• Kamchatka
    • Volcanoes of Kamchatka
    • Sail to Ski in Kamchatka
  • Siberia
    • Ergaki, ‘Siberian Yosemite’
    • Tree Skiing in Siberia, Luzhba
  • Central Asia
    • Catskiing & tour, Kazakhstan
    • Skiing in Jyrgalan, Kyrgyzstan
    • Fann mountains, Tajikistan
  • Caucasus
    • Mt. Elbrus North & Bezengi
    • Mt. Elbrus traverse
    • Mt. Kazbek, Georgia
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  • Destinations
    • Column 1
      • Kamchatka
        • Volcanoes of Kamchatka
        • Sail to Ski in Kamchatka
    • Column 2
      • Siberia
        • Ergaki, the ‘Siberian Yosemite’
        • Glade skiing in Siberia, Luzhba
    • Column 3
      • Caucasus
        • Mt. Elbrus North & Bezengi
        • Mt. Elbrus traverse
        • Mt. Kazbek, Georgia
    • Column 4
      • Central Asia
        • Catskiing & skitour, Kazakhstan
        • Skiing in Jyrgalan, Kyrgyzstan
        • Fann Mountains, Tajikistan
  • • Trip Calendar
  • • Private groups
  • • Reviews & Publications
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Primalscapes | Climb. Ski. Explore.
ENQUIRE & BOOK
Highlights
What's in
Itinerary
FAQ
Booking

Climb Mt. Elbrus North

& Trekking in Bezengi

€1480

excl. of flights

ON HOLD.

Russia, North Caucasus

Strenuous

3-9 participants

-5 to -20 °C on the summit, strong winds

Flights Moscow-MRV from €70 return

Discounts for couples and groups

The highest peak of Europe — the two-headed ice giant of Mount Elbrus, Russia — is a spot-on choice of your first high mountain. We offer to climb Elbrus by fair means from the much less developed North side via the route of the first ascenders.

We will gently acclimatise while trekking in Bezengi — one of the most spectacular areas of the North Caucasus, which is often referred to as the ‘Little Himalaya of Europe’ for enormous north faces over two vertical kilometers tall and six technical summits over 5,000m!

Join the trip or ask your question

Climb Elbrus from the North taking in pristine mountain landscapes without crowds, ski lifts and noisy snowmobiles of the regular southern route.

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Witness the sunrise at the enormous Bezengi wall over 2km tall and 13km long. Then stand in awe at the north face of Europe’s second-tallest peak Mt. Dykh-Tau.

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A brief course on walking in crampons, roped travel and ice axe self-arrest is included. We also provide 1 guide per 3 participants on the summit day.

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Mount Elbrus North Route map
Am I fit enough to climb Mount Elbrus?

You likely have enough fitness for Elbrus if you can casually run a 10k. The trekking portion of the itinerary is moderately demanding as we will be walking on rough terrain such as glacial moraine often sometimes without a trail. Of course, training before the trip is highly recommended.

No previous high-altitude experience is required, thanks to a generously long pre-acclimatization. The climb itself is non-technical but we may need to negotiate a few crevasses so a brief course on glacier travel is included.

Bezengi North Caucasus trekking routes map
Trekking in Bezengi

Located some 60 kilometers east of Elbrus, the magnificent area of Bezengi is the highest sub-range of the Caucasus mountain chain. If the Chamonix is «the Alps on steroids» then Bezengi must be some crossbreed with the Himalayas. The scale of these mountains is such that often it is hard to appreciate unless you get to a vantage point right at the heart of the range. That’s exactly why we offer trekking in Bezengi as the acclimatization before climbing Elbrus — to guarantee you incredible mountain views regardless of weather conditions we may face on Elbrus.

Bezengi basecamp has a rich legacy — the place where friendly locals greeted and helped elite Soviet climbers since 1959. Two traditional Balkarian towers have been preserved along with a handful of renovated traditional dwellings with a fireplace and a turf roof offered to guests as a high-end accommodation. In the late 19th century the area was frequented by European first ascenders of the golden age of alpinism: Douglas Freshfield, Albert Mummery, John Cockin, and Vittorio Sella. Bezengi also boasts the best infrastructure of all the Caucasus climbing basecamps — accommodation to suit any budget, hot showers, steam saunas, wi-fi, a grocery, a gear shop, a kindergarten, an ethnographic museum, and a couple of bars.

    Included

    Generous 14 days itinerary for milder acclimatization and better summit chances.

    At least 1 guide per 3 participants on the Elbrus summit day.

    All accommodation throughout the program: twin rooms in Pyatigorsk and Bezengi basecamp, bunkhouse on Elbrus slopes.

    Private transfers throughout the program. If you are 1-3 participants we reserve the right to put you on a transfer together with another group.

    Full board meals on Elbrus slopes. Premium quality freeze-dried rations on the trek in Bezengi.

    Emergency satellite communication for your safety.

    Paperwork: visa invitation letter (you will need to apply for the visa yourself at your local embassy), Elbrus national park permit and border permit for the Bezengi area (we will need to apply 30 business days in advance).

    Professional photography by the guide.

    Not included

    International flights to/from Mineralnye Vody (MRV) airport.
    Travel and mountaineering insurance that covers ascents of up to 5,642 m, helicopter rescue, medical treatment, hospitalization and repatriation. We will require your insurance details prior to the trip.
    Russian visa fees.
    Eating out a la carte at Bezengi basecamp and in Kislovodsk. Any drinks.
    Snacks — you can buy them on arrival or bring your favorite fancy energy gels from home.
    Extra summit attempts (an outing above Lenz rocks at 4,650m is considered an attempt).
    Any gear rental for climbing Elbrus e.g. double boots down jacket, crampons, mittens etc. Approximate rental costs for 4 days are: €35 double boots, €20 crampons, €30 down jacket, €8 ice axe, harness & carabiners €10, €5 mittens, €25 windproof jacket & trousers etc. Of course, it is always economical to bring your personal gear.

    Optional hire of porters to carry personal stuff to the high camp of Elbrus (around €2.5/kg).
    Shower and wi-fi at Elbrus slopes.
    Any additional costs associated with leaving the trip early.
    Discretionary tips.

    DAY 1: Arrival, transfer to Bezengi basecamp at 2,200m and rest.

    Early AM arrival at MRV airport, private transfer to Bezengi (about 3 hours), check in, dinner and rest.
    There is a hot shower, wi-fi and cafes at the basecamp so our stay will be quite comfortable regardless of the weather.

    Bezengi basecamp view
    DAY 2: Trekking to Baran-kosh campground – 7km, 400m gain.

    Trekking along and over Bezengi glacier to Baran-kosh campground by a tiny mountain lake at 2,600m, with a view of Bezengi wall. We carry our tents, freeze dried food and fuel for 2 days so our packs will be reasonably light.

    At the turn of Bezengi glacier, trekking next to the icefall towards Jangi-cosh campsite
    Mount Dykh-tau from the West at Bezengi glacier
    Ibex at Bezengi camp
    DAY 3: Trekking to Jangi-kosh campground – 7km, 500m gain.

    Continue trekking to Jangi-kosh campground at 3,100m right opposite the most dramatic and spectacular section of Bezengi wall and the famous summit of Shkhara 5,193m.

    Looking at mount Shkhara
    Trekking next to Bezengi wall
    Trekking on a moraine ridge next to Bezengi wall and mount Shkhara
    DAY 4: Descent back to Bezengi basecamp – 13km, 900m drop

    Witness an epic sunrise at Bezengi wall, provided favourable weather, then descend back to Bezengi basecamp at 2,200m and rest.

    Bezengi wall and glacier at the flaming sunrise
    Mount Jangi-Tau at sunrise
    Cabin at Jangi-cosh campground
    DAY 5: Trekking to Dykh-Tau north face – 6km, 1200m gain.

    Trekking into another valley and camping by the north face of Dykh-Tau 5,205m, the second highest in Europe. We’ll sleep at 3,400m campsite, right opposite the wall.

    Trekking towards mount Dykh-Tau
    North Face of Mount Dykh-Tau at sunrise
    Looking at North Massif in Bezengi
    DAY 6: Descent to Bezengi basecamp and transfer to Pyatigorsk.

    Descend to Bezengi basecamp, lunch and private transfer to Pyatigorsk town that takes about 4 hours. There we check in to a hotel, sort out gear rentals and dine out.

    DAY 7: Transfer to Elbrus North basecamp and ascent to the High camp – 7km, 1260m gain.

    We set out early in the morning, having left any unnecessary stuff at the hotel. In about 3 hours of driving that includes some impressive off-road sections, a 4WD takes us to Elbrus North basecamp located at a vast green meadow at the foothills of the white giant of Elbrus, at 2,500m a.s.l.

    Snowcapped Mount Elbrus view from the North with clear skies

    We climb to Elbrus North High camp following a trail via the wind-eroded ‘stone mushrooms’, gaining over one vertical kilometer, and finish the day with a hearty cooked dinner. Porters can carry some of your gear for reasonable prices.

    From the Elbrus North High Camp at 3,760m, which is effectively a handful of basic cabins scattered around the ancient lava flow, the mountain looks nearly at hand’s reach — but soon we will realise that it is just an illusion 🙂

    DAY 8: Practice crampon work and self arrest training at 4200-4400m.

    After breakfast we set out on the glacier and reach an elevation of around 4,200-4,400m depending on the weather conditions. On the way we will practice crampon work, self-arrest with an ice axe and roping up.
    A few crevasses we may well encounter in this section of the climb will make the ropes seem worthwhile!

    Mount Elbrus sunset view from the north
    DAY 9: Acclimatization walk up to Lenz Rocks at circa 4,900m.

    To gain more acclimatization, we climb up to the middle section of the Lenz rocks, most likely to the helicopter crash site, reaching around 4,900m.

    Mount Elbrus at night view from the North blue hour
    DAY 10: Rest day.

    Full rest day. We go to bed at around 7PM and set off for the summit at around 11PM-1AM depending on the weather conditions and the group’s fitness.

    Climbers on Mount Elbrus north route at night with headtorches from a distance
    DAY 11: Elbrus summit day – and descent to the High camp.

    Climb Mt Elbrus main summit and descend back to the high camp. The ascent takes approximately 9-12 hours. The latest turnaround time is usually 1PM but depends on the group’s fitness and weather conditions.

    Mount Elbrus summit team success
    DAY 12: Descend back to the basecamp.

    Descend back to the lower base camp at Emmanuel meadow. Alternatively, in case of inclement weather on Day 11, we may choose to make our summit attempt on Day 12.

    DAY 13: Transfer to Pyatigorsk, sightseeing and dinner.

    Private transfer to Pyatigorsk. Guided walk around this historical spa town. Sleep at a hotel.
    Founded in 1780, Pyatigorsk is one of the oldest spa resorts in Russia, with beautiful parks, thermal pools, Art Nouveau buildings and vibrant nightlife.

    Pyatigorsk
    DAY 14: Flight back home.

    Private transfer to MRV airport. Flight back home.

    Mount Elbrus guides

    Andrew Golovachev, an IFMGA aspirant ski guide within the guides’ association of Kyrgyzstan, an avid alpine climber, and devoted adventure photographer.

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    Ran treks, climbs, ski tours and expeditions to Tajikistan Pamirs, Patagonia, Peru, Morocco, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Siberia, Caucasus and Kamchatka. A full member of the British Alpine Club. Professional avalanche education: equivalent of Canadian Avalanche Association Level 1 certificate.

    Visited over 40 countries, lived in the UK for four years. Certified first-aider.

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    Anna Drozhzhina, an experienced trek leader and an aspiring mountain/ski guide, a student of Kyrgyzstan Mountain Guides Association (KMGA/IFMGA), now based in Budapest, Hungary. Considerable experience working as a lead guide on Elbrus (over 30 climbs from South, North and West), Kazbek and Kamchatka. Certified first-aider. Speaks English and French.

    Booking terms

    Sounds exciting? It truly is! We love the place and would be happy to share it with you. Should you have any questions, please check out our FAQ section below. Alternatively, don’t hesitate to send us your inquiry using the contact form or WhatsApp.

    We require financial commitment from participants in the form of two deposits made via bank transfer or Paypal. The first deposit of €140 is made immediately to secure your place. Part of this amount goes towards furnishing the Russian visa invitation and other administration costs. The second deposit of €360 must be made no later than three months before the trip so we could pre-book the logistics with the local operators. To save on bank fees you might prefer a single deposit of €500 instead. The remaining balance is paid in cash upon arrival.

    Cancellation policy

    If you need to cancel your trip 60 days or less before departure because you are prevented from travelling due to:
    1) a government banning non-essential travel to the destination or imposing a quarantine for vaccinated upon arrival upon return from the destination country, or
    2) a national or local lockdown
    We will put your deposits in full towards a future trip with us, this year or the next year.

    The above does not apply in the following cases:
    – You or a family member is diagnosed with Covid and you are required to self-isolate, which prevents you from travelling.
    – A close relative is diagnosed with Covid and you are required to care for them.
    – You are denied boarding to your flight due to failing Covid checks.
    – You are unable to join your trip due to not fully complying with the testing or vaccination requirements to enter the destination country.

    We strongly recommend taking out a travel insurance with specific Covid-19 cancellation and curtailment provision which is now available from many reputable providers.

    We also promise a 14-day risk-free booking window: you can cancel at any point within two weeks after you put down the first deposit. This buys you time to sort out vacation and flights, to bring in your friends, etc. and not have to worry about someone else taking your spot on the trip.

    In case of cancellation of the trip by the participant due to any other personal circumstances any deposits made are NOT refunded. At our sole discretion we may put them towards your future trips with us.

    See Full Terms and Conditions

    By booking with us you fully agree to the following:

    1) You have sufficient experience for the trekking/camping, skiing or climbing trip that you are joining. If joining a self-contained trek, you understand that you will need to carry your personal belongings as well as your share of food rations and group equipment. Porters are available at extra cost. By joining a ski trip, you confirm that you can safely and comfortably ski ‘black’ runs, have already participated in off-piste skiing trips and feel confident about the difficulty level stated in the itinerary description.

    2) You will arrange suitable insurance that covers helicopter rescue, medical treatment, hospitalization, repatriation, ascents (up to 3,000 m for the Kamchatka trekking, 2,200 m for the Ergaki trekking, 4,750 m for the Fanns trekking, 5,642 m for the Elbrus or 5,047 m for the Kazbek) and off-piste skiing & ski touring (for our ski programs). The Austrian Alpine Club member insurance is sufficient – please provide your actual membership number if you are a member.

    3) You will apply for the Russian visa yourself at your local embassy or via a visa centre. Normally, it is a trouble-free process and visas are issued in 5-10 working days. We will provide an invitation letter at no extra cost.

    4) The guide and the organisers reserve the right to change the itinerary at any time due to unforeseen objective threats, such as volcanic eruptions, floods, adverse weather, snowpack condition or based on the guide’s subjective judgement of the team’s condition and fitness.

    6) You fully understand the hazards of trekking, skiing or climbing in the wilderness with regards to general health, changeable weather conditions, snow avalanches, crossing streams, walking over exposed terrain and encounters with wild animals. In case of an accident, it may take a search & rescue party several days to reach the most remote sections of our route. Even though the guide normally carries a satellite communicator, helicopter evacuation is never guaranteed.

    You accept all risks of injury to you or death which may occur during the trek, climb or ski tour with us. For yourself, heirs, executors, administrators, assignees and personal representatives, you forever waive and release all rights and claims for damages, judgements and costs which you may have against the guide, the organisers, their agents and assignees.

    7) The guide and the organizers cannot accept liability for any consequences of force majeure, weather conditions, fire, civil or military disturbance, criminal activity or mechanical breakdown.

    In case of any force majeure circumstances that prevent us from running the trip, such as illness of the guide, we will do our best to make alternative arrangements that may involve a change of the itinerary and/or the organizer. Should that attempt fail, any deposits made will be refunded in full.

    8) You grant full permission to the organisers to use their photographs and/or video recordings with the participants for any publicity and promotional purposes. We warrant that no material of a controversial nature that might damage your reputation will be used.

    9) The sea trip in the Kamchatka trekking trip may be shortened or even cancelled in case of seriously bad weather. In the latter case, the cost of the trip will be reimbursed. Seasickness is not an excuse is rarely an issue and can be alleviated by medications available at the city pharmacies.

    10) For the Kamchatka sail-to-ski trip, the days on the boat may be shortened or even cancelled in case of seriously bad weather. In that case we will make alternative arrangements, such as snowmobile-supported ski touring in a different area of the peninsula. We also will refund any difference between the cost of the cancelled sailing itinerary and the alternative arrangements.

    11) All indicated distances are approximate. Any mismatch with the actual daily mileage does not authorize participants to grumble at dinner 🙂

    The minimum group size for this trip is 3 participants plus the guide. Should there be less, there may be a surcharge; alternatively the trip may be cancelled and all deposits made will be returned in full. In case of any unforeseen circumstances that prevent us from running the trip, such as a serious illness of the guide, we will attempt to make alternative arrangements which may involve change of the itinerary and/or the organizer. Should that attempt fail or in case you are not happy with the changes any deposits made will be refunded in full.

    Enquire & book

    Let us know any questions or concerns via the form below and we’ll get back to you within 24hrs!
    Alternatively, you can just email us at hello@primalscapes.com

    We will never email you any marketing materials without your further consent. Your info will only be used to respond to your question and will never be shared with third parties.

    ...or Chat in WhatsApp!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the best time to climb Mount Elbrus?

    Honestly, what do you prefer — getting killed by lightning in mid-summer, freezing to death in a snowstorm in late September or early May, or slipping on bulletproof ice in winter? Generally, the climbing season lasts between late April and early October but summiting outside mid-May till mid-September timeframe carries extra risks. July and August are decidedly most crowded months. Aesthetically, climbing in June is best thanks to blank white slopes with unspoiled snow. Late May/early June is also the best timeframe for summit attempts with skis — note the careful choice of preposition here.

    Determining if the weather conditions are right for the summit push is the competence of your Elbrus guide. The forecast is only 70% accurate at best so one of the numerous aspects of a guide’s job is to sniff the most subtle weather changes and turn around if necessary. Even though guides do care about their summit success rates, their salary remains the same regardless of whether they reach the top. Hence they are generally motivated to stay out of trouble.

    Do I need double insulated boots to climb Elbrus?

    Yes, unless you are in a fast & light self-contained party of experienced climbers who are very aware of their limits and the associated risks. If that is the case, why are you wasting time reading this FAQ?

    What is the cost to climb Mount Elbrus?

    The price of guided tours varies between €900 for budget offers by local companies and €5000 for tours run by USA operators with brought-in guides. It also depends on the route — climbs from the North tend to be slightly more expensive than from the South as they are longer.

    Overall, the cheapest guided climb of Elbrus in 2022 should cost no less than around €900. Anything less than that is sub-standard and potentially unsafe. Do check what is included and what is not. Most often, tour organisers are trying to save by gathering big groups guided by fewer guides than the common practice of 1 guide per 3 participants on the summit day. Some companies may even offer accommodation in tents instead of cabins, which is risky at the high camps due to very strong winds. Camping at higher elevations of Elbrus should only be reserved for self-contained parties with considerable mountaineering experience and a very sturdy tent.

    Extra costs associated with the climb most notably include personal gear rental and snowcats/snowmobiles, if climbing from the south. There are a dozen of rental shops in the South and only one in the North, so you may consider resorting to rental shops in the hub towns of Kislovodsk and Pyatigorsk. Your guide will normally check the gear you already own and decide whether or not you need to rent. The bottom line is usually between €100 and €250 per trip. Some reference prices as of 2021, PER DAY: double insulated boots €35-40, heavy down jacket €35, crampons €20.

    In the south, you can cheat by riding a snowcat or a snowmobile up to 5,100m to the beginning of the traverse in mere 20 minutes. That not only saves you a lot of effort but arguably makes your climb safer if the weather conditions deteriorate in the afternoon, and they usually do. However, if you are poorly acclimatized, e.g. due to a short itinerary, a quick ride up may get you into trouble.

    A place on a snowcat must be pre-arranged on the way up and costs about €120 as of 2021. In good weather conditions, you can usually hitch-hike from the end of the traverse at circa 5,100m for half the amount. Snowmobiles ask for about the same price and are NOT recommended under normal circumstances since they turn into unguided projectiles on the way down.

    For a self-contained party, accommodation on the mountain costs between €25 for a bunk in the most basic huts up to €50 for more comfortable ones, plus meals.

    Is North Caucasus safe to visit?

    One of the problematic things about the internet is that negative information stays there forever while reality, believe it or not, sometimes does change for the better. Over the last decade, it has been very quiet in the area, with over 3 thousand foreign Elbrus climbers ANNUALLY before covid. Even though your country’s foreign travel advice may indicate North Caucasus as potentially unsafe, it greatly depends on the area — and the Elbrus area, in particular, is safe. The local economy relies on tourism and despite occasionally substandard service the locals are friendly towards tourists. It is important though to remain polite and respect Muslim customs. Female visitors should dress conservatively in villages.

    What is the Mount Elbrus elevation?

    5,642 meters above sea level is the height of Mount Elbrus — and you will see this number on numerous souvenirs and even on beer bottles! That is 18,510 feet, so Elbrus is way taller than any mountain in the continental USA and considerably taller than Mont Blanc.

    Leaving aside political disputes on whether Russia is part of Europe, Elbrus is undoubtedly the highest mountain of the European continent. Geographers define it as a landmass bounded by the Caucasus Mountains to the south and the Ural mountains to the east.

    The lower eastern summit of Elbrus rises to 5,621 meters which is merely 20 meters lower than the western summit! Many people are obsessed with reaching the highest peak of Europe, especially those on the 7 summits quest. If you are not among them, then going for the eastern summit is definitely more reasonable when climbing Elbrus via the north route.

    The straight-up route to the eastern summit from the north camp is safer since it avoids some of the largest crevasses on the traverse, shorter and physically less demanding. It should NOT be considered ‘cheating’ since gaining 1,700 meters of elevation on a day, at such altitude, without ski lifts and snowmobiles, is not easy by any means.

    The views of the jugged peaks of the Greater Caucasus range are arguably better from the eastern summit. Also, there is an enormous volcanic crater on top of the eastern summit of Elbrus! With all of the above, most of the Russian climbers ascend the eastern summit of Elbrus when climbing from the North.

    How difficult is it to climb mount Elbrus?

    Even though mountain runners can get to the top in mere 3 hours, for most climbing Elbrus will be… well, let’s say ‘memorable’.

    To start with, Elbrus in the summer months is a non-technical mountain when climbed via the normal route from the South. It can be treated as a winter walk in crampons — at an extreme altitude and often in harsh weather. From the North and East it requires roping up due to crevasses. From the West it is a proper climb with some pitched sections of ice. Your guide will teach you all the necessary technical skills.

    The physical difficulty or your personal exertion level, so to speak, depends on two rather independent factors: your fitness, which you ought to improve during months of training before the climb, and your acclimatization. The surest way to ‘breed more red blood cells’ and make your climb less of a sufferfest is to opt for a longer itinerary.

    As a fitness criterion, you are likely ready for Elbrus if you can casually run a 10k, preferably in 1 hour or so.

    For those who have already climbed Kilimanjaro, scaling Elbrus would be considerably more difficult due to fewer intermediate camps — and thus more challenging acclimatization, and severe weather.

    How long does it take to climb mount Elbrus?

    The trip duration is 8-11 days on average. There are offers to do it in a weekend with supplemental oxygen, as well as longer 2-week trips with acclimatization trekking in spectacular areas of the Caucasus like Bezengi which make your trip more of a memorable journey and less of just ticking off the summit. Generally speaking, the longer the itinerary the better are your summit chances thanks to more gradual acclimatization.

    Where is Elbrus located?

    Mount Elbrus is located entirely on the Russian side of the Caucasus range that stretches between the Black Sea and the Caspian sea. You can see many mountains on the Georgian territory from the summit of Elbrus unless you’ve found yourself inside a leaking tennis boll tumbling in a washing machine on one of those days…

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