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

Kazbek North + Elbrus South: Two Summits

Two Caucasus giants in one trip: Kazbek (5,033 m) from the Russian side for acclimatisation, then Elbrus West (5,642 m) by the classic South route.

Duration: 13 days
Max altitude: 5,642 m
Difficulty: Demanding
Group size: 1 instructor per 3 climbers on Kazbek · 1 per 4 on Elbrus
Region: Caucasus

From€1,300/ person

Next date
17 Jun

4.9 traveller rating
95% summit success
No payment to book

Overview

About this tour

Kazbek and Elbrus are the two most famous five-thousanders of the Caucasus. Neither needs a seasoned alpinist, but both demand good physical shape. This programme links them in a single trip: first Kazbek (5,033 m) from the north, the Russian side, then Elbrus West (5,642 m) by the classic South route.

Kazbek is the main acclimatisation for Elbrus. We walk up the Genaldon gorge, camp by hot mineral springs and on the Mayli glacier, learn crampon, ice-axe and rope-team technique along the way, and make the summit push from a high camp at 4,200 m. A rest in the Elbrus area follows, then the cable car takes you up to a high-altitude hut for the Elbrus summit day.

This is a serious test of both fitness and morale: after the effort of acclimatising and standing on Kazbek, you have to be ready to take on the highest point of Europe. It will not be easy, but the views and the feeling of the two summits stay with you for good.

Because the Kazbek approach runs through a border zone, a border-zone permit is mandatory and must be applied for at least two months before the start (details below).

Two summits in one trip: Kazbek 5,033 m and Elbrus West 5,642 m
Kazbek from the north (Russian) side via the Genaldon gorge and the Mayli glacier
Kazbek works as the main acclimatisation for Elbrus, with a soak in hot mineral springs on the way
Crampon, ice-axe and rope-team skills taught on the route
Small rope teams: 1 instructor per 3 climbers on Kazbek, 1 per 4 on Elbrus
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
Gear check, briefing and drive to the Genaldon gorge
1,700 m
Arrive in Pyatigorsk the day before (or by 10:00 on day 1). Our office (Lenin Square 13, Intourist Hotel) meets participants, checks and hands out gear, and sorts out paperwork; spare luggage can stay with us for the duration of the trip. On day 1 the group gathers with packed rucksacks, the instructor gives a briefing and answers questions, then we drive about 261 km to the Genaldon gorge, the starting point.
Day2
Upper hot springs (2,300 m)
2,300 m
A 6.9 km walk up to the upper hot springs. We pitch the tent camp and relax in the mineral baths.
Day3
Mayli glacier camp (3,000 m)
3,000 m
A short move to the camp on the Mayli glacier at 3,000 m, with a night on the moraine. In the evening, a session on moving in crampons and self-arrest with an ice axe.
Day4
Acclimatisation climb to 3,500 m
3,500 m
Today we follow the north-west buttress of Pik OZhD up to 3,500 m, where we set up camp. Part of the route is protected with fixed cables. Night at 3,500 m.

Comfort

Accommodation & meals

Tent camps on Kazbek

Camps by the upper hot springs (2,300 m), on the Mayli glacier moraine (3,000 m), at 3,500 m and on the Kazbek plateau (4,200 m). A tent place for the whole trip (one tent per 2–4 people) is part of the Premium package; with Basic you rent or bring a tent.

Guesthouse / hostel in the Elbrus area

One night after Kazbek, with dinner and breakfast included.

National Park hut on Elbrus

One or two nights in a high-altitude hut with three fresh meals a day, before and after the summit push.

Pyatigorsk before the trip

Not included. There are hostels, hotels and apartments within easy reach of our office, from about €5–10 a night for a hostel bed; we can help you find a place.

Meals

Dinner and breakfast at the Elbrus-area guesthouse and three fresh meals a day in the hut are included; the camping days on Kazbek run on a food package (about €200), which is not part of the tour price.

Price details

What's included

Included

Manager consultations at every stage of preparation, plus an online prep channel with a training plan and instructor tips
Professional mountaineering instructors: 1 per 3 climbers on Kazbek, 1 per 4 on Elbrus
All group transfers on the programme (private transfers are not included)
1 night in a hostel/guesthouse in the Elbrus area with dinner and breakfast, and 1–2 nights in the National Park hut on Elbrus with three meals a day
National park entrance fee
Safety kit: satellite phone, radios, GPS navigator, first-aid kit and registration with the rescue service
Emergency oxygen equipment, doctor contact by satellite or mobile phone, pulse oximeter with daily oxygen-saturation checks
Group equipment: ropes, gas and cooking systems
Elbrus Expert certificate of the Kazbek and Elbrus ascents and a branded long-sleeve shirt

Not included

Travel to and from Pyatigorsk (fly into Mineralnye Vody, MRV)
Food package for the camping days (about €200)
Mountaineering insurance (compulsory)
Personal gear and clothing, and a tent place (rental available; tent place and the 30% rental discount come with Premium)
Cable-car rides on Elbrus (included in Premium)
Private airport/station transfers, luggage storage and the official climber badge and book entry (all part of Premium)
Elbrus climbing permit, should one be introduced (none is charged at present)

Dates & prices

Choose your date

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

17 – 29 Jun 2027
13 days
~~Regular price€1,490~~Now€1,300per person
Guides
AvailableBe the first
8 – 20 Jul 2027
13 days
~~Regular price€1,930~~Now€1,670per person
Guides
AvailableBe the first
22 Jul – 3 Aug 2027
13 days
~~Regular price€1,490~~Now€1,300per person
Guides
AvailableBe the first
31 Jul – 12 Aug 2027
13 days
~~Regular price€1,490~~Now€1,300per person
Guides
AvailableBe the first
2 – 14 Aug 2027
13 days
~~Regular price€1,490~~Now€1,300per person
Guides
AvailableBe the first
10 – 22 Aug 2027
13 days
~~Regular price€1,490~~Now€1,300per person
Guides
AvailableBe the first
24 Aug – 5 Sept 2027
13 days
~~Regular price€1,490~~Now€1,300per person
Guides
AvailableBe the first
6 – 18 Sept 2027
13 days
~~Regular price€1,490~~Now€1,300per 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 backpack 85–120 l with rain cover · Women 85–90 l, men 85–110 l; loaded weight can reach 26–30 kgRent
Climbing harness with 3 carabiners and self-belay lanyardsRent
HeadlampRent
Sleeping bag, comfort −10 °CRent
Sleeping matRent
Mountain glacier 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 · For a down jacket, 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) · Base layers are not rentable — 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 bags
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, adhesive tape, antiseptics, antiallergy drugs, medicine for fever and colds, stomach tablets, elastic bandage, haemostatics and your own medication for chronic conditions

RentMandatory equipment and outerwear can be rented from our Pyatigorsk office; the Premium package includes a 30% rental discount. Base layers and small items are not rentable, so 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 TripAdvisor 5.0210 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?

Yes, it is mandatory for Kazbek from the north (Russian) side. The application must be filed at least two months before the start of the tour, otherwise it will not be ready in time. Ask our manager for step-by-step instructions and the application form, and we will guide you through the process. Bring your passport; this route stays on the Russian side and does not cross into Georgia.

What does the Premium package add?

On the listed departure Premium costs about €200 more than Basic. It adds a 30% discount on gear and clothing rental, a tent place for the whole trip, all cable-car rides on Elbrus, the official FAR climber badge and a climber’s-book entry (for a successful ascent), a private airport or station pick-up and drop-off in Mineralnye Vody or Pyatigorsk, and luggage storage in Pyatigorsk. You can switch from Basic to Premium later; the Premium price is then calculated at the time of the request.

How do I get to the start and when should I arrive?

Fly into Mineralnye Vody (MRV); our team can meet you at arrivals and take you to the Pyatigorsk office (an optional private pick-up comes with Premium). You can also take a taxi: about 27 km and 25 minutes, roughly €10. The office is at Lenin Square 13, in the Intourist Hotel building. Arrive the day before the start (we receive participants from 08:00 to 18:00 for the gear check) or on day 1 between 08:00 and 10:00.

How heavy will my backpack be?

On tent-camping routes you carry personal and group equipment, including tents and food, up to the assault camp, so a loaded pack can weigh 26–30 kg. Plan for a pack of 85–90 l for women and 85–110 l for men.

How do I book a place?

Reserve your place and lock in the price with a booking payment of about €250 for Basic or about €300 for Premium, or pay for the tour in full. You also need compulsory mountaineering insurance and your own travel to Pyatigorsk.

Where can I stay in Pyatigorsk?

There are hostels, hotels of different price levels and daily-rent apartments close to our office. A hostel bed costs from about €5–10 a night. If you need help finding a place, just 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 €1,300 per person. Pick a date now — we confirm everything personally, no payment at this step.