Climbing Elbrus (5642 m) from the south

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Just imagine: you are standing on the highest point of Europe, a cold wind is blowing, the sun is shining in your eyes, your body is a little tired, and there is one thought in your head: could I really, I am a hero?.

The route from the south of the 1B difficulty category is considered classic for Elbrus and is suitable for the first ascent of the mountain. From a technical point of view, the route is quite simple and participants only need the ability to use cats and an ice axe. Experienced guides will teach us this.

Location

Stavropol territory, Mineral Waters

from

Early
booking

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Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

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Tour highlights

Conquering the top

For the sake of being at the highest point in Europe, we will overcome all the difficulties of climbing

A new useful skill

Let's practice handling cats and ice axes in snow and ice classes

Cable car ride

Let's go up on a cable car with a breeze and take a little rest from physical exertion

Itinerary

Day 1 - Meeting. Transfer to Terskol
Transfer Mineralnye Vody — Terskol (for an additional fee).
If desired, a radial walk.
The meeting of the group is early in the morning in the city of Mineralnye Vody.
From there we drive 180 km to the village of Terskol.
The transfer takes 3.5-4 hours by mountain road.
If the group has enough strength and desire, then after accommodation in Terskol we can walk light to the powerful and impressive Tereskol waterfall.
To go to it 4.5 km in one direction with a climb of 700 meters.
The trail is good, well-trodden, with a smooth ascent, goes through a picturesque gorge.
The total duration of such a walk is about 4-5 hours.

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Day 2 - Acclimatization access to Cheget mountain
Radial exit to Cheget Mountain.
In order to acclimatize, we climb Mount Cheget.
There is a great view of Elbrus from the slopes of the mountain!
Our goal is not to climb to the top itself, but to prepare the body for climbing Elbrus, to let it get used to loads and heights.
The hike will take the whole day, we return for an overnight stay back in Terskol.
In the evening, a lecture and practical exercises, preparation for going out into the mountains.

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Day 3 - Cable car ride to the shelter "Barrels"
The ascent to the shelter "Barrels" at an altitude of 3800 m.
Ascent by cable car to the shelter "Barrels", located at an altitude of 3800 m above sea level.
The cable car starts at Azau station, located at an altitude of 2,350 meters above sea level.
Thus, on the cable car we gain 1,450 m in height at once.
For acclimatization, we take a walk along the glacier.
We stay overnight at altitude, or go down to Terskol (depending on the weather and the condition of the group members).

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Day 4 - Acclimatization output
We make an acclimatization exit to the Pastukhov rocks.
The cliffs are located at an altitude of 4700 m, the distance to them is about 3 km.
Thus, from our tent camp, we climb about 900 m, allowing the body to adapt even more to altitude.
After the walk, we conduct snow and ice classes, train in handling cats and ice axes.
In the evening we go down to Terskol.

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Day 5 - Day of rest in Terskol
A day of rest.
Acclimatization exits are over, you need to gain strength before climbing.

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Day 6 - Access to the mountains
The ascent to the place of overnight stay.
We climb up on the cable car again and reach the alpine shelter 11, located at an altitude of 4050 m.
We will spend the night in tents on the glacier, or in bad weather and, if desired, in shelter 11.

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Day 7 - The day of the assault
In the early morning, or even at night, we go out to climb the peak of Elbrus, height 5642 m.
From the place of overnight stay, we need to gain about 1730 m in height.
Thanks to the early exit, we will easily have time to go to the top and go down to the cable car, after which we go down to Terskol and arrange a festive dinner.
Overnight at the guest house.

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Day 8 - Spare day
A spare day in case of bad weather.
Thus, we are less dependent on the vagaries of nature and increase the likelihood of climbing to the top.
If the weather did not let us down, and we went to the top on the first attempt — this is the day at our disposal!
You can walk around the surrounding area, for example, to the waterfall Devichy Kosy.

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Day 9 - Departure
The journey ends!
We say goodbye to the mountains and leave for Mineralnye Vody airport, from where we fly home.

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Difficulty

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health

Accommodation

Hotel

2 nights
or

Tent, Camp Site

6 nights

Comfort

Basic
Midscale

The tour includes accommodation in a hotel, tents/mountain shelter.

Photos of the hotel are expected.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 15 tourists

Minimum age

18 years old

Duration

9 days 8 nights

Group meets at

Stavropol territory, Mineral Waters

Included in price

the work of a guide;
rental of climbing equipment (personal and public);
camping equipment rental (tents, cooking utensils);
meals on the active part of the route;
registration of the group in the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
a company certificate.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Mineralnye Vody and back;
transfer Mineralnye vody — Terskol — Mineralnye Vody — 1,500 -2,000 rubles/one way;
insurance from the National Insurance Company;
meals in Terskol and during the transfer;
accommodation in Terskol — the average cost per day is 1,500—3,000 rubles.;
ascents and descents by cable car — ascent and descent — 1,600 rubles.;
accommodation in the shelter — 1,500 rubles/day.

It's important to know

Footwear:

mountain boots with a hard sole (preferably with a welt under the cat);
trekking boots (can be replaced with sturdy sneakers);
light slippers (for the camp);

Camping equipment:

expedition backpack (for men 80-90 liters, for girls 50-70 liters);
a cape for a backpack (in case of rain);
snow-proof shoe covers;
Sleeping bag (comfort temperature: -20 °C);
2 polyurethane foam mats (it is warmer to sleep on two mats);
hoba (polyurethane foam seat);
trekking poles (with attachments so that they do not fall into the snow);
headlamp with LEDs (be sure to insert new batteries);
matches, lighter (in an airtight package);
water tank (thermos, hydrator, 1-1.5 liter bottle);

Clothes:

windproof jacket (Membrane: gore tex or equivalent);
windproof trousers (Membrane: gore tex or equivalent);
a down jacket with a hood (Down or synthetic. Can be replaced with a vest);
raincoat;
insulated pants (Softshell, windblock, windstopper);
insulated jacket (Softshell, windblock, windstopper);
warm thermal underwear;
2 pairs of mittens (Polartec, fleece);
windproof leggings;
hat (Softshell, windblock, windstopper, nolartec, fleece, HB);
balaclava (Softshell, windblock, windstopper, nolartec, fleece, HB);
thermal cables;
a cap or other headdress to protect from the sun;
2 pairs of thermal socks (thermal socks dry faster than usual);
lightweight trousers;
2 T-shirts/T-shirts;
2 sets of underwear;
2 pairs of cotton socks;

Personal items:

mug, plate, spoon (plastic or stainless steel);
folding knife;
Sunglasses (IMPORTANT! With a UV filter. Protection level ≥ 3);
sunscreen, lipstick (With a protection factor of at least 50);
brush, paste, towel (made of quick-drying materials);
a patch for the prevention of corns (2-3 cm wide);
first aid kit + vitamins (for "favorite diseases");
toilet paper (1 roll);

Documents:

passport of the Russian Federation;
MHI policy;
insurance from the National Insurance Company;
cash for personal expenses and unforeseen circumstances.

Dates and Prices

$437

19 – 27 Oct, 2025 9 days 8 nights

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No need to pay now
$437

26 Oct – 3 Nov, 2025 9 days 8 nights

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No need to pay now