€1440

excl. of flights

late June-late September, 10 days

Georgia, visa-free.

Strenuous, PD grade

2-6 participants

-5 to -15 °C on the summit, strong winds

Flights to Tbilisi (TBS) airport

Discounts for couples and groups

Kazbek, a dormant stratovolcano, is an excellent choice for your first 5,000m peak. It is not on the ‘7 Summits’ list and thus spared from hordes of eager mountaineers. Climbing Kazbek involves roped glacier travel with a short steeper section before the summit.

Pack horses carry most of your gear, making the approach hike truly enjoyable. An extra night at Gudauri ski resort promotes mild acclimatization, considerably improving your summit chances.

Join the trip or ask your question

Discover the place where Prometheus was enchained, as the legend has it.

Immerse yourself into the rich cultural heritage and extraordinary hospitality of Georgia.

No hassle visa-free entry for most nations and low cost flights.

Am I fit enough for the climb?

Would you agree that your first 5,000 m peak does not have to be the highest on the continent? Perhaps you are seeking refreshing experience without the overindulging infrastructure of the Alps and you are not ready for a Himalayan expedition yet? Or maybe you like combining climbing with cultural trips? Consider climbing Mt Kazbek from Georgia with us!

This trip is suitable for a reasonably fit and healthy person without previous experience at altitude, thanks to our generously long itinerary which increases your summit chances by providing milder acclimatization. On the summit day you will be moving together as a roped team, with crampons and ice axes. Just below the summit there is a short icy section about 30-35 degrees steep where the guide will normally place a fixed rope, necessitating the use of a jumar. The day before climb the guide will provide an introduction course into safe glacier travel.

Included

Generous 11 days itinerary that enables milder acclimatization and increases your chances.

At least 1 experienced guide per 3 participants during the climb, as per international standards.

All accommodation: a 2-3 star equivalent hotel in Tbilisi and Gudauri resort (twin rooms), a homestay in Kazbegi (twin rooms), 2-person tents for one night at the ‘Green’ campsite, and bunk accommodation at Bethlemi hut.

Private transfers.

Pack horses to carry all the group gear and up to 10kg of your personal gear all the way to Bethlemi hut (horses are subject to availability during the marginal season).

Premium quality freeze-dried rations cooked by the guide.

Use of group gear — ropes, kitchenware, tents.

All the group gear: ropes, carabiners, ice screws, kitchenware, tents, GPS, and first aid kit.

Not included

International flights to/from Tbilisi (TBS) airport.

Travel and mountaineering insurance that covers ascents of up to 5,047 m, helicopter rescue, medical treatment, hospitalization and repatriation. We will require your insurance details prior to the trip.

Eating out in Tbilisi, Gudauri and Kazbegi. The guide will recommend a cafe or restaurant to match your tastes and appetite. Budget for €5-10 per meal, that is €40-80 total. Any drinks.

Extra summit attempts (an outing above Kazbeksky saddle at 4,377m is considered an attempt).

Hire of personal equipment, for instance walking ice axe and crampons if needed — please enquire.

Any additional costs associated with leaving the trip early.
Any optional side trips and sightseeing.
Single accommodation.
Discretionary tips.

Reviews

We joined Andrey on a fantastic trip to the Fann Mountains in Tajikistan, pure nature and magnificent scenery! Andrey was super prepared and led us safely up and down numerous... read more

Monika Steinlechner
November 11, 2020

I joined Andrey now twice, once in Kamchatka and once in the Fann mountains. Each time everything worked out well. Andrey has done some excellent organizing and catering. We had... read more

Ulrike Kiefer
November 4, 2020
In 2018 I had the privilege of doing volcano trekking in Kamchatka with a group of experienced South Africans and Andrey, with the grand prize in mind of summiting Klyuchevskaya... read more

Anton Durrant
November 27, 2020

I was impressed with your organization of the trip. The upfront information was accurate and relevant. More importantly everything ran smoothly. I was particularly impressed with your organization of the... read more

Robert Cromarty
November 3, 2020
They definitely succeeded in making the trip enjoyable and in breaking any negative stereotypes – we loved Russia and have come away with a very good impression and a wish... read more

Julie Pritchard
November 3, 2020

We ski toured in Siberia with Andrey in December 2018. Was a fantastic trip; perfectly organised. Great food and great fun.

Jamie Brown
November 3, 2020
Our ski tour in Siberia was superbly organised. Your information before the trip was very clear and comprehensive. We knew exactly what to expect – and got it

David McClelland
November 27, 2020

Superb unique experience to Siberia in 2019. We were well looked after and adapted to our needs and fitness levels. I look forward to going again, perhaps Kamchatka next year ?

Adrian Parsons
November 3, 2020
I went with Andrey to Kamchatka back on 2013. At that time PrimalScapes didn't even exist. He invited me to join his expedition with his fellow Russian friends (We had... read more

Xavi Tarafa Mercader
December 5, 2020

Superb unique experience to Siberia in 2019. We were well looked after and adapted to our needs and fitness levels. I look forward to going again, perhaps Kamchatka next year ?

Adrian Parsons
November 3, 2020

DAY 1: Morning arrival to Tbilisi. Early check-in to the hotel. Rest and explore the city.

Our driver meets you at the airport and takes you to the hotel. After some rest, you can spend the rest of the day exploring the narrow valleys of Tbilisi Old Town or visiting Tbilisi’s gorgeous art museums.

DAY 2. Transfer to Gudauri ski resort at 2,200m. Acclimatization hike or chairlift to 3,200m. Overnight hotel.

In the morning our driver takes you to Gudauri ski resort in about 3 hours. There you leave your stuff at the hotel and go for an easy self-guided acclimatization hike to Sadzeli peak at 3,200m. It may be possible to use a chairlift.

DAY 3: Transfer to Kazbegi. Hike up to the ‘Green’ campsite at 3,000m, crossing Sabertse pass.

In the morning our driver takes you to Kazbegi village at 1,750m in about 45 minutes. There you meet your mountain guide, rent personal gear if needed and leave any unnecessary stuff at the guesthouse.

Then our driver takes you to the iconic (pun intended!) Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,170m which dates back to 14th century. There we load most of our gear on pack horses and hike to a convenient campsite located at circa 3,000m. We spend the night in tents with meals cooked by the guide.

Distance: 5km, 880m elevation gain.

DAY 4: Cross Gergeti glacier and trek to Bethlemi hut (aka Meteo Station) at 3,653m.

Following the rough trail along the moraine, we quickly reach the ice. Usually, the glacier is free of snow so the few crevasses are easy to get around. However, crampons are necessary — after all, our horses have horseshoes that prevent them from slipping! Having crossed the glacier, we then climb the steep lateral moraine until we camp by Bethlemi hut — a lasting two-storey piece of architecture built in 1941 as a meteorological station and also used as a refuge.

Distance: 3.5km, 670m elevation gain.

DAY 5: Acclimatisation ascent of Mount Ortsveri (4,365m)

Today is very important for our acclimatization. Weather permitting, we will ascend mount Ortsveri 4,365m just opposite Kazbek. The climb usually takes 4-5 hours to the summit. On the way we have a chance to test our equipment and practice safe glacier travel skills.

Distance: 7km, 500m up and down.

DAY 6: Rest day.

We recuperate during the rest day which considerably increases our chances of a successful climb. Based on the weather forecast and the group’s acclimatization & fitness, it may be possible to make a summit attempt today.

DAY 7: Climb Kazbek and descend to Bethlemi hut.

Distance: 13km, 1350m up and down.

Setting out for the climb at around 2AM, we circumnavigate Mount Kazbek under the bright stars, traversing the Ortsveri glacier for about 4km from Bethlemi hut, slowly gaining altitude. There are many crevasses in the glacier and later in the season snow bridges may be weak so traveling on a tight rope and ready to self-arrest is essential.

In about 3-4 hours we reach the huge Maili snow plateau at 4,500m altitude, northwest of Kazbek. Here we marvel at a dramatic sunrise above the snowfields and glaciers of the Great Caucasus mountain range. From the plateau, it usually takes about 2 hours to ascend the saddle between the two summits of Kazbek at about 4,900m.

The final section is about 30-35 degrees steep and can be icy at maximum Alpine grade PD+, in which case the guide will fix the ropes. At the top, we are granted a stunning view of the Caucasus range stretching for some 200 kilometers ahead towards the twin snow cap of Elbrus. Overall it usually takes about 6-8 hours from Bethlemi Hut to climb Kazbek’s summit and about 4 hours to descend back to the hut.

DAY 8: Descent to Trinity Church. Transfer back to Kazbegi village.

After breakfast, we descend to Kazbegi village and our guesthouse in about 4 hours. There it becomes apparent that a hot shower is one of the main achievements of civilization! In the village there are many cafes, souvenir shops and restaurants. We share our farewell dinner in one of them.

DAY 9: 4hrs drive back to Tbilisi or the ancient city of Mtsheta.

On the way, it’s worth stopping at a 16th-century castle and monastery at Annanuri. Instead of Tbilisi, you could stay at Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia, with its Svetitskhoveli Cathedral — one of the most sacred places in Georgia and a UNESCO heritage site.

DAY 10: Flight back home.

Transfer to the airport flight back home. Pub bragging of a successful ascent of Mt. Kazbek.

Your guides

Anna Drozhzhina, an experienced trek leader and an aspiring mountain/ski guide, a student of Kyrgyzstan Mountain Guides Association (KMGA/IFMGA), now based in Budapest, Hungary. Considerable experience working as a lead guide on Elbrus (over 30 climbs from South, North and West), Kazbek and Kamchatka. Certified first-aider. Speaks English and French.

Andrew Golovachev, an IFMGA aspirant ski guide within the guides’ association of Kyrgyzstan, an avid alpine climber, and devoted adventure photographer.

Ran treks, climbs, ski tours and expeditions to Tajikistan Pamirs, Patagonia, Peru, Morocco, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Siberia, Caucasus and Kamchatka. A full member of the British Alpine Club. Professional avalanche education: equivalent of Canadian Avalanche Association Level 1 certificate.

Visited over 40 countries, lived in the UK for four years. Certified first-aider.

Booking terms

Sounds exciting? It truly is! We love the place and would be happy to share it with you. Should you have any questions, please check out our FAQ section below. Alternatively, don’t hesitate to send us your inquiry using the contact form or WhatsApp.

Our groups are small, so we require financial commitment from the participants in the form of two deposits made via SEPA bank transfer or Paypal. The first deposit of $140 is paid to secure your place in the group. The second deposit of $280 is due three months before the trip and goes towards accommodation and transfer pre-payment. The remaining balance is paid in cash upon arrival.

Cancellation policy

If you need to cancel your trip 60 days or less before departure because you are prevented from travelling due to:
1) a government banning non-essential travel to the destination or imposing a quarantine for vaccinated upon arrival upon return from the destination country, or
2) a national or local lockdown
We will put your deposits in full towards a future trip with us, this year or the next year.

The above does not apply in the following cases:
– You or a family member is diagnosed with Covid and you are required to self-isolate, which prevents you from travelling.
– A close relative is diagnosed with Covid and you are required to care for them.
– You are denied boarding to your flight due to failing Covid checks.
– You are unable to join your trip due to not fully complying with the testing or vaccination requirements to enter the destination country.

We strongly recommend taking out a travel insurance with specific Covid-19 cancellation and curtailment provision which is now available from many reputable providers.

We also promise a 14-day risk-free booking window: you can cancel at any point within two weeks after you put down the first deposit. This buys you time to sort out vacation and flights, to bring in your friends, etc. and not have to worry about someone else taking your spot on the trip.

In case of cancellation of the trip by the participant due to any other personal circumstances any deposits made are NOT refunded. At our sole discretion we may put them towards your future trips with us.

See Full Terms and Conditions

The minimum group size for this trip is 2 participants plus the guide. Should there be less, the trip will be cancelled and all deposits made will be returned in full.