Basic alpine
PD — glacier climb from the Meteo Station
Glacier travel: crampons, ice axe, rope teams.
4–6 days
No permit
No permit required on the Georgian side.
Stepantsminda
Crowds: medium · most parties climb guided
June to September, with July–August most settled. The Gergeti Glacier crossing changes year to year; late season means harder ice and more open crevasses.
Kazbek delivers a genuine 5,000 m glacier expedition in a compact, affordable package: hike past Gergeti Trinity Church, establish yourself at the old Meteo Station (3,650 m), acclimatise, then climb crevassed slopes to a summit day that feels far bigger than the grade suggests. It is a superb first 5,000er and a natural next step after Alpine PD routes.
Western Europe's highest summit and the birthplace of alpinism — a classic first big glacier climb.
Europe's highest point — technically simple snow slopes made serious by altitude, cold, and whiteouts.
A half-day 4,000er — the classic first taste of glacier climbing, with the Matterhorn filling your camera.