Active Travel - Trekking Grades

Most trips to the Himalaya involve some form of physical activity. While you will certainly return home both phyisically and mentally refreshed from your adventure, it is important to consider two things first: your level of fitness and your interest.

We have ranked our trips in five grades, which reflect relative difficulty. There are to be used as approximate indications and guides only, for a number of different reasons. Everyone has different expectations and perceptions of their abilities and levels of fitness. Temporary local conditions such as unseasonal weather or changed trail conditions may make a relatively easy trek much harder. Everyone can benefit from some appropriate preparation, no matter what your age, weight or fitness level. This could be aerobic activity or cycling, swimming, brisk walking or running. Walking up and down stairs in your trekking boots is an excellent preparation, especially in countries where there are a mountains or high trails. Remember that Nepal and its neighbours, like Bhutan, Tibet and India, are mountainous countries, so walking anywhere in the Himalaya almost always involves going up or down!

Grade 1 - Gentle

None of these trips require strenuous activity and are all non-trekking. If you are fit enough to travel, you are fit enough for these trips. Note that some trips may involve walking and may be harder, therefore, closer to Grade 2 (Leisurely).

Grade 2 - Leisurely

These are the easier of our Nepal walking holidays, with some trekking but only for a few days on relatively level trails. There will be a few ups and downs, of course. Preparing for a trek like this, we suggest some walking – on the weekends, before or after work – in the lead up to your trip. Trekking days rarely exceed 5 or 6 hours, covering distances of up to 10km per day. Altitudes rarely exceed 3,000 metres. You will enjoy this level of trek if you are in good health and are fit. Going to the gym, walking, jogging, bike riding are all recommended activities. If you put some effort into preparing, you will maximise your enjoyment.

Grade 3 - Moderate

Trekking may involve walking up to 7 hours, travelling between 6 to 15km, over hilly terrain, on generally well defined trails. Altitudes will exceed 3,000m and sometimes reach over 4,000m. To enjoy this trek you must be in good health and have a good level of fitness. It is very important you take trek preparation seriously and start your physical preparation a few months before arriving in Nepal. The gym, swimming, cycling and walking are all recommended ways to prepare for a trek of this grade.

Grade 4 - Adventerous

Physical preparation for a trek of this grade is most important, as you will be walking for up to 8 hours per day, sometimes on small tracks, and often over rough ground. Altitudes will often exceed 4,000, with some days trekking above 5,000m. To enjoy this trek, you must be in very good health and have a high level of fitness. You must prepare thoroughly with a serious programme of exercise in the months leading up to departure. If you are over 40 and do not exercise regularly, you would be wise to consult your doctor to ensure you are physically capable of undertaking a demanding trek at altitude. This is especially the case if you have any sort of pre-existing medical condition.

Grade 5 - Expeditionary

These are challenging treks - up to 6000m - and include basic mountaineering above the snowline, using ice axe, crampons and ropes under supervision and instruction from the trek leader. These trips require a high level of physical, as well as psychological stamina and you can expect long days on the mountain. You must prepare thoroughly with a serious program of exercise over many months prior to your trip to Nepal. People undertaking a trip of this grade, have often trekked to altitude before and prior trekking experience, at altitude is certainly an advantage. Those over 40 and anyone who has not exercised regularly for some time, must consult their doctor to ensure they are physically capable of undertaking the very demanding nature of a mountaineering trek.