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Elbrus World Race · BaksanPhoto: Brian Erickson ↗
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Elbrus World Race · Baksan

Around Elbrus in two days.

Russia · Caucasus8 days / 7 nights3–6 participantsLevel 5/5

THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL

Around Elbrus in two days.

In 2027 the Elbrus World Race is a single event: a clockwise loop around Elbrus, about 100 km and 8,000 m of climbing, topping out at 3,880 m within a 50-hour limit. The key cut-offs are Dzhily-Su at km 50 after 26 hours and Irikchat at km 77 after 41. Entry requires documented mountain experience. We arrive three days early to acclimatise and support the race from Azau to the finish.

  • A full loop around twin-headed Elbrus
  • The Dzhily-Su north camp and Emmanuel’s Glade
  • The Irikchat pass, 3,667 m, between glaciers
  • Acclimatisation on Cheget before the start

With old friends or new ones

Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.

Mineralnye Vody→Terskol→Azau→Dzhily-Su→Irikchat→Terskol
SEASONLate July — early August
DISTANCEAbout 100 km, 8,000 m of climbing, up to 3,880 m

DAY BY DAY

Your daily itinerary.

A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.

  1. DAY 1 · Transfer

    Arrival in Mineralnye Vody

    Three and a half hours up the Baksan gorge to Terskol at 2,100 m. We settle in, take a short walk around the village and sleep early.

    Overnight: Hotel in Terskol
  2. DAY 2 · 12 km, up to 3,000 m

    Acclimatisation on Cheget

    On foot and at a jog from the Cheget lift to 3,000 m, then down to Terskol. 12 km, 800 m of climbing; both Elbrus cones across the gorge.

    Overnight: Hotel in Terskol
  3. DAY 3 · Acclimatisation to 4,100 m

    Up to Priyut 11 and registration

    The cable car from Azau to Garabashi (3,850 m), a slow walk to Priyut 11 (4,100 m) and back down. Registration, kit check and the mountain-experience paperwork in the afternoon.

    Overnight: Hotel in Terskol
  4. DAY 4 · Start, first 50 km

    06:00 start from Azau

    The loop runs clockwise: through Terskol and the valley, over the passes north-west of Elbrus and on to the Dzhily-Su north camp at km 50. The cut-off there is 26 hours after the start; the crew waits at the permitted points.

    Overnight: Runners on course; crew in Terskol
  5. DAY 5 · Irikchat pass

    Irikchat and the descent to Baksan

    Day two: from Dzhily-Su up to the Irikchat pass (3,667 m) and the water point at km 77, cut-off 41 hours. Then the Irik valley and the descent to the finish in the Elbrus region.

    Overnight: Runners on course; crew in Terskol
  6. DAY 6 · Finish

    Finish and the 50-hour limit

    The finish closes at 08:00 — 50 hours after the start. We meet, feed, and then the banya.

    Overnight: Hotel in Terskol
  7. DAY 7 · Recover account

    Reserve day and recovery

    The organisers hold reserve dates for bad weather, so we keep this day free. If the race went to plan — a walk to the Devichyi Kosy waterfall and the award ceremony.

    Overnight: Hotel in Terskol
  8. DAY 8 · Transfer

    Departure

    Breakfast and the transfer to Mineralnye Vody for afternoon flights.

    Overnight: —
INCLUDED

Included in the estimated price

7 nights in a hotel in Terskol with breakfast

Mineralnye Vody — Terskol — Mineralnye Vody transfers

Two acclimatisation outings with a mountain guide

Cheget and Garabashi lift passes

Ivan’s support at permitted points and the finish

Shared dinners, pasta before the start

Border-zone and national-park permits

PAID SEPARATELY

Not included in the price

Flights to the meeting point

Personal travel insurance and visas

Personal equipment

Single-room supplements and personal expenses

Elbrus World Race entry fee

Medical certificate for entry

Lunches

YOUR PREPARATION

Arrive ready for the route.

You need 80 km-plus mountain finishes and climbing or trekking experience above 3,500 m — the organiser checks the paperwork. Ivan prepares runners through altitude camps in the Elbrus region and pole technique on moraine and snowfields.

Prepare with Ivan

ROUTE QUESTIONS

BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL

What to prepare in advance

  • Trail shoes already tested in training
  • A running vest, soft flasks and rain protection
  • Layers for changing weather and familiar trail food
  • Poles, if suitable for the route and you know how to use them

Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.