SOUTH-SIDE PROGRAMME
A staged ascent, not a race to altitude
The programme uses two valley acclimatisation days, four valley nights (1–3 and 8), four refuge nights (4–7), one scheduled summit attempt and a reserve procedure. Weather, snow, route condition or participant condition may require the guide to change a day’s endpoint.
9 calendar days
Saturday airport meeting through the following Sunday return to Mineralnye Vody.
Classic south side
Valley acclimatisation, cable-car access, high-altitude refuge and a planned attempt on the 5,642-metre west summit.
Maximum 1:3
No more than three participants per summit guide during the planned summit attempt.
From 3 participants
Every published Saturday start is guaranteed from three participants. The office confirms the group, remaining places and the written offer before payment.
- Day 1 · Saturday
Mineralnye Vody to the Elbrus valley
Meet at the airport, transfer to the valley, check in, meet the team and review personal equipment. The planned main group departure is 15:00, for flights scheduled to land by 13:30. A second group departure at 19:30 runs from two passengers and only after written confirmation from the office.
Sleep: valley - Day 2 · Sunday
First acclimatisation hike towards Cheget
Walk steadily towards approximately 3,000 metres, focusing on pace, hydration, layers and the first response to altitude. Return to the valley.
Sleep: valley - Day 3 · Monday
Devichyi Kosy (Maiden’s Braids) waterfall and the observatory area
Continue gradual acclimatisation towards approximately 3,100 metres. The exact endpoint is adjusted to conditions and the group. Return to the valley.
Sleep: valley - Day 4 · Tuesday
Move to the high-altitude refuge
Travel to Azau, use the cable car and move into the shared refuge at approximately 3,888 metres. The refuge is the same for all three accommodation options; a cook prepares the group’s meals at altitude and the provisions are included. Check in, complete the equipment check and, if the guide decides conditions allow, a short acclimatisation walk.
Sleep: refuge - Day 5 · Wednesday
Acclimatisation towards Pastukhov Rocks
The main training climb heads towards approximately 4,700 metres. The guide may shorten or change the endpoint because of weather, snow or participant condition.
Sleep: refuge - Day 6 · Thursday
Rest and summit preparation
Recover, check boots, clothing, headlamps and crampons, then review movement order, communication and turnaround rules.
Sleep: refuge - Day 7 · Friday
Summit attempt, 5,642 metres
Start at night on the classic south-side route. Reaching the summit is not guaranteed. The guide decides whether each participant and the group may continue.
Sleep: refuge - Day 8 · Saturday
Reserve procedure and descent
A repeat attempt for the whole group or a designated operational subgroup is decided by the programme leader. An individual repeat is charged separately, depends on guide availability and conditions, and is not guaranteed. Otherwise we descend to the valley.
Sleep: valley - Day 9 · Sunday
Return to Mineralnye Vody
The planned valley departure is 06:30–07:00. Arrival by 10:00 is usual but cannot be guaranteed because mountain-road conditions vary. Book your return flight with a margin and only after written office confirmation.
Programme ends: Mineralnye Vody
PLANNED CORE PACKAGE
What the written offer is built around
- Programme leader and mountain guides
- Maximum 1:3 summit-day guide ratio
- Group airport and programme transfers
- Selected valley accommodation on nights 1–3 and 8
- High-altitude refuge on nights 4–7
- Cable-car travel used by the programme
- Valley breakfasts, plus provisions and a cook working with the group at the refuge
- Group registration, communication and group first-aid kit
SEPARATE OR VARIABLE
What must be priced separately
- Personal equipment rental and deposits
- Mountaineering insurance
- Optional snowcat service
- Lunches and dinners in the valley
- Flights, visas and travel to Mineralnye Vody
- Personal spending and unplanned extra nights
- Any variable public fee not included in the confirmed quote
The first payment is 15,000 RUB after the office confirms the place, complete price and contract. The balance is due no later than 10 business days before the programme starts. Exact accommodation, mandatory public fees and the complete price are confirmed in writing before payment; an enquiry is not a booking.
What a nine-day programme does not guarantee
It does not guarantee the summit, fixed weather, an unchanged endpoint on every acclimatisation day or a second summit attempt for every participant. The confirmed offer defines the reserve procedure before payment.