Europe's highest peak · 5,642 m

Elbrus North — Tent Expedition

Climb Elbrus from the quiet north side, entirely on foot: tent camps, no lifts and the original first-ascent route to the East summit (5,621 m).

Duration: 10 days
Max altitude: 5,621 m
Difficulty: Challenging
Group size: 1 guide per 4 climbers
Region: Elbrus

From€790/ person

Next date
26 May

4.9 traveller rating
95% summit success
No payment to book

Overview

About this tour

The North route follows the line of the first ascent through places with historic names — Emmanuel Glade and Lenz Rocks — and starts in the colourful Dzhily-Su gorge. The summit is the East peak of Elbrus, 5,621 m. It is the alternative to the crowded South route: there is no cable car here, so every step of the way is on foot.

The 10-day programme builds altitude steadily. Two acclimatisation outings (to the Stone Mushrooms and to the assault camp at 3,800 m) are followed by a main acclimatisation day up to Lenz Rocks at about 5,000 m, a rest day and the summit push, with two reserve days for weather. On summit day the climb takes 8–12 hours and the descent 3–4.

This is a tent expedition: you carry personal and group gear, including tents and food packs, up to the assault camp, so a rucksack of 26–30 kg is normal. The route is rated 2A on the Russian mountaineering scale (about 51 km in total) — a demanding trek where strength, patience and good acclimatisation count more than technique.

Stand on the East summit of Elbrus, 5,621 m, via the route of the first ascent
No cable cars: the whole route is on foot, away from the crowds of the South side
Historic landmarks along the way — Emmanuel Glade, the Stone Mushrooms and Lenz Rocks
Step-by-step acclimatisation up to Lenz Rocks at about 5,000 m, plus a rest day
1 guide per 4 climbers, with oxygen equipment, a satellite phone and daily pulse-oximeter checks
Two reserve days built in for bad weather

Day by day

Itinerary

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

Day1
Briefing and drive to Emmanuel Glade
2,500 m
Arrive the day before and meet us at our Pyatigorsk office for the gear check, rental and paperwork, or come by 10:00 on day 1 (the office opens at 08:00). At 10:00 the whole group meets for the briefing, introductions to the guides and the final distribution of group gear. Then we drive 122 km to the North Elbrus region and Emmanuel Glade (about 2,600 m), pitch the tent camp and cook dinner with the snowy slopes of Elbrus in view.
Day2
Acclimatisation to the Stone Mushrooms
3,200 m
Our first acclimatisation outing (8.6 km there and back) takes us to the Stone Mushrooms, curious natural rock formations at about 3,200 m. We cache part of our gear higher up to lighten tomorrow's carry, then return to sleep in tents at 2,500 m.
Day3
Acclimatisation to the assault camp site
3,800 m
A second, higher outing (12 km there and back) to the future assault camp at 3,800 m, carrying water, tea and a snack. In the evening we come back down to the main camp on Emmanuel Glade.
Day4
Move up to the assault camp
3,800 m
We break camp on Emmanuel Glade and climb 6 km to the first glaciers of the north slope. Tents go up at 3,800 m — our base for the summit attempt.

Comfort

Accommodation & meals

Tent camps on Emmanuel Glade and at the assault camp

You sleep in tents (one tent per 2–4 people) — first at Emmanuel Glade, then at the assault camp at 3,800 m. Bring or rent a −10 °C sleeping bag and a mat. 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 4 climbers
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 and doctor contact by satellite or mobile phone
Pulse oximeter with daily blood-oxygen checks for early signs of altitude sickness
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)
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.

26 May – 4 Jun 2027
10 days
~~Regular price€1,290~~Now€790per person
Guides
AvailableBe the first
5 – 14 Jun 2027
10 days
~~Regular price€1,290~~Now€790per person
Guides
AvailableBe the first
12 – 21 Jun 2027
10 days
~~Regular price€1,290~~Now€790per person
Guides
AvailableBe the first
19 – 28 Jun 2027
10 days
~~Regular price€1,290~~Now€790per person
Guides
AvailableBe the first
27 Jun – 6 Jul 2027
10 days
~~Regular price€1,290~~Now€790per person
Guides
AvailableBe the first
10 – 19 Jul 2027
10 days
~~Regular price€1,290~~Now€790per person
Guides
AvailableBe the first
17 – 26 Jul 2027
10 days
~~Regular price€1,290~~Now€790per person
Guides
AvailableBe the first
7 – 16 Aug 2027
10 days
~~Regular price€1,290~~Now€790per person
GuidesTo be announced
AvailableBe the first
14 – 23 Aug 2027
10 days
~~Regular price€1,290~~Now€790per 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 travellers say

5.055 reviews on TripAdvisor 5.0210 reviews on Google

Google
“Ходил на эльбрус с севера, отличная организация, профессиональные гиды, работают на клиента, на результат, пойду с ними ещё на Тетнульд. рекомендую!!!”
ДДенис Котомцев August 2026

Read all reviews

FAQ

Good to know

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 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); a private transfer back at the end (≈ €10); and luggage storage during the tour (≈ €5).

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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The mountain is waiting

Ready for your summit?

From €790 per person. Pick a date now — we confirm everything personally, no payment at this step.