Climbing Kazbek 2026 ⛰ Georgia
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High Five on Five
Climbing Kazbek from the south will be the beginning of your history in the big mountains. This is an ideal peak to start with - the considerable height (5033 m) is combined with some technical complexity. You will learn how to walk in bundles and use an ice axe.
In 2023 our climbing program on Kazbek is as safe as possible (ratio of participants per guide is 3 to 1), as well as comfortable (the cost already includes accommodation on the mountain and approaches, necessary transfers, delivery of group equipment by horses, etc.).
Climbing Kazbek is only the beginning! Further, more technical and high-altitude programs are waiting for you.
Frankly speaking, our goal is simple: once you will never think who you will go to mountains with next time =) And for this we have to work very well.
IMPORTANT!
Climbing Kazbek in April and May significantly differs from summer climbs. In spring severe winter conditions and unstable weather remain on the mountain. Depending on snow conditions it is most likely that teamleader will have to climb key areas with rails, and participants will have to rope and abseil on ice! In April and May we only recruit participants who are experienced in big mountain climbing.
Please note that we have other climbing programs for Kazbek:
Choose the best route for you and join us!
Our route provides good acclimatization, which increases the chances of a successful ascent. To get you more comfortably acclimatized to the altitude we have provided an overnight stay in Altihat, a mountain shelter at 3000 m.
Experienced Kuluar teamleaders, who have been to Kazbek more than once, will work with clients in a ratio of no more than 1 to 3. Local certified guides also work with groups.
We do not cancel or reschedule groups. If the consultant has given permission to buy a ticket, you can buy it with confidence. There will be no cancellation through our fault.
We delivery all the public equipment - food, ropes, bivouac - on horseback.
The program includes a reserve day in case of inclement weather
The consultant was personally on Kazbek and many other peaks. He will advise you expertly.
During the work of the club we have developed an algorithm, which allows us to organize hikes and ascents of the highest quality. You can see this for yourself by applying for participation.
More than 25000 participants have already gone to the mountains with the Kuluar and 97.8% were satisfied.
The first day of the climb to Kazbek we are active - we do not waste time. You should arrive in the morning, to 10:00. If there are no necessary flights, arrive a day earlier and spend it in Tbilisi.
After collecting the group by chartered transfer we move to Stepantsminda village (1700 m). The trip takes up to 3-4 hours.
We check in a hostel (accommodation for 2 persons) and finish organizational tasks: select loads for transportation on horseback, check personal equipment, in general - we get ready for the mountain.
So that you could conserve your strength for the decisive assault day, and not to spend it on the approach, all the public equipment and food will be sent to the weather station on horseback. And those who don't want to carry even their own stuff can also hire a horse. Important! If there is a lot of snow, the horses may not walk - in that case you will have to carry everything yourself. Such a possibility is at the beginning of the season.
Hiking time: 3-5 hours; climb on foot: 800 m + acclimatization 1,5-2 hours
At last we will go to the mountains! First we will drive up to the Gergeti monastery, where we will spend some time studying and photographing the famous temple. From here we have a great view of Kazbek, and climbing it is the main goal of our program!
We start walking from the church. The trail gently gains altitude and after three hikes we will reach "Green Lodges" (3000 m). It's a good place for camp, so we set up our tents here. Not far from the camp there is a stationary shelter AltiHut. For extra fee those who wish may stay here.
After lunch we will have an acclimatization walk to gain about 200-300 m more vertically to one of the nearest peaks.
Hiking time: 3 hours; altitude: 650 m + acclimatization 1,5-2 hours
In the morning we come out to the moraine of the Gergeti glacier, and then cross the glacier itself. This part of the glacier is flat, but almost always passable in crampons. Just behind the glacier there is a short rise to the weather station, and that is where we will spend the night tonight. We obligatory register the group with the rescuers.
At the weather station we stay in our tent camp (accommodation in tents for 2 persons). We have a rest, and today we plan either to do some training, or to walk higher with the purpose of acclimatization.
We'll put on our special shoes, learn to walk in bundles, work on our ice-axe hold on the snowy slopes.
We'll go for a long walk to acclimatize, or use half a day for training. Depending on yesterday's day and the condition of the group the team leader will decide about the program of the day.
Assault backpacks are packed, warm gloves are not forgotten, thermoses are filled - the only thing left is to have a rest before the final ascent to Kazbek!
Hiking time: 7-9 hrs upwards + 2-4 hrs downwards; ascent: around 1400 m, descent: 1400 m
The decisive, summit day! Everyone is waiting for it with impatience and some anxiety. How will it be? Will the Mountain let us in? We hope we will be lucky. For our part, we will make every effort to ensure that each participant will climb the summit.
Exit is planned for 1-2 hours in the night. Before going out we drink hot tea and eat a chocolate bar. We get dressed, put our shoes on, get into bindings and go. Slowly, by the light of lanterns we ascent. The ascent to Kazbek from Georgia takes about 7-8 hours, depending on the pace of the group. But here is the summit, followed by a gentle ridge, 50 meters and the summit!
Congratulations! We did it all! It was just a short rest, took some photos and went down.
We spend the night at the weather station.
Hiking time: 4-6h; descent: 1450m
Mountains and snow is enough for us, let's go down where there is greenery. On the way up we'll pass the glacier, "green nights" Altikhat, near the Gergeti church, get in the car and quickly get to Kazbegi. Only here we can relax and finally congratulate each other with the Mountain. If everything goes according to plan and we don't hurry anywhere, we'll stay overnight here in the hostel.
In case of bad weather, there is a reserve day. If it is not used, you can leave for Tbilisi earlier and spend the day walking around the city.
Yay! Climbing Kazbek accomplished, if we used the reserve day, then today we go to Tbilisi.
For today you can buy a flight, the departure time should be after 05:00 p.m.
See you on the next peaks!
Important! The decision on the possibility or inability to continue the ascent is made solely by the teamleaders, is binding in execution and is not subject to discussion. We are interested in as many participants as possible to climb the summit, but safety always comes first!
The program includes a reserve day in case of bad weather. If the weather forecast is bad, the assault can be postponed.
Please note that there is one attempt of the summit. The attempt is an exit of the group with the goal to get to the summit and reach the height of at least 4200 m. If for some reason, climbing is not possible and the weather and time allows - you can negotiate with the guide on the second output.
It will cost 40 € for a participant, but not less than 100 € for a bundle. That is, for two - €50/person, for one - €100.
This money in full size remain teamleader, as a bonus for the extra effort. And may the weather allow you to always climb at the first attempt!
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, teamleader has the right to make changes in the itinerary. Decisions of teamleader are binding and not subject to discussion.
You must have a valid passport, visas are not required.
!! You must have no illnesses from this list in order to participate in the hike.
If in doubt, be sure to consult a doctor.
Despite the fact that Kazbek is the base five-thousandth peak, all participants should have at least minimal experience - from one hike in the mountains for three days, preferably with overnight stays in tents.
You must be able to run from 5-7 km at a slow pace or if you do not run, then to hike about 1.5 hours with a 10 kg backpack.
Climbing Kazbek opens before you many peaks. After Kazbek, we recommend:
We have prepared for you a commemorative medal, "Kazbek", which you will receive after the ascent.
Buy your tickets in advance, as soon as we confirm your participation in the trek. It's usually cheaper that way.
You can use our recommendations and services for buying airline tickets.
You need good insurance to participate in the program. Please do not neglect this item. For some participants, it saved thousands of dollars. You can find our recommendations for taking out insurance here: "Insurance for Kuluar hikers"
It is not more expensive (and maybe even cheaper) for us to accommodate all participants in the weather station than to organize our own base camp. And yes, the weather station is a reliable roof and stone walls. Also a good bonus in the mountains. But!
Last season several booking groups spent the night at the weather, and then asked for tents. The smells, the noise, the impossibility to sit in a group...
Katya Filatova did a great job of describing her comparisons of her overnights in the weather station and tents:
"So. Well, first of all, there are mice in the rooms and climb into things), which is a minus)) the smell - a lot of burners, everything smells of gas, things, etc., I just got it in my memory, this smell.
The is very noisy - the walls from cardboard, you sleep there three nights, at 12 o'clock every night groups leave, stomp boots, talk - you wake up. Groups that have already gone out, sit in the kitchen till night, celebrating - also making noise.
In the high season, it's hard to sit in the kitchen; everything is always occupied; if you sit down, you have to eat quickly and make room. But you sit in your own tent and eat quietly or even outside at a table in the daytime - it's beautiful.
Personally for me the pluses of a tent are that it's only yours, clean, and the air is fresh there! Near only your partner, and on the weather station room from 4 people and up to I do not know how many, ten?
Again, romance, stars, somehow cozy in a tent.
My impression - the weather station is some gloomy place and causes despondency )) I was not in the jail, but I think it's something like that😂 Very different impressions of the campaign, when in a tent - much nicer
That's another thing I remembered, you can't really spend time with your group there, you can't socialize.
Outside you can take out a mattress to lie down or sit on a pebble, and a common tent, chairs you organize, you can sit to communicate, read a book, drink tea.
And at the weather you have a canteen from which you have to leave quickly to make room for the next one, or a bench in front of the entrance. And so, in your free time, you lie in this sad room, there are no other options."
If you don't have your own equipment, you can rent it. Backpack and sleeping bag take in your town, we provide a place in the tent. Crampons, an ice-axe and systems can be borrowed either in your town or from us directly on the mountain. The set of equipment will cost about 120 euros.
Weather conditions are one of the most important factors in successful climbing. The weather in the mountains changes very rapidly. To summarize, it's usually good in the morning, but in the evening it gets worse. At altitude in the evening and at night is very cold, temperatures of -10 and even -15 in the middle of summer are not uncommon. So be sure to take warm and good clothes! The sun is often out in the daytime, at these altitudes it is especially dangerous. The sun's rays are reflected from the snow and you burn instantly. Do not forget to take sunscreen!
We strongly recommend that you approach the question of preparation carefully. Start running three months before your planned ascent. It is good if you can run 5-10 km at a quiet pace and not tired. Don't try to run fast, try to run longer. If you can measure your heart rate - run at a pulse rate of about 130-140 beats per minute. If it is not possible, run at a pace at which you can talk.
You can replace running with long hikes with a backpack of about 10 kg.
To participate in the program you must have experience of at least one hike in the mountains. It is better with tents.
A good option - the winter Carpathians. For example:
If you don't have the necessary hiking experience and can't get it, we recommend you to pay attention on Climbing Ararat - it's the best summit for 5000m.
In winter and early spring, the mountains of Georgia are very windy and cold. The temperature at high altitudes can drop to -50 degrees! Therefore, winter climbing is suitable only for experienced climbers. If you are one of them - see our program!
At the moment, in order to stay in Georgia, you have to take a Covid retest within 48-72 hours of your arrival in the country.
We will tell you about how to actively spend your time before taking the test in this article: Georgia: interesting places near Batumi and Tbilisi.
Yes, there is such a possibility. A horse costs about 100 dollars and carries up to 60 kg. That is, one horse can take things of 3-4 participants.
But note that at the beginning of the season (May-June) because of the heavy snow the horses can not go to the weather station.
The cost depends on the number of participants in the group:
| Number of participants | Value |
|---|---|
| 6 and more | €1250 |
| 5 | €1300 |
| 4 | €1350 |
| 3 | €1400 |
| 2 | €1900 |
| 1 | €3100 |
Additional expenses largely depend on the schedule of the itinerary and your arrival.
A night in a hotel in Tbilisi will cost 30-40 euros per room, meals - 10-20 euros at a time. A horse to take personal belongings - 100 euros for 60 kg - at will.
It is better to have additionally from 100 euros.
Full payment for the program is made on the first day of the hike to teamleader in dollars.
To reserve a place in the group you need to make an advance payment of 200 euros. Methods of payment here.
Important! Conditions for refund of prepayment in case of cancellation of participation in the program:
In the case of a withdrawal from the route the money is not refundable.
We do not accept bills of 500 euros - there are a lot of problems with them later. You can pay in dollars, but tell the coordinator in advance. Please select dollars from 2006 and newer.
*Please, pay your attention: it's not the manager's task to choose a flight for each participant. The manager gives general recommendations, based on his experience and shares the flights of other participants, so you can fly together. It's up to the participant to select and purchase his own convenient airfare. If you want the manager to buy you a ticket, book a hotel or an additional excursion, read the terms and conditions on the page: additional services.
