This is rarely mentioned in Elbrus climb reviews, but one of the most vivid memories is not just reaching the summit — it’s rising above the clouds. At 5,642 meters, you will discover an incredible view of endless mountains surrounded by sky. Let’s climb together and see it for ourselves.
Summiting a peak is always a challenge — especially when it’s the highest mountain in Europe. On this adventure, you will climb Elbrus from the south, capture stunning photos of the Caucasus Mountains, and experience unforgettable emotions as you stand at the top of Russia.
This program is the best for those people who have not had experience of climbing before. The route is designed for 9 days, to make your acclimatization in high mountain as comfortable and efficient as possible.
Summiting Elbrus is planned for the seventh day of the expedition. Several days before it you will spend taking quick and easy acclimatizing hikes to the Maid’s Braids waterfall and Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences (3200 m), as well as to the top of mount Cheget and Pastukhov’s Rocks (4700 m). Also you will learn to walk in crampons, to use an ice axe properly and prepare your body for low oxygen air environment.
This is a general plan of the expedition. The actual route may vary depending on weather conditions.
You will be met at the Mineralnye Vody airport and transferred to your hotel in the Baksan River Valley, near the village of Terskol. The drive takes about 3 hours.
Upon arrival, you will check in and have time to rest. In the evening, enjoy dinner while meeting your guide and fellow climbers.
Today you will climb to over 3,000 m on a training hike up Mount Cheget. Afterward, return to the hotel to rest.
You will hike to Maid’s Braids Waterfall (2,700 m) and the Russian Academy of Sciences Observatory (3,100 m). From there, you will enjoy stunning views of Elbrus’s Western and Eastern peaks and the full ascent route.
In the morning, you will drive from the hotel to Azau village, to the lower station of the cable car. From there, you will ascend with your gear and supplies to the mountain shelter at 3,880 m, where you will stay during the climb.
After lunch, you will hike to the end of the rocky ridge (4,100 m), then return to the shelter for dinner and rest.
You will take another acclimatization hike to Pastukhov Rocks (4,700 m). If needed, your guides will run a training session so you can practice moving in crampons on snow and ice and performing self-arrest with an ice axe.
Today is a rest day, allowing your body to better adapt to the altitude — an essential step for a successful summit attempt. We recommend descending by cable car to one of the lower stations — “Mir,” “Krugozor,” or “Azau” — for a 1–2 hour walk before returning to the shelter. In the evening, you will pack your backpack and check your gear. Lights out will be early tonight.
You will wake up very early, at 2:00 AM. After breakfast, you will take thermoses and snacks and begin your ascent to the Western summit. Depending on the group’s pace, the climb will take 8–10 hours.
We recommend using a snowcat from the shelter to the base of Pastukhov Rocks (4,700 m) or up to 5,000 m. This will save 3–4 hours of climbing and conserve your energy.
You must reach the summit by 1:00 PM — the turnaround time when all climbers must begin their descent, wherever they are on the route. The descent will take 5–6 hours.
In case of bad weather on the previous day, this will be used as a reserve summit day. If the climb was successful the day before, you will descend by cable car to the foot of the mountain and return to Terskol to relax at the hotel.
At 7:00 am, you will be transferred to Mineralnye Vody airport for your flight home.
Depending on timing, you may also have the opportunity to visit Pyatigorsk for a short walk and see the famous duel site of the Russian poet Lermontov.
The hotel and mountain hut may be replaced with equivalent options of the same category.
Located near the village of Terskol at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level, surrounded by pine forest.
You will stay in comfortable double and triple rooms with either double or twin beds and a private bathroom. Mobile connection and Wi-Fi are available at the hotel.
Situated at 3,880 meters, next to the upper cable car station.
This is one of the lowest-altitude huts on Elbrus, set away from fumaroles that emit hydrogen sulfide, allowing for better recovery after acclimatization hikes. You will stay in heated cabins with autonomous heaters, in shared four-person rooms. Each room has two lower and two upper beds.
On-site facilities include a kitchen-dining area and toilet cabins.
The hut has electricity, but no mobile connection or internet.
Professional training and perfect physical fitness are required. The level involves climbing to the tops of the mountains (above 3000 meters), freeriding and North Pole diving.
In May, daytime temperatures around Mount Elbrus reach up to +20 °C, while nights drop to 0 °C.
At 3,000 m elevation, expect –5 to +10 °C.
At 3,850 m, daytime temperatures range from 0 to –5 °C, with nights down to –10 °C. Storm winds and extremely low nighttime temperatures are possible.
At the summit, temperatures can vary from –20 to –35 °C.
In summer, temperatures range from +30 °C at the base to –15 °C at the summit. Please keep this in mind when choosing clothing and gear.
In September, the base of Elbrus is +10 to +20 °C during the day. At 3,850 m, temperatures are 0 to +10 °C by day and 0 to –10 °C at night. Weather is very changeable, and snow is possible.
Throughout the program, you will be led by an experienced mountain guide. On summit day, assistant guides will join you (one guide per three climbers).
Upon arrival in Terskol, all groups register with the Elbrus Rescue Service (EMERCOM), where they receive updates on weather and route conditions. Guides maintain constant communication with rescue teams throughout the climb.
Each group is equipped with a first-aid kit, radios, and satellite navigation devices.
All the necessary equipment for the climb can be either purchased or rented.
Clothing, personal items, and gear for climbing Mount Elbrus:
Rental prices for Elbrus equipment (per day, in RUB):
Tour participants receive a 15% discount on gear rental.
This tour is not recommended for people with medical conditions that prevent them from engaging in mountain sports or active outdoor activities.
We strongly recommend preparing physically for the Elbrus climb. Start endurance training several months in advance — running, gym workouts, or swimming are excellent options.
Natural factors such as altitude and thin air, cold, frost, strong winds, poor visibility in bad weather, sulfur gases, and intense solar radiation will require participants to have good fitness, stamina, and reliable equipment.
The program includes three full meals a day.
Travel insurance is mandatory for this tour. We are happy to help arrange it — please leave a note in your application if needed.
MTS mobile service is reliable during the ascent. Megafon and Beeline are available in some areas, while Tele2 has no coverage at all.
If you would like to climb Elbrus and your friends or family wish to join you as a support group, please contact us. While you are making your ascent, we will arrange a personalized travel program for them.
First, you will go together on acclimatization hikes to scenic locations. Later, when you head higher up the mountain, we will organize a relaxing vacation for them in the Elbrus region.
The transfer for guests arriving on flights before 11:30 will take place between 12:00 and 12:30. Guests whose flights land between 11:30 and 14:45 will be met between 15:15 and 15:30.
You will be issued:
ropes
ice screws
radios
satellite navigators
a first aid kit
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At the Top of Russia 9 days
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