Elbrus and Kilimanjaro Combo (trip)
Elbrus and Kilimanjaro Combo
- Airport near Russian Federation, Moscow
- Active & Adventure
| from $9,950* per person | 23 Days | July |
| Luxury accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: Mountain Madness | 14 people max | |
A volcanic massif located north of the Caucasus main ridge, 18,540-foot Mt. Elbrus rises almost 3,000 feet higher than surrounding peaks. The summit offers breathtaking views of the Caucasus Mountains and the impressive tributary valley systems feeding the raging waters of the Baksan River. The Baksan Valley offers trekking through fields of wildflowers, amongst poplar and pine forests. After acclimatization hikes in the Baksan Valley and a day spent reviewing skills, we take a cable car up the mountain to the shelters at Kharabashi. Here we spend several nights before our summit attempt. The climb offers great introductory level glacier climbing that includes the use of crampons, ice axe, and roped travel.
At 19,340 ft., Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the largest freestanding mountain in the world. Surrounding the base of this huge dormant volcano is tropical montane forest rich with unique flora and fauna. Further up, heath forest opens into moorland dotted with giant senecio and lobelia. A magnificent zone of rock and ice leads to the summit crater where sulfur gas still emits from the ash pit. Just above the crater floor is Uhuru Peak, the mountain’s true summit.
Although climbing Mount Elbrus & Mount Kilimanjaro does not demand technical skills, good physical fitness and proper acclimatization are required to reach each summit. Skills will be taught on the slopes of Mount Elbrus enabling those with no glacier climbing experience to safely ascend the peak. Our experienced and knowledgeable guides are committed to helping each client reach the 18,540 and 19,340 ft summits safely.
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Locations visited/nearby
Elbrus and Kilimanjaro Combination, Russian Federation, Tanzania, Europe
0 testimonials about this trip.
3 testimonials about the provider, Mountain Madness:
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Reviewer: Bill Alorets, Glacier Mountaineering Course
“Great trip! Lots of training and summit day was incredible. Lead and assistant guide was always available and incredible patient. I highly recommend Mountain Madness to anyone!”
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Reviewer: Vince Colletti, Basic Rock Course
“I had one of the most amazing weekends of my life and our guide was responsible for that. I can’t say enough words of praise for him, or the staff of Mountain Madness. You definitely have a return customer!”
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Reviewer: Angelina Trujillo, Mt. Baker Slow boat climb
“Thank you! This trip was very successful due to our guides and their support. My limited experience and older age was taken into account on how they managed our group which was the reason for all of our success!”
Special information
- This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.
Itinerary
Day 1Travel
The first day is allocated for those requiring an overnight flight to Moscow.
Day 2
Arrive in Moscow
Arrive in Moscow where you will be greeted at the airport. You will be transferred to your hotel where we will spend the night.
Day 3
Moscow
We will tour the city of Moscow, including a visit to the Kremlin Cathedral and Armory. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4
Village of Terskol
Transfer to domestic airport for the two-hour flight to the city of Mineralnye Vody (Mineral Water) or Nalchik. Continue by bus to Baksan Valley where we stay in a hotel for several nights.
Day 5
Acclimatization
To prepare us for our summit attempt of Elbrus and to enjoy the magnificent Caucasus Range, we hike up the Adylsu Valley, a tributary of the Baskan River Valley or the observatory located on the flanks of Elbrus. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 6
Skills
To further prepare us for the climb, we ride the cablecar and walk higher up to snow slopes where we practice crampon and other snow climbing skills. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 7
Barrels
Elevation: 12,800 feet / 3901 meters
Ride the cable car up to Kharabashi, which is Balkarian for “where black rock meets glacier”. Here we settle into the comfortable barrel shelters. Enjoy a possible hike in the afternoon.
Day 8
Acclimatization
Elevation: 15,420 feet / 4700 meters
Today we will take a hike to Pastukhov Rocks and return for another night at the Barrels.
Day 9
Skills Review
Today we further review basic mountaineering skills. The afternoon will be used for rest and preparing for our climb.
Day 10-11
Summit Attempts
Two days are scheduled to make our summit attempt. We will increase our chances for a successful summit climb by riding a snowcat to just below our previous highpoint near the Pastukhov Rocks. If weather allows our group to summit on the first day we will descend the following day and have an extra day in the Baksan Valley.
Day 12
Descend to Baksan Valley
Spend the night at the Hotel.
Day 13
Drive to Mineral Vody Fly to Moscow, then fly to Amsterdam. Overnight in Amsterdam.
Day 14
Fly to Kilimanjaro Airport
Overnight in Arusha National Park at our private luxury camp. Night game drive on the way to camp!
Day 15
Rest and prepare at our private luxury camp in Arusha National Park.
Day 16
Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Camp
Elevation: 9,700 feet / 2956 meters
The majority of the first day’s hike is through the Montaine Forrest. Lush vegetation with very old trees and lilts of ferns and mosses mark this as an area that gets reliable rain year round. The forest abounds with wildlife; small bushbuck & duikers, monkeys, and a rich and varied bird life. The first three hours or so is on gently rising land before steepening for the last two hours. The camp for the night is in a small clearing on the trail.
Day 17
Umbwe Camp to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 13,000 feet / 3962 meters
Shortly after starting the hike the forest gradually gives away to the giant heath. The trail has been following a ridge for some time and as it ascends through the heath land the ridge narrows and sharpens, finally becoming knife edge with steep drops on each side. As the height of the heath reduces there are stunning views of both Kilimanjaro’s southern flank and across the Mount Meru some 50 miles away. The wildlife changes with the vegetation; jackals may be heard barking and the huge Lammergeyer seen circling overhead. The camp is overlooking the Barranco Valley with views up towards Arrow Glacier.
Day 18
Barranco Camp to Arrow Glacier
Elevation: 15,800 feet / 4816 meters
The day starts in the unique Barranco valley with its lush vegetation and giant senecio. As the valley steepens we strike off up a scree ramp on the most direct route to Arrow Glacier. The vegetation is left behind as we move through old weather rock and alongside old lava runs. A final boulder slope brings us to the Arrow Glacier Campsite.
Day 19
Day Hike – Arrow Glacier
Elevation: 15,800 feet / 4816 meters
This day is a chance to acclimatize and rest before the push to the summit. During the day we will take a hike up the Western Breach Route to familiarize ourselves with it and if necessary kick steps in the snow. This hike will also help with our acclimatization.
Day 20
Arrow Glacier to Summit/Descent to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 10,500 feet/3200 meters ; 19,340 feet/5895 meters
Leaving at midnight we will wind our way up the Western Breach non-technical climbing route, about six hours to the crater rim. Moving around the massive Furtwrangler Glacier as the skies lighten we will see the shape of Mt. Meru to the west. Having crossed the crater plateau we begin the final 800-foot climb to the summit hopefully arriving shortly after dawn. Having enjoyed the view we begin the long descent to Barafu Hut and down to Mweka Camp for the night.
Day 21
Arusha
It takes about 3 to 3.5 hours to make the 4,500-foot descent to the gate and pick-up. Here we will have our lunch and say goodbye to our mountain staff. We will return to Kia lodge for a shower, dinner and then will transfer to the airport for flights home. Fly home from Arusha, or if continuing on Safari overnight at the Kia lodge.
Day 22
Arrive Home or Leave for Tarangire Safari
For Tarangire Safari members: After breakfast we leave for Tarangire. Afternoon game drive, overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge.
Day 23
Game Viewing
Game drive in the park. Overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge.
Day 24
Morning Game Viewing
Game drive in the morning, make your way back to Arusha. Day room, dinner, transfer to airport for flight home.
Day 25
Arrive Home
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