Dates of trips
- 26/04/2025-04/05/2025
Description
A skimountaineering expedition on Mount Kazbek is an fantastic proposal for those skimountaineers who are not beginners. Who are familiar with ascending on skins and off-piste skiing, and they want to aim higher. This may be your first skimountaineering adventure outside Alps.
At the beginning of May there is still a lot of snow in the Caucasus. When ascending Kazbek at that time, usually skis and skins cen be used from the very beginning of the route, just above the Tsminda Sameba monastery, where we will get by car. At the end it is also usually possible to ski down to the same point. In the upper parts of Kazbek you can taste the truly high-mountain dimension of skiing. At the same time, ascents and descents are not very difficult. The demanding section is the ice-covered upper part near the summit of Kazbek. This section we will cross in crampons, without skis.
Climbing Kazbek at April/May is a challenge not only for skimountaineers. This expedition is for mountaineers, too. We can divide into two teams: skimountaineers and mountaineers, each climbing Kazbek with their own guide.
Spring conditions are more demanding than those in summer. An expedition on Mt. Kazbek at that season may therefore be a great training before more serious high mountain challenges such as for example Lenin Peak. There will be a chance to practice such skills as walking in snowshoes or climbing in crampons on hard ice. The big advantage of going to Kazbek in the spring is also the lack of crowds on the route.
Group
Time
Mountains
Activity
Teams
Price
Country
Level
Trip program
- Day 1 – arrival from chosen airports to Tbilisi. Meeting at the airport at night between day 1 and day 2.
- Day 2 – transfer by car or bus (depending on the number of members) to Stepantsminda (former Kazbegi) at the foot of Mount Kazbek. On the way, sightseeing the 16th-century Ananuri fortress and viewpoint. Accommodation in a cozy family guest house. Time to rest after the journey, or shopping. In the evening, dinner in Georgian style prepared by our hosts. Overnight in a guest house.
- Day 3 – transfer by the car from Stepantsminda to Gergeti (2170 m a.s.l.)- the fourteenth century orthodox church picturesquely situated on the slopes of Kazbek. Time for visiting the church. Loading luggage on horses. Ascent partly on foot and partly on skis, with light backpacks, being accompanied by transport horses, to – depending on the pace and well-being of the participants – to Meteostation (3700 m a.s.l.) or to Sabertse (approx. 3100 m a.s.l.). Overnight in tents around the Meteostation or in Sabertse camp.
- Day 4 – an acclimatization trek to the chapel at approx. 4000 m a.s.l. If the night was spent in Sabertse camp, a short trekking to the Meteostation and also an acclimatization walk. Overnight in tents around the Meteostation.
- Day 5 – if the weather and members’ shape and acclimatization permits, the summit push on Kazbek is possible this day: on skis or on foot. In case of slower acclimatization or bad weather rest day in the Meteostation. Overnight in the Meteostation.
- Day 6 – summit push on Kazbek, or waiting for the weather and a short-term acclimatization excursion tour and training. Overnight in the Meteostation.
- Day 7 – descent from Meteostation to Stepantsminda. From the church of Tsminda Sameba in Gergeti to Stepantsminda transfer by car. If we reached Stepantsminda the day before – drive to Tbilisi and afternoon and evening city tour. In case of bad weather – the last chance for a summit push, followed by a descent to Stepantsminda. Overnight in a guesthouse in Stepantsminda.
- Day 8 – bus transfer to Tbilisi. Accommodation in an cozy hostel in the city center. Afternoon and evening sightseeing of the city (the surroundings of Shota Rustaveli Avenue, the Old Town, Narikala fortress). Overnight in a hostel.
- Day 9 – transfer to the airport at night. Return home.
The trip price includes
- service of the BluEmu leader during the whole trip;
- service of one leader for three – four people during mountaineering above the Meteostation on Kazbek;
- accommodation listed in the program in the guest house/hostel in Tbilisi and Stepantsminda and in Meteostation on Kazbek;
- all car transfers listed in the program, including transportation of members and their luggage from Stepancminda to the church of Tsminda Sameba in Gergeti and back;
- half board: breakfasts and dinners during the stay in Stepantsminda, breakfasts during the stay in Tbilisi;
- half board (breakfast and dinner, prepared jointly with the expedition tourleader during all days of mountaineering activity in Kazbek. Meals are available in two options: meat and vegetarian (includes fish). Other options (e.g. vegan, gluten-free) are available after early notice and for an additional charge;
- luggage transportation (1 piece up to 12 kg) per person on horse backs from the Tsminda Sameba church to Meteostation or Sabertse or other place (depending on snow conditions);
- medical expenses insurance and accident insurance for the entire duration of the trip (while in the mountains, the policy covers high-risk sports);
- unique t-shirt and buff;
- Polish Tourist Guarantee Fund contribution
The trip price does not include
- air ticket to Tbilisi and back;
- lunch and dinner while in Tbilisi;
- costs of an optional trip to the Truso Valley or Mscheta;
- additional meals, drinks and other private expenses;
- the cost of individual transfers from or to the airport in case of arrival or departure at a different time than most group members.