For our Elbrus itineraries, we take a few extra days upon arrival in the Elbrus region to go on acclimatisation hikes around the valleys and up to about 3500m. These are mountain walks on paths and will acclimatise you before going to the mountain itself.  It is extremely enjoyable, there is an abundance of wildlife and plant life to see, and you can enjoy the comforts of a hotel, complete with relaxing Russian saunas to relax muscles after a day of alpine walking. Acclimatising on Elbrus on easy paths in sunny warm conditions. It’s possible to see golden eagles and the hikes approach amazing waterfalls on basalt columns and there are always fine views of the mountain range. Once above the snowline safe acclimatisation continues by following the mountaineering principle of ‘climb high, sleep low’. Staying in the huts and climbing up the mountain by day to train on alpine skills and gain further acclimatisation, is important to allow enough time for a safe summit day.