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Two Peaks Climb: Kazbek & Elbrus

55
km
12
days
2/3
Difficulty
3/4
Comfort

About the Program

Climb Kazbek and Elbrus on one expedition: two Caucasus 5000ers, offered directly by a local operator. Regular group departures run from June to September 2027. The Kazbek route goes through Georgia and is stunning in itself; it also gives you ideal acclimatization for Elbrus (5642 m, located in Russia). The tour comes in three packages with different levels of comfort and difficulty, including a full-service option with horse-supported gear transport and nights in mountain huts. No more than 3 climbers per guide on summit day.

Difficulty Level

Three days of hiking with 30 kg backpacks or without (based on package). No previous climbing experience required.

Accommodations

Hotel in the village; tents or hut on the route depending on the package

Food

Self-cooked meals from provided ingredients or freshly prepared dishes by our chef (depending on the selected package)

What Will You Do?

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    You will try dishes from Georgian and Balkar cuisine
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    You will traverse an amazingly beautiful mountain route
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    You will learn basic mountaineering skills
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    You will climb Kazbek and see Elbrus from its summit
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    You will undertake a climb to Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe and Russia

Description by Day

day 1. Arrival in Stepantsminda

The tour starts in the village of Stepantsminda. To catch our group transfer, your flight must land in Tbilisi (Georgia) no later than 6:00 am on this day. Our vehicle leaves Tbilisi Airport at 6:30 am (the driver meets you at the arrivals exit) and the Ramada hotel in the city center (14 Aleksandre Tsurtsumia, 0103 Tbilisi) at 7:30 am. If you arrive later, you will need a private transfer. In Stepantsminda you check into the hotel and meet your guide, who will check your gear and clothing.

day 2. Sabertse Pass

Breakfast. Drive up the scenic mountain road to the Gergeti Church (featured on the tour cover). The guide will explain walking and breathing techniques to help you conserve energy while climbing. We then hike to Sabertse Pass (3150 m), a 3–4 hour ascent. From the pass, we’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Gergeti Glacier and Mount Kazbek. A final 30-minute descent brings us to Camp 1. Overnight in tents or in a mountain hut (depending on package).

day 3. Meteostation

Kazbek dominates the horizon all day. We trek to Betlemi Hut (the Meteostation) at 3650 m. The route begins over rocky terrain, then crosses the glacier. The hike takes about 5.5 hours and covers 8.6 km. Overnight in tents or in the hut. Dinner provided.

day 4. Ortsveri Glacier

Acclimatization day. We ascend to the Ortsveri Glacier at 4200 m, hiking across rocky ground and glacier fields, carefully navigating crevasses. The silence is broken by the sound of falling rocks from Kazbek’s cliffs, and the echoes fill the valley. The ascent takes 3–4 hours; descent back to camp takes 2 more. After lunch, we’ll hold a training session on basic alpine skills: walking in crampons, ice axe self-arrest and moving along fixed ropes.

day 5. Rest Day

A full day to rest and recover. However, if the weather forecast for the coming days is poor, we may shift the summit attempt to this day instead. This is a flexible reserve day.

day 6. Summit Day

We begin at 2:00 AM, wearing crampons and using headlamps. The round trip to the summit usually takes 10–12 hours. From the top of Kazbek, there’s a 360° panoramic view. On clear days, you’ll spot Elbrus, our next goal. Return to the Meteostation for the night.

day 7. Descent to the Village

We descend to the Gergeti Trinity Church and continue by minivans to Stepantsminda. Overnight at the same hotel as on the first day of the tour. In the evening, a celebration at a Georgian restaurant with the presentation of the Kazbek climb certificates; restaurant meals are not included in the price.

day 8. Transfer to Elbrus

Our vehicle picks you up at the hotel at 11:30 am. The drive to Elbrus takes 6 hours, or longer if there is a delay at the border. Hotel check-in.

day 9. Up to the Elbrus Hut

Breakfast at the hotel. You meet your new guide and transfer to the lower cable car station. Three cable car stages take us up to Garabashi station. We settle into the hut and rest before the summit push. If for any reason you could not acclimatize on Kazbek, a separate acclimatization is arranged on this day: you go up to 4500 m by snowcat or snowmobile and continue on foot. Reaching at least 4700 m is a mandatory condition for joining the Elbrus summit climb.

day 10. Elbrus Summit Day

We wake up around 10:00 pm the evening before. About an hour to get ready, then we set off for the summit of Elbrus. From the high camp we climb in rope teams, wearing crampons, helmets and headlamps, with ice axes in hand. We carry snacks, water and a thermos of hot tea. We move very slowly to keep our breathing steady and save energy. The ascent usually takes 8–10 hours, the descent another 3–4. Night in the hut.

day 11. Descent to the Valley

If the summit was reached the day before, the group takes the cable car down to the valley in the morning and checks into the hotel. This day can also serve as a reserve day if the weather was bad the day before: the group then climbs to the summit today and descends to the valley on the same day. Either way, the group spends the next night at the hotel. In the evening, summit certificates are awarded.

day 12. Tour Completion

If you fly home from Tbilisi, book a flight departing no earlier than 9:00 pm. The group transfer to Tbilisi leaves the hotel at 8:00 am; the drive takes at least 8 hours, sometimes longer. If you fly home from Mineralnye Vody Airport, you will need a private transfer to the airport at the time that suits you (a 3-hour drive). Our optional 3-day Moscow program also starts on this day, and you are welcome to join it.

Cost

Group Tour

Spot on one
of the planned tours
Booking deposit

Private Tour

For a single participant or for a private
group on any agreed dates

Price for the first (or only) participant

Price for each more
memeber
☑Included in the Base package
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    Our help with booking the tour and arranging all documents, including the visa invitation
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    Access to our monthly webinar to answer your questions, plus all the information you need
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    English-speaking mountain guides, max 3 climbers per guide on summit day
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    Accommodation: 4 nights in a guesthouse or hostel, 2 nights in the Elbrus hut, 5 nights in tents
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    Food supplies for self-cooking on Kazbek, breakfasts at the hotels
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    Transfer from Stepantsminda to Elbrus
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    Elbrus cable car ride (both ascent and descent)
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    All safety measures: satellite phone, first aid kit, rescue service registration
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    Mountaineering oxygen equipment in case of altitude sickness (on Elbrus)
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    All group gear: ropes, kitchen kit, gas canisters, etc.
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    Two summit certificates (Kazbek and Elbrus)
×Not included in the price
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    Flights (we will help you choose)
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    Transfer to Stepantsminda and transfer from Terskol
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    Mountaineering insurance for all tour days (mandatory, can be arranged through us)
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    Russian and Georgian visa support (if required)
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    Meals in village restaurants (except hotel breakfasts) and café meals on Elbrus
☑Standard Pack
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    Everything included in the Base package
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    Group transfer from Tbilisi to Stepantsminda on day 1 of the tour
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    4 nights in a 3* hotel, twin rooms (instead of guesthouse or hostel)
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    Full board, 3 meals a day on Kazbek and Elbrus, prepared by a cook
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    Horses carry group gear and food (you carry only your personal items)
☑Premium Pack
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    Everything included in the Base package
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    Group transfer from Tbilisi to Stepantsminda
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    Group transfer from Terskol to Tbilisi or private transfer from Terskol to Mineralnye Vody Airport
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    4 nights in a 4* hotel, single room
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    5 nights in mountain huts on Kazbek (instead of tents)
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    Full board, 3 meals a day in the dining room on Kazbek and Elbrus
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    Horses carry personal and group gear up and back down (you hike with no load)
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    Official numbered Elbrus summit badge from the Russian Mountaineering Federation

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