From Turkey’s legendary Mount Ararat — the resting place of Noah’s Ark in local legend — to Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak in the Caucasus Mountains, these expeditions combine rich history with serious high-altitude climbing. Guided ascents for trekkers ready for their next summit, plus the classic Tour du Mont Blanc in the Alps.
Mount Ararat, Turkey – July 2027
A legendary peak in Turkey, believed to be the resting place of Noah’s Ark, offering both historical intrigue and…
Mount Elbrus South Face, Russia – July 2027
Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe at 5,642 meters and part of the Seven Summits, offers a challenging…
Mount Ararat (5,137 m), the highest peak in Turkey, and Mount Elbrus (5,642 m), the highest in Europe, are both 8-day climbs with no technical sections, and both are a natural next step for fit hikers who want their first big summit. On Elbrus, the South Face is climbed from mountain huts, with acclimatisation hikes around Terskol before summit day.
In Georgia, Mount Kazbek (5,054 m) is the more technical Caucasus 5,000er: an 8-day climb from Tbilisi with acclimatisation at the Altihut, a snow and ice skills day and a glacier summit with crampons, ice axe and rope.
For something gentler, the Tour du Mont Blanc circles the massif through France, Italy and Switzerland, in two versions: 7 days in hotels or 9 days hut to hut, with your luggage moved for you. And Discover Armenia is a 4-day hiking trip from Yerevan into the highlands of the Caucasus, easy to moderate.
Ararat and Elbrus are climbed from June to September, and our departures for both are in July 2027. The Tour du Mont Blanc season runs from mid-June to mid-September, when the passes are clear of snow. Armenia is best from May to October for mountain hiking, and in winter we adapt the hikes to the snow.
Visas and practical details are in our guides to Turkey, Russia, the Tour du Mont Blanc and Armenia.
Do I need experience to climb Mount Elbrus?
No technical experience is needed. Crampons and ice axe are practised during acclimatisation, before summit day, but you do need good fitness.
Is Mount Ararat a technical climb?
No. It is a non-technical climb, suitable for fit hikers with some mountain experience.
Is the Tour du Mont Blanc guided?
Yes. You walk with a UIMLA-certified International Mountain Leader in a small group, and your luggage is moved by vehicle.
Can I hike in Armenia in winter?
Yes. In winter the trip is just as beautiful, with the hikes adapted to the snow.