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An all-inclusive ascent to Climb Mount Kazbek in Georgia with Beka, a local IFMGA certified mountain guide. Experience one of the Caucasus’ most emblematic peaks, standing 5054 m tall (the third-highest mountain in Georgia) on this 6-day venture.
Group
Caucasus
6 Days
Jun - Sep
High
Intermediate
Climbing Mount Kazbek in Georgia is an ideal choice for those looking to explore the Caucasus. It is also great for beginner mountaineers, as it is not a technical climb – however I still recommended my guests to have a great fitness level. We will spend about 7 hours trekking per day with altitude gains of around 1400m. If you are unsure about your preparation level for this ascent, you can write to me and I will be happy to advise you.
The base during your climb with me will be at an old Soviet Union meteorological station, converted into a mountain hut. Because the season is usually quite busy, we will also have the option to sleep in tents outside the hut.
I will lead a training session during our acclimatization walk for safety and different techniques. You will learn how to walk on glaciers with crampons, as well as ice axe usage and climbing techniques. All of these trainings will enhance your mountaineering knowledge and build your confidence to reach the summit.
From Tbilisi airport where I pick you up, the drive is around 3-hours to Stepantsminda. There, I will check your equipment, and the following day, we will drive to the 14th century Trinity Church, where the trekking begins at an altitude of 2,200m. We will reach the Kazbek summit on day 5, and transfer you back to the airport on day 8. You can find a detailed, day-by-day itinerary below.
I will be glad to welcome you and show a very special peak in Georgia. I have summited this majestic peak more than 50 times, and each time I still am rewarded with seeing my client’s emotion after reaching the summit.
For a more intermediate climb in Georgia, you can also follow me on an ascent to the summit of Mount Tetnuldi.
Arrival at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS). Meet the driver and transfer to the hotel in Tbilisi or Kazbegi (depending on the flight schedule). Check in and rest for the night.
Meet the driver at the hotel and transfer to Stepantsminda (if not done on arrival day). The drive takes about 2.5 hours. Check-in at the hotel and meet the local Mountain guide. Receive an introduction and briefing about the upcoming days’ plans. Ensure you have all the necessary equipment and clothing for climbing Mount Kazbek. This day is reserved for renting any required equipment. Rest for the night.
After an early breakfast and checkout, the driver will transfer the group and Mountain guide to the historical 14th-century Trinity Church, where the trekking begins at 2,200m. Meet the horses, which will carry the gear to the basecamp. The first part of the terrain is through an open grass valley, which is slightly inclined and relatively easy. As we ascend, we’ll see the village of Stepantsminda, Trinity Church, and the beautiful surrounding mountains. After 3 hours, we’ll reach the ridge and get a magnificent view of Mount Kazbek. Another 2 hours of trekking will bring us to a glacier where we’ll put on crampons and begin crossing. After 2 more hours, we’ll hike up the Moraine until we reach the base camp at 3,653m. The base camp hut, formerly a Soviet Union meteorological station, will be our base.
Trinity Church Altitude: 2200m
Base Camp Hut altitude: 3653m
Vertical gain trekking: 1452
Travel time trekking: 7 hours
We will spend this day acclimatizing and training. After an early breakfast we will then trek up to a ridge, leading us to a small church cabin at 3,950m. Shortly thereafter, we descend back to basecamp and proceed to a snowy slope next to the camp where your guide will go through important demonstrations on climbing, equipment, and safety techniques. We will review crampon, and ice axe usage. There will be exercises for glacier walking and icy slope walking. All of these exercises will further build our foundation and confidence to reach the summit of Kazbek. We will have an early dinner and rest early to prepare for early morning rising.
Base Camp Hut altitude: 3653m
Acclimatization trek: 4000m
Vertical gain trekking: 347m
Travel time trekking: 1.5 hour
We wake up at 02:00 on this morning. After breakfast, we gather and prepare backpacks and equipment. At this point, we start the climb to Mount Kazbek with headlamps. When we reach 3,900 m, we rope together and start walking the slightly inclined glacier. After reaching the plateau at 4400m, we will witness the breathtaking sunrise and be able to view the meadows in the Russian territory. Here we can relax and take a moment to soak in the glacier environment around us. Now we start to gradually incline on a slope (20 degrees) which is leading us to the saddle of Mount Kazbek’s two summits. The most technical part is the last 100 vertical meters from the saddle to the summit. Here we will climb snow and icy slopes (up to 45 degrees). Reaching the summit will be a memorable experience for everyone after a 7 hour ascent all together. After some time, we will start the descent back to base camp, taking around 5 hours total. Now we can decompress, relax, enjoy dinner and rest.
Reserve day in case of bad weather on summit day. If we are unable to leave the hut and attack the summit, we will spend this day resting in the hut and reserving our energy to summit the next day.
Base Camp Hut altitude: 3653m
Mount Kazbek Summit: 5054m
Vertical gain climbing: 1400m
Travel time climbing: 7 hours
Descent time to base camp: 5 hours
After an early breakfast, we will leave the basecamp and trek back down to Trinity church. Here, we can take the time to visit the Trinity church site, which is a symbol of Kazbegi from the 14th century which is still being used today. The driver will meet the group and transfer all to Stepantsminda hotel to retrieve stored belongings and proceed to Tbilisi. We will stop on the way to Tbilisi in a local restaurant to enjoy delicious Georgian cuisine and congratulate each other on such a journey together. Check in to Tbilisi hotel.
Early breakfast at the hotel, checkout, and transfer to airport with the driver.
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Mountain Guide
I am a IFMGA/GMGA certified mountain guide, with more than 10 years of experience in the Caucasus mountain region.
Mountain Guiding and alpine sport is the most gratifying passion in my life. As an official team member of the United Federation of Georgian Mountaineers, I have led some of the most challenging ascents and expeditions in the Caucasus. In addition, I have completed successful ascents in Himalayas, Tian Shan, Pamir, Alps, and more. Aside from climbing, I have a big enthusiasm for ski mountaineering. I have completed many first ski descents in the region, such as Mt. Tetnuldi West Face descent, and more. In the winter and spring season, I enjoy guiding my guests on the backcountry of the Caucasus mountains, and sharing my experience and love for this region. In the summer season, I guide groups up iconic peaks such as Mt. Kazbek and more.
I am the founder of The Alpine Project, a full-scale mountaineering tour agency. My team and I are experts in the region, and we are deeply inspired by guiding our guests and welcoming them to Georgia. Please contact me if you have any further questions about my experience and my offers.
Languages
Russian | Georgian | English
Certificates
IFMGA | GMGA
Zono
We fully enjoyed our trip to Mt. Kazbegi with professional guide Beka! And also thanks so much for Explore-Share online support, they are so kind to support us to book guide!
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