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Europe's highest peak · 5,642 m

Elbrus Cross — North-to-South Double Summit

Climb Elbrus from the north, sleep on the 5,379 m saddle, summit both the East and West peaks and descend the South side: the “Cross of Elbrus”.

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Aerial view of the twin summits of Elbrus rising above a sea of clouds

Aerial view of the twin summits of Elbrus rising above a sea of clouds

Duration
11 days
Max altitude
5,642 m
Difficulty
Demanding
Group size
Runs from 6 people · 1 guide per 3 climbers
Region
Elbrus

From€1,120/ person

Next date
12 Jun

  • 4.9 traveller rating
  • 95% summit success
  • No payment to book

Overview

About this tour

Climbing both summits of Elbrus from north to south is known as the “Cross” (Krest). The name comes from the shape of the group's path: you climb from the north, stand on the saddle between the peaks, go to the East and West summits (to the left and to the right), and then descend the South slope.

Because of this style, the assault camp is the saddle itself, at about 5,300 m (5,379 m on our programme). The route is not technically difficult, but it is physically demanding: you carry full rucksacks up to the saddle and sleep at that height, then climb both summits light and come down with your rucksacks from the saddle to the South slope. The programme starts with the same step-by-step acclimatisation as our North route — Emmanuel Glade, the Stone Mushrooms, a north camp at 3,800 m and Lenz Rocks — before the move onto the saddle next to the RedFox hut.

Experience of climbing above 5,000 m is required to join a group. The route is a great fit for people who have already climbed Elbrus or Kazbek on tent tours with heavy rucksacks. This is a film tour: a professional film of your climb is included, and the group runs with at least 6 participants.

  • Both summits of Elbrus in one trip: the West (5,642 m) and East (5,621 m) peaks
  • Up the quiet North side and down the South slope — the classic “Cross” traverse
  • Night on the Elbrus saddle at 5,379 m beside the RedFox hut, then a light summit day
  • Technically straightforward, but physically demanding: full rucksacks up to the saddle
  • A professional film of your climb is included; 1 guide per 3 climbers
  • Two reserve days for bad weather

Day by day

Itinerary

Weather may change the order of days; your guide always has a reserve plan.

  1. Day1

    Briefing and drive to North Elbrus

    2,600 m

    Arrive the day before and meet us at our Pyatigorsk office for the gear check, rental and paperwork. On day 1 the group gathers at the office at the appointed time; the guide gives the briefing and answers questions, and we drive 122 km to the North Elbrus region and Emmanuel Glade (2,600 m). We pitch the tent camp and cook dinner with magnificent views of the northern slopes of Elbrus.

  2. Day2

    Acclimatisation to the Stone Mushrooms

    3,165 m

    An acclimatisation outing (9.8 km there and back): from Emmanuel Glade we walk to a former German airfield, then climb to the Stone Mushrooms (3,165 m), a remarkable natural monument, for a tea break. We return to the camp on Emmanuel Glade for the night.

  3. Day3

    Move to camp at the Stone Mushrooms

    3,165 m

    We repeat the walk to the Stone Mushrooms (4.9 km), this time with full rucksacks, and pitch the tent camp beside this unusual spot.

  4. Day4

    Up to the north camp

    3,800 m

    Today we go higher (3.1 km), to the first glaciers of the north slope of Elbrus, and pitch the tent camp at the north camp at 3,800 m.

Comfort

Accommodation & meals

Tent camps from Emmanuel Glade to the saddle

You sleep in tents all the way: on Emmanuel Glade, at the Stone Mushrooms, at the north camp (3,800 m), at the assault camp at Lenz Rocks (4,800 m) and on the Elbrus saddle (5,379 m) beside the RedFox hut. Bring or rent a −10 °C sleeping bag and a mat. A tent place is included in Premium; in Basic you rent or bring a tent. Accommodation in Pyatigorsk is not included.

Meals

Food is not part of the Basic price: the expedition food package (≈ €200) is booked separately, and the group carries it and prepares it on the shared gas cooking system.

Price details

What's included

Included

  • Pre-trip consultations with our managers on the programme, gear and clothing
  • Access to an online preparation channel with a training plan and your guide's advice
  • Professional mountain guides, 1 per 3 climbers
  • Professional filming of your climb
  • All group transfers on the programme
  • National park entrance fees
  • Safety equipment and procedures: satellite phone, radios, GPS navigator, first-aid kit and registration with the emergency services
  • Oxygen equipment for altitude-sickness emergencies, doctor contact by satellite phone and a pulse oximeter with daily checks
  • Shared expedition gear: ropes, gas and the gas cooking system
  • Elbrus Expert certificate, branded long-sleeve top and commemorative medal

Not included

  • Travel to and from Pyatigorsk
  • Expedition food package (≈ €200)
  • Personal equipment and clothing (rental available)
  • A place in a tent (rent a tent, or choose Premium)
  • Cable-car descent on Elbrus (included in Premium)
  • Mountaineering insurance (compulsory)
  • Accommodation in Pyatigorsk

Dates & prices

Choose your date

Small international groups. Booking is free — we confirm details with you before any payment.

  • 12 – 22 Jun 2027

    11 days

    Regular price€1,580Now€1,480per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 26 Jun – 6 Jul 2027

    11 days

    Regular price€1,290Now€1,130per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 3 – 13 Jul 2027

    11 days

    Regular price€1,290Now€1,120per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 17 – 27 Aug 2027

    11 days

    Regular price€1,290Now€1,120per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 26 Aug – 5 Sept 2027

    11 days

    Regular price€1,290Now€1,120per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

Need other dates or a private group? — we organise departures on request.

Packing list

Required equipment

What to bring for this programme. Most technical items can be rented from us — no need to fly with them.

Equipment

  • Mountaineering cramponsRent
  • Large rucksack, 85–120 L, with rain coverRent
  • Harness, 3 carabiners, self-belay leashes and 1.5 m cordRent
  • HeadlampRent
  • Sleeping bag, comfort rating −10 °CRent
  • Sleeping matRent
  • Mountain glassesRent
  • Ski gogglesRent
  • Insulated overbootsRent
  • Thermos, 1 LRent
  • TentRent

Clothing

  • Mountaineering bootsRent
  • Warm down or synthetic jacket with a hood that fits over a helmet, rated for winter and high altitude (if down: at least 250–300 g of quality down, Fill Power 700+ preferred)Rent
  • Warm expedition mittensRent
  • Climbing trousers (softshell recommended)Rent
  • Fleece top (Polartec 200)
  • Light trousers or shorts
  • Warm fleece hat that fits under a helmet
  • Thin Polartec gloves
  • Trekking socks, 2–3 pairs
  • Thin socks, 3 pairs
  • Peaked cap or wide-brimmed hat
  • Buff or balaclava
  • Synthetic T-shirts, 2

Personal items

  • Compression sacks
  • Toiletries
  • Mug, spoon, bowl and knife
  • Sunscreen SPF 50
  • Waterproof pouch for documents
  • Plastic water bottle
  • Power bank

First-aid kit

  • Personal first-aid kit: gauze bandage, adhesive tape, antiseptics, anti-allergy medicine, fever and cold remedies, stomach tablets, elastic bandage, haemostatic products and any medication for your own chronic conditions · Contents depend on your own needs and medical advice

RentMandatory equipment and clothing can be rented from our Pyatigorsk office, where we check and issue everything the day before departure. Base layers (items without a rental tag) are not rentable: buy them from us or bring your own.

Your team

Guides on this tour

Certified mountain guides who speak English and lead this route every season.

Reviews

What our travellers say

5.055 reviews on TripAdvisor5.0210 reviews on Google
  • Google
    “Комфортный тур на западную вершину Эльбруса с юга с Сергеем Тарасовым. Это был не просто тур, а кинотур! Довольна всем! Организация на высшем уровне. Питание, трансфер, безопасность, аренда снаряжения - понравилось абсолютно всё! Спасибо огромное за эмоции и впечатления!”
    ННаиля Филиппова September 2026
  • Google
    “Пользуюсь услугами компании не первый раз и планирую дальше с ними путешествовать: отличная компания, профессиональные гиды.”
    AAleks September 2026
  • TripAdvisor

    Подъём на Эльбрус! Западная вершина.

    “Поднялись с группой на западную вершину Эльбруса! У нас был опытный гид Алексей Сикилинда, который грамотно выждал погоду, и мы успешно взошли на вершину. Были ребята, которые говорили что им всё равно на погоду, ведь они идут с Ксенией Котляр, и пошли на день раньше. Но взойти на вершину у них не вышло, и они вернулись назад. А мы зашли) Спасибо опыту Алексея). Компания была максимально разношёрстная - плотник, доктор, менеджер и торговый представитель. Несмотря на это все нашли общий язык и поддерживали друг друга во время всего тура) Что конечно же положительно повлияло на успех восхождения. В целом о поездке впечатление отличное, всё было хорошо - трансфер, снаряжение, питание. Спасибо компании Эльбрус Эксперт за прекрасный тур!”
    ССергей М September 2026
Read all reviews

FAQ

Good to know

What is the “Cross of Elbrus”, and who is it for?

It is a north-to-south climb of both Elbrus summits, named after the shape of the route: up from the north, onto the saddle, left and right to the East and West summits, then down the South slope. It is technically straightforward but physically demanding. To join a group you need experience of climbing above 5,000 m; it suits people who have climbed Elbrus or Kazbek on tent tours with heavy rucksacks.

How do I get to the start?

Fly into Mineralnye Vody (MRV). Our Pyatigorsk office (Lenin Square 13, Intourist Hotel) is 27 km from the airport — about 25 minutes by taxi. You can arrive the day before, when the office receives participants from 08:00 to 18:00 for gear checks and rental, or on the morning of day 1 between 08:00 and 10:00. A private pick-up at Mineralnye Vody airport or station is included in Premium.

Where do I stay in Pyatigorsk?

Accommodation in Pyatigorsk is not included. Hostels (roughly €5–10 a night), hotels and apartments are all close to our office, and we can help you find something suitable. You can leave spare luggage at the office while you are on the mountain — storage is included in Premium, or about €5 otherwise.

How heavy will my rucksack be?

On tent tours you carry your personal kit and a share of the group gear — including tents and food packs — up to the assault camp, so expect 26–30 kg. Choose a rucksack of 85–90 L (women) or 85–110 L (men).

What does the Premium package add?

Premium costs about €200 more than Basic and adds: a 30% discount on equipment and clothing rental; a place in a 2–4 person tent for the whole trip; the cable-car descent on Elbrus; the official Russian Mountaineering Federation (FAR) "For climbing Elbrus" badge and a climber's logbook entry if you reach the summit (each about €10); a private pick-up from Mineralnye Vody airport or station to our office (≈ €10); and luggage storage during the tour (≈ €5). If the cable car is closed, a vehicle descent is charged separately, minus the cable-car price.

How do I reserve a place?

Pay the booking fee (≈ €200 for Basic, ≈ €250 for Premium) to reserve your place and lock in the price, or pay for the tour in full. You can switch from Basic to Premium later; the Premium price is calculated at the time you ask.

Not sure about the date? Leave a request

A guide will reply within 24 hours with options, availability and answers to your questions.

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