Mount Elbrus 2nd - 15th August 2025

Mount Elbrus (Southern Approach)

02/08 - Day 0 - Departure from London to Mineralnye Vody (Russia) via Baku, Azerbaijan. 

03/08 - Day 1 – Arrival at Mineralnye Vody; Accommodation in “Green Zone” below 2000m. We will do our food shopping for the duration of our stay. We will be staying at the self-catering accommodation (a flat). 

04/08 - Day 2 - Acclimatization Hike

05/08 - Day 3 - Acclimatization Hike

06/08 - Day 4 - Acclimatization Hike

07/08 - Day 5 - Acclimatization Hike

These daily acclimatization hikes span between 10k - 20k; progressively gaining altitude. The choice of treks will depend on the weather and terrain conditions.

08/08 - Day 6 – Ascent to the altitude Base camp (Refuge Hut) at approx 4,080 m. 

We will register with “МЧС” (Emergency Rescue Services) and take a cable car to the refuge hut. The cable car goes either to 3670m or 3880m, from there we walk up to the refuge (Base camp). 

Please note: We need to carry our gear and possibly some food for the duration of our stay in the Base Camp. There is some food available at the Base Camp but it is still under question. (I know they are changing the caterer, so possibly the food will be ok). We might need to bring our own dehydrated hiking meals. We can take a snowmobile from the cable car to the refuge hut or we might just use it for our gear. 

09/08 - Day 7 - Acclimatization Walk to Pastukhov Rocks at 4,700m if the weather permits, we might climb up to 5,000m. We will also do crampons and ice axe practice. 

10/08 - Day 8 – Rest Day and preparation for the summit push. 

11/08 - Day 9 - Summit Day - We will leave the refuge at midnight, depending on the weather we can start later or earlier. Please note: The weather is very changeable in the region, and we might not be able to summit due to the weather conditions. Please also note: snowcats assistance is available up to 5,100m.

12/08 - Day 9 - Reserve Day

13/08 - Day 11 – A day in Mineralnye Vody 

14/08 - Day 12 – Flights from Mineralnye Vody to Baku. You might need to book an accommodation in Baku depending on your flight schedule. 

15/08 – Day 13 - You take a flight back to London or stay for a day in Baku. 

We might stay for an extra night or two in Baku to explore the city.

Included: 

Guide + all the technical gear / equipment is included in the cost: Crampons, an Ice Axe, a head torch, trekking poles, a safety harness, carabiners and ropes. Please note: as for the helmet, it is usually not needed for Mount Elbrus, but if you wish to wear one it would be better to acquire your own that is comfortable and light weight.

Accommodation & Transfer: Both in Green Zone and Refuge on mountain.

Cable car cost to the Base Camp (Refuge Hut) is included. 

NOT Included: 

Flights 

Visa

Food. We will have to buy our own food. There are coffee shops where you can buy food but most probably, we will have to cook for ourselves. The approximate cost for food shopping is about £50 for the duration of our stay. 

Snowmobile cost (from the cable car to the refuge) – approx. £18

Snowcats if needed: £80 going up; £45 (approx. prices)

Personal gear rent is available (B3 boots, goggles and etc)

Accommodation in Baku (if you decide to stay for a day or two)