Day 01 – Arrive at Mineralnye Vody Airport and Transfer to hotel | Elevation: 2300 M | Drive 2-3 hrs
On this day, you will arrive at Mineral Vody Airport and will be driven to Terskol town. The drive is about 4 hours long and you will stay in a hotel in Baksan that is pre-booked by Khalur Adventures. You will have a welcome meal organised by us and stay overnight in this town.
Overnight in the hotel at Terskol town
Meal: ***
Day 02 – Acclimatization hike to Cheget-3 | Elevation: 3000 on Mt Cheget or Terskol Peak | Elevation: 3150 M
Today, after breakfast, you will go for the acclimatisation hike up to the cable car station Cheget-3 on Mt Cheget or Terskol Peak. This decision is made on the physical condition of the trekkers or sometimes on the weather conditions of the day. The next day, you will leave the valley so you need to get all your equipment sorted today. Kahlur Adventures’ trek leader will assist you in choosing the equipment fit for your expedition to Mount Elbrus. After dinner, you will retire to your hotel room for an overnight stay.
Overnight in the hotel
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 03 – Terskol to the Maiden’s Braids waterfall (Acclimatisation)| Elevation:3125 M
Another day to get used to the height. We’ll take small daypacks with a thermos and lunch. We’ll hike to Devichi Kosi Waterfall, eat lunch there, and enjoy a cool dip in the water. Then we’ll go up a bit more to the Observatory. We’ll be back at the hotel by evening.
Overnight in the hotel
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 04 – Terskol to Mountain Hut (by cable car) | Elevation: 3800 M
This day is quite interesting as you will be moving to a mountain hut at an elevation of 3800 M. You are advised to leave behind all the extra luggage at the hotel. You will take a cable car to reach the location of the hut. Accommodation in the mountain hut: 4-6 people per room. After placing your belongings and equipment in the hut booked for you by Kahlur Adventures, you will head out for an acclimatisation hike with your fellow travellers. The hut is your abode for the night.
Overnight in Mountain hut
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 05 – A Day at the Hut (Training Day)
This day is for training and rest. Kahlur Adventures’ trek leader will teach you some important mountaineering techniques near your Hut. You will be trained to use an ice axe and crampons and techniques of self-arrest. Once your training is done, you will have your meals and then retire to your hut for the night.
Overnight in Mountain hut
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 06 – Rest day
A rest day before we start climbing. We’ll practice stopping a slide on ice using an ice axe. We’ll also go over skills we learned before. We’ll take a short walk to keep our muscles and breathing strong. We’ll pack our bags for the climb. Early bedtime at 5 PM to get good rest. If the weather looks bad, we might skip rest and climb instead.
Overnight in Mountain hut
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 07 – Summit Mount Elbrus | Elevation: 5642 M and Back to Hut
This is the day of the Summit to Mount Elbrus, and you will begin the ascent early in the morning along with Kahlur Adventures’ trek leader and fellow mountaineers. You are heading for Mount Elbrus’ west summit which is the highest point of your expedition and is at an elevation of 5642 M. This is a 9-hour-long ascend and the harsh weather doesn’t make this tiresome trek any easier. On reaching the peak of Mt Elbrus, you will see the panoramic views of the snow-covered Caucasus Mountain range. With the clear blue sky and a blanket of snow as far as your eyes could see, you will get an awe-inspiring view from the top of Mount Elbrus. After a while, you will start descending to your Hut. You will stay overnight at the Mountain Hut.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 08 Mountain Hut to Hotel (by cable car)
today we go down by cable car to the valley, then transfer to the hotel. Lunch at the hotel. We’ll plan the rest of the day together on-site. Options include a forest walk to the mineral spring or a real Russian banya with veniks and an ice plunge (extra cost, not included). Evening festive dinner with medals and certificates. This day can also be a backup if needed for the summit climb.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 09 Transfer to the Mineralnye Vody Airport | Drive 2-3 hrs
You will have a scrumptious breakfast in the morning. After checking out from the hotel, you will drive to Mineralnye Vody airport along with the team members of Kahlur Adventures to board your flight home.
Meal: Breakfast only