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

Kazbek South — Tent Expedition

Climb Kazbek (5,033 m) from the Georgian side: Gergeti glacier, tent camps, full acclimatisation and a night summit push. No border-zone permit.

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Gergeti church on a green ridge with the snowy cone of Kazbek behind it

Gergeti church on a green ridge with the snowy cone of Kazbek behind it

Duration
9 days
Max altitude
5,033 m
Difficulty
Challenging
Group size
1 guide per 4 climbers
Region
Caucasus

From€810/ person

Next date
5 Jun

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

Overview

About this tour

Kazbek, 5,033 m, rises on the border between Russia and Georgia. On this trip we climb it from the south — the Georgian side — which is more comfortable than the northern approach and needs no border-zone permit. A valid international passport is essential, because the programme crosses into Georgia.

From Pyatigorsk we drive the scenic Georgian Military Road to Stepantsminda and spend two nights in a guesthouse there. Then the mountain part begins: from Gergeti church we trek with full packs to the Sabertse pass (3,014 m), cross the Gergeti glacier and camp near the old Bethlemi weather station, with the classic view of Kazbek's summit. An acclimatisation climb to 4,300 m, ice-axe and crampon training and a full rest day prepare you for the night summit push.

Technically the climb is on a par with Elbrus South done with tents, and slightly harder on the key final slope from the saddle to the summit — yet it suits a first big climb if you are in at least average physical shape. You carry your full kit in a 26–30 kg pack; in summer horses can be hired to take gear up to the Sabertse pass (3,014 m) or to the Bethlemi hut (3,700 m), depending on the state of the glacier. Our guides work at 1 guide per 4 climbers.

  • Stand on Kazbek, 5,033 m, on the Russia–Georgia border
  • Classic southern route from Georgia — no border-zone permit needed
  • Trek from Gergeti church over the Gergeti glacier to a camp with the classic view of the summit
  • Full acclimatisation: a climb to 4,300 m and a rest day before the summit push
  • Crampon and ice-axe training, 1 guide per 4 climbers

Day by day

Itinerary

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

  1. Day1

    Briefing and drive to Stepantsminda

    1,750 m

    Arrive the day before (gear check, rental and paperwork at our Pyatigorsk office) or by 08:00 on day 1. At 09:00 we hold the briefing, meet the guides and check equipment — bring your passport. Then we cross into Georgia on the scenic Georgian Military Road to Stepantsminda (261 km, 4–8 hours depending on the border). Check in to the guesthouse, get a local SIM card if you need one, have dinner and rest.

  2. Day2

    Gergeti church to the Sabertse pass

    3,014 m

    After breakfast we drive up to Gergeti church and start trekking with our packs towards Kazbek: 5.3 km and about 838 m of ascent. We camp in tents on the plateau below the Sabertse pass, with a starry sky and a majestic view of Kazbek in the evening.

  3. Day3

    Crossing the Gergeti glacier

    3,847 m

    Today we cross the Gergeti glacier (3.4–4.6 km). Before setting out your guide runs a session on walking in crampons. We pitch the tent camp at the Bethlemi hut (the former weather station) or higher, near the second cross, with the classic view of the summit. We sleep at 3,671–3,847 m.

  4. Day4

    Acclimatisation climb to 4,300 m

    4,300 m

    An acclimatisation climb to 4,300 m (5.2 km out and back). We keep practising self-arrest and ice-axe technique, then return to the camp by the weather station for the night. Anyone who does not complete the acclimatisation climb is not allowed to go for the summit.

Comfort

Accommodation & meals

Guesthouse in Stepantsminda

2 nights in rooms for 2–4 people, with breakfast and dinner.

Tent camps on the mountain

Tents for 2–4 people on the plateau below the Sabertse pass (3,014 m) and at the Bethlemi former weather station or higher (3,671–3,847 m). Tents and sleeping bags can be rented.

Pyatigorsk (before and after the tour)

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

Meals

Breakfast and dinner at the Stepantsminda guesthouse; on the mountain you eat from the food package (about €200, not included) prepared on the group gas stoves.

Price details

What's included

Included

  • Advice from our managers at every stage of preparation, including gear and clothing
  • Professional mountaineering instructors, 1 per 4 participants
  • All group transfers in the programme (Pyatigorsk – Stepantsminda – Gergeti church and back)
  • 2 nights in a Stepantsminda guesthouse with breakfast and dinner
  • 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

  • International flights and travel to and from Pyatigorsk (fly into Mineralnye Vody, MRV)
  • Food package for the mountain days (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.

  • 5 – 13 Jun 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€970Now€810per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 19 – 27 Jun 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€970Now€810per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 24 Jun – 2 Jul 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€970Now€810per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 3 – 11 Jul 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€970Now€810per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 10 – 18 Jul 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€970Now€810per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 29 Jul – 6 Aug 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€970Now€810per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 8 – 16 Aug 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€970Now€810per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 14 – 22 Aug 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€970Now€810per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 4 – 12 Sept 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€970Now€810per person
    Guides
    AvailableBe the first

  • 13 – 21 Sept 2027

    9 days

    Regular price€970Now€810per 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 travellers say

5.055 reviews on TripAdvisor5.0210 reviews on Google
  • TripAdvisor

    Казбек с юга

    “Отличный тур оператор. Помогли решить вопрос с пересечением границы, а так моё восхождение могло бы закончиться не начавшись! Организация на высшем уровне. Трансфер, питание, гиды. В общем очень понравилось, пойду с ними ещё. Рекомендую👍”
    AAdler W October 2025
Read all reviews

FAQ

Good to know

What documents do I need for the Georgian side?

The trip crosses into Georgia over the Georgian Military Road, so a valid international passport is required — it must be valid for at least 6 months on arrival. Entry rules depend on your nationality: check the visa requirements for both Russia and Georgia before booking, and keep the passport with you from the briefing on day 1.

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.

Is Kazbek South suitable for a first big climb?

Yes, if you are in at least average physical shape. The climb is comparable with Elbrus South done with tents and slightly harder on the key slope from the saddle to the summit. The route includes carrying your full kit in a 26–30 kg pack. Anyone who does not complete the acclimatisation climb to 4,300 m is not allowed to go for the summit, and day 9 is kept as a weather reserve.

How heavy is the rucksack on a tent trip?

Participants carry personal and group gear up to the camps, including tents and food, so a full pack weighs 26–30 kg. You need a 85–90 L backpack (women) or 85–110 L (men).

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.

Can horses carry my gear?

In summer horses can be hired to carry gear up to the Sabertse pass (3,014 m) or to the Bethlemi hut (3,700 m), depending on the condition of the glacier. If you want to walk without a heavy pack throughout, look at our Kazbek South Comfort tour.

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From €810 per person. Pick a date now — we confirm everything personally, no payment at this step.