The program was designed to give a chance for ski fans to ski from the Top of Europe in the early summer when the snow conditions on Elbrus are superb. On this trip you get an opportunity to ascent the highest summit of Europe - Elbrus and then ski all the way down with more than 2000m altitude differences. The trip does not involve neither ski-touring experience to different passes of Caucasus nor ordinary skiing using ski lift systems.
The Caucasus forms a chain of high alpine snowy mountains separating Georgia from Russia. Just few kilometers north of the Main Caucasus chain lays Europe's highest summit - the twin-peaked Mount Elbrus. The main chain itself contains many mountains over 5000m and tens of summits higher than Mont Blanc. In the valleys clear streams tumbling down from the mountain sides mix with the rushing melt waters from the glaciers at the head of the valleys, passing through dramatic scenery, alpine meadows and beautiful forests.
The Baksan Valley is the most important and the best developed valley in the Caucasus. Almost at the end of the Valley, at the foot of Elbrus, lies Terskol - the Heart of the Caucasus. It boasts about half a dozen hotels and two ski lift systems. These facilities make it the best developed mountain sport center in the 1000km length of the Caucasus - a range that could swallow up the Alps!
The trip will start with an evening visit to the Red Square and a morning Moscow city tour before the flight to Mineralnye Vody, a town to the north of the Caucasus. Then a 4 hour bus journey takes us to the base hotel in Baksan Valley. We will twice get to the height of almost 5000m and spend few nights in Garabashi huts at 3800m to gain some acclimatization before going on to Elbrus.
Garabashi Huts are situated on the south slopes of the mountain. This is the base from where we will attempt the west summit of Elbrus (5642m) - the highest summit in Russia and in Europe. The actual program depends on the group condition and availability of a Snow Cat which we use to help us up the lower slopes of the mountain.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Moscow. Accommodation at a 3-star hotel near the city center.
Day 2: Transfer to the domestic airport, fly to Mineralnye Vody, in the north of the Caucasus. Drive 3,5 hours by private bus to the hotel in the Baksan Valley, near Mt.Elbrus. (B/L/D).
Day 3: We take two sections of Cheget chair lift system and then walk to Mt Cheget Karabashi 3400m to enjoy a spectacular view of Elbrus and get some acclimatization. Hotel. (B/L/D).
Day 4: Short drive to Azau cable car station. We take the cable car/chair lift system up to the Garabashi Huts at 3800m from where walk up to Pastukhovaya rocks at 4800m. Ski down to the Garabashi Huts. Overnight. (B/L/D).
Day 5: In the morning we walk up to Pastukhovaya rocks and get the altitude of 5000m. Ski down to Mir cable car station, 3500m. Return to the hotel in the Baksan Valley. Relax. (B/L/D).
Day 6: Use the Elbrus lift system to reach Garabashi Huts. Easy skiing using of chair lift from Garabashi to Mir. Overnight in Garabashi Huts. (B/L/D).
Day 7: We begin in the early hours of the morning for the ascent to the highest of the Elbrus' twin peaks - the West Summit 5642m. Ski down to Garabashi. Overnight. (B/L/D).
Days 8-9: Spare days to climb Elbrus if the weather on Day 7 was bad. Return to the hotel and relax. (B/L/D).
Day 10: Drive to Mineralnye Vody. Fly to Moscow. Move to the international airport for the flight home. Trip ends. (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The prices are calculated on a group basis for 6 and more participants.
Included: all group transport within Russia as per program, all accommodation in Russia, breakfast in the cities and all food in the Caucasus, group equipment, guides, cook, all the necessary permits and visa support.
Not included: Russian entry visa fee, personal equipment, international airport transfers, flights.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Russia
Outdoor: Mountain Ranger
Skiing & Snowboarding
Mountain/Rock Climbing
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