Elbrus. Climbing from the South

Elbrus, the highest peak of the Caucasus, Russia and Europe, the height of the Western peak is 5642 meters. 

Climbing Elbrus from the south is technically simple and suitable even for beginners who come to the mountains for the first time. Cable cars are laid on the southern slope, there are several shelters for climbers, mobile communication works almost the entire route.

For climbing, we issue certificates and license plates established by the FAR.

Location

G. Mineralnye Vody
from
$184
$175
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
10 Days
9 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 21 – 30 April, 2025
    • 1 – 10 May, 2025
    • 11 – 20 May, 2025
    • 21 – 30 May, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • or
    or
    Tent, Camp Site, Hotel
    9 nights
Comfort
  • Basic
  • Midscale
Difficulty
Extreme
Only for experienced and physically fit hikers. Requires specific skills and equipment
Group
Up to 16 people
Minimum age
14 years old
Group meet at
G. Mineralnye Vody
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

The first climbing experience
The easiest route for beginners
Developed infrastructure
Hotels, cable cars, snowmobiles will allow you to easily get to the top and spend your vacation with the usual amenities
Flexible program 
You choose your own comfort level

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Hiking in the Terskol gorge

    Meeting in the city of Mineralnye Vody at 10:00-12:00. Transfer from 10:00 to 11:00 at the railway station, from 11:30 to 12:00 at the airport.

    Transfer to the Baksan gorge in the village of Terskol, altitude 2100 meters.

    We check into a hotel or a campsite.

    This is where the pre-acclimatization stage begins, which will take 4 days.

     After lunch, a walk to the Terskol waterfall.

    The climb is 600 meters, the duration is 2-3 hours up, 1 hour 30 minutes down.

    1 more photo
  • Day 2 - Trekking to Terskol Peak
  • Day 3 - Climbing Cheget 3461 m.
  • Day 4 - Ascent to Itkol-Bashi 3531 m.
  • Day 5 - The ascent to Elbrus is 3900 m.
  • Day 6 - Acclimatization exit to a height of 5000 m.
  • Day 7 - Rest day – preparation for climbing
  • Day 8 - Climbing to the top of Elbrus Zapadnaya 5642 m.
  • Day 9 - Reserve day
  • Day 10 - Departure
Difficulty
Only for experienced and physically fit hikers. Requires specific skills and equipment

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • or
    or
    Tent, Camp Site, Hotel
    9 nights
Comfort
  • Basic
  • Midscale

The tour provides accommodation depending on the category to choose from:

  • Guide services – accommodation is not included in the price of the tour;
  • Standard – accommodation in a tent at a camping site at an altitude of 2100 m / in a shelter at an altitude of 3900 m (accommodation in tents for 1-4 and 9-10 days, the rest in the shelter).
  • Comfort – in a hotel at an altitude of 2100 m / in a shelter at an altitude of 3900 m;
  • All inclusive – in a hotel at an altitude of 2100 m / in a shelter at an altitude of 3900 m, plus this category allows you to come without clothes, equipment and shoes for the mountains, you will get everything at the rental, costs are included in the price.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the selected category, RUB.:

CategoryThe cost when booking less than 60 days before the start of the tourThe cost when booking more than 60 days before the start of the tour
Guide services18 000

Standard

camping

40 00034 000
Comfort55,000 "Chiran-Cheget"49,000 "Chiran-Cheget"
Comfort64,000 Teberda-Cheget57,000 Teberda-Cheget
All inclusive+ 21,000 (to the comfort rate)
All
enabled
Premium 
(equipment class is higher)
+ 29,000 (to the comfort rate)

Differences between categories (what is included / not included (+ / –) in the package price):

List of servicesGuide servicesStandardComfortAll inclusiveAll inclusive premium
Guide services, registration of the ascent in the Ministry of Emergency Situations, communication and security during the ascent+++A full set of outerwear, shoes and equipment for rent
Comprehensive advice and preparation for the ascent+++++
Alp equipment (crampons, safety system, ice axe, helmet)+++
Alp equipment Vento,RMZ
Alp Equipment Camp
Azau – Garabashi – Azau Cable Car++Kayland Shoes
La Sportiva shoes, Kailas
Transfers:
MinVody – Terskol – MinVody
 
Terskol – Azau – Terskol
++++
Meals: breakfast, dinner, snack++++
HabitationCamping / ShelterHotel Chiran or Teberda-Cheget/ shelter
Can be applied with
any accommodation option
A full set of clothes and equipment in
rental
+ 
Tent or Shelter or 9 nights
Tent

Camping in tents at an altitude of 2100 meters and in tents at an altitude of 3900 meters.

Another option
Shelter

The shelter where we are staying is a five-minute walk from the upper station of the cable car. There is an MTS tower practically on the territory, there is round-the-clock electricity in the shelter, you can always turn on the heater and charge your gadgets. Comfortable four-bed rooms, kitchens in separate trailers, a shower appeared at the end of the 2020 season!

Another option
Mini-hotel "Chiran Cheget"

This hotel is located in Terskol Village, 1.7 km from Polyana Azau Village.

Chiran Cheget Mini-Hotel offers direct access to the ski slopes, free private parking, barbecue facilities and a terrace.

All rooms are equipped with a kitchen, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and a private bathroom.

It offers a 24-hour front desk and a shared kitchen.

The rooms at the hotel have a balcony with mountain views.

The rooms are equipped with a microwave.

Skiing is popular in the area, and ski equipment can be rented at Chiran Cheget Mini-Hotel.

3 more photos
Another option
Teberda-Cheget Hotel

The Teberda Hotel is located in a pine forest at the foot of Cheget. Guests can enjoy the cleanest air in a picturesque ecological place. Clients are offered the services of a ski instructor.

The room stock is represented by three types of rooms, including "Standard", "Studio" and "Suite". For the convenience of visitors, bedroom and living room furniture, chest of drawers, Wi-Fi, LCD TV, coffee table, wardrobe, refrigerator, set of towels are provided.

The restaurant serves European, Caucasian and Russian cuisine. It is possible to order a special diet menu. Ready meals can be ordered by the delivery service at the hotel. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in the surrounding area.

By prior arrangement, corporate events are organized, technical equipment is rented for presentations and seminars.

The hotel is located at a distance of 1.4 km from the center of Terskol. The nearest airport is 180 kilometers away, and the railway station is 140 km away. Ski lifts are 50 metres away. The distance to Elbrus is about 4.5 km, to Mount Cheget - 200 m.

3 more photos

Tour conditions

Group
up to 16 tourists
Minimum age
14 years old
Duration
10 days 9 nights
Group meets at
G. Mineralnye Vody

Included in price

  • transfer;
  • meals specified in the program;
  • accommodation specified in the program (according to the selected category);
  • guide services, registration of the ascent in the Ministry of Emergency Situations, communication and security during the ascent;
  • comprehensive advice and preparation for the ascent;
  • alpine equipment (crampons, safety system, ice axe, helmet) (according to the selected category);
  • cable car – ascent and descent (according to the selected category);
  • an extended set of equipment (in the all-inclusive category).

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Mineralnye Vody and back;
  • rental of personal and other equipment;
  • additional excursions;
  • souvenirs.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour

Documents

  • passport;
  • compulsory medical insurance policy;

Camping equipment

  • a backpack of 65-80 liters with a rigid back and the ability to attach a mat and an ice axe outside. A cape for a backpack from the rain (rent for 9 days – 300 rubles/ day);
  • sleeping bag. The comfort temperature is -5.... -10 C, preferably with a synthetic filler (rent for 5 days is 300 rubles / day.);
  • when staying in a shelter, it is the lightest and smallest, the shelter has heating, blankets and pillows, a sleeping bag is needed only as bed linen (rent for 5 days is 300 rubles / day.);
  • trekking poles (rent for 9 days – 150 rubles/day);
  • tourist mat (karemat, foam) (rent for 5 days – 40 rubles/ day)
  • tent (rent 600 rubles/day);

Climbing equipment

  • sports glasses or ski mask, UV protection factor 3 or more (rent a ski mask for 4-5 days – 120 rubles/day);
  • backpack 25-35 liters for climbing (rent 4-5 days – 150 rubles/day)
  • soft-mount cats (provided);
  • safety gazebo, two carabiners, self-insurance (provided);
  • an ice axe (used for self-insurance when climbing to the top) (provided).
  • helmet.

Trekking clothes for 1-4 days

  • T-shirt;
  • medium-density thermal T-shirt with long sleeves;
  • thermal pants;
  • warm fleece jacket (rent for 9 days – 200 rubles/day);
  • wind- and moisture-proof jacket with a hood. If the jacket can get wet, then also a raincoat (rent a membrane jacket for 9 days - 400-600 rubles / day);
  • wind- and moisture–proof pants, preferably with a membrane (rent of membrane pants for 9 days - 300 rubles/day);
  • trekking boots or sneakers. They can also be used on climbing (rent 4-9 days – 400 rubles/day);
  • a warm hat;
  • thin gloves 2 pairs;
  • panama hat, cap or buff, for protection from the sun;
  • hiking (trekking) socks 2-3 pairs;
  • sandals or light sneakers for the camp;
  • swimming trunks or a swimsuit;

Climbing clothes for 5-9 days

  • a lightweight down jacket with a hood, should be worn under a windproof jacket (rent 4-9 days – 300 rubles / day);
  • high–rise puffer jacket, mandatory in spring and autumn above 5000 meters (rent 4-5 days - 400 rubles / day);
  • insulated climbing boots (rent of plastic double boots for 4-5 days – 400-600 rubles/day);
  • insulated shoe covers, allow you to use trekking boots on climbing (rent 4-5 days – 150 rubles / day);
  • gaiters for feet from snow and dirt getting into shoes (rent 4-5 days – 100 rubles/ day);
  • mask, buff or balaclava to protect your face from the wind;
  • warm, windproof gloves, better mittens (rent 4-5 days – 150 rubles/ day);

Other

  • headlamp with 1 battery pack (rent 4-9 days – 100 rubles/day);
  • hygiene products: soap, shampoo probe, toothpaste and brush, toilet paper, towel (not large),wet wipes;
  • mug, spoon, bowl, knife. Plastic or metal;
  • thermos. 500-800 ml. (rent of a thermos of 700 ml.4-9 days – 100 rubles/day);
  • water bottle, 0.5-1 liter;
  • a seat (preferably) (rent 4-9 days – 20 rubles/day)
  • packages of 100-120 liters of 2 pcs. Additional protection of things in the backpack from getting wet;
  • Photo camera;

Personal first aid kit

  • hygienic lipstick (protection against chapping of the lips, better sunscreen);
  • sunscreen (maximum protection);
  • vitamins, preferably in effervescent tablets;
  • Aspirin, preferably in effervescent tablets;
  • Paracetamol;
  • patch (to seal the feet to prevent calluses);
  • from an upset stomach;
  • medicines for their diseases.
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
What is included in the general group equipment?
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Dates and Prices

  • from
    $175
    21 – 30 Apr, 2025 10 days 9 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $175
    1 – 10 May, 2025 10 days 9 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $175
    11 – 20 May, 2025 10 days 9 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $175
    21 – 30 May, 2025 10 days 9 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from
    $175
    1 – 10 Jun, 2025 10 days 9 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now