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Title image - BAI takes you to: Mt.Elbrus
Why climb with Berg Adventures

Climb Mt. Elbrus with Berg Adventures – Itinerary

Day 1 – International flight to Russia

Day 2 – Arrive in St. Petersburg. Transfer to first-class hotel in St. Petersburg, the Hotel Nevsky Palace. We will have a team meeting in the evening.

  • Overnight Nevsky Palace
Arriving in the famous city of St. Petersburg

Arriving in the famous city of St. Petersburg

Day 3 – We take all day to tour some of the sights in this fascinating centre of culture and history. Spending long summer days in this beautiful city, at 60 degrees north, will be an unforgettable experience. Peter the Great's "Window to the West" still holds all the vibrant energy of a cultural and social conduit. The shell-pocked buildings from the Siege of Leningrad sixty years ago are reminders of a grim and dangerous past. Young people walking along the sidewalks near the Hermitage, performance-art venues, and museums at every turn show us enduring and sophisticated civic will. After an exhausting day, we board the "Night Train to Moscow" in the still-light midnight sky.

  • Breakfast included
  • Overnight on the train to Moscow
Our first full day in this beautiful city will be spend touring the famous sights like the Peterhof Palace

Our first full day in this beautiful city will be spend touring the famous sights like the Peterhof Palace.

Climbers also have the option of running the “International Ergo White Night’s Marathon” which takes place every year on our tour day of St. Petersburg

Climbers also have the option of running the “International Ergo White Night’s Marathon” which takes place every year on our tour day of St. Petersburg.

Day 4 – After a short night of rhythmic rocking on the rails in our cozy beds, we are met by our Russian Moscow friends. Coffee and an early morning trip to the Kremlin, or a stroll through one of the fascinating and scenic sections of the city might be in order. In addition to the excitement of being at Red Square, we will be trying to keep our tourist pace relaxed enough that we can begin to prepare for climbing in the Caucasus.

  • Overnight Ararat Park Hyatt Hotel
Climbers enjoying the midnight train to Moscow

Climbers enjoying the midnight train to Moscow

Day 5 – Morning flight from Moscow to Mineralnye Vody, our gateway to the Caucasus Mountains. We will then have a 4-5 hour private bus transport to Terskol in the Baksan Valley, the "Russian Chamonix". Our base here will be in the finest lodge in the valley. On our previous Elbrus expeditions we have been pleased with the spacious rooms, the quite locations, and excellent meals.

  • Breakfast and dinner included
  • Overnight Terskol
  • Altitude in Terskol: 7,030ft/2,143m
Arriving in the beautiful village of Terskol

Arriving in the beautiful village of Terskol

Day 6 – First acclimatization day. We take a short bus ride to Djantugan climbing base. We will then stretch our legs on a steep winding path through the forest to a high moraine; with impressive views of the Kashkatash Icefall and the high peaks of the Main Caucasus Range. We can descend to a glacier for some crampon practice. Return to our lodge.

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
  • Overnight Terskol
  • Altitude in Terskol: 7,030ft/2,143m
Reflecting on the beauty of the Caucasus during an acclimatization hike

Reflecting on the beauty of the Caucasus during an acclimatization hike

Crampon practice

Crampon practice

Day 7 – Today we will acclimatize by riding the chairs at the Cheget ski area to high mountain trails that traverse beautiful ridges. If the day is clear we will have inspiring views of Mt. Elbrus’s twin summits. In the afternoon we can ride the chairs back down to save our knees. Once we are down, we can enjoy eating local barbeque dishes at our favorite outdoor restaurant in the ski base area.

  • Breakfast lunch and dinner included
  • Overnight Terskol
  • Altitude in Terskol: 7,030ft/2,143m
Riding up on chairlifts to the higher mountain trails

Riding up on chairlifts to the higher mountain trails

Day 8 – Today we venture further up the glacial valley that leads from Djantugan toward the high peaks on the border of Georgia. Besides visiting lovely mountain meadows made green by glacial melt, there are excellent areas to practice glacier walking skills. This day may be a long one, so the sauna back at the lodge will feel especially nice that evening.

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
  • Overnight Terskol
  • Altitude in Terskol: 7,030ft/2,143m
A great place to stop for lunch!

A great place to stop for lunch!

Day 9 – Today we ride two gondolas and a chair lift to Garabachi Base on the slopes of Elbrus. The thin air at 13,000ft/3,962m will be invigorating! We return to the lodge and saunas in the evening.

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
  • Overnight Terskol
  • Altitude in Terskol: 7,030ft/2,143m
Visiting the “Barrels” while acclimatizing

Visiting the “Barrels” while acclimatizing

Day 10 – Today we move up on to Mt. Elbrus. Two cable car rides take us to Mir Station 11,484ft/3,500m. Then a short chair lift ride and we arrive at the Garabashi Huts, also known as "the Barrels" (12,304ft/3,750m). A couple of hikes on the glacier in the afternoon will aid in acclimatization. The Barrels have been a favorite home for BAI climbers over the years-they are quite cozy! Our Russian cook will travel up with us to prepare meals while we climb.

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
  • Overnight Barrels
  • Altitude at the Barrels: 12,800ft/3,900m
Moving up on Mount Elbrus

Moving up on Mount Elbrus

Day 11 – Acclimatization hike to Pastukhov Rocks (15,585ft/4,750m). Return to the Barrels where our cook will have excellent afternoon snacks prepared for us. This is an important conditioning and acclimatization day for our planned ascent of Elbrus.

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
  • Overnight Barrel
  • Altitude at the Barrels: 12,800ft/3,900m

Day 12 – First possible summit day. Option of taking snow cat to Pastukhov to begin the climb. Likely departure time, 2:00-3:00 AM. Elbrus summit day is long and we will move with the support of 3- 4 Russian guides as well as a North American guide. Our cook will remain at the huts and keep radio contact with us throughout the day.

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
  • Overnight Barrels
  • Altitude at the Barrels: 12,800ft/3,900m
Taking the snow cat up to Pastukhov rocks

Taking the snow cat up to Pastukhov rocks

Climbing Mount Elbrus in the early morning light

Climbing Mount Elbrus in the early morning light

Day 13 – Alternate summit day.

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
  • Overnight Barrels
  • Altitude at the Barrels: 12,800ft/3,900m
Climbing to the summit!

Climbing to the summit!

The summit of Mount Elbrus 18,586ft/5,665m

The summit of Mount Elbrus 18,586ft/5,665m

Day 14 – Return to the valley, farewell to the Caucasus party with our friends.

  • Breakfast included
  • Overnight Terskol
  • Altitude in Terskol: 7,030ft/2,143m

Day 15 – Bus to Mineralnye Vody and return flight to Moscow. On our last night together, we will enjoy a return to the city for our last night in Russia, at the luxurious Park Hyatt hotel, steps away from Red Square.

  • Overnight Ararat Park Hyatt Hotel
Looking out onto the red square from our hotel in Moscow

Looking out onto the red square from our hotel in Moscow

Day 16 – Return flights to North America.

  • Breakfast included