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Elbrus Lite Package for independent travelers in 2020

'Lite Package' is a service for independent climbers. Actually it consists of the Lite Package itself and a number of services that may be requested additionally. The Package contains obligatory services and must be requested as a whole. Additional services are optional. Some additional services may be ordered far in advance. Other services may be ordered only from our representative in the valley when you are there. You can also ask the representative for services which are not included into the list and we will try to help. In this case price and availability are agreed. Ordered services must be paid in advance.

Important notices:
- We consider the main value of the Lite Package is not the 'visa support' and other paperwork. The real value is local support from our reps and guides. If you need only visa it is cheaper to purchase it from a specialized visa company.
- Lite Package program is designed for independent traveler who wants to stay on his own but also need visa support, permits and registrations, certainty that all paperwork is done correctly and in full, reliable contact in the Valley for support in case of problems and questions.
- The Lite Package has an "obligatory bundle" which includes registration, visa and permission and other paperwork. As a responsible company we must arrange the paperwork correctly and in full. That is why another part of the obligatory bundle is one night in our hotel. It is essential to finalize the paperwork (registration) and we are forced to include at least this one night.

Lite Package list of services is limited because it is not a guided tour and many services may not be arranged without a guide who accompanies customers.
If you need something besides the list of services mentioned below please refer to Guided Private (Customized) tour page.

The prices will be fixed when you pay for the service. Before you pay we retain our right to change prices. In case our published prices go lower later on we will make proper refund.

National Park fee: At the moment the fee is 1200 Rubles per person. If it changes we will require additional payment or make proper refund on the spot when you come.

Lite Package offer is valid in full (including local support by our reps) from May 14 to September 24. Outside this period there may be a simplified edition: paperwork including visa support and registration, transportation from/to airport, nights in hotel and huts. Such availability should be discussed and confirmed.

The prices are set in Russian Rubles. May be paid in Rubles directly or US dollars or in Euro according to the Central Bank of Russia current exchange rate on the date of payment.
The prices in Euro and USD in the table below are calculated according to February 22nd, 2022 (today) official exchange rates and may be different on the date you pay. You can use our Calculator.

Today's exchange rates are: USD/RUB: 80.4194 and EUR/RUB: 90.8820 .

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Comments about Lite Package:

1. Visa support: We send you a visa support (invitation) page as email attachment. Maximum period of stay is 25 nights/26 days (one entry tourist visa). You have to print that page out, take this invitation to the Russian Consulate and pay Consulate fees as well. Note, that overstay is a serious violation and there may be serious penalty. If you need more than 25 nighs/26 days you must either book more hotel days or purchase visa from a visa company. More information is here: about visa support

2. OVIR registration: Russian migration rules assume that a foreigner lives in a hotel/hostel. One has to register if he stays somewhere for more than 5 business days. Formally hotels are responsible for registration and should do this themselves but normally they do not do this and you should ask them specially. In Elbrus area we register you when you come in our hotel.

3. Border zone permission: You have to have the permission when you visit a border zone. Areas South from Baksan river considered to be a border zone. The main valley itself and the Elbrus climbing routes are not the border zone and you do not need the permit to come, stay and climb. However if you wish to have hikes or climbs in the areas and side valleys South from the Baksan valley you need the permit. We apply for permit before you come in Russia. This does not require your presence but only the copy of your passport with Russian visa. This means you have to receive visa before we can apply for the permit. Official time for processing the permit is not less than 2 months. Therefore we must apply for visa least 3 months before arrival and for border zone permit 2,5 months in advance. Theoretically the border permit application may be rejected but in practice we did not have such cases. The only reason for problems with the permit is too late application.

4. One night accommodation in the hotel (with breakfast): We insist on staying there for the first night because we need to know that you have arrived and we need your passports for registration. We cannot make all registrations in advance because we need your passports and visas for OVIR registration. As a responsible tourist company we must do all legal paperwork. There are 2-3 bed rooms in the hotel. If you want to stay there for more days, ask our representative and pay on the spot. In many cases people stay there for other nights in the valley.

5. English speaking support: There are our English speaking representatives in the mountain lodge (besides our guides). They will help you if you have problems or questions. Spanish and German may be also ok but not guaranteed.

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Answer : Most of these services you can buy separately and probably some of them by lower price. If you have enough time, if you are an experienced traveler and you have basic knowledge of Russian language you can try. The advantage of the Lite Package is that everything will be done fast and in proper way, you will have confirmed and safe transfers and our representative will help you if you have problems or need an advice. You will not be alone in the region. The real value of Lite Package is not this visa and registrations/permits paperwork. Vast majority of LP customers use our support in the valley and there is a lot of cases for this support, starting from lost or delayed luggage, changing air tickets and ending with problems with local drunk youngsters in a cafe or immediate transportation to MinVody because of late return from the summit.
Also now there are difficulties with Border zone permission. If you are going to visit valleys South to main Baksan valley (actually they are most interesting places in the area) you must ask somebody to make this permit far in advance. Preparing the permit normally requires a couple of weeks. We can do this faster but we also need some time.

In brief: if you need ONLY Lite Package (without additional services such as transportation) for a group of more than 5 people and you have 2 spare days and you do not want to visit border zone, probably it is better to do everything yourself, but if you are a couple and are planning to use other services such as transfers and especially border zone permit - Lite Package is a good buy or even essential.

Additional Services comments:

1. Transfers in the Caucasus: We advise to order transfer from airport to the lodge (it is safe, saves time and in most cases saves money) and negotiate for the back transfer on the spot (it may be cheaper because you can share with somebody). If you go same day with our regular group we can offer a shared (with our group) transfer (requires confirmation from us on a particular date).

2. Accommodation in huts and hotels: Accommodations in the valley are always available and our rep helps with this if you choose any other hotel. Huts may be available may be not, this depends on if they ar fully booked or not. We have very good relations and position there but if there are no places we can do nothing. Probably you will be forced to wait for a day or two or use tents or another huts.

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Cancellation and refund policy

If you cancel:

- Tour cost:
A cancellation of the LP itself made after we send visa support (invitation for visa) – cancellation fee is 5000 Rubles per person. No visa support from us - no cancellation fee. Pilgrim Tours must be notified in writing (by email with proper confirmation of reception). Moscow services may be cancelled 3 business days in advance without penalty. There will be no refund if Moscow service is cancelled less than 3 business days in advance. Caucasus services besides the LP itself may be cancelled or changed 1 day in advance without penalty.

- Bank and other payment charges: You must pay all the fees, in case of refund - both ways.

If we cancel any service:

If any of our services fails because of our fault we will refund the price for this service in full. If our paperwork and registrations fail we are responsible for any fines and charges.

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