Application Process & Payments
Application Process & Payments
To apply for any of our expeditions, there are three simple initial steps.
- Make contact with us by clicking the ‘Book Now’ button or fill in our online application form HERE, and our team will review it within 24-48 hours.
- Read, agree, sign, and return the ‘Program Terms and Conditions’ that we send to you.
- Upon acceptance, we will send you an invoice with payment details and ask you to pay your 25% non-refundable deposit. We recommend wire transfers as credit card payments will incur a merchant surcharge for the payer.
It’s worth noting that many insurers expect you to take out a policy within 14 days of paying a deposit to activate any trip cancellation or interruption policies. You can find our recommendations on insurance for mountaineering HERE.
It is only upon receipt of your completed application form, program terms and conditions, and your 25% non-refundable deposit that will we enrol you onto a CTSS expedition and allocate you a spot on our team.
Following the initial application process you will then:
4) Receive an onboarding email with all of your pre-trip departure information, gear list, itineraries, etc. to help you manage your expedition.
5) Be sent an updated invoice reflecting receipt of your deposit and your balance amount remaining, which is due 120 days (4 months) prior to departure.
6) Be asked to complete the remaining paperwork to ensure a smooth expedition including:
- Medical treatment release (allowing us to treat you and render first aid and care to you in an emergency)
- Physician’s assessment form (to be filled in by your doctor stating you are fit to participate and exert yourself at altitude; this will include additional cardiac testing if you are 50 years or older or are climbing above 8,000 meters)
- Copy of your passport photo page
- Copy of your insurance policy
- Your arrival/departure and travel details
Further details of our Payment Terms and Conditions, Cancellation, and Refund Policies can be found in the Application form, on your invoice, and in our Program Terms and Conditions form.
Suffice to say, we operate in some of the most remote and rugged places on the planet and as such we ask that you are aware and understanding that there could be last minute changes due to inclement weather, unsafe route conditions, or circumstances beyond our control that may impact your expedition.
We also plan your adventures well in advance and, in order to do so, make many non-refundable payments to suppliers to secure permits, services, etc. on your behalf. We therefore must strictly adhere to cancellation policies.
We strongly advise you purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance as protection against an emergency which may force you to cancel or leave an expedition.
CTSS' 'No D*ckheads Policy*'
Successfully summiting the world’s mightiest peaks requires more than just physical fitness. It also demands enormous mental strength, commitment and most importantly deep humility.
For this reason, CTSS is HIGHLY SELECTIVE of our both our Guides and our Clients.
Unlike other operators we won’t blindly accept anyone who can pay the bill. We will only enrol climbers who we feel will be an asset to our teams.
This selection is not about your resume, fitness, age, demographics, skillset or even your previous climbing experience. It is exclusively about your character and creating a powerful, cohesive culture and a sense of belonging.
Over decades of front line guiding we have learnt the secret sauce that makes a good expedition great, is the people. When you have great people in the mountains together it is advantageous to everyone’s safety and success AND ultimate enjoyment.
From the moment you make contact with us, throughout the onboarding process and even during the expedition we will continually assess you to make sure you are a good fit for CTSS. If not, we’ll politely and respectfully part ways.
To qualify to be on a CTSS team you must pass the No Dickheads* test and demonstrate you have the right character;
This Selection Criteria includes;
Humility & Respect:
- For the mountains and the environment,
- For your Guides and their leadership calls,
- For your teammates and their goals,
- For our shared priorities of safety and success (strictly in that order).
You will be expected to clearly demonstrate;
- A positive and persevering spirit,
- A deep commitment to your goal and obtaining the requisite fitness, skills and experience required,
- A willingness and enthusiasm to work in a team environment and be a true team player by going the extra mile and helping where you can,
- A understanding that mountaineering requires you to be adaptable and positive
- A natural ability to take self responsibility vs. playing the blame game
- And finally, that you are a nice, kind person!
You will also be expected to prove that you DO NOT:
- Feel entitled to summit because ‘you paid for it’. Rather you understand that the summit is a great privilege and never a guarantee.
- Have an unhealthy ego that is prone to ‘summit fever’ and that you will not push circumstances, people or safety boundaries too far.
- A selfish, negative mindset that may infect a team and erode enjoyment for everyone
We will not hesitate to enforce this policy and have done so in the past – firing Guides, changing contractors mid season, expelling clients and declining countless applications who we felt jeopardised the health and happiness of the wider team.
We are extremely privileged to be in the mountains. We don’t take that privilege for granted and we expect you to share that appreciation.
CTSS is the class of the mountain and it is for this reason that spots on our expeditions are among the most sought after in the world.
*The No Dickheads Policy is credited to the NZ All Blacks – the most consistently successful sports team in history with a win rate of 86%. They attribute their success to their team culture and not suffering – quote – “…people who put themselves ahead of the team, people who think they’re entitled to things, expect the rules to be different for them, people operating deceitfully in the dark…”
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Trip Insurance
Trip Insurance
Let’s face it, mountaineering carries an inherent risk and the nature of adventure travel means things don’t always go to plan, which is why we require all of our clients to carry adequate and appropriate insurance.
Too many times we have had clients who need to cancel their trip either before or during an expedition for unforeseen reasons such as injury, family issues, work obligations and so on. Considering the investment, length of expeditions and how much is at stake, it’s better to be prepared for contingencies.
You are welcome to choose your own provider but seek a policy that covers rescue, evacuation, medical expenses, trip cancellation and interruption.
Ensure it doesn’t have restrictions on the altitude you will be climbing to, or exclusions on the activities you are undertaking, (like roped mountaineering) or the places you are visiting. (Many insurers exclude destinations with travel warnings)
Most insurers like you to take out a policy as soon as you have paid your deposit (some are within 7 days, some are within 20 days) for your cancellation/interruption clauses to take effect so it’s important that this is one of the first things you do when planning your expedition.
Protect yourself so you can head out on your expedition with peace of mind and focus on climbing.
Recommended Options
There are several excellent providers on the market that can offer competitive policies but our clients have had the best success with:
International Medical Group is an award-winning provider of travel insurance to help adventurers like you protect yourself and your investment from the unexpected no matter where in the world you are.
They also included non-insurance assistance services (for example Embassy & Consulate referral, emergency cash transfer, medical referrals and much more) in their policies.
We recommend their TravelLX policy which includes:
- Trip Cancellation (up to $100,000)
- Trip Interruption (up to 150% of trip cost)
- Emergency Medical Evacuation/Repatriation of remains (up to $1,000,000)
- Political or Security Evacuation and Natural Disaster Evacuation (up to $50,000)
- Accident & Sickness Medical Expense (up to $500,000)
- Search & Rescue (up to $10,000)
- Cancel for Any Reason & Interruption for Any Reason (optional upgrades)
Want more peace of mind?
We also recommend Global Rescue’s annual memberships which provide worldwide field rescue, medical evacuation, security extraction, travel risk, crisis management and security services.
“Global Rescue employs former Navy Seals, Army Rangers and Defense Intelligence Agency Analysts to pluck people from precarious situations”
New York Times
CLICK HERE to Review their Travel Membership (including the medical evacuation program) and Signature Travel Insurance or connect with their 24/7 Member Services team (through the Contact Us form) for any questions you may have.
Whichever plan or provider you choose, please make sure to forward us a copy before the start of the expedition, so we can assist you in case of an emergency.
Elbrus Travel Guide
Expedition Meets in: St. Petersburg, Russia
Continent: Europe
Currency: Russian Rubles
Population: 145million
Official Language: Russian
Season to Climb: June to August = Summer
Things you Need to Know:
Tourist Visas
Almost all foreign travellers require a formal, pre approved tourist visa to enter Russia and it can be a lengthy process to obtain. We recommend you begin the process at least 3months in advance and consider using a local visa processing agent to simplify the process for you and take out any guess work.
To apply for a visa you will need ALL of your travel arrangements including your international flights and hotel bookings inside Russia finalised. (We will book hotels on your behalf within the scope of the expedition and will inform you of these bookings for this reason, however if you require additional nights before or after your trip please alert our team to this by either informing us where/when you have made additional bookings or asking us for help to do this)
With your travel details formalised, we can then issue you with an ‘Invitation Letter’ which is a vital part of your visa application. Please note; no invitation letters will be issued until balance payments are received.
Keep in mind:
- You will need to send your physical passport to your nearest Russian embassy along with your visa application. Make sure you don’t have conflicting travel arrangements during this time.
- Your visa application is very specific and your entry and exit dates and hotel bookings cannot be changed at a later date. For this reason please plan your trip in detail and in advance.
- You need to make sure the passport you apply for your visa with, has at least 6months until expiry from the date you plan to enter Russia, and at least 4 blank pages left.
Getting there
Getting to Russia is easy, flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg are served daily by direct flights from most hubs of North America, Europe and most of Asia.
You will need to fly into St. Petersburg in Russia on, or before, the official arrival day.
Once you have finalised your trip with us, we will book your hotel accommodation within the scope of the expedition (both in St. Petersburg, the Elbrus Region and Moscow) on your behalf and share these details with you so you know where to go from the airport. If you are looking at extending your trip or need additional nights, please let us know so we can help facilitate these.
Domestic Flights
You are expected to book your domestic flights from St. Petersburg to the Elbrus Region and back to Moscow. We highly recommend the use of a travel agent to do this as domestic travel can be a little more complicated to book, especially when it comes to securing baggage allowances withing your ticket. Excess baggage charges can be very expensive at the airport.
The regional airport that gives us access to the Elbrus region is called Mineralyne Vody (airport code: MRV)
Once you have finalised your trip with us, we will provide flight numbers of the domestic flights you should book to and from, the Elbrus Region.
Money
Russian Rubles – Please note, it can be difficult to exchange your currency to Russian rubles in your homeland due to the unpopularity of rubles abroad. You’ll be able to exchange money on arrival at the airport or, use ATM to draw cash.
Credit cards can be used throughout the country in shopping hubs, restaurants, cafes and bars.
If you are planning on bringing cash to exchange for rubles, US dollars or euros are preferred by points of Russian currency exchange. Banks are also readily available to exchange currency in Russian cities and will generally charge a reasonable exchange rate.
Tipping
In Russia tipping is common practice. It is common to tip 10% at restaurants, $1-$3 for each bag to the porter, round up the fare for a taxi driver, tip city tour guides and local mountain guides
Adapters
Russia uses the two prong round European outlets on 220 volt electricity (be mindful that America uses 110volts – most electrical devices will support both but its work checking you power adapter to find out its supported voltage. If it is 110 volts only, you will not be able to use it in Russia)
Tap Water
Russian tap water meets sanitary standards so yes you can brush your teeth in it and drink it, but there are traces of minerals such as too much calcium and sulphate. This doesn’t matter if you drink a little while you are travelling there, but it’s not the healthiest in the long-term.
Personal Safety
Despite perceptions, Russia is a relatively safe destination for travellers. General safety precautions should be taken much like any other destination with its share of pickpockets etc. Behave in Russia as you would at home, err on the conservative side in terms of dress and behaviour and generally keep any controversial or political opinions to yourself as to not offend anyone. Always let your Guide know if you’re going to venture out. In general, we prefer to travel and stick together as a team.
Moscow 2 Day | 2 Night Extension
More of Moscow!
USD $1,750 per person
Moscow! A city of contrasts with an intriguing mix of extravagant Tsarist architecture and stern Soviet buildings it is rich with artistry, culture and history that dates back over 800 years.
Take your time with an extra two days and two nights exploring the capital with English speaking guided sightseeing excursions.
See Lenin’s Tomb, go inside St. Basil’s cathedral, attend the famous Russian Ballet at the Bolshoi*, relax and unwind in Gorky Park and more!
This tour is fully inclusive of guides, accommodation and three meals a day. Chat to us if you would like to see and do more in Moscow, as we would love to organise it for you.
*Please note, tickets to the Bolshoi aren’t included as to accomodate your personal preference on which show you would like to attend and prices vary.
St. Petersburg 2 Day | 2 Night Extension
More of St. Petersburg!
USD $1,750 per person
Located on the delta of the Neva River, St. Petersburg is only 7 degrees South of the Arctic circle and was founded by Peter the Great in 1703.
Russia’s cultural centre, it is a hub of historical, cultural and architectural landmarks and bears the unofficial title of being the most ‘European city’.
Spend an extra two days and two nights exploring this stunning city with English speaking guided sightseeing excursions to explore The Hermitage & Peterhof Palace.
You certainly won’t regret having extra time to really take in and absorb this spectacular city!
This tour is fully inclusive of guides, accommodation and three meals a day. Chat to us if you would like to see and do more in St. Petersburg, we would love to organise it for you.
Elbrus Single Rooming
Hotel Single Rooming Upgrade
$1250 USD
As standard all of accommodations are based on twin share but we are happy to organise single rooming accommodations for you in the hotels throughout the expedition (St. Petersburg, Moscow and Terskol)
If you snore or are easily awakened by others that do snore, this might be a great option. Having a single room adds a bit of comfort and personal space that can go a long way on an expedition.
If you would like a single rooming option please let us know on your application form.
*Please note that accommodation on the mountain is limited to the mountain huts which are very comfortable but they are dormitory style so single rooming isn’t available on these nights.
5-Day Baker Alpine Academy & Climb
Price: $1,495 USD
2025 Dates:
- June 5-9, 2025 – All Women’s Expedition
- June 19-23, 2025
- July 10-14, 2025
Our 5-day Mount Baker expedition not only climbs the peak but takes advantage of an extra two full days of comprehensive mountaineering training, making it an ideal prep for climbers looking to move on to the Seven Summits, Denali, or bigger peaks in the Himalayas.
You will spend most of your expedition mastering skills in Baker’s ideal glaciated terrain before climbing and summiting the mountain towards the end of the week. Another bonus of the 5-day program is flexibility, allowing us to select the best weather window for your summit bid.
Course Learning Covers:
- Alpine safety
- Expedition & snow camping – site selection, tent set up, snow block walls, kitchen setup, camp hygiene
- Mountaineering skills – crampon technique, self-arrest training, climbing efficiency techniques
- Crevasse rescue
- Knots, hitches, and rope craft
- Ice climbing (condition dependent)
- Rappelling
- Snow anchors & running protection
The curriculum may be adapted to take advantage of current weather conditions.
Provided are guidance, expedition oversight, skills seminars, logistics, team gear, food, and support for a summit attempt on Mt. Baker.
Prices subject do not include an additional 8.6% Sedro Woolley city and state tax.
This itinerary is only a rough estimate and will be determined by weather and conditions. This is adventure travel meaning things rarely go as planned and this schedule will likely change. Climbers need to be adaptable and positive.
We always recommend climbers arrive in Sedro Woolley one day early to avoid travel delays, or issues with lost baggage. Added expenses (hotel/food/sightseeing) of this extra day are the client’s responsibility.
- Day 1: Arrive in Sedro-Woolley by 8:00 a.m. Quick gear check/rentals and drive to trailhead. Hike to Sandy Camp, establish our base camp while training expedition camp site selection and construction
- Day 2: Training Day. Focus on basic travel efficiency and snow travel techniques, introduce rope systems and basic knots/hitches.
- Day 3: Training Day. Focus on more advanced ropework, anchor construction and running belays.
- Day 4: Summit attempt! Wake up early for an alpine start, ascend the Easton Glacier Route to the summit, descend route back to camp. After a rest, evaluate the climb and review skills used during the climb.
- Day 5: Wrap up training and descend to trailhead by 1:00 p.m. Drive back to Sedro-Woolley, arriving around 3:00-4:00pm. Return any rental gear and bid a fond farewell to your teammates.
It is advised that you book local accommodation for the night of your last day instead of traveling home when you will be tired.
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, and insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect.
Included in the Mt. Baker 5-Day Alpine Academy & Climb
- Professional mountain guides
- All on-mountain breakfasts, dinners, and hot drinks. You will need to bring your own selection of snacks for lunches and fuel during the summit climb. We recommend a variety of your favorite snacks, enough for 16 snack breaks at 300-400 calories per break. This should weigh 3-4 pounds.
- All group gear, including mountaineering tents, cooking gear, stoves, ropes, etc.
- First-aid equipment
- Satellite phone to update the blog and available to clientele at $3/minute
Excluded from Mt. Baker 5-Day Baker Alpine Academy & Climb
- All in-town restaurant meals
- Lunches/snacks while on the climb. You will need to bring your own selection of snacks for lunches and fuel during the summit climb. We recommend a variety of your favorite snacks, enough for 16 snack breaks at 300-400 calories per break. This should weigh 3-4 pounds.
- Hotels before or after the climb
- Transportation to and from the airport
- Flight costs
- All personal climbing equipment is the responsibility of the client
- In the event of a rescue, evacuation, or early departure from the group, any rescue expenses or excess expenses above and beyond our normal trip costs including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping are the responsibility of the client.
- Guide tips (customary, but optional)
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
Mt. Elbrus Private Climb
$13,950 USD
1:1 Client to Guide Ratio | Customizable dates
Do you need to set your own custom dates to fit around work/family/life commitments?
Are you looking for the personalised attention of a 1:1 guide? Or both?
We are happy to organise a private Elbrus expedition for you which allows you to dictate the schedule, amend it depending on how you’re feeling and fully customise a program.
A private guide can be also be an invaluable advantage, coaching you through skills, giving valuable feedback and being exclusively and 100% available to you.
It’s the perfect fit for climbers who really want true independence and a high level of personal support.
Your Elbrus expedition marries the best of both worlds, fantastic climbing and the opportunity to see the best of Russia with private tours of both St. Petersburg and Moscow to bookend the trip.
You will meet your private climbing guide in St. Petersburg and they will stay with you throughout your entire expedition. Having toured the best of St. Petersburg, you will then fly into the Elbrus region and transfer to the quaint valley of Terskol where we will stage your climb.
First you will acclimatise in the valley below the peak with beautiful hikes before moving up to our mountain hut. Here you will spend a few days acclimatising with forays up the mountain and learning/refreshing and mastering mountaineering skills, (Cramponing, harness use, self arrest technique, fixed line climbing etc) before your summit bid.
Depending on snow conditions on summit morning, you may elect to take a snow-cat to a previously attained high point (tagged in prior days during acclimatisation) which saves several hours and around 2,000 vertical feet giving you the advantage of reaching the summit earlier in the day and feeling more energised to enjoy your climb.
Following your climb, celebrate in the valley with a traditional Russian Spa (Banya) and if time allows a day to relax and explore the valley, before flying back to Moscow.
In Moscow, take in the wonders of Red Square, St. Basils’ and the Kremlin amongst others, before waving farewell to your guide and heading home.
Contact us so we can help you plan your dream Elbrus Expedition around your dates.
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule may be refined and strategically planned to account for the best weather and summit windows etc.
- Day 1: Arrive in St Petersburg
- Day 2: A full day exploring St. Petersburg and taking in the sights
- Day 3: Fly as a team to Min Vody, transfer to Elbrus Region
- Day 4: Scenic Acclimatisation hike & free time to explore and unwind
- Day 5: Foray up the mountain for a new acclimatisation high point and full day of training, return to the valley to pack and for the evening at the hotel
- Day 6: Move up to the mountain hut and settle in
- Day 7: Acclimatisation climb up the mountain to Pastokov Rocks
- Day 8: 1st potential summit day
- Day 9: Pack up & descend to the valley, Russian Banya spa/contingency summit day
- Day 10: Free day in the valley (horseriding, hiking, rest etc)/contingency summit day
- Day 11: Fly to Moscow and afternoon city tour
- Day 12: Morning city tour & fly home in afternoon/evening
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect
Included in the Elbrus Private Climb:
- CTSS Private Elbrus Guide who will meet you in St. Petersburg and be with you until you depart Moscow
- Full logistical and expedition support for a summit attempt on Elbrus
- Mountain food
- City tours in St. Pete's & Moscow with private English speaking guide
- Single hotel accommodation in St. Petes, Moscow & the Elbrus region
- Mountain Hut Accommodation on the climb
- In country ground transportation (Note: this does not include your domestic flights)
- Local registration, climbing permits, and chairlift/gondola fees
Excluded in the Elbrus Private Climb:
- International flights to/from Russia and domestic flights to/from Mineralnye Vody. (You will be advised as to flight numbers of which domestic flights to book)
- The optional, but recommended, snowcat ride on summit morning to reduce the length of the summit climb. (Most climbers elect this option which is payable directly to the operator and is between $200-$300 USD)
- Russian visa fees
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Associated travel expenses including: Visa, Passport, Reciprocity Fees, Vaccination Charges, Excess Baggage, transit hotels
- Optional excursions not included in the itinerary or additional days before or after the scheduled program
- Personal climbing equipment, clothing, toiletries etc
- Personal sundries including but not limited to; personal snacks, alcoholic beverages, laundry services, medical expenses, gratuities, internet, email or phone charges, bottled water, specialty coffees
- Lunch & Dinner meals in town
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide tips (Customary but optional)
- Satellite telephone charges and any 3rd party wifi
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
Mt. Elbrus Climb and Ski Descent
$5,995 USD
2nd July – 13 July, 2023
Mt. Elbrus is not only a fantastic climb it offers an excellent backcountry ski descent.
Skiing off the summit of one of the “Seven Summits” is truly a once in a lifetime experience. It has a long descent of 5,000 vertical feet or more which is not only fun but saves hours of down-climbing.
This option is suited for strong climbers who have significant ski experience who are comfortable carrying ski gear in addition to their day pack and are confident on steep terrain (Must be comfortable on black diamond runs)
The ski descent option runs in conjunction with our classic Mt. Elbrus climb team which marries the best of both worlds, fantastic climbing and the opportunity to see the best of Russia with tours of both St. Petersburg and Moscow to bookend the trip.
Having met in and toured St. Petersburg, we fly together into the Elbrus region and make our way to the quaint valley of Terskol where we will stage our climb.
First, we acclimatise in the valley below the peak with beautiful hikes before moving up to our mountain hut. Here we spend a few days acclimatising with forays up the mountain and learning/refreshing and mastering mountaineering skills, (Cramponing, harness use, self arrest technique, fixed line climbing etc) before our summit bid.
Depending on snow conditions on summit morning, climbers may elect to take a snow-cat to a previously attained high point (tagged in prior days during acclimatisation) which saves several hours and around 2,000 vertical feet giving people the advantage of reaching the summit earlier in the day and feeling more energised to enjoy their climb.
Following your summit, you will strap on your skis and enjoy the run of a lifetime all the way back to the mountain huts!
Leaving the mountain the next day, we celebrate in the valley with a traditional Russian Spa (Banya) and if time allows a day to relax and explore the valley, before flying to Moscow.
In Moscow, we take in the wonders of Red Square, St. Basils’ and the Kremlin amongst others, before waving farewell to the team and heading home.
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule may be refined and strategically planned to account for the best weather and summit windows etc.
- Day 1: Arrive in St Petersburg
- Day 2: A full day exploring St. Petersburg and taking in the sights
- Day 3: Fly as a team to Min Vody, transfer to Elbrus Region
- Day 4: Scenic Acclimatisation hike & free time to explore and unwind
- Day 5: Foray up the mountain for a new acclimatisation high point and full day of training, return to the valley to pack and for the evening at the hotel
- Day 6: Move up to the mountain hut and settle in
- Day 7: Acclimatisation climb up the mountain to Pastokov Rocks
- Day 8: 1st potential summit day
- Day 9: Pack up & descend to the valley, Russian Banya spa/contingency summit day
- Day 10: Free day in the valley (horseriding, hiking, rest etc)/contingency summit day
- Day 11: Fly to Moscow and afternoon city tour
- Day 12: Morning city tour & fly home in afternoon/evening
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect
Included in the Elbrus Classic Climb & Ski Descent:
- CTSS Elbrus Guides & Support for a summit attempt on Elbrus
- Full expedition logistics
- Mountain food and team gear (ropes, anchors etc)
- City tours in St. Pete's & Moscow with English speaking guides
- Hotel Accommodation in St. Petes, Moscow & the Elbrus region
- Mountain Hut Accommodation on the climb
- In country ground transportation (i.e mini bus etc Note: this does not include your domestic flights)
- Local registration, climbing permits, and chairlift/gondola fees
Excluded in the Elbrus Classic Climb & Ski Descent:
- International flights to/from Russia and domestic flights to/from Mineralnye Vody. (You will be advised as to flight numbers of which domestic flights to book)
- The optional, but recommended, snowcat ride on summit morning to reduce the length of the summit climb. (Most climbers elect this option which is payable directly to the operator and is between $200-$300 USD)
- Russian visa fees
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Ski gear including boots/skis/poles, hire charges or excess baggage related to ski gear
- Associated travel expenses including: Visa, Passport, Reciprocity Fees, Vaccination Charges, Excess Baggage, transit hotels
- Optional excursions not included in the itinerary or additional days before or after the scheduled program
- Personal climbing equipment, clothing, toiletries etc
- Personal sundries including but not limited to; personal snacks, alcoholic beverages, laundry services, medical expenses, gratuities, internet, email or phone charges, bottled water, specialty coffees
- Lunch & Dinner meals in town
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide tips (Customary but optional)
- Satellite telephone charges and any 3rd party wifi
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
Elbrus Express
$4,495 USD
July 4 – July 12, 2023
July 16 - July 24, 2023
Pressed for time?
Whilst touring the great cities of Russia is certainly an amazing experience, (which we encourage) we also understand not everyone has the time to visit both St. Petersburg & Moscow, or perhaps they have already seen these great sights on a previous visit, or have a future trip planned and therefore the Elbrus Express expedition which cuts out the city touring to focus exclusively on the climbing, is a better fit.
In which case you will cut short the beginning and end of the trip.
On our Elbrus Express climb you will meet the team at the airport ready for the domestic flight to the Elbrus region. (We ask everyone to book the same domestic flight and will provide flight numbers – please note the airport you arrive at in St. Pete’s may not be the same as the Elbrus flight departs from, and you may need to transfer between airports. This is easy to overcome by taking a cab)
Arriving in the Elbrus region we make our way to the quaint valley of Terskol where we will stage our climb.
First we acclimatise in the valley below the peak with beautiful hikes before moving up to our mountain hut. Here we spend a few days acclimatising with forays up the mountain and learning/refreshing and mastering mountaineering skills, (Cramponing, harness use, self arrest technique, fixed line climbing etc) before our summit bid.
Depending on snow conditions on summit morning, climbers may elect to take a snow-cat to a previously attained high point (tagged in prior days during acclimatisation) which saves several hours and around 2,000 vertical feet giving people the advantage of reaching the summit earlier in the day and feeling more energised to enjoy their climb.
Following our climb, we celebrate in the valley with a traditional Russian Spa (Banya) and if time allows, enjoy a day to relax and explore the valley.
The following morning the team, including our express climbers will be transported to the local airport (Min Vody) for their onward flights home, while the rest of the team heads to Moscow for their final tours. Please note that it is often easiest to catch the same domestic flight to Moscow with the team and then transit from there as there is a greater availability of connecting international flights from Moscow.
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule may be refined and strategically planned to account for the best weather and summit windows etc.
- Day 1: Arrive in St Petersburg and meet the team at the airport in time for the domestic flight to the Elbrus region
- Day 2: Scenic Acclimatisation hike & free time to explore and unwind
- Day 3: Foray up the mountain for a new acclimatisation high point and full day of training, return to the valley to pack and for the evening at the hotel
- Day 4: Move up to the mountain hut and settle in
- Day 5: Acclimatisation climb up the mountain to Pastokov Rocks
- Day 6: 1st potential summit day
- Day 7: Pack up & descend to the valley, Russian Banya spa/contingency summit day
- Day 8: Free day in the valley (horseriding, hiking, rest etc)/contingency summit day
- Day 9: Transfer to Min Vody airport, fly to Moscow and connect with your international flight home.
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect
Included in the Elbrus Express Climb:
- CTSS Elbrus Guides & Support for a summit attempt on Elbrus
- Full expedition logistics
- Mountain food and team gear (ropes, anchors etc)
- Hotel Accommodation in the Elbrus region
- Mountain Hut Accommodation on the climb
- In country ground transportation (i.e mini bus etc Note: this does not include your domestic flights)
- Local registration, climbing permits, and chairlift/gondola fees
Excluded in the Elbrus Express Climb:
- International flights to/from Russia and domestic flights to/from Mineralnye Vody. (You will be advised as to flight numbers of which domestic flights to book)
- The optional, but recommended, snowcat ride on summit morning to reduce the length of the summit climb. (Most climbers elect this option which is payable directly to the operator and is between $200-$300 USD)
- Russian visa fees
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Associated travel expenses including: Visa, Passport, Reciprocity Fees, Vaccination Charges, Excess Baggage, transit hotels
- Optional excursions not included in the itinerary or additional days before or after the scheduled program
- Personal climbing equipment, clothing, toiletries etc
- Personal sundries including but not limited to; personal snacks, alcoholic beverages, laundry services, medical expenses, gratuities, internet, email or phone charges, bottled water, specialty coffees
- Guide tips (Customary but optional)
- Satellite telephone charges and any 3rd party wifi
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
