KAZBEK SUMMIT CLIMB
KAZBEK – GEORGIA'S ICONIC PEAK
The dormant volcano Kazbek rises to 5045 metres on the Georgian–Russian border, the seventh-highest peak of the Caucasus. There are several legends about the origin of its name – it means "nobleman", supposedly after a noble lord who lived there!
It is the iconic peak of the Caucasus; at its eastern foot the old Georgian Military Road runs through the Darial Gorge at 2378 metres. The area is typically volcanic, with remnants of lava flows, volcanic ash, geothermal springs and red and black rocks shaping the landscape.
TOUR DIFFICULTY
Climbing Kazbek is technically not very difficult – it is more of a high-altitude trek, leading over rocky terrain and a glacier to the summit. Still, the mountain must not be underestimated: changeable weather, thin air and strong wind can all make things harder. In good weather a magnificent panorama opens up and we can see far along the wonderful Caucasus range. Climbing Kazbek requires good fitness and endurance, so if you're already an experienced hiker and have been above 3000 metres, it's time to take on a new adventure!
This is one of the physically and technically harder tours: we will move on rocky, snowy terrain and glacier, and the steeper climbs and thin air won't make things easier. The weather can also affect the difficulty; we'll prepare for it as well as we can.
I recommend this tour to those who hike regularly, including at higher alpine altitudes, and have no trouble with 1500 metres of ascent at a comfortable pace.
If you can confidently manage 1000 – 1500 metres of elevation gain a day with a 12 – 18 kg backpack on varied, rocky terrain and snow-covered glacier, have worn crampons before and know how to use a walking axe, this is the place for you.
PROGRAMME
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01
Day one
Meeting in the late afternoon at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport, where the guide checks everyone's equipment; after check-in we fly to Kutaisi, arriving in the morning.
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02
Day two
After our early-morning arrival we collect our luggage and take a bus to Kazbegi, where we spend the day and night. The drive takes 5 – 6 hours, and the journey itself is a real culture shock. On arrival we check in, look around the town a little, have dinner and turn in early, as the next morning we set off for base camp.
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03
Day three
Today the real adventure begins. We set off early in the morning, climbing up a beautiful valley, first passing the Gergeti monastery, then continuing over glacier and varied terrain to reach High Camp in the late afternoon, where we pitch our tents. You can carry your own gear, but for those who don't want to carry that much, horses will take it up to camp.
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04
Day four
Today is about acclimatisation: we take a short hike in the area, go up to the glacier, look at the route ahead, try out and test our equipment, and then return to base camp. Here we pack our gear, have dinner and go to bed, as we'll be getting up very early the next morning.
Distance: 3 kmElevation: 400 m up, 400 m downWalking time: 4 hours -
05
Day five
We get up at around 01:30, dress and set off for Kazbek. The first part of the route is familiar up to the start of the glacier; there we put on crampons and continue on the glacier. The route is long, but with steady effort we soon find ourselves on the summit, where in clear weather a wonderful panorama awaits. After the summit photos we slowly return to base camp on the route we already know.
Distance: 13 kmElevation: 1350 m up, 1350 m downWalking time: 10 – 12 hours -
06
Day six
Today is a reserve day, in case the weather wasn't suitable the day before.
Distance: 13 kmElevation: 1350 m up, 1350 m downWalking time: 10 – 12 hours -
07
Day seven
Return to Stepantsminda. After breakfast we take down our tents and set off back down the valley on the familiar route, arriving at our accommodation in the early afternoon, where a delicious Georgian dinner, chacha and some good Georgian wine await us. After dinner comes a well-deserved rest – in a comfortable bed at last.
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08
Day eight
After a generous breakfast we say goodbye to Kazbek and our hosts and take a bus to Kutaisi; 5 – 6 hours later we arrive in the city and check in. The afternoon is free, but we'll certainly visit the local restaurants and enjoy the local flavours and hospitality. In the early hours a transfer takes us to the airport and we fly home, arriving in the early morning.
In high alpine mountaineering many unforeseeable factors can affect the programme (e.g. changeable weather). For this reason I cannot guarantee the success of the tour and cannot accept responsibility for changes. In extreme conditions the guide always decides on changes to the programme or the route!
COSTS
The tour costs HUF 400,000, which includes guiding and organisation, equipment, accommodation with breakfast in the cities and travel within Georgia.
The tour runs with a minimum of 5 people!
PAYMENT ON REGISTRATION
At least half of the tour price must be transferred to confirm the booking.
Precup Csaba, sole trader
Bank account: 12100011-17482303
Tax number: 90073115 – 1 – 42
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Flights Budapest – Kutaisi return approx. HUF 160,000
Travel insurance: around HUF 20,000 if you don't have ÖAV/DAV membership
Other meals and optional activities approx. EUR 150 – 200
OTHER INFORMATION
LANGUAGES
Besides Georgian, Russian and Armenian are the most widely spoken languages in Georgia, but more and more people speak English too.
ELECTRICITY
The sockets are the same standard as in Hungary, so we can charge our phones and other devices without any problem. Be sure to bring a power bank.
PASSPORT, VISA
EU citizens can enter Georgia with a valid passport or ID card; no visa is required!
RELIGION
Orthodox Christian
DRINKING WATER
Tap water is drinkable, but bottled water is recommended.
CURRENCY
The official currency is the Georgian lari (GEL), which can be exchanged locally. It's worth bringing euros.
EQUIPMENT – CLOTHING
CLOTHING, EQUIPMENT
- stiff-soled alpine boots, C-category crampon compatible
- rain jacket – shell jacket
- thicker down jacket
- thick softshell trousers
- synthetic mid layer
- wool base layer, top and bottom (merino)
- thin softshell gloves
- thick warm waterproof gloves
- neck gaiter
Other accessories:
- hiking backpack 50 – 70 litres
- hiking backpack 20 – 30 litres
- duffel bag (optional)
- extra clothing
- water bottle
- thermos
- headlamp with spare batteries
- thick comfortable sleeping mat
- 1 two- to three-person tent per pair
- one gas stove per pair
- sleeping bag with a comfort rating of at least 0 to –5 °C
- foam mat
- medication
- water purification tablets
- first-aid kit
- power bank
- phone charger
- trekking poles with snow baskets
- crampons
- ice axe
- harness
- HMS carabiners
- helmet
Good to know
Travel
We fly to Kutaisi and from there travel by bus and car.
Weather
Be prepared for varied weather; temperatures can range between –10 and +25 °C, and wind and precipitation can come at any time!
Accommodation
In the cities we stay in simple apartments; during the trek we sleep in tents.
Insurance
Participation requires travel insurance covering the whole period, valid for mountain rescue and hospital treatment. Recommended insurer: EUB, extreme sports category eub.hu ↗
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