Day 1
Flights from United States to Moscow. Transfer to hotel.

Day 2
Sightseeing in Moscow. Visit Red Square, the Kremlin, etc. Lunch in Moscow with afternoon free to sightsee and tours. Possible evening Bolshoi Ballet performance.

Day 3
Fly to Mineralnye Vody (about a two-hour flight) and transfer 3 hours by van to village of Terskol (7,300 feet) and our hotel.

Day 4
Acclimatization hike up Mt. Cheget (12,500 feet). Night in hotel.

Day 5
Begin climb of Mt. Elbrus. Take the tram from the village of Terskol to the 10,000-foot- level. We will hike a flat traverse for 1 to 1.5 hours to a camp at 10,000 feet at a beautiful mountain lake with a nice view of the summit of Mt. Elbrus.

Day 6
Take the second tram and ski lift to 12,600 feet. We will then hike 1.5 hours to the site of the old Priutt Hut. Overnight at a hut, elevation is 13,900 feet.

Day 7
Acclimatizing hike to high rocks (15,500 feet) above hut. Overnight back at a hut.

Day 8
Summit day for Mt. Elbrus. We get a pre-dawn start. We gain over 4,000 feet to reach the summit. Return to hut for the night.

Day 9
Return to Baksan Valley and the village of Terskol. Overnight at Itkol hotel.

Day 10
Sightseeing day in Baksan Valley. This day is also available as a weather contingency day for Elbrus.

Day 11
Morning shopping in Terskol. Mid-day departure for airport in Mineralnye Vody and fly to St. Petersburg (about a 3-hour flight) Overnight at St. Petersburg hotel.

Day 12
Day of sightseeing in St. Petersburg. We will visit the Fortress of Peter and Paul, St. Isaacs Cathedral and tour the city and the Hermitage. Evening riverboat cruise through the city. Overnight St. Petersburg hotel.

Day 13
Additional day of sightseeing in St. Petersburg.

Day 14
Depart Russia for the United States.