Mount
Elbrus 5642m, Caucasus
Ascend the highest
summit in Europe, so one of the 7
Summits  |
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All trips suspended until further notice, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine |
| #Ukraine #SlavaUkraini #HeroiamSlava |
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Mount
Elbrus overview
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At
over 800m higher than Mont Blanc, Elbrus
is the “Seventh Summit” of Europe.
In terms of technical difficulty, it is
easier than Mont Blanc, although the importance
of acclimatisation is greater, as it is
higher. |
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We
offer ascents in both summer (on foot) via
the classic south and remote north routes,
and winter ascents (on skis) from the north
side of the mountain. Below are the options
we offer... |
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Elbrus
South route |
Elbrus
North route |
Elbrus
Ski ascent |
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8
day trip, typically Saturday to Saturday,
operated throughout
the summer season. |
10 day trip, typically Friday to
the following Sunday, operated throughout
the summer season. |
10 day trip, with ascents from the north route,
operated throughout
the winter season. |
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Click
for itinerary |
Click
for itinerary |
Click
for itinerary |
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Expedition
notes
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Our
formula is to restrict the group sizes, so that
there are a maximum of 15 clients. The small group
sizes enable us to run specialist ascents, where
the group can bond well, and each expedition member
has great access to the local guides. |
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Whilst
every effort will be made to adhere to the planned
itinerary, it must be realised that in this type
of adventurous travel, changes to the itinerary
may occur. Your final itinerary may differ in respect
of the places where you stay overnight. Please bear
this in mind, especially in the Caucasus! |
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On
the ascent of Elbrus, you are guided by local guides
who have detailed local knowledge. Local guides
are not ‘guiding’ or qualified in the
same stringent way as IFMGA International Mountain
Guides, but work in a far more traditional sense
as route finders and assistants to our expedition
members, so a higher degree of adventure and autonomy
is required than on our Alpine trips. |
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Our
trips are privately run exclusively for Icicle
clients where there are six or more people booked on a date. All the trips are guaranteed even for one person, and if there are five or less
of our clients on a trip, you are matched with other
clients from our partners. We use local logistics
agents for visa invitations, guides, transport and
accommodation. You are guided by an English speaking
local guide on these trips. |
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With
adventure travel, the unexpected is the norm in
these areas and, despite painstaking planning and
organisation, our adventure holidays can never be
taken for granted like regular holidays. Many of
the
places that we visit do not have the same quality
of emergency health and safety services that we
are used to in the developed world. Internal flights
can be cancelled, road transport is generally uncomfortable
and unreliable, and hotels and any star ratings
often do not approach the equivalent standards of
the West. If you are not prepared for this, you
should not book on this style of trip. We see these
factors as a selling point, and it really defines
for us what adventure travel is all about. |
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Icicle
expedition kit bag for FREE
All those booking on
this trip are entitled to a free Icicle expedition
kit bag. This tough c.65 litre capacity kit bag
is designed for full expedition usage and is made
out of durable fabric, and features carry straps.
It normally retails at £50. Postage within
the UK is included in the prices. If you live overseas,
it's not a problem at all. We'll let you know the
price for postage. Want a second bag? Order another, click
here. |
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Mount
Elbrus trip options
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Client
feedback
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A
brilliant expedition. If there was any
critisism, it would be that you don't
make enough of how interesting this
extraordinary region is, on your website
Terry
K , Elbrus
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This
was the penultimate of my seven summits,
and it's only Kili to go, which I'm
doing with you in a few months. Thanks
so much for this trip. Really great
local team, and a well organised trip
Samuel
S , Elbrus
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A
great trip, and interesting to see Moscow
on my way through, but far more interesting
to spend time in these amazing mountains
Graham
J , Elbrus
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| Travel
visas for Russia |
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visa is obligatory for entry and travel within Russia
for tourists, and should be carried with you throughout
the trip as it (and all other paperwork such as passport,
insurance or climbing permits) can be requested and checked
at any time. When booking this trip, please ensure that
you provide your full name, date and place of birth, citizenship,
passport number and its date of issue (ensure it is valid
for 6 months after your trip). You should supply a copy
of your passport and your insurance to Icicle before you
travel. The Russian travel visa can be obtained in the
UK direct from the Russian Embassy (click
here). Our local Russian agent is accredited with
the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and will issue
a visa support invitation letter, usually 8 weeks before
your trip. This you need to apply in person / by post
at the Russian Embassy for your visa, or some opt to use
a visa agent company (e.g. Action Visas / Visa Swift),
to collect it in person for you. Ensure that you allow
at least 6 weeks before departure to arrange your visa,
to allow for the bureaucratic process (it usually takes
c. 4 weeks). If you would like to spend time in Moscow
before travelling to Mineralyne Vody you should ask us
to arrange your night(s) of accommodation through our
local Russian operators so that they can write a visa
invitation letter for the full trip including Moscow (if
you arrange your Moscow trip direct you will have to ask
your accommodation provider for a separate visa invitation
letter). Further details are in the Icicle Elbrus trip
dossier that you receive upon booking the trip. |
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| Flights
to Mineralnye Vody |
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flying from Europe, the easiest route is via Moscow Sheremetyevo
(SVO) airport, then onwards to Mineralnye Vody (MRV) regional
airport. There are no direct flights, and we advise that
you avoid routes via Moscow Domodedovo (DME) or Moscow
Vnukovo (VKO), because Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) is the
main hub airport, and it lessens the risks of baggage
delays in transit. You can check out flights and routes
on Skyscanner (http://www.skyscanner.net). Return tickets
at present from London Heathrow (LHR) cost in the region
of £360 with Aeroflot (correct Sept 2017). This
Icicle trip price includes the airport transfers to and
from Mineralnye Vody airport to the Elbrus region on a
shared transfer basis leaving on the first day at 14.30
and taking you back to the airport at 10.30 on the last
day, different times are available at your cost (see section
on exclusions below for private airport transfer costs). |
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| Any
further questions? |
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A
key part of choosing a company is being able to come and
talk about your plans with an experienced course advisor
face to face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know
our clients value speaking to real people, getting open
and honest advice. The vast majority of our clients are
British, and our office and outdoor store is based in
Windermere in the English Lake District.
 
Get
in contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee
to discuss your course in person with a trip
advisor. |
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