Climb Two 5000m Peaks
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in Tbilisi. About 3hrs drive (130km from the airport) to the hotel in Gudauri area. We get rooms at the hotel (at 2000m) and overnight.
Day 2. After the breakfast walk through alpine pastures up to 3000m or 3300m easy trekking peaks. Return to the hotel.
Day 3. 30 min drive to the Jvari Pass at 2400m. Climb Mt Dedaena (3480 m, about 4-5 hrs walking up). Return back to the pass and drive back to the hotel in Gudauri.
Day 4. Very early morning we start driving and via the Stepantsminda (former Kazbegi) town get to the village Gergeti. From here we start our long walking day to the Betlemi hut at 3700m. We gain altitude walking up alpine pastures, enjoy wonderful views of the Trinity Church. Crossing the Sabertse Pass at 3150 metres walk down to our campsite at 2950m and continue walk following a moraine and Gergeti Glacier to mountain hut Betlemi hut (former meteorological station). One will not expect much comfort in this high mountain hut, but we try our best. About 7-8 hrs walking from Kazbegi town.
Day 5. Acclimatisation day. We walk up to about 4300m, at the approaches of the Maili Plateau. If weather and snow conditions conditions are perfect we may plan to climb Peak Ortsveri 4363m instead. Return to the hut.
Day 6. The Summit day. Very early morning we go to the Maili Plateau (4500m) passing the south slopes of Kazbek and avoid crevasses. From the Plateau we climb up to the Saddle at 4900m, and then following slopes about 35-45 degrees climb the top (7-8hrs from the hut). The summit of Mount Kazbek 5047m provides fantastic views of the Caucasian Mountains, including Mt. Elbrus. Descend to the hut.
Day 7. Spare day in case of bad weather. Night at the hut.
(If group successfully climbs the summit on the previous day we can discuss option to return back to Down to the town Stephantsminda. Hotel or guesthouse).
Day 8. Descent to Stephantsminda. Night in the town. (If the group returns to the town on the previous day we can plan an additional day trip to the beautiful Chaukhi Mountains. Requires extra transfers)
Day 9. Early morning drive to the Mt Elbrus area (about 280km). Driving time very much depends how long we spend crossing Georgian-Russian border. Approximately 4-4,5 hrs driving itself plus 1,5-2 hrs border crossing.
Hotel in the Terskol area at about 2100m.
Day 10. Short drive from the hotel to Azau cable car station, we take the cable car/chair lift system up to 3800m and stay at the Diesel hut at 4100m.
Day 11. We begin in the small hours of the morning for the ascent to the highest of Elbrus' twin peaks - the West Summit (5642m). You carry your day pack with the day's requirements. We return to spend the night at the mountain hut.
Day 12. Spare day to climb Elbrus.
Day 13. Return to the hotel and relax.
Day 14. Very early morning we start long drive day back to Georgia to Tbilisi. It is 430km to drive. Driving time very much depends how long we spend crossing Georgian-Russian border. Approximately 7-8 hrs driving itself plus time border crossing.
Hotel in Tbilisi.
Day 15. Transfer to airport for the flight home.
