Ultimate Elbrus

Welcome to Russia! Priviet!

After your arrival at Mineralnye Vody airport, (we recommend a morning flight as this means you will have a relaxed arrival, and plenty of time to meet your fellow trekkers) Our EverTrek guide will meet you at the airport and supply private transfer (3.5 hours) to the hotel in the Baskan Valley near Mt Elbrus. This first evening is spent meeting the rest of your trekking team, followed by a good night’s sleep at the hotel.

Today we test our legs and our trekking spirits, and prepare for the long-haul days to come! After breakfast we will take a short drive to Elbrus Town and spend about 3 hours hiking up the beautiful Irik valley (2400m) before returning to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Experiencing the beautiful scenery of the Irik Valley, first glances at the Caucasus)

After breakfast it’s time to get kitted up and head out for your first acclimatisation climb up to 3100m. The hike will go through a beautiful, wooded valley up to a barren alpine landscape and we will see stunning views of Mt Elbrus and pass the Mount Terskol Observatory before returning to the hotel. This is the first day you will feel the rise in altitude.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Views of Mount Terskol Observatory and Large Horizontal Solar Telescope, first experience of altitude, awesome views of Mt Elbrus)

Today we will complete an acclimatisation hike to Cheget Mountain. The day starts with a hike through the wooded Baskan valley until it opens up to a more alpine landscape. Our aim is to again reach an altitude of 3100m which is perfect for today’s acclimatisation goal, and will offer great views of Mt Elbrus’ twin peaks.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Climb to Cheget Mountain 3100m, awesome views of Elbrus and of the journey to come, beautiful views of the Baskan Valley)

Today starts with a slightly different experience as we approach the mountain where we take the ski lift to the Old Krugozor station at 2950m. Just near the ski lifts is a small lodge where we can drop off some equipment and have some snacks before starting the acclimatisation hike to the Garabashi Station at 3800m. We’ve conquered 3800m! Now we will be returning to the lodge for the evening meal and overnight stay. 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Experience of Krugozor ski lift, amazing views of the Caucasus from Garabashi - the final station on the mountain)

Today we will take the lift at Old Krugozor Station all the way back up to the Garabashi station. From there we will stop to check in and drop equipment off at tonight’s accommodation before starting the hike up to Maria shelter (4100m) - the highest container village on the mountain! If good weather prevails, today is a straight shot to 4100m and back. If we encounter any storms we will stop off at Maria for some shelter from the cold mountain winds! We will then return to Garabashi station, where we will spend tonight mountainside, in purpose-built mountain huts!

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Mountainside hut accommodation, hiking to the highest accommodation point on the mountain, which doubles as a storm shelter for the notorious Elbrus winds and storms)

Today marks our last day of acclimatization hiking before the real deal. Get some breakfast, have a stretch, and load up on gear and snacks, it’s a 4-5 hour hike up to the Pastukhov Rocks. Today you will reach 4800m. After a successful day of hiking, we will turn back towards the huts for a meal and overnight stay.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: A taste of the final climb, reaching the Pastukhov rocks 4800m,fantastic views of the Saddle between peaks and of the route we’ve climbed thus far)

Today we rest and prep for the long-haul tomorrow. Spend some time in the station coffee shop, charge up your phone/camera/electronics, and have a laugh with your fellow trekkers. It’s a good idea to get plenty of rest today and pack tomorrow’s day pack, as we will be taking off in the early hours for our final push to the summit!

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Strap on your Mountain Mindset, today we reach the main destination of the trek - that is the summit of Elbrus. We’ll grab a quick meal, and will aim to leave the huts about 2-3am. Today we hike from 4100m to the West peak of Mount Elbrus - standing at 5642m. This will be a test of endurance as trekking-time is 9-10 hours from the start to the summit. Using the experience we’ve gained over the past few days, and the instruction of our guides, we journey back up to the Pastukhov Rocks (4800m), zig zag our way through the steep passage to the Saddle between East and West peaks (5380m), and make our final ascent up to the western summit around noon (5642m). Here we will take in the amazing views, with the Caucasus Mountains spread out beneath our feet! We will spend some time here taking photos, soaking in the truly awesome views, and celebrating with our fellow trekkers.

YOU DID IT! You climbed a 5642m peak and one of the seven summits! Now it’s time to rally, you’ve reached the top, but the day isn’t over yet! Stay strong and keep that mountain mindset as we begin our descent all the way back down to the huts. Tonight is a night for celebration! 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Summit Elbrus 5642m, experience of Caucasus Mountains, stunning views of surrounding peaks, and celebration with fellow trekkers)

Today is a back up day to account for any delays on our summit attempt. If day 9 summit was successful, today we will return to our hotel in Baskan Valley.  It’s a good idea to research the Elbrus region in preparation for the trek, there are tons of great activities in the area to take part in if time allows!

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Possible summit, experience the Elbrus region)

Today there is room for a quick summit attempt if weather interferes with day 9 and 10. After the summit, we will return to our hotel in Baskan Valley, pack up, and prepare for departure day. If we were successful on day 9 or 10, today is a free day to sight-see and participate in local activities.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

(Highlights of the day: Possible summit, experience the Elbrus region)

Today is the last day of your trip in Russia with EverTrek.

If your flight is scheduled for early-morning, then one of our company reps will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight. If it’s a later flight, there are plenty of sight-seeing options and mini-adventures to take part in before your flight home like a trip to Karakaya-Su Waterfall, visit a local ‘banya’ (sauna), or explore Cheget on horseback!