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Used ‘van buyer’s guide – Mobilvetta Euroyacht motorhome

If you're searching for used motorhomes for sale but you still want some luxury, we think the Mobilvetta Euroyacht A-class motorhomes are worth considering

Published: October 10, 2014

If you’re searching for used motorhomes for sale but you still want some luxury, we think the Mobilvetta Euroyacht A-class motorhomes are worth considering

Luxurious and powerful, the Mobilvetta Euroyacht A-class motorhomes built between 1996 and 2002 should be on your ‘must-see’ list if you’re thinking of buying a deluxe motorhome.

As we do regularly at Practical Motorhome, online and in the magazine , here we are focusing on a great used mainstream motorhome, giving you expert advice so you are able to buy with confidence. We tell you which is the best of the bunch, what to pay and any problems to look out for.

This time, we are looking at the Iveco-based Mobilvetta Euroyacht. If you are looking for the best luxury used motorhomes for sale, make sure you take a look at some pre-owned Euroyachts. 

Mobilvetta Design began making high-end furniture in 1961 – in 1976 it built its first motorhome. Around 20 years later, the company launched the Euroyacht, which – when coupled with the bombproof twin-rear-wheel-drive Iveco chassis-cowl – resulted in one of the best A-class motorhomes ever built. 

These Italian lovelies really were in a class of their own, featuring 
quality cabinetwork with traditional joinery and radius hardwoods. The high standards of equipment levels and practical, new-to-Britain layouts led to them sailing out of the showroom with ease.

The Iveco-based range kicked off with the 6.8m 170 LX and 175 LX models. The 170 has a forward lounge and a midships kitchen ahead of a rear washroom. The 175, meanwhile, has double and single Pullman dinettes and bunk beds – bringing the sleeping-berth count to seven!

Next up was the 7.45m 180 LX, with a similar lounge to the 170. However, the extra length allows a fixed, European-style corner bed ahead of the full-width rear washroom.

The Mobilvetta Design Euroyacht A-class coachbuilt was built in Barberino Val D’Elsa, Tuscany, Italy between 1996 and 2002. The Euroyacht’s overall length is a modest 6.85m to 7.45m (22ft 6in to 24ft 6in).

So, what should you look out for when looking round a used Mobilvetta Euroyacht at a motorhome dealership? Here are Practical Motorhome’s expert tips to help you buy better. Let’s start with the base vehicle. The 2.5- and 2.8-litre mechanical injection TD units are under-stressed and should – given regular maintenance – last 250,000 miles. On early five-speeders, the first gear was so short that many drivers didn’t bother to use it: so do check that it can still be selected easily.

Some back-axle noise is acceptable, but avoid motorhomes with incontinent gearboxes and rear-axles. Almost all examples of the Mobilvetta Euroyacht are left-hand drive vehicles, which might be an advantage if you spend a lot of time on tour abroad in your motorhome. 

The skirts of the Euroyacht can discolour over time, and the gel coat on the moulded GRP front end cap goes flat! Bargain hard if this is the case, but be prepared to put a lot of effort in if you decide that you want to restore it to its former glory.

The foam in the habitation seat squabs was soft even when new, so this is likely to need replacing for maximum seat comfort. 

So, what do we think of these ‘vans? Here are our likes:

• Eye-candy good looks
• Revolutionary (in their day) layouts
• Twin-rear-wheel drive
• Easy chassis upgrade

And our dislikes: 

• Three-piece windscreen has blind spots
• Challenging access to the in-line engine

What’s our pick of the range? Well, unless you have a large family, go for the Movilvetta Euroyacht 180 LX. We think this is the motorhome that offers the most sensuous luxury. 

But what to pay? Mint examples are available from close to £18,000. Those that have been lived-in and need an interior overhaul are sometimes available on eBay from £10,000 (on European plates).

What alternatives are there? You could also try the  Laika Ecovip 200i and 400i Iveco-based A-class models, or the Mobilvetta Icaro. These have the same layouts and are also based on Iveco vans, but have been built as overcab coachbuilt motorhomes. Consider all three if you see them come up at a good price on the secondhand market. 

Need help finding a good motorhome dealer that you can trust? Every year, Practical Motorhome invites readers and website users to rate their motorhome and also their supplying dealer, as part of the Owner Satisfaction Survey . As a result we have fantastic feedback on all the best and worst dealerships out there, as well as reliability ratings for different brands of motorhomes. So take a look at the findings in our 2014 Owner Satisfaction Survey  when searching for motorhomes for sale, to help determine who to buy from and what to buy. The full results were published in the April 2014 issue of Practical Motorhome magazine – back issues are available by calling 08456 777 812, while stocks last.

If you are looking for the best luxury used motorhomes, make sure you take a look at some pre-owned Euroyachts

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Recensione Mobilvetta Euroyacht 170 del 1997

Il valutatore, il giudizio, la meccanica, la cella abitativa: l'esterno, la cella abitativa: l'interno, la dotazione di bordo, commenti sul veicolo.

• Adria (302 schede, media 7,6)
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• Arca (407 schede, media 7,6)
• Benimar (24 schede, media 7,4)
• Blu Camp (40 schede, media 7)
• Burstner (106 schede, media 7,7)
• C.I. (475 schede, media 6,9)
• Carthago (87 schede, media 8,2)
• Challenger (192 schede, media 7,4)
• Chausson (102 schede, media 7,4)
• Concorde (21 schede, media 8,8)
• Dethleffs (47 schede, media 7,8)
• Due Erre (39 schede, media 6,9)
• Elnagh (638 schede, media 6,8)
• Eura Mobil (20 schede, media 8,1)
• EVM System (26 schede, media 8,7)
• Frankia (32 schede, media 8,3)
• GiottiLine (109 schede, media 7,6)
• Granduca (36 schede, media 7,1)
• Hymer (203 schede, media 7,6)
• Joint (35 schede, media 7,3)
• Kentucky (57 schede, media 7,4)
• Knaus (90 schede, media 8)
• Laika (773 schede, media 7,6)
• Mc Louis (406 schede, media 7,2)
• Miller (103 schede, media 7,1)
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• Mobilvetta (344 schede, media 7,2)
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• Pilote (33 schede, media 7,2)
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• Roller Team (326 schede, media 7,2)
• Safariways (59 schede, media 6,6)
• SEA (25 schede, media 7,1)
• Westfalia (49 schede, media 7,6)
• Wingamm (65 schede, media 7,7)
• XGO (33 schede, media 7,2)

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• Listing ID: A162-90-808

Integrated Mobilvetta EuroYacht 170 LX Iveco 122PK Integraal

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Van Erp Campers B.V.

Contact person: Ms mevrouw J. Nijhof

Nijverheidsweg 4

7471 EV Goor, Netherlands

Registered since: 2017

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Euro-yacht??

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Hi,All, Spotted for sale a IVECO-DAILY Euro yacht motorhome , running on a 2.8 diesel engine. Has anyone any experience of this vehicle, I think it is made by an Italian firm because it is by Mobilvette or something like that. Does anyone know what chassis it is? (the vehicle is a 1997 model) Just wondered because we are looking to upgrade our van soon. Kind regards, Dave.......  

Surely you have already answered your own question ??? The chassis is an Iveco Daily Trevor  

euro yacht Maybe i should rephrase my question!! Has anyone been fortunate to have owned this particular vehicle or one like it based on this chassis? if so, some helpful comments would be appreciated. 8O Kind regards Dave...  

I think these were imported by Don Amott at Hilton in Derbyshire. I recall looking at them as they were very stylish and at the higher end of the A-class market. They were well beyond my means. Mobilvetta is a recognised Italian company who made good vans with style. It is/was part of the SEA group which has had a more turbulent history recently - Auto Sleepers was part of the group for a while. Ensure you can get parts for the Mobilvetta part of the vehicle. Most of their dealers seem to be in the south. The Iveco Daily is a workhorse with a very good reputation in the commercial vehicle sector. Check the weight of the van because if it is at the top end of the scale, the old 2.8 will be challenged to make good progress compared to modern motores. Like now, many of the top class under 6,000 kg motorhomes used the chassis. There are numerous Iveco dealers around.  

Hi, Brock, thanks for your reply,the info you provided was very much appreciated. Kind regards, Dave.........  

Do you mean like one of these. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MOBILVETTA-EURO-YACHT-175-MOTORHOME-/400105457865 cabby  

Hi we have a euroyacht 1998 LHD the quality is brilliant, the Italian furniture makers did a fab job on design, the bathrooms are large, the kitchen is tucked away so easy to cook, and the kitchen sink and drainer are large, pleanty of room, well thought out motorhome. The pull down bed just tucks up after use, so no bedding to have to keep putting away. Ours is a semi automatic, we have just returned from an Easter break to Spain, its performance is excellent. We will be looking to buy a fully automatic motorhome soon, so give us a call if you want we can send you some pics?  

Devon sailing and experiences  

robin1234 said: Devon sailing and experiences at devonsailingexperiences. co. uk Click to expand...

They are a very common sight around mainland Europe. Not owned one, but I had a look round one at a used-MH dealers not long ago. Looked very well built and solidly put together. My understanding of Iveco base is that it's very solid, more or less bulletproof running gear.  

jo662 said: robin1234 said: Devon sailing and experiences at devonsailingexperiences. co. uk Click to expand...

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Mobilvetta Euroyacht 190 Lx 2003

Quick resources for a Mobilvetta Euroyacht 190 Lx

Mobilvetta Euroyacht 190 Lx sizes

The information shows the sizes / dimensions for the motor caravan in a range of measurements to make the information as helpful as possible.

Mobilvetta Euroyacht 190 Lx weights

Mobilvetta Euroyacht 190 Lx Features

Sleeping arrangements.

The 2003 Mobilvetta Euroyacht 190 Lx will sleep 5 people.

• double bed (s)
• a fixed bed over the cabin area
• a pull down bed over the cabin area
• single bed(s)

Travel arrangements

• 4 belted seats (the number of persons that can be accommodated in the motorhome whilst travelling)

Food preparation and storage

Gas storage

The Mobilvetta Euroyacht 190 Lx has storage for 2 gas bottles. Many motorhomes use LPG to power ovens, fridges, heaters and water heaters when the motorhome is not connected to mains electricity

Note: where values are shown as 0 or TBA it's because we have not yet found the data for this motorhome. If we are missing any information or if anything is not correct please accept our sincere apologies. If you do find the correct information please do let us know link so that we can improve this page.

Images shown to illustrate the motorhome features are generic and not of this particular vehicle.

If you own one of these vehicles please could we ask a favour for you to send us a photo of your vehicle. We will remove the number plate from the image and resize all you need to to is email us the image. All we ask is that the image is taken by you and its your vehicle.Thanks

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Euro Yacht Euroyacht 170 LX Mobilvetta A-Class Motorhome 1998

Euro Yacht Euroyacht 170 LX Mobilvetta A-Class Motorhome 1998 Awning - Tow Bar - Rear Seatbelts - TV

• Condition: Used
• Mileage: 84526
• Reg. Mark: *******
• Colour: White
• Engine Size: 2800
• Model Year (YYYY): 1998
• Manufacturer: Mobilvetta
• Model: OTHER
• Type: Motorhome
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Year of Registration: 2002
• Subtype: A-Class
• Drive Side: Left-hand drive

PicClick Insights - Euro Yacht Euroyacht 170 LX Mobilvetta A-Class Motorhome 1998 PicClick Exclusive

•   Popularity - 214 watchers, 3.9 new watchers per day , 55 days for sale on eBay. Super high amount watching. 0 sold, 1 available. More

Popularity - Euro Yacht Euroyacht 170 LX Mobilvetta A-Class Motorhome 1998

214 watchers, 3.9 new watchers per day , 55 days for sale on eBay. Super high amount watching. 0 sold, 1 available.

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Price - Euro Yacht Euroyacht 170 LX Mobilvetta A-Class Motorhome 1998

•   Seller - 193+ items sold. 0% negative feedback. Good seller with good positive feedback and good amount of ratings. More

Seller - Euro Yacht Euroyacht 170 LX Mobilvetta A-Class Motorhome 1998

193+ items sold. 0% negative feedback. Good seller with good positive feedback and good amount of ratings.

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Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria: More than Mt. Elbrus!

If you’ve traveled to the North Caucasus before, there is a good chance you’ve already been to Kabardino-Balkaria, and you didn’t even know it!  Kabardino-Balkaria lies in the center of the North Caucasus region, is home to Mt. Elbrus, but more than that is a treasure chest of travel possibilities.  Here is our guide to traveling through the republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, or 9 travel tips to this beautiful land:

1. How do I get there?

Kabardino-Balkaria hosts a large number of both foreign and Russian travelers every year, and has an improving infrastructure able to handle the incoming masses.  Let’s start with the obvious.  You might be a mountain climber or skier coming to enjoy the slopes of Mt. Elbrus.  That means you’re likely arriving on an airplane to Russia.  Here are your travel options:

A. Plane – We advise you fly into the Mineralni Vodi (MRV) airport in the Stavropol Region, which is about 45 minutes from the border of Kabardino-Balkaria.  MRV is the largest airport in the North Caucasus, and has daily direct flights to and from all 3 airpots in Moscow (SVO, DME, and VKO), direct flights from St. Petersburg, and several international flight routes as well, including from Istanbul, Dubai, Greece, Tel Aviv, and Bishkek.  The MRV airport has a growing infrastructure and is the most obvious choice to fly into if going to Elbrus.  From MRV, it’s a 2 hr. drive to Nalchik, and a 3.5 hr. drive to Mt. Elbrus.

That being said, the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, Nalchik (NAL), also has a small regional airport with a daily flight to/from Moscow as well as weekly flights to Istanbul. As is to be expected in most smaller, regional airports around Russia, the service standard at a small airport like this will be minimal.  As a result, we recommend you flying in and out of MRV if able.  It’s a 2 hr. drive to Elbrus from Nalchik.  You can also fly into other regional airports which are 2 hrs. from Nalchik, such as OGZ in North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz) or IGT in Ingushetia (Magas).

B.  Car/Public Transport – If you have a car, are using a taxi, or are hitch-hiking your way to Kabardino-Balkaria, the region is accessible by a variety of roads and vehicles.  A major Russian federal highway E50 runs through Pyatigorsk into Kabardino-Balkaria, and can take you towards Mt. Elbrus, Nalchik, and deeper into the North Caucasus.  There are daily mini-buses, or “marshrutkas”, that travel to Nalchik from Pyatigorsk, Vladikavkaz, Grozny, and Magas, if you’re coming from a neighboring republic.  From the main Nalchik bus station, there is a marshrutka that goes to Terskol (i.e. Mt. Elbrus) daily around 12:30 pm; for that matter,  marshrutkas run daily into every valley of this beautiful republic.  For the seasoned international traveler, you can drive from the country of Georgia up the famed “Georgian Military Highway” through the heart of the Caucasus Mountains, cross the border into Russia at the “Verkhni Lars” border stop, and be in Nalchik in about 2.5 hours as well. 

Anyone traveling on their own should download the “Yandex” taxi app, which is Russia’s version of Uber, and has a very user-friendly app with affordable prices.  In smaller villages/towns where Yandex’s service doesn’t reach, just ask a local and they’ll direct you to a friend or relative who can taxi you where you need to go!

C.  Train – Kabardino-Balkaria is also very accessible by the famous cross-country Russian train system if that’s your preferred method of travel.  Almost all trains to the North Caucasus pass through Mineralni Vodi in the Stavropol region to the north, so make sure wherever you are coming from, Mineralni Vodi is one of the stops.  Despite Nalchik having a train station, the city is about 45 minutes from the main railway route that runs diagonal through the North Caucasus, and as a result it’s a bit convoluted to get a train directly to Nalchik.  That being said, the town Prokhladni is a regular stop on trains going to/coming from Baku, Makhachkala, Grozny, Nazran, and Vladikavkaz, so you can always hop off there and find your way by public transport or taxi.

2.  What are the best places to stay?

This list could get exhaustive, fast. 🙂  Let’s first look at an overview of the republic’s geography, followed by hotel recommendations:

A. Nalchik – This is the capital city of Kabardino-Balkaria, with a population of around 250,000.  Nalchik is growing and new, modern hotels are being built regularly.  Here are some of our recommendations:

-Modern and comfortable:  Azimut , Butik Otel

-Budget with less frills:  Hotel Rossia , Korona

You could comfortably spend a week in Nalchik, while doing day trips into Kabardino-Balkaria’s beautiful mountain valleys.

B.  Baksan Valley – This is the most traveled road in Kabardino-Balkaria, the road to Mt. Elbrus.  If you have questions about its safety because of travel warnings, please see our detailed blog here of the drive to erase any doubts or fears.  Needless to say, because of the draw of Mt. Elbrus, there are a huge variety of lodging options at the end of this valley, from 4-star to mid-range to budget to hostel.  Here are just a few we’ll recommend from our experience:

-Modern and comfortable 4-star-ish:  Azau Star , Kristall 139

-Budget with less frills 3-star-ish:   Laguna , Povorot

If you’re a mountain climber with your sites set on the summit of Elbrus, you’ll have to spend at least 3-4 nights at Elbrus’s famous base camp at 13,000 feet.  The “barrel huts” are not easy to book directly with, and we highly recommend you do your climb (and hence, have your bookings handled) through a trusted climbing company.  Here are two shelters at base camp we recommend:

-Modern and comfortable:  Leaprus

-Budget with less frills:  Heart of Elbrus Lodge

If you’re interested in climbing Mt. Elbrus and staying in these barrel huts, click  here  to see our climbing itineraries, pricing, and group dates.

C.  Chegem Valley – Chegem Valley is the adjacent valley to Elbrus’s Baksan Valley, and is famous for its beautiful waterfalls as well as being Russia’s top paragliding location.  The “ Paradrome ” has modest accommodations for those wanting to get to know this beautiful valley for a longer period of time.

D.  Upper Balkaria, or Cherek Valley – This is another beautiful mountain gorge not too far from Nalchik.  There is an authentic lodging complex in Upper Balkaria called Tau-El, with amazing local food for meals as well.

E.  Border Zone lodging – Several of Kabardino-Balkaria’s mountain gorges run into the border zone with neighboring country Georgia, i.e. an area that foreigners cannot enter without a special permit from the local government (often taking 2 months to receive).  There is a famous mountaineering lodge in Bezengi Valley, where several generations of Russian mountain climbers have honed their craft in the Caucasus Mountains.  Perpendicular to Baksan Valley (about 25 minutes from the base of Mt. Elbrus) is Adyr-Suu Valley, where there is a lodge for back-country skiers to stay, while trying their hands (and feet!) on the untouched snow of that valley.  Both these valleys require border permits for foreigners, but are possible to access for the more adventurous!

3.  Top cities to visit?

Most locals would agree that Nalchik is the main city of significance to visit in Kabardino-Balkaria, but let’s be honest, even more would say, “Just go to the mountains!”  Tirnauz is the capital of the Elbrus district, and is an interesting town to spend some time in, with its unique location in the mountains and place in Soviet history as a once-booming mining town.  The main thing to consider in visiting Nalchik and other cities in the lowlands, is the chance to experience Kabardian culture and food.  Whereas the deeper you go into the valleys, the more you’ll encounter Balkar culture and food.

4.  Best local foods to try?

There are 3 types of food that come to mind, when spending time in Kabardino-Balkaria:

A. Khychiny – This is one of the staple national dishes of the Balkar people, and what you’ll inevitably be served if guests of local Balkars.  It’s a thin buttery flat bread, sometimes cooked with fillings of cottage cheese, fresh greens, or potatoes.  It is often slathered in butter, but wow is that some tasty greasy goodness! 🙂

B.  Shashlik – Shashlik is a MUST for any visit anywhere in the North Caucasus!  Most people would agree that it’s the national food of the entire region.  Shashlik is meat shish kabobs; while pork and turkey can be found in some parts of the Caucasus, lamb or chicken are the preferred shashlik meats of choice in Kabardino-Balkaria. 

C.  Soup – No matter where you are in Russia, you’re sure to find a local soup that people love.  Kabardino-Balkaria is no different.  Especially in the winter months in the mountain valleys, there’s nothing better than to come inside from the cold weather and warm your body up to a bowl of hearty Caucasus soup.  Whether Georgian kharcho or local Balkar lakhman, make sure to try your hand at one of these soups with a side of fresh baked bread/lavash!

5.  Top Hole-In-The-Wall restaurants:

Of course, for a republic of this size, we’re bound to leave at least a few great local joints off our list, but here are a few to get you started. ***Note:  Restaurants in the North Caucasus are much better known for their food than their service, so prepare for tasty food, but manage your expectations about service:

-Elbrus – Kogutai Restaurant at Mt. Cheget – While this isn’t a hole-in-the-wall restaurant per se, it’s one of many to choose from in the Cheget tourist village, and we have found them to provide consistently good food and service.  Kogutai has a nice interior, and maybe most important, an English-language menu with good pictures. 🙂  There also is a nice outdoor patio with fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.

-Nalchik #1 – Tameris Restaurant – This is a cafe with a relaxed atmosphere in the capital Nalchik.  Local tour company Elbrus Elevation has taken foreign groups there on multiple occasions and always had good experiences.  Address is ul. Kuliyeva 3. 

-Nalchik #2 – Cafe-Bar Oasis – You have to know where this restaurant is to find it, but once inside, you won’t regret it!  There is a unique cafeteria-style ordering process, that includes several dishes being cooked on the spot once ordered.  You can sample local Kabardian dishes here.  The seating area is very modern and a pleasant atmosphere to have a meal in.  Address is ul. Kuliyeva 2. 

-Upper Balkaria – Tau-El Restaurant – This is the restaurant part of the Tau-El Tourist Complex in Upper Balkaria.  Whether spending the night or just passing through, make sure to stop here for a meal!

6.  Must-See Sites

This republic is so chock full of “must-see” destinations, it’s impossible to narrow the list down.  Here are just a few suggestions to get you started: (***Mt. Elbrus is a no-brainer and we’re assuming that’s on your list)

A. El-Tyubu and Paradrome – This is an amazing area towards the end of Chegem Valley.  Many tourists visit the famous Chegem Waterfalls and don’t drive any further down this gorge, which really is a shame.  El-Tyubu is a picturesque Balkar village with several historical sites to see, including some ancient mausoleums.  The real gem of the area, though, is the Paradrome , which is Russia’s premier paragliding destination.  The combination of the scenic surrounding mountains and constant winds produces almost daily conditions to sail through the beautiful Caucasus sky.  Highly recommend!

B.  Upper Balkaria – Also known as Cherek Valley, the entire drive to the actual village of Upper Balkaria is one big destination.  First, you can spend time at the 3 consecutive “ Blue Lakes ”, one of which is one of Russia’s deepest lakes with an underground spring.  Then, the drive itself becomes an adventure, as you pass by steep rock walls with a huge drop-off on the other side.  If you’re able to walk this part of the road, that is a bonus!  Once you’ve made your way through the valley walls, the region opens up into a beautiful panoramic view.  Many years ago, there were multiple villages in this region, but they’ve since been condensed into one main village.  You can see some of the ancient Balkar towers that their ancestors used to live in as well.

C.  Djili-Suu – Although hard to pronounce and not easy to get to, Djili-Suu is one of those places in the North Caucasus that people rave about that you “have to” visit.  It’s actually on the North side of Mt. Elbrus, and more accessible from the Mineral Waters region (2 hrs. from Kislovodsk).  The base camp for Elbrus climbers summiting the mountain from the North side is at Djili-Suu.  This area is famous in Russia for its numerous natural healing springs, as well as unique climate conditions that make for beneficial, long holidays for seeking a respite from their daily grind.  There are wide swaths of land available for camping, with probably the most unrivaled views of Mt. Elbrus in the North Caucasus.  Make sure to check this out!

7.  Off-the-beaten path destinations

A. King’s Waterfalls (Tsarskie), or Gedmisht – Probably the valley in Kabardino-Balkaria with the least amount of hype is the Malka Valley, which is the northernmost valley and mainly runs through the Kabardian lowlands.  At the point where the villages end, though (Khabas), the asphalt turns into dirt and the hills start to rise, culminating with the incredible King’s Waterfalls, or as one friend put it, Avatar Waterfalls.  These stunning waterfalls are best visited in the early summer, when everything is lush green and the water flow is strong, with many streams of water flowing down the earth’s surface.  The different colors are incredible and it’s hard to look away.  Once you’ve enjoyed the waterfalls, enjoy a meal of shashlik at one of the nearby lunch huts.  Having an off-road vehicle is ideal to visit these falls, but worth the time and effort!

B.  One-seater chair lift at Elbrus – As the infrastructure at Mt. Elbrus has modernized, some of the more “authentic” experiences have gone to the way-side.  This is one experience still available, though!  From the 2nd (11,000 ft.) to 3rd level (12,500 ft.) of Mt. Elbrus (whether skiing, going to base camp, or just touring), there is a single-seater chair lift for 100 rubles each way (less than $2).  This is an amazing experience if you have the time.  It’s 8-10 minutes each way, and a surreal experience of the majestic Caucasus mountain range surrounding you, skiers silently passing you by underneath, and in general enjoying the silent expanse of nature all around.  The chair lifts are from the Soviet times and so it feels like something from a different era.  For mountain climbers, the newer group cable car gives better access to most of base camp, but several huts are pretty close to this chair lift, so it still may be a good option for you.

C.  Abandoned Mines above Tirnauz – Tirnauz is about 1 hr. from Mt. Elbrus, and a town everyone drives through to and from the mountain.  Although today it looks old and half-abandoned, it was a booming mining town in the 20th century.  About a 45-minute drive above the city with an off-road vehicle, you can see the remains of the mining operations.  Learning about this history combined with the breath-taking views of the Baksan Valley and even into Georgia, you’ll wonder why more people aren’t visiting this place.  This is a great spot to see eagles soaring in the sky, as well as admire the Soviet city plan of Tirnauz from above.

8.  What do I need border zone passes to visit?

In Russia, any area within 5-10 km of a neighboring country, without a clearly delineated border (i.e. in the mountains) is considered a special border zone, and patrolled by Russian border guards.  This area IS accessible to all Russian citizens with their passports, but is NOT legally accessible to foreign citizens UNLESS you have a special permit from the FSB (Federal Security Bureau).  These permits are accessible, either through a tour operator or local friend, but require you to submit your application 45-60 days in advance.

Areas in Kabardino-Balkaria that are worth a visit if you have a border zone pass:

A.  Bezengi Wall – This is at the end of the Bezengi Valley, and holds a place of lore among Russian mountain climbers.  Many mountain guides go through training in this valley.  Five of the Caucasus Mountain’ range’s highest seven peaks are a part of the Bezengi Wall, so you can imagine the draw it has for climbers. There are great areas for trekking and camping in this area. 

B.  Adyr-Suu Gorge – This remote valley runs perpendicular to Baksan Valley and is about 25 minutes from the base of Mt. Elbrus.  It’s marked at the entrance by a relic of the past, a car lift from Soviet days that auto-cranks your car (and you) about 50 meters up the mountain.  After 45-60 minutes of driving on gravel road, the gorge opens up into a flat valley with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.  The Adyr-Suu Alpine Lodge is at the end of this valley and where back-country skiers base out of during the acclimatization phase of their Mt. Elbrus ski tours.  This is truly a place where you can experience untouched powder!

C.  Mt. Cheget (Elbrus) – Cheget is a neighboring mountain to Mt. Elbrus and where many climbers will acclimatize, both at its base and while doing some hikes.  It also is famous in Russia for its free-ride terrain for more experienced skiers.  Standard access to the chair lifts and mountain are available to all (i.e. mountain climbers don’t need to worry about accidentally crossing into the zone), but anyone wanting to summit the peak of Cheget OR visit the beautiful Cheget Lake needs a border permit. 

Foreigners violating the border zone areas is considered a serious offense in Russia; make sure to do your due diligence if wanting to visit one of these areas!  We highly recommend using a local tour operator and always traveling with a local person if visiting one of these areas.

9.  Any cultural “do’s” or “don’t’s” to be aware of

Kabardino-Balkaria is a fascinating republic with a combination of traditional and modern society.  The more you interact with local people, the more you’ll see a mixture of Muslim faith, post-Soviet mentality, and ancient local traditions all wrapped together.   

Kabardians mainly live in the lowlands (Nalchik, Baksan, and lowland villages), while Balkars primarily live in the mountain valleys (Elbrus, Chegem, Upper Balkaria, etc.).  There is a large population of Russians in the region as well.  Foreigners visit every area of the region regularly, and so local people are used to and will welcome your presence.

Come with an open mind to learn about these peoples, their traditions, and their land.  You won’t regret your trip to Kabardino-Balkaria!

***Want to learn more?  Here are several self-published resources from the podcast “ CaucasTalk ” related to Kabardino-Balkaria:

– Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria (audio version of this blog)

– History of Mt. Elbrus (Part 1)

– History of Mt. Elbrus (Part 2)

– Interview with Local Elbrus guide

– Climbing Elbrus: Interview with American guide

– Who are the Kabardians? (Part 1)

– Who are the Kabardians? (Part 2)

– Skiing in the North Caucasus (Elbrus and more)

READY TO EXPERIENCE KABARDINO-BALKARIA FOR YOURSELF?

Where to find us.

• +1 704-810-4296
• [email protected]
• 1578 Pine Creek Rd., Gastonia, NC 28056

Travel Information

• We no longer offer travel services to Russia. See Caucasus Quest Tours for new destinations
• Is it Safe to Travel to the Caucasus in 2024?
• Climbing Kazbek & Kilimanjaro: Comparing two 5,000+ meter peaks
• How to Train to climb Mt. Kazbek in Georgia

Our Elbrus Climbing Tours

• Climb Elbrus South Route
• Climb Elbrus North Route
• Climb Elbrus & The Capitals
• Climb Elbrus & The Caucasus

Russia Cultural Tours

• Capitals of Russia
• Lake Baikal on Ice
• Delightful Dagestan
• Heart of the Caucasus

ALL Travel Services to Russia and Mt. Elbrus have been indefinitely suspended as of Feb. 2022.

Explore our new tour branch Caucasus Quest to climb Mt. Kazbek (5,054 meters) in Georgia or for immersive cultural touring experiences in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

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By MidLifeCrisis April 10, 2017 in Motorhome Matters

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Midlifecrisis.

Does anyone have any knowledge of these? I've just looked at a 98 reg one, low mileage but £13,500.

Very impressed with the layout - large double bed above the cab means that I wouldn't have to deconstruct the bed and stow away the linen every morning, plus my dog wouldn't be able to lick my face!

Not many of them around, although I've found a newer, lower mileage one for slightly less, but it's a private sale with no history or guarantees.

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