Mt Elbrus ~ Europe’s part of Seven summit

Our English-speaking guide will be receiving you at the Mineralnye Vody (MRV) airport. We head towards our hotel in Terskol. The approx. 3.5 hr drive will pass through the scenic countryside of Russia, also giving us the first view of the peak. Overnight stay will be at the hotel on a sharing basis.

Today we begin our first of the acclimatization hikes, to Mt. Cheget (3400 m). It will take about 4 hours to the top and 1.5 hours back to the base. After the hike, we head out to the local gear rental shops to hire any gear. Our guide will assist you to choose right equipment. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Today we head to the huts located at 3800m. We do this by taking a series of cable cars from Azau all the way to the huts. Overnight stay at the huts.

We undergo our next acclimatization hike up to the Pashtukov rocks (4800m) and return to the huts. The total time spent would be around 6-8 hrs of trekking on ice and snow.

Today we take a complete day off from climbing to allow rest and recovery of our body. During the later part of the day guide will do a refresher on the techniques of self-arrest. Each member will practice these techniques on the slopes.

We leave the huts at about 3 a.m. for the climb of Elbrus’ west summit, 5642 m (18,510 ft). It is possible to hire a snow-cat (Ratrak) for a group. This vehicle carries climbers (12 people) up to Pashtukov rocks and saves 4 hours of time and a lot of energy. Generally, for an average group, it takes about 9 hours to reach the top and 5 hours to come back to the hut.

This is a reserve day* in case of bad weather on the previous day. Overnight at the hut.

One more reserve day* in case of the bad weather or excursion. When the group takes an attempt of reaching the summit on this day, it is necessary to descend to the valley same evening, because the ski lifts conclude services each day at 4 p.m. Overnight stay at hotel.

Drive to Mineralnye Vody airport early in the morning to be in time for the flight. Arrive Moscow and continue flight to Delhi.