Elbrus and Kilimanjaro are two of the most accessible of the Seven Summits: continental high points that most fit people can reach without being experienced mountaineers. They are almost the same height, yet they are very different mountains. One is a long trek through five ecosystems in Africa; the other is a short, cold climb on snow and ice in the Caucasus.
If you are trying to decide which one to climb, or which one to do first, here is what really changes between them.
| Kilimanjaro | Elbrus | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5,895 m (Uhuru Peak) | 5,642 m (west summit) |
| Country | Tanzania | Russia (Caucasus) |
| Type of climb | Non-technical trek | Snow and ice, crampons and ice axe |
| Our itinerary | 9 days, Lemosho route | 8 days, South Route |
| Nights on the mountain | Tents, with a porter team | Mountain hut |
| Best season | mid-December to mid-March and June to October | June to September |
| Our next departures | 26 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 · 6–14 Mar 2027 | 14–21 July 2027 |
| Price with Thin Air | From $2,595 | From $2,095 |
Kilimanjaro is higher, but Elbrus is the more demanding mountain. On Kilimanjaro you walk the whole way: no crampons or ropes in a normal season, just long days and a summit night that starts around midnight to reach the crater rim around sunrise. The difficulty is the altitude, and the Lemosho route gives you time to adapt to it.
Elbrus is a step towards mountaineering. From the hut you walk on snow with crampons and an ice axe, there are fixed ropes on the steeper sections, and summit day is usually 6 to 8 hours of climbing from around 4,800 m. What makes it hard is the cold and the wind: near the top it can drop below −20 °C with wind chill, and the weather changes fast. That is why our itinerary keeps a reserve day.
Kilimanjaro takes longer: our Lemosho itinerary runs 9 days, and the climb itself is around a week on the mountain, sleeping in tents with a team of guides, cooks and porters. Elbrus is shorter: 8 days in total, with a hotel in Terskol at the start and end and four nights in a mountain hut.
The seasons also complement each other. Kilimanjaro is best from mid-December to mid-March and from June to October, which makes it a good winter escape. Elbrus only works in summer, from June to September. And Elbrus is the cheaper of the two: our climb starts at $2,095, against $2,595 for Kilimanjaro. On Elbrus, the optional snowcat on summit day is paid separately.
If this is your first big mountain, start with Kilimanjaro. You will learn how your body copes with altitude without having to think about crampons, ice or extreme cold at the same time. If you already have some high-altitude trekking behind you and want a first taste of real mountaineering, Elbrus is the natural next step.
And if the Seven Summits are on your mind, you will want both: Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa and Elbrus the highest in Europe. More details in our guide to climbing Elbrus.
Is Elbrus harder than Kilimanjaro?
Technically, yes. Elbrus is climbed on snow and ice with crampons and an ice axe, it is colder and windier, and the weather can turn quickly. Kilimanjaro is higher, but it is a non-technical trek with more days to acclimatize.
Which is higher, Elbrus or Kilimanjaro?
Kilimanjaro: Uhuru Peak stands at 5,895 m, against 5,642 m for the west summit of Elbrus.
Should I climb Kilimanjaro or Elbrus first?
For most people, Kilimanjaro first: you learn how your body handles high altitude without adding crampons, ice and serious cold. Elbrus then makes a natural next step.
Do I need mountaineering experience for Elbrus?
No technical experience is needed, but you must be fit. On our itinerary you practise crampons, ice axe and self-arrest in a snow and ice course at the hut before summit day.
Are both mountains part of the Seven Summits?
Yes. Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa and Elbrus the highest in Europe, and both are on the Seven Summits list.
See Elbrus · See Kilimanjaro