The ascent of Elbrus is a physically challenging ascent involving around 1,500m of elevation gain. A high level of fitness is important for a successful ascent, as summit day is often 12-hours in length. Be sure to include some long, endurance training into your fitness regimen.
Elbrus, Europe's highest peak, is a giant dormant volcano that separates Europe from Asia. The straightforward yet spectacular climb is contrasted by the cultural wonders of enigmatic Russia.
With short 12 or 14 day options, the Elbrus Expedition is an ideal objective as your first or second of the Seven Summits.
Adventure Consultants offers two options for climbing Elbrus. For those who wish to explore some of Russia's most beautiful cultural cities, Trip 1 is 14 days in duration and starts in St Petersburg and finishes in Moscow. Our shorter Trip 2 is 12 days long and starts and finishes in Moscow.
Being relatively high, Elbrus demands respect and we approach this by climbing higher each day during our acclimatisation phase whilst sleeping at lower elevations at night. A cable car takes us up to accommodation at the base of the climb where we learn basic snow and ice techniques from the guides prior to the ascent. The summit day entails climbing long snow slopes with views over the wooded valleys to the surrounding peaks.
- Get a taste of high-mountain adventure on one of the Seven Summits
- Also one of the Volcanic Seven Summits, comprised of the highest volcanoes on each of the seven continents
- Opportunity to discover the wonders of St Petersburg or Moscow
- Experience non-technical moderate-altitude mountaineering
Expedition Level
Expedition Level
Beginner
Elevation
Elevation
5,642m/18,510ft
Duration
Duration
12 or 14 days
Location
Location
Russia
ELBRUS ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrive St Petersburg, Russia. Team meeting, welcome meal and gear check
DAY 2
St Petersburg tour. View the incredible architecture, visit the Hermitage Museum with its art classics and the remarkable Peter and Paul Fortress
DAY 3
Depart St Petersburg and fly to Mineralnye Vody. Travel by coach to Terskol in Baksan Valley
DAY 4
Acclimatisation ascent (using ski lifts) of Cheget Mountain 3,600m/11,800ft. Stay in a local hotel
DAY 5
4WD to a waterfall 2,700m/ 8,850ft, acclimatisation hike to Ice Camp 3,700m/12,100ft. Return to the hotel
DAY 6
Ride ski lifts. Acclimatisation hike. Overnight stay in the newly renovated Heart of Elbrus Hut 3,900m/12,800ft on the slopes of Elbrus
DAY 7
Acclimatisation hike to the Obelisk 4,100m/13,450ft
DAY 8
Acclimatisation hike to Pastukhov Rocks 4,600m/15,100ft, return to the hut
DAY 9
Summit day. Leave hut about 3am for the climb of Elbrus’ west summit 5,642m/18,510ft. Overnight in the hut
DAY 10
Spare summit day. Overnight in hut
DAY 11
Spare summit day, descend to the valley and return to hotel
DAY 12
Drive to Mineralnye Vody. Fly to Moscow, stay at a hotel
DAY 13
City tour in Moscow, visit famous Russian landmarks like the Kremlin, Red Square and enjoy the modern Russian culture in this entertaining city
DAY 14
| Depart hotel for the airport. Fly home |
Departures and Pricing
Note: Dates are subject to change due to many factors out of our control
| Start/End | Departing from | Quantity | Pricing | Notes | Book |
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What's next on your Seven Summits Pathway?
PREPARE
Fitness
Technical Experience
No technical climbing experience required. We do recommend that you join an introductory mountaineering instruction course such as our Chamonix Introductory Mountaineering Course or Europe Private Instruction Course prior to the expedition if you have time, but it is not essential, as there are opportunities to practice and review basic snowcraft skills prior to the summit attempt, which makes an ascent of Elbrus a great option for any fit mountain enthusiast.
Altitude Experience
No prior altitude experience required.
Why Adventure Consultants?
Adventure Consultants is renowned for the quality of its service and strategy applied to high altitude expedition climbing. Our reputation is attributed to meticulous planning and experienced logistics coordination. We have a philosophy of investing in every expedition to offer our climbers the best possible chance of success.
We employ strong and specialised Expedition leaders and support staff, who are some of the most pre-eminent in the industry. We pride ourselves on operating with small teams, the best back-up and support available. This includes nutritious and ample quantities of food, comfortable base camp facilities, reliable communications systems and the necessary medical back up.
Many of our expedition members come to us because they have seen us in action on a previous trip and decide to opt for our level of service and proven experience. Others return because they know we do our very best to make expeditions safe and successful.
Inclusions
The price of your trip includes the following:
- Qualified and experienced guides
- Quality hotels and transport
- Expert logistics
- Regular dispatches for families and friends to follow your expedition
- Comprehensive support from our New Zealand office team.
Our Team
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