To inform our clients the activity level of our trips, we have given a general description of six levels from easy, easy to moderate, moderate, moderate to strenuous, and very strenuous.
We have used our knowledge to describe each trip level based on our experience in serving clients to each destination. However, the degree of trip difficulty one would find in a trip also depends on how fit you are physically. Since most of our trips involve hiking that go through many different terrains involving a variety of topographical features, it is difficult to generalize and assign a one-size fits all trip grading system. In addition to our trip grading, reading the itinerary is another way to know your trip better, and then choose a trip that meets your fitness level.
Easy:
Trips rated Easy are mostly flat terrain based with some walking activity.
Culture and nature sightseeing tours with over nights in hotels and lodges are rated easy trips.
Easy to Moderate:
Trips rated Easy to Moderate usually involve some walking activity on flat terrain and in the hills or mountainous terrain with some steep ascents/descents on uneven trails. Easy to Moderate trip can be either low or high elevation based. The degree of ease or difficulty is explained in each individual trip itinerary.
Moderate:
Trips rated Moderate usually involve hiking activity in the hills or mountainous terrain with some steep ascents/descents on uneven trails. Moderate trip can be either low or high elevation based.
Moderate to Strenuous:
Trips rated as Moderate to Strenuous typically have 5-8 hours of hiking activity per day on mountainous terrain with steep ascents/descents on uneven trails, with altitude of up to 14,000 feet.
Strenuous:
Trips rated as Strenuous typically have 6-9 hours of hiking activity per day on mountainous terrain with steep ascents/descents on uneven trails, with altitude of up to 18,200 feet. Trip requires high altitude hiking with multiple nights between 10,000 and 16,000 feet elevation as well as crossing high altitude passes on some trips. Example: Annapurna Circuit Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek and Manaslu Circuit Trek.
Very Strenuous:
Trips rated as Very Strenuous typically have 6-10 hours of hiking activity per day on mountainous terrain including exposed area and moraine glacier with steep ascents/descents on uneven trails, with altitude of up to 18,200 feet. High altitude hiking with multiple nights between 11,000 and 16,900 feet and high altitude pass crossings are part of the activity. Example: Everest Three Pass Traverse (Kongmala, Chola and Renjola) and Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.