We don’t subscribe to a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach when it comes to trek grading and have developed a unique trek grading matrix to ensure that you, the participant, are as aware as you can be prior to travelling on the specifics of your chosen adventure.
Activity
These trips involve trekking for between 2-4 hours per day at a relaxed pace. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health. Treks are supported and you will only carry a day pack.
These trips involve trekking for between 5-7 hours per day at a slow but steady pace. These trips should be considered challenging, though slower than our higher rated treks to allow a more relaxed pace. You will need a moderate level of fitness and good health. Treks are supported and you will only carry a day pack.
These trips involve trekking for between 6-8 hours a day at a steady pace. Both your health and fitness level must be good. Treks may involve carrying a pack between 12-16kg, though some treks offer the option of a personal carrier.
These trips involve trekking for between 8-10 hours a day at a steady pace. Both your health and fitness level must be very good. Treks may involve carrying a pack between 12-16kg, though some treks offer the option of a personal carrier.
These trips involve trekking for between 9 to 10 hours a day, and on occasion more than 10 hours. Both your health and fitness level must be to a very high level. Treks may involve carrying a pack up to 20kg, though some treks offer the option of a personal carrier.
Conditions
Variable weather conditions. Generally formed trekking paths.
Variable weather conditions. Less formed and sometime narrow trekking paths. Variable terrain.
Variable weather conditions. Less formed and sometime narrow trekking paths. Variable terrain.May be exposed to high altitude for limited periods.
Weather conditions and terrain may be extremely challenging, and treks may include exposure to high altitudes. Less formed, often narrow and / or steeper trekking paths.
Tracks may be poorly defined and include a number of demanding high pass crossings. Weather conditions may have a high degree of variation, and you must be comfortable in adverse conditions.
Accommodation
Hotel, guesthouse and B&B accommodation. Twin share unless requested. Usually but not always private facilities.
Tea houses, generally twin share with share shower and toilet facilities. Tea houses generally have some kind of heating, though not in bedrooms.
Basic bush guesthouse facilities OR bivouac tent (groundsheet and overhead tarp) OR tent. Rudimentary shower and toilet facilities.
Tents carried and erected by porters. Dining tents carried also. Rudimentary shower and toilet facilities.
Bush camping, washing and toileting.
Training/Preparation
Building to 1 hour of aerobic type exercise, three times a week. Hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is recommended. Your daypack should have little weight, increasing gradually until it is 1-2 kg more than that you will carry during your trek.
Suggested preparation: Building to 1-1.5 hours of aerobic type exercise, four times a week. Hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is recommended. Your daypack should have little weight, increasing gradually until it is 1-2 kg more than that you will carry during your trek.
Suggested preparation: Building to 1-1.5 hours of aerobic type exercise, 4-5 times a week. Hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is strongly recommended. Your daypack should have little weight, increasing gradually until it is 2-3 kg more than that you will carry during your trek.
Building to 2 hours of aerobic type exercise, 4 times a week. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions is necessary. Your daypack should have little weight, increasing gradually until it is 2-3 kg more than that you will carry during your trek.
Building to 2 hours of aerobic type exercise, 4-5 times a week. Regular hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions is necessary. Your daypack should have little weight, increasing gradually until it is 3-4 kg more than that you will carry during your trek.