Elbrus Traverse North to South

Height (m): 5642
Duration: 9 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Continent: Europe
Children: No
Accomodation: Without tents

Climbing Elbrus: all tours Why should you go to Elbrus with us? First of all, these are our guides and only our guides — people who will protect your life and health. Unfortunately, accidents continue to happen even in some commercial groups. Secondly, this is our twenty-fourth season of work on Elbrus and every step is honed as well as possible. Thirdly, it is with us that you will most likely have to go to more serious mountains later, so wouldn't it be better to try us from the very beginning for strength and quality? All expeditions indicated in the "dates and prices" section will be conducted by 2 participants in the group. We are also ready to organize a family vacation for your family so that no one gets bored while you are busy climbing. Important information:

Check-in and check-out time is regulated by the hotel: check-in from 15 o'clock, check-out from the hotel until 11-12 o'clock. You can leave your luggage at the hotel reception and walk around the area, or, if technically possible, pay extra for early check-in/late check-out.
Any exit from the shelter on the day of the ascent is an attempt.
For foreign citizens, if necessary, we make guest invitations to our tours

About the tour

Please note that unlike other guiding companies, we always climb Elbrus’s higher West summit (5642m) and not the lower East one (5621m) – in order to avoid possible disaccord between our group members.

The traverse of Elbrus from north to south is almost no different from climbing Elbrus from the north, except for a slightly heavier backpack on the day of the ascent and more comfortable accommodation after the ascent. Such an ascent allows you to see both sides of Elbrus, as well as, in addition to the fields and meadows of the northern side of Elbrus, the ridges and snow—capped peaks of the Main Caucasian Ridge.

Climbing Elbrus from the north, you will not see hotels, highways or restaurants, but you will get the opportunity to admire the night towns of KavMinvod and ancient moraines, which have amazing “lava” sculptures as decorations. And above all this splendor stands the huge Elbrus. Nearby, at an altitude of three kilometers, there is also a huge plateau — a natural airfield. During the war, the Germans used it for landing troops. Those who follow the “caravan route” from the south and descend there will not see all this. We offer you the most authentic climbing of Elbrus, with nights in a tent, mountain streams and a sea of romance. On our route you will not see or hear any signs of human civilization – only mountains and nature.

We strongly recommend watching a lecture by our most experienced Elbrus guide about Elbrus

9-day Schedule for a Guided Elbrus North to South Traverse.

Day 1. Meeting at Mineralnye Vody airport or railway station, (plan arrive no later than 12:00 noon), taking a ride to Emanuel glade. Dinner and instructing the group. Overnight at the hut.
Day 2. Acclimatization hike with equipment to the refuge at 3700m, followed by descent. Sleeping in tents or huts on Emanuel glade. Overnight at the hut.
Day 3. Hike to the refuge. Overnight at the hut.
Day 4. Acclimatization hike to Lents Rocks (4700m). Overnight at the hut. (3700m).
Day 5. Rest day. Preparations for summiting. Overnight at the hut. (3700m).
Day 6. Summiting Mt. Elbrus, with start at 2 or 4 AM as the guide decides. Climbing Elbrus takes 6 to 10 hours. The extra equipment will not have to be carried – the porter will take him from the camp to 3700 meters and deliver to the sources of Jõlysu, from where your luggage will be delivered to your hotel in Mineralnye Vody. Overnight at the hut.
Day 7. Reserved in case of having bad weather. Overnight at the hut
Day 8. Descent and transfer to Mineralnye Vody. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9. Departure.

To give you peace of mind, the package tours we offer, as a rule, include all expenses you may face.

Included in the cost of Elbrus North to South Traverse:

Hotel with accommodation in double rooms. Duration of stay depends. Be careful — check out of the hotel before 12:00
Accommodation in huts. Duration of stay according to the climb schedule.
All transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
Meals three times a day throughout the trip. Dinner on the first day, breakfast – on the last.
Breakfast in Mineralnye Vody
All required permits and registrations.
Mountain guides: one leading guide for the program of Elbrus South to North traverse and several assistants for the day of summiting, with a strict proportion of 1 guide per three climbers. This means that if there are four clients in a group, there will be two guides for them. We have no limitation of attempts for the group to summit.
Equipment for the group (ropes, ice screws, radios, first aid set, satellite navigators/GPS).
Rent a duffel bag for rental and personal equipment during the ascent

Not included in the cost of Elbrus North to South Traverse:

Single accommodation
Early check-in/late check-out from the hotel before/after the program (we always try to negotiate with our partners about additional bonuses for our guests, often we are allowed early check-in/late check-out for free)
Personal equipment
Guides, chefs, in case of program changes.
Lunches and dinners in Mineralnye Vody
Any costs associated with program changes