Europe's highest peak · 5,642 m
Elbrus South — Comfort Climb
The classic South route in 9 days with no heavy packs at altitude: stepped acclimatisation, a hut at 3,950 m and a reserve day for weather.
- Duration
- 9 days
- Max altitude
- 5,642 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Group size
- From 6 people · 1 instructor per 4 climbers
- Region
- Elbrus
From€970/ person
Next date
31 Oct
- 4.9 traveller rating
- 95% summit success
- No payment to book
Overview
About this tour
This is the classic way up Elbrus, planned so that you can concentrate on the climb itself. There are no heavy packs on the high-altitude stages, accommodation is comfortable, meals are full board and acclimatisation is gradual — which greatly improves your chances of reaching the summit.
The programme suits first-time mountain travellers as well as experienced climbers (grade 1B). But Elbrus is not a stroll: 5,642 m, cold, wind and an early start on summit day call for good fitness, discipline and the will to see your climb through.
You get a proper expedition with a professional team: three nights in a hostel in the Elbrus area, then the high-altitude hut by the cable car, highly qualified mountaineering instructors at 1 per 4 climbers on the ascent, and a reserve day for weather. Groups run with six or more participants.
- Stand on the West summit of Elbrus, 5,642 m — the highest point in Europe
- Comfort first: no heavy packs on the high-altitude stages and luggage carried to the hut by snowcat or snowmobile
- Stepped acclimatisation: Cheget, the Observatory, then 4,900–5,000 m before the summit push
- Sleep in the "National Park" hut at 3,950 m, only 200 m from the cable-car station
- Full board and a built-in reserve day for weather
Day by day
Itinerary
Weather may change the order of days; your guide always has a reserve plan.
- Day1
Briefing in Pyatigorsk and transfer to the Elbrus region
2,144 mArrive in Pyatigorsk the day before (our office is open for gear checks from 08:00 to 18:00; the night there is not included) or by 10:00 on day 1. From 08:00 to 11:00 we do the final gear check and rental at the office (Lenin Square 13, Intourist hotel building), then your guide gives the briefing at 11:00. We load the van and drive 174 km to the Elbrus region (3–3.5 hours; passports may be checked on the way) with a lunch stop at a roadside café. Check in at the hostel in Terskol (2,144 m), stroll to the Narzan Glade and have dinner, then a short evening briefing with your guide.
- Day2
First acclimatisation: Mount Cheget
3,050 mYour first outing takes you up Mount Cheget (3,050 m, 4.3 km) for panoramas of the Baksan gorge, Donguz-Orun (4,454 m) and Nakra-Tau (4,277 m). Lunch with a view of Elbrus, then back down by cable car.
- Day3
Second acclimatisation: to the Observatory
3,200 mIn the morning we walk up to the Devichi Kosy waterfall and then higher to the Observatory (3,200 m, 12 km). Your instructor teaches breathing and movement technique for the mountains. You carry only a small daypack with a thermos, a snack and personal items. Back at the hostel by evening.
- Day4
Up to the hut on the slope of Elbrus
3,950 mWe take the cable car up to the high-altitude "National Park" hut on the Elbrus slope — only about 200 m on foot from the station; your luggage rides up on a snowcat or snowmobile. After settling in, a training walk up the snow slope and practice walking in crampons.
Comfort
Accommodation & meals
Hostel in the Elbrus area (Terskol, 2,144 m)
Three nights at the start of the programme. If you prefer privacy, you can take a double room with its own shower and toilet in the same hotel instead — about €120 extra for the three nights (one large bed or two single beds); tell your manager when booking.
High-altitude "National Park" hut (3,950 m)
3–5 nights on the slope of Elbrus, 200 m from the cable-car station. Bring a sleeping bag (rentable).
Night before in Pyatigorsk (not included)
Hostels from ≈ €8, hotels in every price range and apartments are available near our office; we can help you find one.
Meals
Full board: three meals a day of fresh food from a varied menu, from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on the day you return to Pyatigorsk.
Price details
What's included
Included
- Consultations with our experts at every stage of preparation: programme, gear and clothing
- Professional mountaineering instructors, 1 per 4 participants on the climb
- All group transfers on the programme (individual transfers are not included)
- 3 nights in a hostel in the Elbrus area and 3–5 nights in the high-altitude "National Park" hut
- Full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on the return day
- Snowcat or snowmobile transport of all personal and shared luggage from the cable car to the hut, up and down
- Elbrus National Park entrance fee
- Safety equipment: satellite phone, radios, satellite navigator, first-aid kit, registration with the Emergency Ministry
- Mountaineering oxygen equipment for altitude sickness, and contact with the company doctor by satellite or mobile phone
- All shared equipment: ropes, ice screws and so on
- Elbrus Expert certificate of ascent and a long-sleeve Elbrus Expert T-shirt
Not included
- Flights to Mineralnye Vody (MRV) and back
- Personal equipment and clothing (rental available at our office)
- Mountaineering insurance (compulsory)
- Snowcat ride on summit night (optional)
- Cable-car and chairlift tickets on Elbrus and Cheget (included in Premium)
- Individual airport pick-up and drop-off (included in Premium)
- The night in Pyatigorsk before the tour
- Elbrus summit permit, if one is reintroduced (none is required at present)
Dates & prices
Choose your date
Small international groups. Booking is free — we confirm details with you before any payment.
31 Oct – 8 Nov 2026
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€1,040per personGuidesAvailableBe the first14 – 22 Nov 2026
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€1,040per personGuidesAvailableBe the first19 – 27 Apr 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€1,010per personGuidesAvailableBe the first1 – 9 May 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€1,010per personGuidesAvailableBe the first8 – 16 May 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first15 – 23 May 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first19 – 27 May 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first22 – 30 May 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first25 May – 2 Jun 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first29 May – 6 Jun 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€980per personGuidesAvailableBe the first2 – 10 Jun 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first6 – 14 Jun 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first9 – 17 Jun 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first13 – 21 Jun 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first17 – 25 Jun 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€1,020per personGuidesAvailableBe the first19 – 27 Jun 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first22 – 30 Jun 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first26 Jun – 4 Jul 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first30 Jun – 8 Jul 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first3 – 11 Jul 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first7 – 15 Jul 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€1,010per personGuidesAvailableBe the first10 – 18 Jul 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first14 – 22 Jul 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first21 – 29 Jul 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first24 Jul – 1 Aug 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€980per personGuidesAvailableBe the first27 Jul – 4 Aug 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first31 Jul – 8 Aug 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€980per personGuidesAvailableBe the first7 – 15 Aug 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€980per personGuidesAvailableBe the first11 – 19 Aug 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first14 – 22 Aug 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first18 – 26 Aug 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first21 – 29 Aug 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first24 Aug – 1 Sept 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first28 Aug – 5 Sept 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first31 Aug – 8 Sept 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first4 – 12 Sept 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first7 – 15 Sept 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first11 – 19 Sept 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first18 – 26 Sept 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first25 Sept – 3 Oct 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe the first2 – 10 Oct 2027
9 days
Regular price€1,340Now€970per personGuidesAvailableBe 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
- Assault rucksack 35–40 L, at least 70 cm tallRent
- Expedition duffel 100–120 L or large rucksack 85–120 LRent
- Harness + 3 carabiners + safety lanyardsRent
- HeadlampRent
- Sleeping bag, comfort rating −5 to −10 °CRent
- Mountain glasses, protection category 3–4Rent
- Ski goggles, at least category 2Rent
- Insulated overbootsRent
- Thermos, 1–1.2 LRent
Clothing to rent
- Mountaineering boots (single, double or triple)Rent
- Warm hooded down or synthetic jacket that fits over a helmet, rated for winter and high-altitude conditions · For a down jacket: at least 250–300 g of quality down, ideally fill power 700+Rent
- Warm extreme mittensRent
- Warm climbing trousers (fleece-lined softshell)Rent
- Thin softshell trousersRent
Base layers (buy or bring)
- Trekking shoes (summer months)
- Fleece top, Polartec 200–300
- Liner hat that fits under a helmet
- Warm Polartec gloves
- Trekking socks, 2–3 pairs
- Thin socks, 2 pairs
- Buff or balaclava
- Cap or brimmed hat
- Synthetic T-shirts, 2
- Rain cape
Personal items
- Sunscreen SPF 50
- Lip balm
- Compact towel
- Mug, spoon, bowl, knife
- Plastic water bottle
- Power bank, 20,000–30,000 mAh
- Compression bags, 1–2
First-aid kit
- Gauze bandage, roll plaster, antiseptics
- Antiallergic drugs, fever and cold remedies, stomach tablets
- Elastic bandage and haemostatic agents
- Your own medication for any chronic conditions
RentAll mandatory equipment and clothing can be rented at our Pyatigorsk office; base layers cannot be rented and are sold at the office or brought from home. Premium gives a 30% rental discount.
Your team
Guides on this tour
Certified mountain guides who speak English and lead this route every season.
Alexey SikilindaMountaineering instructor2010 Russian mountaineering champion (winter ascent of Ushba), Candidate Master of Sport in mountaineering and skyrunning.Profile 
Valery ShamaloHigh-altitude guideInternational Class Master of Sport, Snow Leopard, with four 8,000 m summits and 14 seven-thousanders.Profile 
Sergey PugachevHigh-altitude guideMaster of Sport and Snow Leopard award holder with experience above 8,000 m.Profile 
Polina OshmarinaMountaineering instructorMaster of Sport, Russian Championship silver medallist and mountaineering, rock climbing and ski instructor.Profile 
Sergey TarasovMountaineering guideMultiple Russian champion and International Class Master of Sport in mountaineering and ice climbing; about 50 ascents of category 5B and 6.Profile 
Alexey GergelMountaineering instructorMaster of Sport, Russian Mountaineering Cup winner and member of the Russian national team.Profile 
Svetlana SuranovaMountain tour guideCertified mountain tour leader with a 2nd sports category in mountaineering.Profile 
Valery GarmashMountaineering instructorMaster of Sport, Russian Championship silver medallist and mountaineering judge, category 1.Profile 
Sergey ButovMountaineering instructorMountaineering instructor, category 3, with a 1st sports category and the 'Mountain Rescue' badge.Profile 
Dmitry PodlesnyHigh-altitude guideMaster of Sport who climbed Cho Oyu (8,201 m) without oxygen; mountaineering instructor, category 2.Profile
Reviews
What travellers say
55 reviews on TripAdvisor
210 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 - TripAdvisor
Незабываемое путешествие к мечте!
“Очень понравилось быть на протяжении всего тура по восхождению на Эльбрус рядом с профессионалами. Тур в который я записалась, назывался "Восхождение на Эльбрус с Юга без тяжёлых рюкзаков". Это действительно было, без тяжёлых рюкзаков, все вещи перевозились отдельно на машине или на канатке, на ратраке. Но небольшой рюкзак с необходимыми вещами и обязательно термос с чаем, всегда был с собой. Тренировки дома за полгода до восхождения просто необходимы, без этого на гору не взойти. Снаряжение можно взять в аренду, новичку всё равно не понять что подойдёт, а что нет. Список всего необходимого обязательно выдают. Кормят очень вкусно, особенно в Бурке. Гиды, всё подскажут и помогут, советом, делом. Ребята, веселые и мудрые скучать точно не будете. Само восхождение далось мне тяжело. Но оно того стоило! Все маршруты, когда мы выходили на акклиматизации, были интересные и красивые. Очень рекомендую компанию Эльбрус Эксперт, для путешествий и воплощения своей мечты!”
ВВита О July 2026 - Google
“был на Эльбрусе с юга 2026, гид Дмитрий Подлесный профессионал сделал все безопасно”
DD pchyolkin June 2026
FAQ
Good to know
Do I need mountaineering experience?
No. The South programme (grade 1B) is built for first-time high-altitude travellers as well as experienced climbers, and you never carry a full pack at altitude. But Elbrus is not a stroll: summit day is 8–10 hours up and 3–4 hours down in cold and wind, so you need good fitness, discipline and proper preparation. Medical contraindications for heavy exertion at altitude rule you out.
How do I get there and where do I stay before the tour?
Fly into Mineralnye Vody (MRV), about 27 km (25 minutes) from our Pyatigorsk office; a taxi costs ≈ €8 one way. Premium includes an individual meeting at the airport and transfers to and from the office. You can arrive the day before: the office meets participants from 08:00 to 18:00 for the gear check, or on day 1 from 08:00 to 10:00. The night in Pyatigorsk is not included — there are hostels from ≈ €8, hotels in every price range and apartments near the office, and we can help you find one.
What does the Premium package add?
For about €300 more, Premium adds: a 30% discount on equipment and clothing rental, all cable-car and chairlift rides on Elbrus and Cheget, an Elbrus Expert medal, the official Russian Mountaineering Federation "For climbing Elbrus" badge and an entry in your climber's logbook (if you reach the summit), an individual meeting at Mineralnye Vody airport with a transfer to our office before the tour and back to the airport afterwards, and luggage storage during the tour. You can switch from Basic to Premium later; the Premium price is then calculated at that moment.
How does booking work, and how many people make a group?
The tour runs once at least six people have joined the group. You hold your place and fix the price with a booking deposit (≈ €150 for Basic, ≈ €200 for Premium).
Can I rent the gear?
Yes. You can rent all mandatory equipment and clothing at our office in Pyatigorsk; we check everything with you on the day before or the morning of day 1. Base layers (fleece, hats, gloves, socks, T-shirts and so on) are not rentable — buy them from us or bring your own. Premium gives a 30% discount on rental.
The mountain is waiting
Ready for your summit?
From €970 per person. Pick a date now — we confirm everything personally, no payment at this step.