Elbrus is the highest mountain in Europe and one of the 7 Summits.

It is located in the beautiful Caucasus Mountains. On this expedition we climb the west summit (5642m) of Elbrus.


The South route is the most common ascent route offering more infrastructure and access to ski lifts and snow machines for carrying equipment and more developed mountain hut accommodation.

With an elevation of 5642 metres, Mt Elbrus is a volcanic mountain with rounded peaks and no steep gradients, but it is permanently snow covered and requires simple mountaineering skills such as using a walking on crampons and using a walking axe and clipping into a fixed line. These are skills we teach on the mountain and it is perfect for people who wish to gain ice and snow experience on a non-technical peak in a very interesting part of the world.

Accommodation is in a local hotel in the village of Cheget. We acclimatise for three days hiking in the surrounding hills before going on the mountain for a total of six days staying in mountain huts (rooms sleep up to six). This allows for excellent acclimatisation and two possible summit days.

• What is included in the price?

  Included
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  Transport from airport
  Group airport transfers airport - Terskol - airport. In order to catch the group transfer on the 1st day of the trip you need to arrive to Mineralnye Vody not later than 14:15. If you arrive later we can provide a quote for individual transportation for you.
  Invitation letter for visa. We send this to you as soon as we get your payment and passport copy.
  Accomodation.
  - 3* hotel shared twin or triple room in the foot of Elbrus
  - Mountain refuge at 3800 m, mixed dorm
  All food and camping during the trek and on the climb.
  Meals. Full board during the whole trip.
  First aid kit/Bottled of oxygen/pulse oximeter
  Cable car tickets for one ascent and one descent on Mt. Elbrus.
  Value Added Tax (VAT) and other government taxes
  Climbing certificate
  Park fee

• What is NOT included?

  What is not included in the price
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  International Flight to Mineralnye Vody.
  Riding snow-cat (ratrak, a vehicle transporting people up the snow slopes). The exact cost depends on altitude of ascent: up to 4700 m it costs €700, up to 5000 м - €1000 per vehicle. Basic capacity of the snow-cat is 12 people, including 3 guides who don't pay. You also can hire a snow-cat on your way down and this will be cheaper than on the way up. This is only an option and can be decided on the day.
  Single occupancy supplement
  Hire of personal equipment (such as sleeping bag, boots, crampons etc)
  Taking an additional attempt after the first attempt has been expended (this doesn't include cases when the weather was bad from the beginning and the group hasn't started the climb).
  Cost of additional night at hotel when you decide to descend to the valley on the reserve days because the day is already paid for at the refuge.
  Individual transfer from or to airport
  Mountaineering insurance.

• What training is provided before we leave?

  We run regular training and hiking weekends in the UAE throughout the winter which allows members to get to know each other and hike the great trails here.
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  A briefing meeting is planned in the UAE in January which is free to those who have signed up.
  You can also attend at cost if you are simply interested in hiking and want to know more.
  We camp for the weekend, discuss the route and hike some spectacular routes in the mountains.
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  Additional sessions are available at discounted rates.
  Additional mountains in the build up to Kilimanjaro also available.
  We also have a base in the French Pyrenees at 2000m and run altitude training trips there.

• Is there a discount available?

  Everything is priced to provide the best possible service.
  
  We can provide a discount for
  
  
  - return clients
  - clients who book multiple trips (such as Everest, Elbrus, Kilimanjaro or Aconcagua)
  - group bookings of 3 or more

• Do you have references or previous clients that I can speak to?

  Of course.
  
  This works in our favor as we love our clients and our clients love us.
  
  Contact us.

• What about acclimatisation?

  To enable all expedition members to acclimatize well and so maximize their chance of success, the expedition takes what I consider to be one of the best routes.
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  Adaptation to the altitude takes time and there can be no short-cuts, even if supplementary oxygen is used in the final stages on mountains like Everest.
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  The atmospheric pressure at the summit is half that at sea level which means you are breathing 50% less oxygen than normal.
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  A thorough programme of acclimatization is built into the itinerary, which consists of regulated height gains and rest.
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  Your guide, Sean James has summited Everest many times and has a vast knowledge of acclimatisation, altitude warning signs and how to treat cases.

• Who will be my leader?

  Sean is your western guide for Elbrus.
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  He has lived in Dubai for 12 years and splits his time between here and the Pyrenees.
  He has led 4 expeditions to the summit of Everest and 15 expeditions to mountains over 8000m as well as many around the globe.
  If we employ further western guides they will be qualified and experienced mountain guides or mountaineering instructors.
  We also ensure that all of our local porters have a good track record of mountaineering at high altitudes.
  Whilst qualifications and experience are essential requirements, we also make sure that our porters have the right temperament to lead an expedition comprised of individuals who have a range of previous experience and expectations. To that end, we aim to provide a staff (and clients ) who will make the expedition both successful and enjoyable throughout.

• Can we make the schedule shorter?

  Of course there are shorter schedules but to give everyone the maximum chance of success we are following this itinerary.
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  If you want a 1:1 or personal experience such as trail running to the summit, please contact us direct.

• What equipment do I need?

  When you sign up we arrange a personal meeting and go through everything that you will need.
  Our connections with retailers will give you a discount and ensure you look good and are safe.
  • Walking poles
  • 3 or 4 season sleeping bag if you like to be warm
  • Day rucksack & Duffel kit pack
  • Duvet jacket
  • Warm walking boots
  • Gloves Buff, hat
  • Wash kit
  • Duvet jacket
  • Water proof outer clothes
  • High altitude Cat 4 Glasses
  • Crampons
  • Ice axe, harness
  
  We can provide assistance with obtaining equipment not normally stocked by retail outlets. Some items of equipment are available for hire from us but, for this expedition, we strongly recommend that you purchase your own personal equipment and test it before departure.
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  We will also check any equipment you have before you depart and at the hotel.

• Is it safe?

  Climbing and mountaineering are inherently dangerous sports and should be performed only with the proper instruction and supervision of an experienced guide.
  We work on the premise that the inherent risks of outdoor activities and mountain climbing can be in part identified and mitigated by information, training, interesting gear and knowledge gained in part, through the experiences of others.
  Although many people have now climbed Elbrus, the mountain and its potential dangers are undiminished.
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  The aim of our expedition will be to get as many team members as possible to the summit. However, this will not be to the detriment of safety. Safety will govern all decision making on the mountain and will be based on the sound mountaineering judgement of our highly experienced expedition leader.

• Can I meet you before I sign up?

  Please do and infact we would prefer to meet in person before you sign up with us.

• What level of experience do I need?

  Elbrus is a great mountain for anyone.
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  No prior climbing or trekking experience is needed.
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  However once you sign up we expect you to take regular exercise and treks in the build up.
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  This not only helps you but gives the team deeper strength.
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  Elbrus is a fantastic experience and and as a first taste of altitude unparalled.

• What is the typical schedule?

  Typical 10 day schedule
  
  Day 1. Meeting at Mineralnye Vody airport at 14:00.
  The bus ride is about 3 hours to our first stop and we overnight at hotel (2100m).
  
  Day 2. Acclimatization walk along the Terskol gorge to the Terskol waterfall (2500m). Overnight at the hotel.
  
  Day 3. Acclimatization hike up to cable car stations Cheget-2 (2750m) or Cheget-3 (3000 m).
  
  Day 4. Acclimatization hike up to Waterfall Devichi Kosy (2800m) and Terskol Peak Observatory (3127m). Overnight at the hotel.
  
  Day 5. Move to the mountain hotel located at an altitude of 3000m.
  
  After lunch, we will make an acclimatization climb to the the highest cable car station in Europe Gara-Bashi (3847m) or to the Mir station (3455m).
  
  Day 6. We move to 3830m near Gara-Bashi station. Acclimatization hike to Pastukhov rocks (4800m).
  
  Day 7. Rest day at 3830m. Crampon, ice axe practice and preparation.
  
  Day 8. Summit day. For most groups, the ascent to the Elbrus' west summit, 5642m is 7-9 hours.
  
  Day 9. Reserve summit

• What are you contact details?

  Sean lives in Dubai and the Pyrenees and as he is guiding the trips he is frequently travelling.
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  All messages will be repsonded to as quickly as possible.
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  Try these different options
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  Whatsapp +447507886417
  UAE +971585528611
  FR +33645518199
  SP +34605128807
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  [email protected]
  
  Zoom is also available