CLIMB KAZBEK CHALLENGE
Climb Kazbek Challenge
SUMMITING THE PEARL OF THE CAUCASUS
8 days / 7 nights :: 3, 4, & 5-Star Options Available
The Climb Kazbek Challenge is an adventure trip that features climbing Mt. Kazbek in Georgia, one of the highest peaks in Europe! Our local professional climbing experts will help you ascend this stunning peak known as the “Pearl of the Caucasus”. This trip is designed for both novice and serious climbers, all of whom will descend Kazbek with a newfound awe for the Caucasus Mountains. Take the Climb Kazbek Challenge on this adventure of a lifetime!
DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO THE CAUCASUS
Whether you fly in to Georgia’s capital Tbilisi this morning or you arrived yesterday, you’ll meet your guide at a pre-arranged point in Tbilisi, then take off for the scenic, 3-hour drive to Kazbegi, home to Mount Kazbek, the 3rd highest mountain in Georgia. Your guide will brief you on the history of the Georgian people along the way, among whom you will be spending the next week. Upon completion of the breathtaking drive to the foot of Mount Kazbek at 5,700 ft (1,700 m) you will check in to your hotel and enjoy some free time to explore the village of Stepantsminda and take in the views around you. You will meet with your climbing guide today, rent any needed gear, and go over the plan for the next 6 days, and a successful Kazbek ascent!
DAY 2: ACCLIMATIZATION AT FIRST BASE CAMP
Today you get to meet Mount Kazbek up close and personal. You will take a 20-minute drive up to the famous Gergeti Church with its incredible panoramic views of the Caucasus range and Kazbegi valley, and then start your ascent on foot to lower base camp at 10,170 ft (3,150 m). As riveting as you will find Kazbek itself, perhaps the surrounding Caucasus range, stretching into Russia and beyond is even more so. The hike today is 4 hrs. of ascent as well as doubling your elevation, not to mention the significantly colder weather.
DAY 3: ACCLIMATIZATION AT PRIMARY BASE CAMP
You’ll continue up towards majestic Kazbek today to the upper basecamp at 3,650 meters elevation (12,000 feet). There’s a good chance that altitude sickness may start kicking in tonight, so don’t be surprised if it does. This is acclimatization doing its work on your body. After two straight days of big elevation changes & uphill treks, you’ll be ready for bed tonight after dinner!
DAY 4: ACCLIMATIZATION / TRAINING
Wake up with excitement today, as it is your final day before your Kazbek ascent. You’ll get acquainted with the first leg of the summit day climb, up to 4,100 meters, as well as do some necessary technical skills training with your guide: how to use an ice axe, getting used to your crampons, climbing with a rope, etc. Turn in early tonight, as an early wake-up call awaits for your epic summit day tomorrow!
DAY 5: SUMMIT DAY
It’s Summit Day! You have a 12 to 14 hour climb ahead of you, so you’ll start in the dark between 2:00 and 3:00 am. Team is a beautiful thing as you work together with your group up the mountain. The early morning hours of your climb are quite the surreal experience with a line of climbers ascending Kazbek, lit up by a highway of head lamps. Your climb will not be easy by any stretch of the imagination, with altitude sickness, extreme cold temperatures, and unpredictable weather all real possibilities, but it will all be worth it when you reach the top. Take in the view of the Caucasus Mountains range at the summit of 16,581 ft (5,054 m). Once you have a quick celebration of your success, prepare for your 5-6 hour descent back to base camp. Dinner never tasted better than it will tonight.
DAY 6: RESERVE/DESCENT DAY
Descent day! Gather your things and head back down to Kazbegi this morning. You’ll cover 10 km (6 miles) in 5-6 hrs. and then explore iconic Gergeti Church before the final transfer down to Stepantsminda. After 5 days on the mountain, you’ll be ready for a hot shower tonight 🙂 In case there was inclement weather on Day 6 (yesterday’s planned ascent), today will be your summit day up Kazbek.
DAY 7: FREE DAY/RESERVE DAY DESCENT
In case your group needed to use its reserve day and summit Kazbek on Day 7, today is your descent day back to Stepantsminda. If you successfully summited on Day 6, and descended from Kazbek yesterday, then you have a free day today to explore the Kazbegi region: treks, local Caucasus markets, paragliding, 4-wheeling, etc. You’ll have a final tasty mountain dinner tonight before heading back to Tbilisi tomorrow.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
Pack your bags and say goodbye for now to the Caucasus, a place we hope you will come back to for another adventure very soon. We’ll transfer you in the morning back to Tbilisi, where you’ll either fly out of the airport back home, or spend another night in Tbilisi before flying home tomorrow. We hope to see you again soon!
- One summit attempt (any departure from base camp on summit day or reserve day is considered a summit attempt)
- All transportation, including airport transfers
- Meals in Stepantsminda: Full Board on Days 1,6-8
- Meals on Kazbek: Full Board for Classic & Affordable Luxury Options
- Lodging in Stepantsminda – 3 nights in hotels/guest homes
- Lodging on Kazbek – 4 nights in tents for Economic and Classic options
- Lodging on Kazbek – 3 nights in tents for Affordable Luxury option, 1 night in Alti Hut
- Group expedition equipment (ropes, nylon slings (sewn loops), ice screws, ice crevice extraction system, communications, first aid kit, etc.)
- Professional and experienced English-speaking mountain guides with IFMGA or GMGA certification
- 1:3 Guide-to-Client ratio
- Extensive pre-trip planning, customization, & customer service
- Horse porterage for Personal Gear (15 kg (33 lbs)/person)
- International airfare
- Tourist visa on a per-country basis ***not required for most Western countries)
- Rental of personal climbing gear (see required gear list)
- Additional services requested at hotel (spa/banya, etc.)
- Additional summit attempt with guide
- Meals while on Kazbek: Must provide one’s own Freeze-dried food for economic option
- Any change to the program that requires extra expense (any departure from the itinerary will be booked by you at your own expense)
- Additional beverages at meals (non-alcoholic and alcoholic)
- Personal Insurance for climber (***required: Kazbek, Georgia, Mountain Climbing, Extreme Sports, Helicopter Evac option)
- Tips for guides, drivers & meals
Items marked “Rental” are available for rent at Mount Kazbek.
Climbing Gear:
- Climbing Backpack (25-30 liters)
- Head lamp (with extra batteries) – Rental
- Climbing harness – Rental
- 2 Nylon slings/runners
- 2 locking carabiners – Rental
- Ice axe – Rental
- Crampons – Rental
- B2 or D2 Mountaineering boots – Rental
- Trekking poles – Rental
- 2/3-person Tent – Rental
- Sleeping bag (-10 deg C) – Rental
- Insulated water bottle/Thermos– Rental
Upper Body:
- Hard shell jacket (Gore-Tex or equivalent)
- Expedition Parka (heavy insulated “puffy”)
- Light/Mid-weight insulated “puffy” jacket
- Fleece hoodie/pullover
- Synthetic base layer
- Synthetic t-shirts
Lower Body:
- Hard shell pants
- Synthetic trekking pants
- Insulated pants (fleece sweatpants)
- Synthetic/wool thermal long underwear
- Synthetic/wool underwear
Hands and Feet:
- Synthetic/wool hiking socks
- Synthetic/wool expedition weight socks
- Hiking boots/shoes
- Heavyweight gloves
- Mid/lightweight gloves
- Expedition weight mittens – Rental
Head Ware:
- Balaclava/buff
- Beanie
- Helmet – Rental
- Sunglasses (100% UV protection)
Other:
- Personal first-aid kit
- Prescription meds (inhaler, EpiPen, etc.)
- Personal toiletries & sunscreen
- Gas Cooker (for boiling water & cooking freeze-dried food) – Rental
- Mess Tin/Cutlery
- Gas Canister(s) – Purchase
- Freeze-dried food
Talk to a Kazbek expert today:
- +1 704-810-4296
Your safety & success are our priority. Our guides:
- Have each summited Mt. Kazbek over 20 times
- Have over 5 years of experience on Mt. Kazbek
- Are GMGA or IFMGA-certified
- Are English-speaking with local expertise
What you’ll experience on “Climb Kazbek Challenge” expedition
Climb Kazbek Challenge Pricing
| Tour Level | 2 People | 3 - 4 People | 5- 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Economic |
$1,765 |
$1,485 |
$1,325 |
|
Classic / Mid-range |
$2,495 |
$2,235 |
$2,025 |
|
Affordable Luxury |
$2,895 |
$2,595 |
$2,395 |
*As a US based company, all prices are in US Dollars, per person. We accept payment in US dollars at the exchange rate in affect at the time of payment. Refer to our Payment Options document for further details on various methods of payment.
*Economic Pricing includes: 3-star guest home in Stepantsminda, tents on Kazbek, and providing your own freeze-dried food for Days 2-6 on Kazbek.
*Classic Pricing includes: 3+ star hotel in Stepantsminda, tents on Kazbek, and meals included in mountain huts/at base camp.
*Affordable Luxury Pricing includes: 4-star hotel in Stepantsminda, hut lodging on Kazbek on Day 2 at Alti Hut, tents on Days 3-5, and meals included in mountain huts/at base camp.
*For single rooms, a single supplement fee will be applied.
*Contact us for larger group pricing.