Ian Taylor Trekking started running trips to Mount Elbrus in 2009. Over the years we have developed our own unique itinerary for safety and success. Hundreds of people have summitted of Mount Elbrus with us and we know exact what it takes to be successful. We know that more acclimatization leads to better success rates. We also know specific physical preparation leads to a safer and more enjoyable experience. Read some REVIEWS from our trips.
1). Our Unique Itinerary
We have learned after years of experience that people need more time to acclimatize to the lower levels of oxygen, in order to have a safe and successful trip. Therefore, our favored itinerary is our unique 12-day itinerary. This will help to give your body the time it needs to acclimatize correctly. We start hiking on the northern slopes of Mount Elbrus with our Base Camp at 2,550m/ 8,366 feet. From there we follow a daily routine on hiking higher and sleeping lower. Your team will continue this process for 6 days.
After the acclimatization process, our new base will be at 3,900m/ 12,795 feet. Our mountaineering training starts as we acclimatize further up to 4,800m/ 15,748 feet over a couple of days. In this itinerary we include three nights in which we can make summit attempts. Most companies are not doing this, and we have seen over the years that it is a main factor in why more people on our trips are making it to the summit. Learn more.
2). Expert Training Advice
We offer personal service with training advice for our clients, 5 days a week. A lot of people underestimate the physical preparation needed for Mount Elbrus. If you decide to climb on the northern side there is minimal safety in place, no helicopters and no snow cats. Therefore, we use the southern side of Mount Elbrus for our final ascent. This offers you better safety and success.
We want to make sure that you have the best information on how to complete this adventure safely and successfully. There are some long 8+ hour days, with over 1,000m/ 3,280 feet of up and down hills on steep terrain while on the trail and mountain. We have professional training advice available to you 5 days a week. All you have to do is e-mail us and we can schedule a call. Read more.
3). Climb with an Everest Summiteer
Why not sign up to one of the trips that Ian personally leads? You can walk through the region with someone who not only has reached the top of Mount Everest! and climbed Mount Elbrus over 10 times. Ian usually leads one Elbrus trip per year with 14 spaces open. You will need to book far enough in advance for these trips. Sign up and get access today. Read more.
4). 25 Years Experience
We have years of experience managing teams on the ground in the Caucasus Mountains. Our head guide has been at the forefront exploring these mountains for over 25 years. He is well connected on the ground with access to all the key organization and authorities. All our other guides are highly qualified in a range of mountaineering disciplines. We always have 1 guide for every 4 clients high on the mountain along with 1 guide for every 6 clients on the trekking portion of our trips.
5). Fully Trained Staff
All of our guides hold professional mountaineering qualifications and wilderness First Aid Certificates. They are able to get you the help you need in case of an emergency. Also, our guides will carry satellite and local phones with them. We want to make sure all of our teams have the best chance at safely reaching their goal. With more guides with your team, they will be able to more efficiently manage your safety on the mountain and also give you a better experience along the way.
6). Quality Gear
Our Elbrus trips use Red Fox tents. They are a more spacious tent for the nights camping on the northern and eastern side of Mount Elbrus. We do have the option for a single tent for an additional fee, however all accommodation are on a shared basis. The huts at 3,900m on the southern side of Elbrus have 4 people per room.
7). All Inclusive Packages
All of our trips include three, two course meals each day on the trail. Therefore, you do not have to worry about bringing extra funds for your food. After we pick you up at the airport, the team will have lunch and then drive to the northern side of Mount Elbrus. We can guarantee quality food throughout the trek because we fury fresh food into our campsites on the camping portion of our trips.
We have vehicles to carry all our duffle bags, tents, equipment and you will only have to carry your backpack each day on the trail. When we go higher we take all our gear up the gondola to our huts at 3,900m/ 12,795 feet. When we are based in the huts we include 3 meals a day. We will have set times for meals each day and have 45 minutes per meal in the huts. Making sure you get enough food on the trail is very important. Therefore, we provide all your meals as part of your trip.
9). Small Group Sizes
We only work with small group sizes. The maximum number of people per team will be 12 people. Some of our groups are even less people with only 6 or 8 team members. This will therefore give you are more personalized experience on Mount Elbrus. You can move as a team and experience more of this reason together.
We believe the journey is far more valuable than the destination. Building a team throughout the 12 day program so you can acclimatize well and experience the best of Mount Elbrus. Our guides will monitor your heart rate and oxygen saturation morning and night to make sure you are acclimatizing correctly to the lack of oxygen.
10). Deal with the Experts
Climbing Mount Elbrus is no easy task and you need the team, support and experience with you and behind you on the mountain. Contact us for more information on our unique itinerary that we have tried and tested over many years. Read some REVIEWS and book early to secure your space on this trip of a lifetime!