climb actionchallenge on Our ascent of begins in the foothills of the lower Caucasus. Elbrus, an inactive volcano, is one of the famous Seven Summits and, at 5,642 m, is the highest mountain in Europe. It s a fantastic, rewarding challenge - all you need is an adventurous team spirit, good fitness and two weeks out of the office. We begin our challenge from Kislovodsk, in the heart of the lower Caucasus. From here we carry out acclimatisation climbs, ascending progressively higher each day, practicing our crampon, rope and ice axe techniques. From Base Camp we climb through the rocky moraine of the Mikelchiran Glacier to our next camp at 3,600 m far above the grasslands, with stunning views across the glaciers and the lower Caucasus range. Together we make the climb to Lenz Rocks, crossing several crevasses, and prepare for our bid to reach the summit of. The ascent to the top is tough but exhilarating, beginning with a glacier climb to the saddle between the two summits at 5,416 m. We work as a team to climb up the next steep section to the ridge and, after a final short push, we reach the summit at 6,642 m. We are rewarded with a breathtaking view over the Caucasus from the highest point in Europe. Back in the spa town of Kislovodsk we celebrate our ascent to the summit of with a traditional Russian sauna, dinner and fine chilled vodka with our new friends. at a glance Activity: Trekking - Altitude Location:, Russia Duration: 12 days / 8-9 days trekking Difficulty: Tough Distance: 40 km Group size: 15-25 trip highlights Take on one of the seven summits of the world Trek through the heart of the lower Caucasus Climb through the Mikelchiran Glacier Use crampons and practice ice axe techniques Stand upon the magnificent Lenz Rocks Peer from the highest mountain in Europe Indulge in a classic Russian sauna Action Challenge have been leading inspirational team adventures across the world for individuals, private groups, charities and corporate clients since 1999. Our trips enable people to experience the world s most exhilarating locations, often in aid of charity. At the heart of every challenge is team spirit and fulfilment; together we take on once-in-a-lifetime adventures, achieve formidable goals and forge friendships for life. www.actionchallenge.com
introduction This fully-inclusive adventure to the summit of will begin as soon as you register! You will receive a challenge pack including a training guide, kit list and discounts for all the essentials you may need. If you are raising money for a charity, we will sort out all the formalities so you can concentrate on your own preparation and fundraising. We offer pre-challenge briefings and training weekends in the UK, where you can meet our trek leaders, members of your group and others taking part in challenges around the world. On the day of departure you will meet your group and Action Challenge leader at the airport in London. Whether you re joining the challenge on your own or with others, you will instantly be made to feel welcome. As a team we will board our flight to Moscow, ready to take on and the climb of a lifetime! brief itinerary Please visit our website for more details All inclusive trip cost from 2,349 Initial 399 deposit to sign up Three payment options available Please visit our website for more details Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Depart London Kislovodsk Caucasus Base camp 2,200 m 3,100 m High camp 3,600 m what s included Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Acclimatisation Acclimatisation 5,000 m Elbrus Summit 5,642 m Base camp Kislovodsk Arrive in London International and domestic flights Action Challenge trek leader Full support team, including local guides UK medic All accommodation All meals, except in free time Airline taxes Treated drinking water All transfers in local vehicles National Park entrance fees Celebration dinner in Kislovodsk Invitation to a challenge briefing in London Discounted training weekends in the Peak District, Brecon Beacons & Snowdonia Fitness and training guide Discounts from UK retailers Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health The climb is a tough challenge at altitude, over a prolonged period of time. The highest point stands at 5,642 m and the terrain is varied with some steep uphill climbs so a good level of fitness is required. Why not stay on after the challenge and explore some more of Russia s highlights? Extensions include trips to: Moscow St. Petersburg July and August are considered the best months to climb. Temperatures are usually higher than in the previous months whilst the snow is often firmer and gives a better footing for the climb.
itinerary DAY 1 - Depart UK We depart from London for our overnight flight to Moscow. Meals: L,D* Accom: Flight / Hotel * *(dependent on flight schedule) DAY 2 - Mineralny Vody We arrive in Moscow and change terminals for our two hour domestic flight to Mineralny Vody. On arrival, we transfer to the town of Kislovodsk, the last town before the lower steppes of the Caucasus. At our hotel and we meet our team of guides who ll be with us for our journey. This afternoon we have a full briefing and organise our gear for the climb. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel DAY 3-5 Mt. Elbrus Base Camp We leave the luxury of our hotel and set off on a four hour drive that takes us into the heart of the foothills of the lower Caucasus. We stay in Mt. Elbrus Base Camp at 2,200m for three days to carry out acclimatization climbs. We ascend progressively higher each day to 3,100 m and 3,600 m, taking supplies to our next camp and practicing our crampon, rope and ice axe technique. Breakfasts each morning will be in camp. Lunches will be en route and evening meals will be freshly prepared in camp in time for your arrival. In Kislovodsk, all meals will be at the hotel or a local restaurant, except in free time. All meals are full of carbohydrates, protein and nutrients to keep us well fuelled throughout the trip. We can cater for all dietary requirements if informed in advance. 2/3 nights in a comfortable 2/3* hotel in Kislovodsk / Mineralny Vody 8 nights in tents on the trek All accommodation is on a dorm/twin/triple-share, single-sex basis and we will pair you with someone of a similar age, where possible. If you wish to share a room with someone you are travelling with, please specify this on your registration form. DAY 6 - High Camp Today we start early, heading for High Camp. We climb out of the high grasslands and into the alpine zone, with stunning views across the glaciers of Mt. Elbrus and the lower Caucasus to the north. The last stretch of the climb leads over the rock moraine of the Mikelchiran Glacier before we arrive at our camp. If you decide that you would like to have your own room / tent on the challenge, we can accommodate this in the majority of places. DAY 7-8 - High altitude acclimatisation 3,900 m - 5000 m We base ourselves at High Camp for two days to further acclimatise. On the first day we climb up to the Lenz Rocks before spending a more relaxed second day in preparation for our bid to reach Elbrus summit tomorrow. Insurance - approximately 60 Travel Visa - 28 Vaccinations - up-to-date on boosters. Tips for local staff - recommended amount 30 Airline fuel surcharge / supplement as applied by airlines. Please note that this is capped at a maximum of 150.
DAY 9 - Elbrus Summit This is a long and tough day; we wake very early to prepare for our summit attempt. We focus on a sustained climb across the glacier to the saddle between the two summits at 5,416 m. Here the route steepens as we climb the next couple of hundred meters to the ridge. The final slope is an easier climb and in less than half an hour we reach the summit. Standing on the roof of Europe, weather permitting, we will be looking out across the magnificent Caucasus range. We return to our mountain refuge and rest after a long hard day. DAY 10 - Base Camp We continue down to Base Camp for the night. In the event of bad weather, this day can be used as an extra summit day or for extra acclimatisation. A kit list will be sent to you on receipt of registration. Many everyday items can be used on this challenge, and we offer a kit hire service to keep costs down. If you are planning on travelling to Russia before the challenge or wish to organise your own flights, we do offer a land only option, with a significant discount off the trip price. You will be required to meet your group at the hotel on day two of the itinerary. DAY 11 - Kislovodsk We make our way from Dzhily-Su to Kislovodsk where we relax and soak our tired muscles in a traditional Russian sauna. After days at altitude and our ascent to the summit of it s time to celebrate our achievement with a meal and, of course, a chilled Russian vodka or two. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel DAY 12 - Flight home We leave early in the morning for our return flight from Mineralny Vody to Moscow. Here we catch the onward flight back to London. Meals: B training weekends / briefings We run a number of training weekends throughout the year in the Peak District, Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia. These are fully-inclusive - 2 night s accommodation and all meals. We also organise training days in London and the North and South downs. On both, you will get the chance to meet our mountain leaders and test out your kit and fitness! You will also receive an invite to a challenge briefing in central London. Alcoholic drinks Drinks and food outside of meals, other than water Personal kit / equipment Airline fuel surcharge / supplement as applied by airlines. Please note that this is capped at a maximum of 150.
payment options A REGISTRATION DEPOSIT of 399 (for 2015) is required to secure your place. We offer 2 deposit payment options: OPTION 1: Deposit paid in full, by card at the time of registration. OPTION 2: Deposit paid in two 50/50 split payments. The first 50% is paid when you register and the second is charged to your payment card at the end of the following month. For this option, a 10 supplement will be charged with the first instalment. ATOL is a scheme that protects you from losing money or being stranded abroad if your travel company collapses. Action Challenge is 100% ATOL bonded, which provides you with full financial protection. On receipt of your registration fee, you will receive an ATOL certificate explaining your protection. Once registered, there are 3 PAYMENT OPTIONS to fund the balance of the trip cost. Full details are on our website. 1) SELF FUNDED For anyone who wants to pay for the entire trip themselves. It s then completely up to you whether or not you choose to raise any money for a charity of your choice. The total all inclusive cost of this trip is 2,349 (for 2015), which, after you pay the 399 Registration Deposit, leaves a balance of 1,950. This final balance is due for payment 10 weeks before your departure along with any fuel surcharges levied by the airline. 2) SPONSORSHIP FUNDED This is for anyone who wants to take on this challenge and will link it with fundraising a significant sum of money for a charity of their choice. You would have to raise at least 3.900 (for 2015) via sponsorship and donations from friends, family and colleagues, and be confident at the outset that you can achieve this total. Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraising goes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least 3,900 (for 2015), your charity will pay for the balance of your trip costs to Action Challenge. That balance, paid by your charity, is 1,950 (the same as if you were you were Self Funded ) - the charity will retain at least 1,950 to help fund their work. You will have to pay any airline fuel surcharges 10 weeks prior to departure. how to book To book on to this challenge, please visit our website; www.actionchallenge.com for a full list of prices and all available dates. private groups If you are a charity, business, school or private group with a minimum of 10 people and fancy your own bespoke trip, please call us on +44(0)207609 6695 or you can send us an email to events@actionchallenge.com for more information. 3) MIXED FUNDED A mix of the 2 options above! You pay about half the trip cost yourself, and also fundraise for your charity. They pay the remaining balance of your trip costs. Ideal for anyone who wants to take on the challenge and also fundraise for a charity, BUT is happy to pay a reasonable proportion of the trip cost themselves, which with your registration deposit, is set at a level that covers at least the costs of flights & accommodation; perfect for those who feel more at ease asking for sponsorship in respect to the challenge component of their trip. Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraising goes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least 2,900 (for 2015), your charity will pay a portion of your trip cost to Action Challenge. That balance, paid by your charity, is 1,150 At the same time, you will be required to pay the remaining balance yourself, which will be a figure of 800 (These two amounts add up to the same as the Self Funded final balance) - the charity will retain at least 1,750 to help fund their work. You will have to pay any airline fuel surcharges 10 weeks prior to departure. @actionchallenge www.facebook.com/actionchallenge Action Challenge UK Ltd United House North Road London N7 9DP United Kingdom