turns to the left and we start traverse the slope in the direction of the small flat “saddle” plateau, which we will reach in 2-3 hours. A final big effort is needed to reach the top, which we can do by going either to the East or West Summit. East Summit (5,624 m) - it is an easier option because the icy slope from the saddle is not so steep (maximum 30 degree). The route leads to the top without any technical difficulties. However this route takes some time. 

West Summit (5,642 m) - this is a more difficult choice because a steep clear ice slope (30-35 degrees) leads to the summit plateau. We will need to use crampons, ropes and in some cases ice-screws here. But after hard work we will arrive at the long (approx. 1 km) flat top plateau, leading us directly to the peak. 

Return to the Bochki camp and prepare for a celebration dinner for the winners in the evening. You will also receive your certificate confirming you’ve been on the top of Mt. Elbrus once you are down in the valley. Overnight stay at Bochki camp.

Descend down to Terskol and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Free time. In the afternoon transfer to the airport Mineralnyje Vody for your flight back to Moscow.

Flight from Mineralnye Vody to Moscow.

Arrival in Moscow. Our driver will meet you in the arrival sector with a Go Russia sign board. Transfer from the local airport to the international airport for the flight back home.