Mountaineering trip to Mount Kazbek
Places filled: 9/15
If you've already hiked or climbed in the mountains, but want to raise your altitude record above 5000 meters, then Kazbek is the right choice for you. It is one of the highest mountains in the Caucasus Mountains, located on the border of Georgia and Russia. Although Kazbek is technically a relatively easy mountain to climb, it has its fair share of height (even Mont Blanc can't come close), and so you can get a good taste of climbing on snow, ice and glaciers, with ropes attached and that's it! At the same time, Kazbek is an easy enough peak that even novice climbers can feel comfortable climbing there. They say Georgian wines must be good too!
Who is this trip for?
Beginner mountaineering enthusiasts.
Mountain enthusiasts who have already climbed mountains here and there, but the Caucasus Mountains or the 5000+ meter mark remain inaccessible.
Overview - short & sweet
Goal: Kazbek Peak (5054 m)
Dates: 23.08-2.09.2023
Activity: mountain climbing, on snow and glaciers too!
Adventure guide: Marko Aasa
Technical difficulty level: 2/5 (suitable for beginners)
Physical difficulty: 3/5 (moderate effort)
Group size: min 5 (already existing), max 15
Early bird (until 28.02.2023) — 1250€
Less dizzy chicken (from 01.03.2023) — 1390€
Please note: For community members discount of -5% applies
Base camp (3700m)
Schedule and activities
Days 1-2 - TRAVEL ANXIETY IS INCREASING!
The flight to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, does not depart from Tallinn Airport until around 9 pm. So, during the day, there will be last-minute nervous packing and visiting hiking shops. The most convenient way to fly to Tbilisi is from Tallinn via Riga with AirBaltic, and we recommend doing so. We will arrive in Tbilisi early the next morning at 4.40:XNUMX am. PS: some hikers may already be quite tired by then. Then a quick morning nap and the day will be spent in Tbilisi making final mountain preparations.
Day 3 - LAST NIGHT IN BED
After breakfast, we hop on a specially arranged bus and take a fun 3-4 hour ride down Mount Kazbek to the village of Spetantsminda (1700 m). NB: The views from the bus window can be stunningly beautiful. We spend the day in the village resting, shopping and packing. We spend the night there, in bed for the last time.
Day 4 - FIRST EFFORT
In the morning, after a rich Georgian breakfast, the party is over - you have to put on your backpacks and start climbing up the mountainside on your own. Those who want to trade and haggle can also carry their large backpacks up with jeeps and horses. Tip-to-tip we climb along a pleasant hiking trail to the intermediate camp (3000 m). Here is the first extraordinary attraction for a city dweller: spending the night in a tent.
DAY 5 - FIRST DISAPPOINTMENT
When we wake up in the morning, we discover that the hike up the mountain is unfortunately not over yet. What's the point, we pack our backpacks again with a sad face and continue hiking, it will take another 3-4 hours. The goal is the Betlem mountain hut at an altitude of 3700 m (also known as Meteo due to previous weather studies). We set up tents next to the hut: 20% of the group immediately lie down in the tent, the remaining 80% try to sneak into the cafe in the hut to recover.
DAY 6 - HEADACHE
Now the altitude is starting to make itself felt, the main topics at the breakfast table are insomnia and headaches. But let's take it easy. Let's rest, acclimatize, get used to the altitude. Let's check if everyone has brought the climbing equipment they need for the next few days. Let's put on our boots and pick up our pickaxes and think about what we can do with them.
DAY 7 - NOW HIGHER!
Rehearsal for the summit day. We wake up early, climb quite high for a while, over 4000 meters. And then rest and refuel.
DAY 8 - SUMMIT DAY!
We wake up early, really early, well. Eyes open around midnight, an hour later we leave. Top! The beginning is hard - night and sleep and fatigue. After that it gets even harder. But it gets more and more beautiful. In total, it's worth considering 12-15 hours for the up and down. The hardest day of the hike. In the evening we camp in a tent again, there are fewer people in the cafe this time.
DAY 9 - DEPARTURE AND CITY TOUR
No matter if no one is through the previous day, in the morning everyone is united by one thought - DOWN! We could rest and have shashlik and beer and take a shower! And the internet, of course. So we walk down to the village of Stepantsminda, have a little refreshment and then immediately drive back to Tbilisi.
DAY 10 - BACKUP DAY
We'll rest. We'll get scrubbed in Tbilisi's saunas and dine in the old town's outdoor restaurants. Warning! We might drink Georgian wines.
DAY 11 - IT'S ALL OVER
It's all over. The return flight. Screaming children, uncleaned kitchens, dripping taps, nine-to-five workdays and a 28-day regular vacation await. But also a nice memory of the past trip!
NB! There may be minor changes to the schedule and planned activities - for example, due to weather and conditions or passenger requests.
Travel documents and Covid information
The participant is responsible for the validity and orderliness of their travel documents. The following documents are required for this trip:
passport(no visa required);
sports insurance suitable for mountain hiking (read more on the FAQ page). A suitable sports insurance policy must be carried and is a prerequisite for participating in the mountain hike;
travel insurance;
If Georgia requires a Covid test or other related documents before traveling, these are also the responsibility of the participant.
At least one month before the trip, we will make a decision whether the trip is possible and safe enough under the Covid-19 conditions. If the trip is canceled due to circumstances caused by the pandemic, we will of course refund the advance payment in full.
Any more questions? Feel free to ask the adventure guide!
Watch and read how Elamus+ I've been to Kazbek before!
In addition to the video, you can read our Kazbek 2019 travelogue HERE.
Don't worry, let's do it!
My altitude record is Munamägi. Can I still do it?
Yes, you can. Going straight to the top of such a high peak may seem daunting at first glance, but it's not that bad at all - especially if you have a good hiking guide at your disposal. A little practice and preparation.
But I don't have any hiking gear, who can afford to buy it?!
You'll still have to spend a little, but not much. Hiking and climbing equipment can be rented for a very reasonable price, and you can also borrow some from friends. In addition, you can use any kind of clothing you have - for example, a ski jacket is also very good for the mountain. The more resourceful can manage almost without additional expenses.
Will I survive?
It's an extreme sport/hobby, but you shouldn't be too afraid here. Of course, there are certain dangers in the mountains and you have to take that into account, but at the same time, you could get hit by a bus walking across the street tomorrow. The most important thing for the group leader is to ensure the safety of the participants - to do this, we learn and use correct mountaineering techniques and turn around if the weather gets too bad. The point is still to have an enjoyable experience and not let this mountain go away. ;)
Okay, I registered. Now what?
Well, theoretically you could just vanish into thin air and appear on a plane, but then you risk discovering on the spot “oops, I have the wrong cats and what is this middleman node?”. It can happen, but a warm recommendation is to participate in preparatory events - it's part of the fun. We organize preparatory hiking trainings, give advice on suitable insurance and equipment, where to rent cheaply, what to train for, etc. We will definitely review the collected equipment just before the start of the trip and send reminders about important things.
Read more also frequently asked questions.
Travel cost
Price includes - the entire mountain program and the accompanying
Entire trip organization and on-site guidance
With multiple Kazbek experience Elamus+ giid
Local transportation in Georgia and all transfers from the airport to the bottom of the mountain and back
All overnight stays throughout the trip (hotels in Stepantsminda village and Tbilisi city with breakfasts; camping fees on the mountain)
Breakfast and dinner on the mountain (high-quality Tactical food pack camping food)
Special climbing equipment for the group (ropes, ice augers, carabiners, and other glacier equipment)
Stylish Elamus+ sports shirt for each participant
Group pharmacy (including high-altitude medications) and health assessment
Price does not include - flights, personal belongings and optional activities
Flight tickets Tallinn-Tbilisi-Tallinn (~350-450€)
Insurance (travel insurance and mandatory sports insurance suitable for mountain hiking)
Personal hiking equipment and personal climbing equipment (can be rented if needed)
Transport of equipment up the mountain from Stepantsminda by jeep and horses (optional if you don't feel like carrying it in your backpack)
Tents and cooking equipment (a set per tent)
Meals outside the mountain (in Stepantsminda village and Tbilisi and on the road)
Lunch snacks for the mountain, or if you want to eat, drink and stay overnight in the mountain hut and the café there
Unscheduled excursions, transportation, etc. (or if you want to do something extra)
Registering for the tour
Before registering, please read travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, a deposit (20%) must be paid within 3 business days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by email; if there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions ja package tour information sheet.
If the trip is canceled due to circumstances caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we will refund the advance payment in full!
