MT KAZBEK & MOUNTAINEERING COURSE

If are you interested in learning the basics of glacial climbing, as well as climbing one of the highest mountains in the Caucasus, then Summit Expeditions has you covered. Expert guidance on the mountain and the best pre-travel support will provide you with everything you need for a safe, comfortable and successful expedition.

Over the week, you will learn the most important aspects of glacial trekking from our instructors, including the use of crampons and ice axes, as well as being a part of a rope team. Join Summit Expeditions on our next Mt Kazbek expedition and discover why we are the top expedition company in the Caucasus.

UPCOMING EXPEDITIONS
Jun 16 - Jun 22, 2023
Available
Jul 20 - Jul 26, 2024
Available
EXPEDITION PACKAGES
Expedition Package
Price for 1 climber (16+ years old).
$2,175
Deposit: $750
OFFERS & DISCOUNTS​
LIMITED TIME 10% DISCOUNT CODE: 'EARLY10'

Discounts are available for groups of 4 or more – Contact Us for more details.

EXPEDITION Profile

Duration
7 Days
Grade
CHALLENGING
EXPERIENCE
ALL LEVELS
Max Altitude
5,054 m
group size
4-12
Arrival
TBILISI AIRPORT
Departure
TBILISI AIRPORT
accomodation
huts & TENTS
meals
all inclusive
season
summer

Overview

At 5,054m, Mount Kazbek is the highest mountain in the Western Asian country of Georgia, and one of the highest peaks of the Caucasus mountain range. Like its fellow Caucasus peak Mt Elbrus, Kazbek is a dormant volcano, which is clear from its conic form with the huge crater on its south face.

Technically Kazbek is not difficult to climb with mostly glacier walking and is a very popular mountain specifically because of its simplicity and convenient access. However, it is still over 5,000m, so whilst it isn’t technically challenging, the high altitude will be a test for anyone attempting the summit.

There are two routes leading to the summit of Kazbek; the Russian side and the Georgian side. Summit Expeditions climbs Kazbek from the Georgian side since this is easier to access and gives those without previous mountaineering experience the chance to learn directly on the mountain.

Itinerary

After meeting the Summit Expeditions team leader at Tbilisi International airport, we set off on a 3-hour drive to the town of Stepantsminda in the Caucasus Mountains and the starting point of our trek. 

Once settled into our guesthouse, we will have some time to explore this beautiful town before heading back to the guesthouse for dinner, relaxation and an early night.

Today we trek from Stepantsminda at 1,700m to our overnight camp at 3,014m.

This beautiful 4-6 hours trek takes us higher into the Greater Caucasus mountains whilst crossing rivers, wide-open plateaus and lush mountains.

We will overnight at Altihut 3,014.

Sleeping: Mountain Hut

Trekking time: 4-6 hours

Max altitude: 3,014m

Today we have another beautiful trekking route that takes us higher up on Mt Kazbek.

We will ascend the mountain slowly, making sure we are acclimatising for the higher altitudes. After 4-6 hours, we will reach the Meteo mountain hut at 3,680m, where we will base ourselves for the next few days.

Sleeping: Mountain Hut

Trekking time: 4-6 hours

Max altitude: 3,680m

Today is both an acclimatization day and an opportunity to learn some basic climbing skills that will assist you with the summit attempt.

We start with a hike up to the most prominent glacier on Mt Kazbek at 4,400m, where we will stop for a comprehensive glacier training course.

In this course, you will learn how to wear crampons, in addition to learning how to walk in them across a glacier. The guide will also teach you about the proper ice axe skills necessary for hiking up Mt Kazbek.

We will return to the Meteo huts for the later afternoon, dinner and an early night. 

Sleeping: Mountain Hut

Trekking time: 4-6 hours

Max altitude: 3,680m

Today we have a real mountaineering day.

We prepare our packs and carry our bags and tents up to the high camp at 4,500m.

We learn to set up camp and prepare for summit night.

Sleeping: Tents

Trekking time: 5 hours

Max altitude: 4,500 m.

Today is our Summit Day.

We start early in the morning, leaving high camp just after midnight for an all-night push to the summit.

We will arrive at the summit by sunrise to take in the beautiful view from the highest point in all of Georgia and the lower Caucasus mountains.

After spending half an hour on the summit, we will descend back to our high camp, pull down our tents pack our bags and head down to Alti Hut (3,000m) where we celebrate a triumphant day.

Sleeping: Mountain Hut

Trekking time: 10-12 hours

Max altitude: 5,054m.

Today we depart Alti Hut early in the morning for a 1-2 hr hike down to the Trinity Church where a car will be waiting for us to transfer us back to Tbilisi.

For those not staying in Georgia, we will say our farewells at Tbilisi airport. . .until the next adventure.

What's Included

  • GUIDES & SUPPORT TEAM
    Summit Expeditions team leader, supported by a team of certified and English speaking mountain guides. Support team also includes a cook who prepares fresh meals throughout the trek, as well as mules to carry up to 15kg per person.
  • FOOD & BEVERAGES
    This is a full board expedition with 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch & dinner), plus a celebration dinner after our summit day, along with unlimited filtered water and hot drinks (tea, coffee and hot chocolate).
  • ACCOMMODATION
    Premium hotel pre/post trek and mountain huts & tents during the climb.
  • TRANSPORTATION
    Transfers to/from Tbilisi airport and all road transport within the itinerary.
  • PERMITS & DOCUMENTATION
    All entrance fees and trekking permits.
  • EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
    Satellite phone and first aid equipment in case of emergencies on the mountain.

Reviews

Farah Mehdi
★★★★★
Read More
Summit Expeditions is great. I climbed Kilimanjaro with them in October 2022 and they were organized and efficient in both preparing for the trip and on the trip itself. Our team leader, Sean, was knowledgeable and did a great job with keeping everyone motivated. I would definitely go on one of their trips again. Also, I strongly recommend the luxury tent option they have for Kilimanjaro - totally worth it.
Chloe Evans
★★★★★
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Summit Expeditions and Sean made our trip to summiting Kilimanjaro easy and enjoyable! We had the best support team on the mountain, we were safe, well cared for, well fed and in the trusting hands of knowledgeable guides and leaders. I cannot recommend summit expeditions enough for any of your mountain adventures! Thank you for a life-changing trip, full of good memories, fun and very high success rates!
Tala Shtayyeh
★★★★★
Read More
I recently climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with Summit Expeditions. I cannot recommend Summit Expeditions enough. Their professionalism and care ensured that the whole team was able to summit safely. A special thank you to Sean, as he was super patient and motivating with me the whole way up! Thank you!!
Jess Broad
★★★★★
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Would highly recommend booking a mountain trip with Summit Expeditions! I went with a group of teachers to Kilimanjaro last month with this company and everything from start to finish was fantastic. We had meetings beforehand to prepare us on what to pack and the outline of the trip. Sean, Caroline and Keith all shared their experiences and offered advice before the trip. Caroline was our guide from Summit Expeditions on our trip to Kili and was beyond friendly, helpful and supportive. The team they work with in Tanzania are the best. The food is unreal too. The week ended with us all reaching the summit! Thank you for everything!
Keven C.
★★★★★
Read More
Sean and the support staff were amazing. They were extremely patient and supportive and it's thanks to them that my group had a 100% success rate to summit. I highly recommend Summit Expedition who are extremely professional and who prioritize the health and safety of the entire team. We already planning our next summit with them😀
Daniel Watson
★★★★★
Read More
Summit Exped went the extra mile from start to finish to ensure a safe, well prepared and amazing experience while summiting mt. Kilimanjaro. The ground team they have assembled in Tanzania is second to none. They are dedicated to the team and to the teams success while ensuring everybody is safe, warm and well fed. Highly recommended! I'll be seeking my next adventure through them for sure.
Zoe Irvine
★★★★★
Read More
I climbed Kilimanjaro with Summit Ex and had the most amazing experience. Sean is proffessional and a constant support. The team where all more than fantastic, and our food/tents/planning was all completely flawless. I would highly recommend- impeccable service from start to finish.
Scott G
★★★★★
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I recently went to Kilimanjaro with Summit Expeditions and I couldn't recommend them highly enough. A very organised trip and even though the hike was tough, the team were very supportive throughout (seeing as this is my first mountain)
Andrea Janjua
★★★★★
Read More
I highly recommend Summit Expeditions to achieve your mountaineering dreams. Sean and his team were amazing, taking care of us every step of the way with great tips, clear guidance and catering to all our needs sometimes in very tough conditions. If you are looking for a company that will give you premium support on your mountain journey, look no further, you found them. Giving a 5+ star.
Keith O'Malley-Farrell
★★★★★
Read More
We had an amazingly successful trip to the top of Kilimanjaro. Right from the beginning Caroline and Sean were amazingly helpful from pre trip advice, to packing tips and kit days. Once we arrived in Kilimanjaro they filled us with so much confidence and made everything really easy. Their professionalism and strategy to get a group of 26 of us to the summit was incredible and I don't think anybody else could have done so well with the variety of fitness levels that were in our group. I can't recommend Summit Expeditions enough.
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  • Call or WhatsApp:
    +971-50-531-6123 +971-55-693-0592
  • Email: hello@summitexped.com

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