Your first mountain peaks!
Places filled: 7/8
Do you want to have your first real mountaineering experience? Put on your crampons, attach a rope, and climb high peaks? This is your trip.
Alpine trio takes you to three mountain peaks, all slightly different from each other. Still to give you the widest possible range of experiences!
We'll be climbing peaks in Switzerland, in the Saas Fee Valley, where there are lots of fun peaks in every corner of the world. And just the kind you should try if you've never been to the mountains before. During the trip:
we climb on a via ferrata trail Jegihorn to the named peak (3206 m) (or we will climb boldly on rocks and metal ladders)
we climb two 4000 m peaks (moving on the glacier, a bit of rock climbing and steep ridge climbing)
we will stay in a mountain hut
Let's try rock climbing outdoors.
we learn to use mountaineering equipment
we enjoy the beautiful views
A diverse range of experiences in one trip, what more could you want?
The trip is intended for anyone with no previous mountaineering experience. For example, if you have completed a basic mountaineering training course, but also if you have already climbed a peak but feel like you would like to expand your experience.
So you don't need to have any previous skills for this trip (but you can). All that matters is that you have a desire for new knowledge and good physical shape*.
*- Due to the individual characteristics and sports preferences of people, it is difficult to give uniform indicators for assessing good physical fitness. To give some examples, a person in good physical shape can run a half marathon in under 2,5 hours, a marathon in under 6 hours. Or ride a bike continuously for 130-150 km. Or complete the main distance of the Tartu Marathon in February. It is important that your body can work with a high pulse for several hours in a row and your leg muscles can push you up a hill several hundred meters.
About the region
Saas Valley in Switzerland is one of the most ideal areas to get your first mountaineering experiences. The valley is surrounded by several peaks over 4000 m high, which are suitable for beginner climbers and can be reached conveniently by gondola. In the village of Saas Grund there is a campsite where we will stay - a green lawn by the river, where we will pitch our tents and where we can use electricity, toilets and showers.
There are two grocery stores in the village, where local food is sometimes cheaper than in Estonia. A short bus ride away is Saas Fee, where there are several sports shops, restaurants and gondolas - a favorite combination of many tourists. In addition, there are lovely Alpine-style log cabins with snowy peaks in the background.
Overview - short & sweet
Goal: Climb exciting mountains in the Swiss Alps
Dates: 15.-23.08.2026
Activity: mountain climbing, mountain hiking
Accommodation: tents, mountain huts
Adventure guide: Kelli Saar (language skills: Estonian, English)
Technical difficulty level: 2/5 (suitable for beginners, requires special technical equipment)
Route difficulty: F…PD
Physical difficulty: 3/5 (requires good physical fitness)
Group size: min 4, max 7 (+ 1 locomotive)
TRIP PRICE: 1690 € 1500€ (last minute offer)
NB! Elamus+ community members get a 5–10% discount. Read more and check your discount eligibility. community members page.
👉 SEE EQUIPMENT LIST HERE 👈
Travel cost
Price includes
On-site guidance by an experienced mountaineering instructor with an EKR3 qualification
All overnight stays (cabins in the mountains, camping fees at the campsite below)
Local transportation (gondola, buses)
Ride Europe's highest metro to an altitude of 3500 m
Breakfast and dinner in mountain huts
Special climbing equipment for the group (ropes, ice augers, carabiners and other glacier equipment)
Stylish Elamus+ designed sports shirt
Group pharmacy (including high-altitude medications)
Elamus+ mountaineering preparation package worth €300:
access to online mountaineering webinars;
if necessary, a personal 30-minute online call with a tour guide;
A sample training plan and workbook for mountain hikers
Summer trial trip/training before the trip*.
*Held once a year in Estonia — participation depends on the time of registration.
Price does not include
Flight tickets from Tallinn to Geneva, Milan or Zurich (price with checked baggage from €300)
Transport from the airport to Saas Grund
Insurance (travel insurance and MANDATORY sports insurance suitable for mountain hiking)
Personal hiking and climbing equipment (can also be rented) from us)
Drinks and snacks (including lunch) on the mountain
Meals off the mountain
Tents and cooking equipment at the campsite (we will fold the tent up)
Unscheduled excursions, transportation, etc. (or if you want to do something extra)
Registration for the trip
Before registering, please read travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, a prepayment (20%) must be paid within 3 working days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by e-mail. If there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions ja package tour information sheet.
NB! We recommend taking out travel disruption insurance immediately after paying the advance invoice so that longer-term health problems are also covered!
Schedule and activities
DAY 1 (15.08): We arrive at the campsite
All participants must gather By 6:00 PM on the evening of August 15th To the Saas-Grund Campingplatz am Kapellenweg campsite. There are four options for getting there:
Fly to Geneva, then take the train to Visp, from where you can take the bus to Saas-Grund.
Fly to Zurich, then take a train to Visp, from where you can take a bus to Saas-Grund.
Fly to Milan, then take the train to Visp, from where you can take the bus to Saas-Grund.
Stack a car on top of the participants and take a road trip to Switzerland
Swiss trains are more expensive compared to Estonia, but you don't have to worry about catching the train. Trains run every 20-30 minutes. In addition, the train price includes unforgettable views of Europe's highest mountain range. The most convenient way to buy tickets is from a machine at the train stop or from the web ear.
The accommodation is a classic European campsite (camping area) with amenities, including toilets, washing facilities, WiFi, electrical outlets in the common room wall, etc. We stay here every night after coming back from the mountains (except for one night, which we spend in a cabin). The tents stay up in the camp while we are in the mountains, meaning we don't have to carry all our unnecessary stuff up to the mountains.
On the first evening, we will get to know each other and set up a detailed schedule.
DAY 2 (16.08): glacier study
Let's learn how to tie a rope into a belay before going to the glacier. What to do with the excess rope end? Why is it necessary to have enough free end on the rope?
We will also discuss the dangers lurking on the glacier, how to choose the optimal route between crevasses, and how to avoid hidden crevasses. We will learn what to do if someone from the group falls into a crevasse, and how to retrieve them.
Once the theory is learned “dryly”, we take the gondola up to the glacier and put what we have learned into practice. New problems arise: the rope gets stuck under our feet, the cats get caught in the bootlaces of the other foot, the partners are too fast/slow, etc. This twisted dance with the rope takes a lot of getting used to.
On the snow, we can also try self-braking with a pickaxe, which is necessary if you stumble and start sliding down the slope. Again, practice on a real glacier is more important than theoretical knowledge here.
We return to camp in the early evening, have a meal together, and pack our bags for the next day.
DAY 3 (17.08): Allalinhorn (4027 m)
With the first rays of sun, we drive up to the town of Saas Fee, climb a little higher by gondola and then a little higher by Europe's highest metro, until we reach an altitude of 3500 m. From there, we have exactly 500 meters of climbing to put our feet on the glacier until we reach the top with a big cross. It's an awesome peak - we see views that you can't see from the Saas Valley, or maybe over the ridge on the other side - the Matterhorn, Switzerland's highest Dufourspitze and many other peaks known to alpinists come into view.
Then we head back down the road and celebrate the day's accomplishment with a larger than average portion of food!
duration of the hike: up 3 hours, down max 2 hours
meters of ascent: 500
DAY 4 (18.08): Resting on the rocks
We're resting from yesterday, but not just sunbathing, but learning how to climb rocks outdoors. How to tie a rope, belay, and how to best get up by holding onto the rock ledges. If you've already mastered the basic skills, you can enjoy climbing at your own pace.
DAY 5 (19.08): via ferrata
Via ferrata is like rock climbing, but for safety we are attached to a rope and on more difficult parts we can use metal ladders and steps to help us climb. That's what we're going to try on one of the most fun via ferrata trails in the region, which takes us to the top of Jegihorn (3206 m).
hike duration: 7-9 hours
ascent meters: 400
DAY 6 (20.08): rest day
We take a breather from the previous intense day to let our bodies recover better for the upcoming summit climb. Everyone does what they want. In Saas Fee, you can walk around the hiking shops, ride the gondolas up and down for free, do some computer work, or just lie down at the camp.
In the evening we talk through the plan for the next two days, buy mountain snacks, and pack our bags.
DAY 7 (21.08): Going to the hut
According to the group's skills and previous experience, we choose a peak over 4000 m high that is within everyone's reach, and we will start moving towards it. There are several options - some are covered only with glacier, some only with rock, some have both. The choice is then Weissmies (4017 m), Lagginhorn (4010 m) or Nadelhorn (4327 m). We start the summit climb from the hut, where we will hike on the 7th day.
At most, we can expect a couple of hours of hiking to an altitude of 3300 m. In the hut, we will find a camp-style sleeping area (mattresses side by side, many people in one room). For dinner, we will have a three-course, very filling dinner, in the language of athletes carb loading. We go to bed early because tomorrow's start is before sunrise.
DAY 8 (22.08): Summit day
We wake up before the sun and set off towards the summit. A classic summit day means first a few hours of walking along a rocky path, after which we reach the glacier. At the edge of the glacier we put on our crampons, attach a rope and continue the same activity. Until we can go no higher. There we take pictures, celebrate, are proud of ourselves and, if we want, shed a few (happy) tears too!
The journey down to each peak is the same as the one up. When we reach the hut, we pack our bags again and head back to our home base in Saas Grund. We celebrate a successful trip and wonder if everyone achieved their goals.
DAY 9 (23.08): home
We pack up our tents and head back to our homeland, taking with us wonderful memories of the trip we just completed.
Lodging recommendation: stay in the area longer to do more climbing and hiking. You can also arrange to stay longer with some travel companions and do something cool together!
NB! There may be minor changes to the schedule and planned activities - for example, due to weather and conditions or passenger requests.
From Switzerland
Switzerland is located in Central Europe and is known for its mountainous terrain, precision and mountains. About 60% of the country's surface is mountainous, and 48 of the 82 4000-meter peaks in the Alps are located in Switzerland. For mountaineers and hikers, Switzerland is one of the best destinations in Europe: the road network, train connections and mountain hut system are well developed and convenient to use.
Swiss alpine culture is diverse – the country has four official languages (German, French, Italian and Romansh) and regional differences are reflected in both architecture and culture. Most of Switzerland's highest mountains are located in the German-speaking region.
Switzerland not part of the European Union, but is part of the Schengen visa area. This means that you must carry an identity document, but border controls are minimal. The country's official currency is Swiss Franc (CHF), although euros are also accepted in many places. The price level is higher than in most European countries, but the quality of services and reliability are very high.
When visiting Switzerland, it is also worth considering with strict nature conservation and precise rulesCamping outside of official areas is not allowed, garbage must always be taken with you, and public transportation is preferred.
Swiss national dishes are mostly based on cheese, potatoes and bread. It is definitely worth trying cheese fondue (liquid cheese that is dipped into pieces of bread) at a local restaurant. squeegee'i (a strong-flavored liquid cheese spread on potatoes and bread) and röstit (a potato pancake).
Don't worry, let's do it!
My altitude record is Munamägi. Can I still do it?!
Of course! This trip does not require any prior knowledge or skills in mountaineering. It is an opportunity for beginners to get their first mountain experience in a safe environment.
How physically fit do I need to be to reach the peak?
Due to the individual characteristics and sports preferences of people, it is difficult to provide uniform indicators for assessing good physical fitness. To give a few examples, a person in good physical shape can run a half marathon in under 2,5 hours, a marathon in under 6 hours. Or cycle at least 100 km in a row. Or complete the main distance of the Tartu Marathon in February. It is important that your body can work with a high pulse for several hours in a row and your leg muscles can push you up a hill several hundred meters. Mental endurance during long, intense activities (self-motivation, dividing the journey into sections, walking in silence in your thoughts) is at least as important.
But I don't have any travel gear, who can afford to buy it?
You'll still have to spend a little money, but not much at first. Hiking and climbing equipment can be rented for a very reasonable price or borrowed from friends. In addition, you can use any kind of clothing you have - for example, a ski jacket is also very good for the mountains. The more resourceful can manage almost without additional expenses. But one thing you shouldn't skimp on is a pair of decent, stiff-soled mountain boots - without them it's hard to walk around with cats day after day.
I've heard that Switzerland must be terribly expensive!
Depending on what and where you buy, Switzerland can be very expensive. This opinion can actually be misleading... When shopping, you just have to make sure that you buy local goods, which are sometimes cheaper than equivalent Estonian products. Switzerland has imposed such high taxes on imported goods that foreign goods are 3-4 times more expensive. Eating in a restaurant is also expensive - the cost of dinner should be around 30-50 €/person.
NB! In Switzerland, payments are made in Swiss francs (1 CHF = 1,07 €), but many businesses also accept euros. However, card payment options are so widespread in the country that cash is unlikely to be needed during this trip.
Will I survive?
It's an extreme sport/hobby, but you shouldn't be too afraid here. Of course, there are certain dangers in the mountains and you have to take them into account, but accidents happen in everyday life too. The most important thing for the group leader is to ensure the safety of the participants — to do this, we learn and use correct mountaineering techniques and turn around if the weather gets too bad. The point is still to have an enjoyable experience and not let this mountain go away. ;)
But can I make an Insta story from the top of the mountain?
When going to Switzerland, you should consider that it is not a member state of the European Union and mobile data with an Estonian package is unreasonably expensive. We recommend downloading the Airalo app and purchasing an e-SIM through it (make sure your phone supports it before purchasing). You can also simply use the campsite's free WIFI in the evening to upload videos taken during the day.
Okay, I registered. Now what?
We also recommend participating in preparatory events - it's part of the fun. We organize preparatory hiking training, give advice on suitable insurance and equipment, where to rent cheaply, what to train for, etc. The guides will share important information with you both by email and in a joint Facebook group chat - be in the picture and ask all the questions that arise when preparing for the trip.
Read more also frequently asked questions.
Travel documents and footnotes
The participant is responsible for the validity and condition of their travel documents. For this trip you will need:
ID card/passport;
sports insurance suitable for mountain hiking (read more on the FAQ page). A suitable sports insurance policy must be carried and is a prerequisite for participating in the mountain hike;
travel insurance (trip disruption, health and luggage). NB! Take out insurance immediately after registering for the trip to get your expenses back (for example, advance payment) in the event of an unexpected event..
Plan your trip early and start training for it. We organize several trial trips, training sessions and recommend training plans before the trip. It would be a shame if the peak is only behind the physique. Also a good opportunity to get in shape. ;)
Summits are not guaranteed. As you might expect, weather is king in the mountains. So it is entirely possible that weather or dangerous conditions will prevent us from even attempting the summit. Nevertheless, it will definitely be an awesome experience!
Although at the end of the day everyone is still responsible for their own actions and consequences, we do our best to mitigate the risks associated with mountaineering. As a result, the group leader has the right to make ongoing decisions about the competence of the participants, the suitability of their equipment, physical/mental capacity, etc. and, if necessary, for example, to prohibit participation on summit day if it endangers the health of the group or the participant themselves. Hopefully, of course, there will be no need for this.
Read also travel conditions.
