Climbing Mount Kazbek from the South (Georgia)

Original program here
Route track for downloading to your GPS (.kmz)
My collection of mountain programs and climbs in Georgia

Altitude: 5621 m
Program category: Mountain Climbing
Difficulty: basic (SPECIAL SKILLS ARE NOT REQUIRED)
Duration: 4 days
Season: June - September

Program price from: 750 Euro
Best format: Mini-group (4 participants / 1 guide)

Contact the organizer via WhatsApp or Telegram +44 7727 445099

Mount Kazbek is a volcanic peak located in the southeast spur of the Main Caucasus Range. Mount Kazbek forms the border between Russia and Georgia.

In terms of the route and even its appearance, climbing Mount Kazbek from Georgia resembles a smaller version of Mount Elbrus route.

Mount Kazbek is 500 meters lower than its larger brother and does not present the same physical challenges as climbing Mount Elbrus.

For this reason, the acclimatization program before climbing Mount Kazbek can be quite short. Or, in some cases, the ascent of Mount Kazbek is possible without acclimatization.

The classic climbing route of Mount Kazbek includes some technical elements (crevassed glacier, bare ice on the summit dome), which are usually easy to overcome.

The area around the village of Stepantsminda (formerly Kazbegi), where the ascent of Mount Kazbek begins, has a well-developed tourist infrastructure and is rich in historical and cultural attractions.

This option allows you to diversify your Mount Kazbek climb with exciting excursions and additional activities.

Physically, climbing Mount Kazbek from the south (from Georgia) is easier than climbing Mount Elbrus. There is only one section of the route that can be challenging in unfavorable conditions (an icy pitch of the slope on the summit dome).

The route to the summit of Mount Kazbek from the south is not technically complicated and is accessible to beginner climbers.

The schedule of MCS AlexClimb climbing program - ascent of Mount Kazbek from Georgia, season 2026

Day 1 - arrival in Tbilisi, group gathering, hotel accommodation, rest
Day 2 - transfer to the village of Stepantsminda (former Kazbegi), transfer to the parking lot at the Gergeti Monastery (2160 m). Trekking with backpacks (3 hours) to the camping site at 3014 m, overnight in tents or in a shelter (optional).
Day 3 - ascent along the glacier (in crampons, 4-5 hours), overnight in tents in the Kresty camping site, 3900 m, or in the Meteorological Station mountaineering shelter, 3670 m (optional)
Day 4 - starting at 2-3 am, ascent to the summit of Mount Kazbek (5033 m, 6-8 hours), along the classic route to the Western summit. Descent along the ascent route, short rest at the camping site or shelter, descent to the parking lot (4 hours), departure (overnight either in Stepantsminda or further down the gorge). Transfer to Tbilisi is possible in the same day, but it is tiring
Day 5 - spare

N.B. as an option for the Mount Kazbek ascent program from Georgia, 4 options for adjusting the schedule are possible

1. Carrying cargo on horses from the parking lot to the glacier (in rare cases to Meteo).

Pros: makes it easier and faster to get to the start of the route.
Cons: expensive, worsens the quality of acclimatization, crossing the glacier is dangerous for horses

2. Overnight stays in the shelters (3014 and Meteo).

Pros: no need to carry tents.
Cons: expensive, very dirty, crowdy and noisy

3. Moving the high camp to the plateau at 4300 - an extra day.

Pros: significantly increases the chances of successful summiting.
Cons: spending the night in the snow, very cold and uncomfortable, requires higher-quality equipment and experience in extreme overnight stays

4. An additional overnight stay on the route on the descent (camping or shelter).

Pros: in case of critical fatigue allows you to restore strength after the descent.
Cons: a full extra day is spent, the quality of rest at altitude is questionable

A detailed explanation of tactical decisions on the Mount Kazbek climbing route you can found in our IClimb channel

Price of the MCS Alexclimb climbing program "Ascent of Mount Kazbek from Georgia" 2026:

700 Euro* - standart group 5-8 participants / 2 guides
1100 Euro* - mini-group 3-4 participants / 1 guide
2700 Euro - private program for 2 participants / 1 guide

* price per person

You have to be ready for:

• 3 days of camping life in the field conditions;
• Cooking your meals by yourself while climbing mountains;
• Carrying a 15-20 kg backpack;
• Air temperature can be down to -10°C on the altitude higher than 3000 m;

Conditions: absence of medical contraindications

The price includes: Professional mountain guide services, rent of the communal equipment (ropes, belaying and navigation equipment, cooking gear), hotel accommodation, transfers from the point of the beginning of the program to its end (Tbilisi), using the communal basic medical kit, local registering and climbing permits, food for outdoor part of the program.

The price does not include: International and domestic flight expenses to and from the point of the beginning of the program (Tbilisi), obligatory climbing insurance, rent of the personal equipment, food and drinks while being in cities, using the satellite phone.

Max group capacity: 8
Guides: 2

MCS EDIT 2025