Caucasus, Russia
Mount Elbrus – South Route
Route detail
About this route
Seven days from Terskol: acclimatisation hikes, snowcat option and a night start for the 5,642 m west summit.
Daily activity
4–7 hr/day; summit day 10–12 hr.
Terrain
Snow slopes, glacier travel and high volcanic plateau.
Best season
June to September
Your guide office
Elbrus.guide
Based in Terskol, Russia
What's included
Guides, barrel-hut accommodation, lifts, meals on the mountain.
Not included
Flights, visa, snowcat, insurance.
Itinerary
- 1
Terskol arrival
Time: 6–8 hr
Gear check and a first valley acclimatisation walk.
- 2
Cheget acclimatisation
Time: 4–6 hr
Hike to 3,000 m with views of both Elbrus summits.
- 3
Up to the barrels
Time: 10–14 hr
Lifts to 3,800 m, move into the high huts.
- 4
Pastukhov Rocks
Time: 5–7 hr
Acclimatisation climb to 4,700 m with crampons.
- 5
Rest day
Time: 4–6 hr
Weather window planning and a light day.
- 6
Summit day
Time: 5–7 hr
Night start, the saddle and the west summit at sunrise.
- 7
Descent
Time: 4–6 hr
Back to the valley, banya and debrief.
Questions about this route?
Talk to the guides who run it — gear, fitness, weather windows, private dates. We answer within one working day.
€1,490
per person
Guides, barrel-hut accommodation, lifts, meals on the mountain.
Next departure · Aug 2
5 of 8 spots left
Spots update as bookings come in.