Elbrus Region Holiday and Trekking, 9 Days

The Elbrus region is one of the easiest parts of the Caucasus for a first encounter with big mountains. You can see Elbrus, glaciers, alpine meadows, waterfalls, mineral springs and the panorama of the Main Caucasus Range, and still return to a comfortable hotel every evening.

This programme suits people who are not planning to climb the summit of Elbrus, who are afraid of heights or who are not yet sure of their physical condition. Nobody will persuade you to go higher or to prove your endurance. You can get to know the region calmly, look at the climbers’ routes and work out whether you might one day want to come back for the summit.

Children from the age of 2 can take part. The length and difficulty of the walks are adjusted to the age and abilities of the participants. For families with small children, branded German trekking child carriers are available from an equipment-hire supplier.

The main routes run through the southern Elbrus region: Terskol, Cheget, the Azau meadow, the Devichyi Kosy waterfall, the valley of the Terskol river, the Valley of Narzans and the southern slope of Elbrus. The programme requires no tents, no nights in mountain shelters and no carrying of a heavy rucksack.

The main high-altitude day includes a cable car ride to the area of the Gara-Bashi station and the high-mountain shelters, at about 3888 m. Here participants can see snow and glaciers, get to know the start of the classic southern route and judge how their body reacts to altitude. About 3888 m is the maximum altitude of the main programme.

Any outing above 3888 m falls outside the main programme. A walk in the direction of Priyut-11, a climb to about 4200 m and the route to the Pastukhov Rocks at about 4700 m can only be considered as extra options for physically prepared participants.

Such outings are agreed separately and are not guaranteed. Whether they can take place depends on the weather, the state of the snow slope, the equipment required, the availability of additional supervision, and the physical condition and wellbeing of the participant. The final decision is taken by the guide on the spot.

For future climbers the main programme can serve as a safe preview of Elbrus. It lets you see the high-altitude part of the route, feel thin air and understand how your body reacts to altitude, without requiring you to continue towards the summit.

The programme was also created for the relatives and friends of participants on the nine-day Elbrus ascents. While one part of the family acclimatises and prepares for the summit, the rest can walk in the Elbrus region, use the cable cars, relax in Terskol and on the Azau meadow, and join the wider group on the days when the programmes overlap.

The free days can be spent at your own pace: resting at the hotel, walking around Cheget and Azau, visiting a cafe with a mountain view or choosing an additional excursion. Possible options include the Narzan Meadow, the Adyl-Su gorge, Lake Gizhgit, Dzhyly-Su and the northern foot of Elbrus, the Blue Lakes, Upper Balkaria, the Chegem waterfalls, horse riding, photography trips and panoramic routes. Additional trips depend on the weather, the season, road access and the interests of the participants.

Day 1. Arrival in the Elbrus region.

The group meets at Mineralnye Vody airport. Two group transfers are provided on the first day of the programme: the first leaves at 12:00 for participants whose flights are scheduled to land no later than 11:00, and the second leaves at 15:00 for participants whose flights are scheduled to land no later than 14:00. Please allow time for baggage reclaim and for leaving the terminal when booking. If a flight is delayed and you miss the group transfer by more than 30 minutes, we will help you order a private transfer, which the participant pays for separately. The drive along the scenic Baksan valley to the foot of Elbrus takes about three hours. Views of the Caucasus mountains, fast rivers and the gorges of the Central Caucasus open up on the way. After checking into the hotel there is dinner, an introduction to the group, a briefing on the programme and a discussion of the routes ahead. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2. Cheget and panoramic views of Elbrus, 3000 m.

After breakfast the group heads for Cheget, a well-known viewpoint in the Elbrus region. During the walk you can see the Semyorka glacier, the summit of Donguz-Orun, the Baksan valley and the panorama of the Main Caucasus Range.

If you wish, you can take the chairlift and go higher. Cheget cable car tickets are paid separately. The first active day is unhurried, helps you get used to the mountain climate and prepares you for the walks that follow. After the route the group descends to the Cheget meadow and returns to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3. The Devichyi Kosy waterfall and the high-altitude observatory, 3100 m.

Today there is an acclimatisation walk to the Devichyi Kosy waterfall in the Elbrus region. The route follows an old mountain road through pine forest, alpine meadows and open slopes with panoramic views of Elbrus and the surrounding summits.

The waterfall stands at about 2700 m. In good weather, with sufficient preparation and if everyone feels well, the route can continue to the high-altitude observatory at about 3100 m. From here the southern slope of Elbrus and the line the climbers take are clearly visible. After the walk the group returns to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4. The southern slope of Elbrus, glaciers and a first taste of altitude, 3888 m.

After breakfast the group transfers to the Azau meadow and rides the cable car to the area of the Gara-Bashi station and the high-mountain shelters at about 3888 m.

In September the cable car may be closed for scheduled maintenance. If the cable car cannot be used, the guide decides the onward logistics according to the actual situation; a vehicle is hired for the ascent if necessary. If the cost of the vehicle exceeds the price of a cable car ticket, participants pay the difference. Even in summer snow and sections of ice remain here, and in clear weather there are views of the Main Caucasus Range and the summits of the Central Caucasus.

The base programme covers getting to know the area of the high-mountain shelters and a walk that takes account of the weather and how participants feel. Here you can see the start of the classic southern route, watch climbers preparing and judge how your body reacts to altitude.

For physically prepared participants a walking acclimatisation outing to about 4200 m, or to the Pastukhov Rocks at about 4700 m, can be agreed separately. That is already a serious high-altitude route and may require special equipment and additional supervision. Whether such an outing is possible is decided by the guide, taking account of the weather, the state of the slope, and the preparation and wellbeing of the participant.

If you wish, and where it is technically possible, part of the high-altitude route can be covered by snowcat without significant physical effort. A snowcat ride is agreed in advance and paid for separately. After the high-altitude part participants descend by cable car and return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5. Trekking in the valley of the Terskol river; up to 2800 m if the walk continues to the waterfall.

Today the group heads for the valley of the Terskol river. The route starts near the village of Terskol, passes through pine forest and gradually leads out to alpine meadows and the head of the valley. Along the way you can see unusual lava formations that recall the volcanic origin of Elbrus.

In summer there are raspberries, cowberries and bilberries along the route. When the berries ripen depends on the weather and the particular season. In good conditions, and if participants wish, the walk can continue to the Terskol waterfall. With that extension the high point of the day is about 2800 m. The guide decides whether the route continues, taking account of the weather, the state of the path and how participants feel. The route is unhurried and suits a calm introduction to the nature of the region. After the trek the group returns to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6. The Valley of Narzans.

After breakfast the group travels to the Valley of Narzans, an area of natural mineral springs surrounded by forest and mountain slopes. Here you can taste the mineral water straight from the spring, walk in the surroundings and rest after the previous active days.

If they wish, participants can climb to the viewpoints above the valley, which in good weather look out on Elbrus and the surrounding summits. The day combines light physical activity, an introduction to the nature of the Caucasus and unhurried rest. After the walk the group returns to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7. Free day in the Elbrus region.

This day can be spent at your own pace: resting at the hotel, walking around Terskol, Cheget or the Azau meadow, visiting a cafe with a mountain view and choosing souvenirs. A free day is particularly convenient for families and for those accompanying a climber, who need to set their own walking distances and level of effort.

If you wish, you can book a horse ride, a photography trip, an additional excursion or a cable car ascent. Additional activities are not part of the main programme and are paid for separately. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8. Additional routes and excursions.

Another free day can be given to rest or to getting to know other sights of Kabardino-Balkaria. Possible options include the Adyl-Su gorge with its glaciers and alpine meadows, the Irik-Chat gorge with views of the eastern slopes of Elbrus, Lake Gizhgit, the Dzhyly-Su area and the northern foot of Elbrus, the Blue Lakes, Upper Balkaria and the Chegem waterfalls.

For those who enjoy photography, a trip along panoramic routes or a jeep tour in the Central Caucasus can be arranged. The particular option is chosen in advance and depends on the weather, the season, road access and the interests of the participants. Some routes may require permits to be arranged in advance. Additional excursions, transport and any necessary permits are paid for separately. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9. End of the programme and journey home.

At 07:00 the group leaves for Mineralnye Vody airport. Please take the transfer time into account when choosing your return tickets. Participants with a late flight and enough time can leave their luggage at the airport and visit Pyatigorsk independently, a spa town of the Caucasian Mineral Waters. There you can walk through the historic centre, visit the site of Mikhail Lermontov’s duel or go up to one of the town’s viewpoints. End of the programme.

• A guide throughout the programme, except on the free-programme days
• Hotel accommodation in twin rooms, for the number of nights set out in the programme
• All transfers within the programme, including the cable cars on Elbrus, from Mineralnye Vody airport or railway station and back
• Three meals a day throughout the programme, except lunches on the free-programme days. Dinner on the first day and breakfast on the last day are included

• Tours, excursions and additional activities on the free-programme days
• Single occupancy supplement
• Early check-in and late check-out at the hotel before or after the programme. We always try to agree additional benefits for our guests with our partners, so where it is possible early check-in or late check-out is provided free of charge
• National park permit, where one is required
• Personal equipment
• Cheget cable car tickets
• A snowcat or snowmobile ascent on the slope of Elbrus
• Additional services and costs arising from deviating from the programme or changing it
• The supplement for an alternative ascent by vehicle if the cable car is closed for maintenance in September and the cost of the vehicle exceeds the price of a cable car ticket

書類：

• パスポート
• 飛行機／列車のチケット
• 医療保険

個人装備：

• リュックサック 約20リットル
• トレッキングポール

服装・靴：

• トレッキングシューズまたはトレッキングブーツ。5月および6月初旬は、最初の順応トレッキングでまだ雪が残っていることがあり、その場合はスニーカーよりもブーツの方が明らかに有利です。ただし、6月中旬以降から9月末までは、十分にスニーカーで代用可能です。
• 防風ジャケット
• レインポンチョ
• フリースジャケット
• 保温下着（上・下）
• 薄手の手袋
• バンダナ（谷では日差し対策として、寒い時は首や顔を保温するためにも使用できます）
• ニット帽

その他：

• サングラス
• ゲイター（季節・靴・天候によって必要かどうかが異なります）
• 日焼け止めクリーム、リップクリーム
• 個人用救急セット
• 伸縮包帯および／またはサポーター