This may mean pushing yourself a little outside your comfort zone, or maybe even a little further than that, but we want you to have all the information to let you decide. You know you!
To show the relative difficulty of our adventures, each trip is graded either Less Challenging, Moderate, Challenging or Advanced. Our simple, temperature style scale provides an indication of the difficulty of each trip.
Clearly, there are many different factors that contribute to the difficulty of a particular trip, including, the length of each day, the terrain, the type of accommodation, the altitude and also the time of year. Since some of these factors are necessarily changeable, any system of grades can only provide a general indication. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the detailed Trip Notes and if you are still unsure please do not hesitate to contact us.
Difficulty Grading
Less Challenging
Our easier trips.
Suitable for anyone in good health with a reasonable base level of fitness, or those prepared to train to get to that level. Usually shorter, lower level treks (below 2500m) on easier terrain, but with some ascents and descents. Accommodation may still be basic, but may involve more hotel/guesthouse stays.
Difficulty Grading
Intermediate
Moderate trips.
Suitable for fit, regular walkers who may or may not have prior trekking experience. There will be more consecutive walking days than our Less Challenging trips, usually 6-8 hours on generally good paths. Ascents and descents will increase and could be 1000m+ but often less. Some walking may be at higher altitude (2500m to 4000m) with the occasional higher pass and you may have some walking on a light dusting of snow if the weather is inclement, or be exposed to more extreme heat. There will be more consecutive days spent in basic accommodation, such as wild camps, with no or few facilities.
Difficulty Grading
Challenging
Advanced intermediate trips.
Previous trekking experience is desirable (although not necessary) as long as you have a good level of fitness and endurance. There will be consecutive days of longer trekking in more remote areas with rougher paths. Days will be around 5-9 hours often with some steep ascents and descents. There may be some adverse or extreme weather conditions and terrain (such as heat and sand) and you may be at 3000m plus altitude for some of the trek. There will be more consecutive days spent in basic accommodation, such as wild camps, with no or few facilities.
Difficulty Grading
Advanced
Our most challenging trips.
You should be an experienced and confident trekker with a high level of endurance and fitness to enjoy these trips, which may be more accurately described as expeditions. Days will generally be long, 8+ hours, with more days of consecutive trekking than on lower graded trips. Usually these trips spend some time at altitude, above 4000m. The routes will be more difficult, but never technical, although adverse weather conditions may require the use of some equipment such as crampons. It is likely that you will be in a remote area, with basic facilities, for the duration of the trek.
Let’s get you on the right track!
