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Kazbek 5,033 m · and Kazbek + Elbrus double climbs

Kazbek North — Russian-Side Expedition

Kazbek (5,033 m) the wild way, from the Russian side: thermal springs, glacier camps and a night summit push. Tents only; border-zone permit required.

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Roped climbers on a steep snow slope above a sea of clouds

Roped climbers on a steep snow slope above a sea of clouds

Duration
9 days
Max altitude
5,033 m
Difficulty
Demanding
Group size
1 guide per 3 climbers
Region
Caucasus

From€930/ person

Next date
17 Jun

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

Overview

About this tour

Kazbek from the north — the Russian side — is a true high-mountain adventure for people who want to walk the mountains rather than just look at them. The route runs far from civilisation, through wild nature, high ground and glaciers. We live in tents every day of the expedition, set up camp ourselves and move with our packs.

The programme starts in the Genaldon gorge. You soak in the upper thermal springs at 2,300 m, camp on the moraine of the Maili glacier at 3,000 m with training in crampon walking and ice-axe self-arrest, acclimatise up to 3,500 m along the north-west buttress of Pik OZhD (partly on fixed cables) and move to the assault camp on the Kazbek plateau at 4,200 m. Summit day starts at midnight; the ascent takes 6–8 hours and the descent about 3.

This is not a stroll and not a comfortable Elbrus South tour. The average pack weighs about 27–30 kg, as you carry personal kit, clothing and part of the group gear and food. Although Kazbek is lower than Elbrus, the north route is technically harder than Elbrus South: glaciers, snow-and-ice terrain, a summit of 5,033 m and real high-mountain conditions. Unlike the southern side there are no huts, mobile coverage or hotels on the route. We work at 1 guide per 3 participants. If you have no serious climbing experience yet, we recommend starting with Elbrus South or North first.

Important: you need a border-zone permit for this route. It must be applied for at least 2 months before the start of the tour — see the FAQ below.

  • Kazbek, 5,033 m, from the wild Russian side — no huts, no crowds
  • Soak in the upper thermal springs at 2,300 m on the way up and down
  • Camp on the Maili glacier moraine, climb the north-west buttress of Pik OZhD partly on cables
  • Assault camp on the Kazbek plateau at 4,200 m, with rope and self-arrest practice
  • Small teams: 1 guide per 3 participants

Day by day

Itinerary

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

  1. Day1

    Briefing and drive to the Genaldon gorge

    1,700 m

    Arrive the day before (gear check, rental and paperwork at our Pyatigorsk office) or by 08:00 on day 1. The group gathers at the office with packed rucksacks; the instructor runs the briefing, explains the route and answers questions. Then we drive 261 km to the Genaldon gorge, where the route begins.

  2. Day2

    Upper thermal springs

    2,300 m

    A 6.9 km walk up to the upper thermal springs (2,300 m). We pitch camp here and relax in the mineral baths.

  3. Day3

    Maili glacier camp, 3,000 m

    3,000 m

    A 2.9 km move to the camp on the Maili glacier at 3,000 m, where we sleep on the glacier's moraine. In the evening: training in walking in crampons and self-arrest with the ice axe.

  4. Day4

    Acclimatisation to 3,500 m

    3,500 m

    Today we follow the north-west buttress of Pik OZhD (Railway Workers' Peak) up to 3,500 m (3.6 km), where we set up camp. Part of the route is on fixed cables. Night at 3,500 m.

Comfort

Accommodation & meals

Tent camps throughout

You sleep in tents (1 tent per 2–4 participants) at the thermal springs (2,300 m), on the Maili glacier moraine (3,000 m), at 3,500 m and at the assault camp on the Kazbek plateau (4,200 m). Tents and sleeping bags can be rented.

No huts or hotels on the route

Unlike the southern side of Kazbek, there is no developed infrastructure, no mountain huts, no hotels and no mobile coverage — this is a real expedition.

Pyatigorsk (before and after the tour)

Not included. Hostels, hotels and apartments are close to our office; we can help you choose.

Meals

All meals on the route come from the food package (about €200, not included), which we carry and cook on group gas stoves; bring snacks of your own for the climb.

Price details

What's included

Included

  • Advice from our managers at every stage of preparation, including gear and clothing
  • Professional mountaineering instructors, 1 per 3 participants
  • All group transfers in the programme (Pyatigorsk – Genaldon gorge, Karmadon – Pyatigorsk)
  • National park entrance fee
  • Safety equipment: satellite phone, radios, GPS navigator, first-aid kit, rescue-service registration
  • Mountaineering oxygen equipment and doctor contact by satellite or mobile phone
  • Group equipment: ropes, gas and cooking system
  • Elbrus Expert certificate of ascent and a branded long-sleeve shirt

Not included

  • Border-zone permit application (you apply for it yourself, at least 2 months before the start)
  • International flights and travel to and from Pyatigorsk (fly into Mineralnye Vody, MRV)
  • Food package for the route (about €200)
  • Personal gear and clothing; rental equipment is paid separately
  • Mountaineering insurance (mandatory)
  • Nights in Pyatigorsk before and after the tour
  • Individual transfers, airport meeting and left-luggage storage (Premium package)

Dates & prices

Choose your date

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

  • 17 – 25 Jun 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€1,240Now€930per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 8 – 16 Jul 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€1,340Now€1,230per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 22 – 30 Jul 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€1,240Now€930per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 31 Jul – 8 Aug 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€1,240Now€940per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 2 – 10 Aug 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€1,240Now€930per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 10 – 18 Aug 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€1,240Now€930per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 24 Aug – 1 Sept 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€1,240Now€930per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 6 – 14 Sept 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€1,240Now€930per 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

  • Climbing cramponsRent
  • Large backpack 85–120 L + rain cover · 85–90 L is enough for women, 85–110 L for men; the full pack weighs 26–30 kg.Rent
  • Harness + 3 carabiners + safety lanyardsRent
  • HeadlampRent
  • Sleeping bag, comfort rating −10 °CRent
  • Sleeping matRent
  • Mountain sunglassesRent
  • Ski gogglesRent
  • Insulated overbootsRent
  • 1-litre thermosRent
  • Tent · One tent per 2–4 participants.Rent

Clothing

  • Mountaineering bootsRent
  • Warm down or synthetic jacket with a hood that fits over a helmet · Rated for winter and high-altitude conditions; for down, at least 250–300 g of quality down (Fill Power 700+ preferred).Rent
  • Extreme-cold mittensRent
  • Climbing trousers (softshell recommended)Rent
  • Fleece top (Polartec 200) · Base layers cannot be rented — buy them from us or bring your own.
  • Light trousers or shorts
  • Warm fleece hat that fits under a helmet
  • Thin Polartec gloves
  • Trekking socks, 2–3 pairs
  • Thin socks, 3 pairs
  • 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 · Minimum: gauze bandage, roll plaster, antiseptics, anti-allergy tablets, fever and cold remedies, stomach tablets, elastic bandage, haemostatic products and your own medication for any chronic conditions.

RentItems marked as rentals can be hired at our Pyatigorsk office — we check and fit everything the day before departure (or from 08:00 on day 1). Base layers and small items are not rented.

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

Do I need a border-zone permit, and how do I get it?

Yes — the route into Kazbek from the north (the Russian side) requires a border-zone permit for every participant. You must apply at least 2 months before the start of the tour, otherwise it will not be ready in time. The application is made through the Russian government services portal (Gosuslugi) from a personal account, or by e-mail using a form sent to the border directorate of the FSB for North Ossetia–Alania. Ask our manager for the step-by-step instructions or the form. Please note that this is the procedure as described for the tour — contact us before booking so we can confirm how it works for your citizenship.

How do I get to the start and where do we meet?

Fly into Mineralnye Vody (MRV). We meet you in the arrivals hall, or you can take a taxi to our office in Pyatigorsk (Lenin Square 13, Intourist hotel building) — about 27 km, 25 minutes. Arrive the day before the start (the office receives participants from 08:00 to 18:00 for gear checks and rental) or on day 1 between 08:00 and 10:00.

Where can I stay in Pyatigorsk?

There are hostels, hotels of every category and daily-rent apartments close to our office (hostel beds start at roughly €5–10 a night). If you need help choosing, ask our team.

How hard is Kazbek North compared with Elbrus South?

Harder. Although Kazbek is lower than Elbrus, the north route is technically more demanding: glaciers, snow-and-ice terrain, 5,033 m and real expedition conditions with tents and a pack of about 27–30 kg. There are no huts, hotels or mobile coverage. If you have no serious climbing experience yet, we recommend starting with Elbrus South or North and coming to Kazbek North afterwards.

What does the Premium package add?

Premium adds, on top of the Basic package: rental of all mandatory gear and clothing at a 30% discount with your tent place included (≈ €170 at the discounted rate), the Elbrus Expert medal (≈ €30), the official badge of the Russian Mountaineering Federation (FAR) (≈ €10) and an entry in the official Climber's Book for a successful ascent (≈ €10), an individual airport/station meeting and transfer to our office (≈ €10), an individual transfer back to the airport/station (≈ €10) and left-luggage storage during the tour (≈ €5). The Premium price is calculated at the time of your enquiry, and you can switch from Basic to Premium later.

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From €930 per person. Pick a date now — we confirm everything personally, no payment at this step.