Mount Elbrus Expedition
13 days Grade D Porter Supported
Book Now | Dates and Prices

Introduction
Our trip is divided into two main sections, the first section involves trekking through beautiful forested valleys, across alpine meadows and climbing glaciated mountain passes whith superb panoramas of the Caucasus Range. These initial trips will be porter supported and will involve camping and backpacking; they will provide us with the fitness and acclimatisation necessary for the ascent of Elbrus itself.

On Mount Elbrus we use a cable car to take us to a height of 3800m, here we will stay in huts and/or camp at the former site of the Priut 11 Hut (4200m) using a mess tent for meals or stay in the Diesel Hut nearby. The actual programme will depend on the weather, group condition and availability of a snowcat which we will, if available and necessary, use to help us up the lower slopes of the mountain.

Although no advanced mountaineering experience is required for the ascent of Elbrus you will need to be familiar with the basic use of crampons and ice-axes to tackle the gentle-angled slopes of Elbrus. There will be opportunities to practice with these during the first stage of the trip.

Our chief guide is a well-qualified and experienced mountaineer with an expert knowledge of the Caucasus. He will be supported by other English speaking guides. They will have ropes and a radio. 

Throughout the spring and in summer EWP staff are based at a hotel located in the forested Baksan Valley at the foot of Mount Elbrus. Accommodation here is in twin-bedded rooms with showers. Our staff include cooks, a doctor, porters and guides.

Programme

Day 1 We meet you from your flight to transfer from Mineralny Vody to our hotel in the Baksan Valley. HB basis.
Day 2 Walk up Adyl-su Valley, Green Hotel campsite 2600m
Day 3Walk up Jankuat Glacier to Eastern Jankuat Pass 3600m. Back to hotel via Adyl-su Valley. Night at hotel.
Day 4 Syltran Lake 3200m.
Day 5 Cross Syltran Pass 3400m. Descend via Mukal Valley; walk up by the Mkiara Valley 3100m.
Day 6 Irik Pass 3750m. Campsite in the Irik Valley.
Day 7 Descend. Return to hotel. Free afternoon.
Day 8 Cable car up Elbrus. Garabashi Huts 3800m.
Day 9 Acclimatisation walk to Pastuchova Rocks 4690m.
Day 10 Elbrus - West summit. Night in Garabashi or camp.
Day 11 Spare day on Elbrus - 2 attempt could be made to summit.
Day 12 Descend to the Hotel in Baksan Valley.
Day 13 Return to Mineralnye Vody airport.

Private Trips
A similar programme to the above can be run at any time of the summer for individuals or private groups.
Please contact us for further information.

Included in the cost
- Russian visa support documents
- all permits and official registration
- accommodation as per the program
- food - full board basis
- English speaking guide throughout the trip
- part portered and fully guided
- land transport as per above program from MRV return
 
Not included in the cost:
- visa issue - tips
- insurance - see below
- snow cat - if used for Elbrus (optional)
- additional transport, accommodation, flights other than in above program
- international flights - see above for cost and below for other details
Terrorism and your Security
The Caucasus have recently been on some countries' Office of Foreign Affairs "not recommended to travel to lists" (eg UK). Many countries have no restrictions and the area remains a popular international tourist destination. The Elbrus area has so far been hardly affected by terrorist activities and at present we expect to continue running trips here as we have done for the last fifteen years. We do monitor the situation and do appreciate insurance complications may arise if you are travelling to the area details. After making your booking, should the situation in the area deteriorate to the extent that we have to cancel, alter or curtail the trip at short notice, we will refund all monies paid other than those associated with non-refundable expenses such as flight deposits or payments.

UK citizens, and others, may wish to discuss insurance implications and solutions with us.