HELP & ADVICE

GRADING - Walking/Trekking

Grade - easy

Easy walking holidays and trekking vacations, including some of our walking safaris in Africa, are suitable for most people who have a basic level of fitness. You can still expect to be out trekking for several hours each day but you can expect the trail conditions to be good underfoot, for the routes to be fairly level with not too much ascent and to only be carrying a small daypack. There will also be plenty of breaks throughout the day and distances covered will be fairly short.

If you have any concerns about your suitability for such a trip, please see the trip dossier for details or call our office on 0131 625 6635 and speak to one of our expert travel consultants.

Grade - moderate

Our moderate graded trekking trips are suitable for those people who regularly enjoy weekends in the hills. This level of activity should mean that you are reasonably fit and prepared to walk approximately six hours each day, with some perhaps longer days.

It would be useful if you have been on a walking/trekking holiday before but this is not essential if you are in good shape.

Trail conditions are likely to be good throughout perhaps with the occasion more rugged mountain pass. You may encounter moderate altitudes up to 4,500m with the majority of the accommodation tent based.

Grade - challenging

Our challenging graded trekking trips are suitable for people who are regular hill-walkers or trekkers and have experience of walking for a sustained number of days. You may need to improve your fitness prior to the trip to cope with up to eight hours challenging walking each day both in the valleys and over high mountain passes. You can expect a variety of trail conditions albeit most of the trekking should be well defined mountain paths. You may encounter altitudes up to 5,000m and possibly more in the case of some mountain ascents. Many of our challenging trips require extended periods of camping with the majority of the accommodation tent based.

Grade - moderate plus

These trips are slightly more demanding than our moderate graded trips. Compared to a moderate graded trip, you can expect to hike a bit further each day, trek to slightly higher altitudes or cope with more variable weather such as cold conditions. On some trips, you might need to trek with a heavier pack, for example trekking between fixed camps carrying a sleeping bag. The trekking holiday may involve trekking for several consecutive days and can therefore feel quite challenging to people who are used to day or weekend trips.

However, if you trek and hike regularly, or if you have experience of expeditions to wild and remote destinations, this grade of trip will be tough at times but very rewarding.

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