Arrival at Mineralnye Vody airport ideally on a morning flight. Meet the rest of the expedition team and guides outside the arrival hall. Once everyone has arrived, the transfer leaves from the airport heading to the city of Kislovodsk (1hr). When you arrive at the hotel the guides will meet you and check all the equipment. When necessary, you can hire missing items from a rental shop. After sorting out equipment, you will have free time to explore the town and have dinner at a local restaurant, followed by an overnight in our hotel in Kislovodsk.
After breakfast you will head towards the north side of Elbrus, having visited the rental shop on the way for any last minute needs. The journey takes around 2.5 hours as you leave the Kislovodsk behind and head into the wilderness. Upon arrival at the base camp (2500 m), there will be lunch and a walk around the surroundings, which include waterfalls and mineral springs. Dinner and briefing at the camp.
Acclimatisation hike to the valley of stone mushrooms (3100 m). This is a foggy mystic place where the first symptoms of altitude sickness can already be felt. The way up and down will take approximately four hours. Lunch and dinner at camp.
Carry equipment (10-15kgs) to the High Camp (3800 m). The hike will take four hours up and two hours down. We then overnight at the Base Camp feeling the positive effects of acclimatisation.
Time to move to the High Camp and reunite with our climbing equipment. Lunch at the High Camp and some free time to relax and enjoy the views of your new surroundings before dinner time.
Acclimatization hike up to the Lenz rocks (4800 m). This is a challenging day. The way up will take 5 – 6 hours and another two hours for the way down. You’ll reach the equivalent height of Mont Blanc today, with some amazing views. Back down for dinner and overnight at High Camp.
Day of rest. Today there will be no hikes as we rest and recover from yesterday's push. The guide team will refresh your knowledge how to use an ice axe when you are sliding down the slope and some other key skills. Dinner and overnight at High Camp.
The summit day. We normally start with an ‘Alpine Start’ at 02:00 am. We fuel up at breakfast before setting off for our objective. Climbing from the north side, the east summit (5621 m) is closer than the west one (5642 m). So, on the summit day a group can split, and those participants who are better acclimatized go to the west summit and others climb to the east one. The decision is made by the guide team. Descent to the hut by 4 – 5 p.m. and overnight there, after a much needed dinner.
This is the reserve day for summit attempt if the weather was bad on the previous day. Otherwise, you will slowly make your descent to the base camp (2500 m)
Another reserve day for the summit attempt and to facilitate any slight changes in itinerary to maximise your chances of reaching the summit. Transfer back to Kislovodsk. In the evening there will be a celebration dinner at a restaurant with the guides and you can toast to your achievements with your expedition team.
Transfer to the airport after breakfast. Arrival at the airport by 09.30 in the morning for your flight home
