Treks Grades

Our Treks have been graded Easy, Moderate and Strenuous depending on their difficulty. (More difficult treks are possible, but we would tend to categorise them as expeditions). We have listed a definition for each category.

We strongly advise against being too ambitious first time out – most trekkers return to Nepal again and again you can gradually increase your trek grade each time.

Easy – These trips can be enjoyed by anyone who leads a reasonably active life. The walking part of the trip is fairly easy, usually between 5 and 6 hours a day.
Note: Even on a easy grade trek there will be tough uphill sections on some days.

Moderate: You will be walking 5-7 hours a day and will encounter some steep uphill and down hill sections. Some days may be at altitude. You should be fit before considering taking moderate grade trek.

Strenuous – A combination of moderate of strenuous walks, with some very steep uphill and down hill sections, often at altitude. You will generally be walking 6-8 hours a day. You should be fit and should prepare physically before taking a strenuous trek.

Please not that the grading system is not a straight forward measure of how for you are walking.
Rather it is an overall indication ho how tough it will be and it takes into account the number of hours trekking, altitude gain/ loss and trail conditions (rough track, steep uphill etc.) and usual temperatures. So even though a trek is grade easy it does not mean you will never feel tired. Similarly inexperienced trekkers need not necessarily avoid treks graded Strenuous.

Finness

On any trek, there are some steeps ascents and descents so you require a reasonable level of fitness. The more physically fit you are, the more easily your body will adapt to hiking in the Himalayas. All treks demand a good day’s walking and it goes without saying that you should be pretty certain that you will enjoy a walking holidays before you consider trekking in Nepal. However you don’t have to be young or super-ft and age in itself is no barrier. There is physical exertion, but it is sustainable. Most people in good health who have prepared physically will have no problem in enjoying themselves. Before making your choice, things to consider are the duration of your trip. Its grading, style of accommodation and maximum and average altitude.


Altitude and Acclimatization

It is common in the Himalayas to trek above 4,500 and sometimes 5,500m. There is no need to worry unduly about altitude, but above 3,000 air becomes thinner and your performance may be affected. No one understands why some people are affected and others not.
Being young strong and fit is no guarantee of success. The only way to acclimatize is to ascend slowly. Our routes have been carefully designed based a year of experience managing possible altitude related difficulties. On this trek we do not ascend above 5,600.

Be aware that altitude sickness can be fatal, so if your leader advises you to stay at a certain altitude or descend, please do as instructed. He has the experience and is there to ensure your safety. If you do need to descend you will be accompanied by one of our team and a porter and will be well looked after. The descent may be just a short – term measure and does not necessarily mean you will be unable to complete your ascent. There is no shame in being affected or not reaching the highest point on a trek.

In addition we carry a Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) on all of your trekking trips in Nepal. If you are suffering form altitude sickness and conditions do not allow for an immediate descent your leader will arrange for you to use the PAC. The PAC works by increasing the pressure inside the chamber, using a foot pump. At high altitude, this increased pressure delivers a therapeutically significant amount of extra oxygen which simulates a descent.