Let's climb to the top of the European Union!
The trip is sold out! It is possible to register for the waiting list.
As has become a tradition, next July we will embark on a journey to the summit of the coveted White Mountain, or Mont Blanc - along a more technical route than the usual trail.
Mont Blanc probably needs no introduction — it’s a 4807m-high snow-capped peak right on the border of France and Italy, considered the highest peak in both countries and Western Europe. Set amidst an idyllic mountain landscape, the extremely popular peak is probably every mountaineer’s dream. to do in the list.
Please note: You can apply for this trip, but you will not be automatically registered. Filling out the registration form does not guarantee the right to join the trip until the guides have reviewed your application and assessed your fitness to be suitable for this peak. When assessing, we take into account physical fitness, lifestyle activity (how much you exercise and/or long sports events you do) and previous experience. This is to ensure that the probability of reaching the top of the group is as high as possible and that participants are not put at risk due to insufficient preparation.
Mont Blanc is not the best choice for a first mountaineering experience. The climb is long, physically very demanding, and the three-peak route is also quite technical. However, if you are strong, athletic, and brave, you can easily reach the summit.
The summit of Mont Blanc is preceded by a thorough acclimatization program, during which we train our bodies to cope with altitude, practice moving on a glacier and using mountaineering equipment. To enrich our summit lists, we will also climb to the top of a 3000+ m mountain during the acclimatization. Which one - it will be determined according to the group's ability and weather conditions.
During acclimatization and the ascent of Mont Blanc, we will stay in cozy mountain huts, where it is nice to sleep warmly and we will be treated to excellent hut meals.
When we are not on the mountain, we are based in the beautiful small town of Chamonix, which offers a magnificent view of Mont Blanc and therefore attracts people from both far and near to visit us. We spend the night in tents at the campsite and cook our own meals using camping stoves, buying the necessary food from the local shop. However, Chamonix also has many restaurants where we can also eat.
Overview - short & sweet
Goal: Mont Blanc 4807 m (three peaks route)
Dates: 15.-23.07.2026
Activity: mountain climbing, mountain hiking
Accommodation: tents in the village below, mountain huts in the mountains
Adventure guides: Kelli Saar and Kristjan Pühvel
Technical difficulty level: 3/5
Route difficulty: PD+ (steep slopes, volatile weather conditions, possible need for 2 picks)
Physical difficulty: 3.5/5 (requires good physical fitness)
Group size: min 6, max 10 (+2 adventure guides)
TOUR PRICE:
Standard Registration (16.12.2025-14.04.2026) — €1890
Late Registration (from 15.04.2026) —€1990
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
Travel arrangements and on-site guidance
Guidance by a multi-experienced Mont Blanc adventurer
All overnight stays (cabins in the mountains, camping fees at the campsite below)
Gondola tickets during the mountain program
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)
Equipment needed for communal meals (stove, gas, and cooking utensils)
Elamus+ mountaineering preparation package worth €250:
access to online mountaineering webinars;
if necessary, a personal 30-minute online call with a tour guide;
winter mountaineering training day before the trip*;
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 Tallinn-Geneva-Tallinn (prices with checked baggage from €350)
Bus Geneva-Chamonix-Geneva (round trip approx. €60)
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 other overnight equipment at the campsite
Food containers and personal cooking equipment at the campsite
Unscheduled excursions, transportation, etc. (or if you want to do something extra)
Applying for a trip
Before applying, please familiarize yourself with travel conditions. The locomotives will review your application and contact you for additional information if necessary. You will receive a decision on your admission to the trip within 5 days.
Apply for the trip if at least 2 of the following statements apply to you:
Do aerobic exercise weekly
In addition to aerobic exercise, you occasionally do strength training or go climbing.
You have participated in sporting events during which you are moving at a higher heart rate for at least 3 hours in a row (for example, various marathons)
You have participated in a sporting event during which you are moving at a lower heart rate for at least 6 hours in a row (for example, various hikes, Kondimootor, Adventure, etc.)
You have previously hiked or climbed to an altitude of at least 3500m
To secure your place on the trip, a deposit (20%, non-refundable) must be paid within 3 business days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by email. If there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost must be paid after receiving the corresponding invoice (100%). 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 (15.07) - hello, Chamonix!
Everyone arrives in Chamonix at their own time and in their own way. The easiest way to get to Chamonix is to fly to Geneva and take a 1-2 hour bus directly to Chamonix.
Destination in Chamonix: Les Arolles campsite on the edge of town. This will be our base camp for the entire trip. Please be there no later than 6:00 PM. - we will brief you about the upcoming trip and get to know each other.
The driver's recommendation: if possible, arrive a day early so that you have time to deal with delayed luggage (this often happens when flying to Geneva) or look for missing equipment. And otherwise, it's also nice to explore around. It's a beautiful place!
Day 2 (16.07) - acclimatization begins
In the morning we take the gondola up and hike for a few hours to the hut. Since this is not a beach holiday, after lunch we put on glacier equipment and go to the glacier near the hut to learn rope walking and self-braking with a pickaxe. At the hut we can enjoy a refreshing dinner and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
meters of ascent: 400
hike duration: 2-3 hours
Day 3 (17.07) - we cross the Swiss border
In the morning we start moving across a large plate glacier until we reach a rocky ridge marking the border between France and Switzerland. We turn a little along the rocks until we reach the other side. And then we turn a little more until we reach the peak called Aiguille du Tour at 3540 m. It is an awesome place with powerful 360-degree views. Having reached the top, we walk another hour or two along the glacier until we reach the next hut. Here are the Swiss prices, Swiss francs.
meters of ascent: 900
hike duration: 8 hours
Day 4 (18.07) - BACK TO GREEN
In the morning we pack up our bags from the hut and start hiking back towards Chamonix the way we came.
The way back is easy, as we can take the gondola and bus directly to the campsite. The evening is free and everyone can spend it as they wish.
descent meters: 1400
hike duration: 6 hours
Day 5 (19.07) - rest day
After the first big effort, it's time to take a breather and get to know Chamonix, the Mecca of mountaineering, more closely. The town has numerous hiking shops where you can upgrade your equipment if necessary. Those looking for a slightly more adventurous experience can also try paragliding or rock climbing on the sports trails near Chamonix. Depending on the wishes of the group members, we will spend the day together or individually.
Day 6 (20.07) - the journey to the top of the white mountain begins
Our bodies are rested, our supplies are replenished, so we put on our backpacks and head back to the mountain! We first take the gondola to the top of the famous Aguille du Midi. The Midi is Chamonix's main tourist attraction, and most tourists come there just for the gondola ride. At the gondola station, we climb over the fence, drawing astonished glances from tourists, because there are many signs all around saying "Don't go there!" and small warning signs saying "climber exit". We hike for about 2 hours along the glacier to the Cosmiques hut. There we stay in comfortable dormitories and enjoy a three-course dinner. From the hut's window and balcony, you can see the next day's journey.
descent meters: 200
meters of ascent: 100
hike duration: 1 hours
Hut altitude: 3613 m
Day 7 (21.07) - you can smell the peak in the air
We wake up in the early hours of the morning and start moving along the rope with our headlamps, one foot in front of the other, getting closer and closer to the roof of the European Union. The journey to the top should take about 7-10 hours from the Cosmiques base camp and about 6-7 hours to the bottom, so it will be a long and exhausting day.
As the name suggests, the summit route is a three-peak route. First, we climb up the slope of Mont Blanc du Tacul, then we descend a little down the other side of the mountain and a view opens up that is more reminiscent of the Disney “Frozen” movie than real life, as the surrounding area is a lifeless land of ice and snow.
The second mountain that will be on our way is Mont Maudit. This is the most difficult part of the entire climb, as the climb is steep. In case of icy conditions, we install ice drills and use two pickaxes. Fortunately, in normal conditions, one pickaxe and lifting one foot in front of the other is enough.
Before the summit we have to descend once more from the back of Maudit. After that the summit is within reach and we have one last long and tiring climb in the thin air. Finally we reach the top of the Alps! Oh the euphoria and emotion. Done!
After some pictures, hugs, and snacks at the top, we head back down the path we came from, which is fortunately made a little easier by gravity. We spend the night in a familiar hut.
meters of ascent: 1600
descent meters: 1600
hike duration: 12-16 hours
Hut altitude: 3613 m
DAY 8 (22.07) - Reserve day
This is a backup day in case the weather doesn't allow us to summit on the right day. This means that using the backup day will push the summit day and everything that follows forward by one day (does not affect the time of return from the trip). However, we are still expected to summit within the planned schedule and will not need to use the backup day.
Day 9 (23.07) - back home
We pack up at camp and head home. Or to the next adventures - who knows how. Anyway, one thing is clear: regardless of whether we managed to stand on the top of Mont Blanc a few days ago or not, we will all go home richer with unforgettable memories and powerful experiences!
NB! There may be minor changes to the schedule and planned activities - for example, due to weather and conditions or passenger requests.
Don't worry, let's do it!
How physically fit do I need to be to reach the peak?
Mont Blanc requires good physical fitness and mental stamina, as the summit day is very long. In addition, you need a firm footing on the steeper sections.
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 130-150 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. At least as important is mental endurance during long, intense activities (motivating yourself, dividing the journey into sections, walking in silence in your thoughts).
But I don't have any hiking gear, who can afford to buy it?
You'll still have to spend a little, but not much. Hiking and climbing equipment can be rented at a very reasonable price and, of course, borrowed from friends. In addition, you can use any kind of existing clothing; for example, a ski jacket is also very good for the mountain. The more resourceful can manage almost without additional expenses. Special equipment can also be rented.
What you definitely shouldn't skimp on are decent waterproof mountain boots with a stiff sole. A stiff sole ensures that the crampons don't come off your boot in the middle of the mountain and that your feet don't get so tired on rocky ground. Read more about it FROM HERE.
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. ;)
Okay, I registered. Now what?
Well, theoretically you could just vanish into thin air and appear on a plane, but then you risk discovering “oops, I have the wrong crampons and what is this middleman node?” on the spot. It can happen, but we highly recommend participating in preparatory events — it’s part of the fun. We organize preparatory hikes and trainings, advise on suitable insurance and equipment, where to rent cheaply, what to train for, etc. We will definitely review the equipment you have collected just before the start of the trip and send reminders about important things.
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. NB! Take out insurance immediately after registering for the trip to ensure that you can get back any expenses incurred (for example, any advance payment) in the event of an unexpected event..
Plan your trip early and start training for it. We will organize several trial trips, training sessions and recommend training plans beforehand. It would be a shame if the peak was 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.
Contact
Kristjan Pühvel