Trip Gradings

Who this grade is for: Travellers who want comfort-first exploration with minimal physical demands.

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travelling days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms.

Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2–3 months prior to departure.

Who this grade is for: Curious travellers with reasonable fitness who are comfortable with basic facilities and long travel days.

These adventurous touring style trips sometimes visit remote areas where facilities are often basic. Many of our cultural journeys involve some camping or basic lodging. Adventure Touring trips often include long drives and rough roads. To enjoy these trips we suggest reasonable fitness and health, a moderately active lifestyle and a positive attitude.

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least three months prior to departure.

Who this grade is for: Active travellers ready for their first taste of multi-day adventure activities.

These trips involve trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health. These are not “easy” trips.

Suggested preparation: We recommend 30 minutes of aerobic exercise (fast walking, jogging or cycling) three times a week.

For trekking, hill or stair walking with a 5–7kg daypack is highly recommended at least once a week for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. Walking in variable weather conditions is advisable. For cycling adventures, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended. For paddling adventures, confidence and rhythm are more important than speed.

Who this grade is for: Travellers with a good fitness base who want introductory adventures with some more demanding days.

These trips involve a combination of Introductory and Moderate levels, with an emphasis on introductory activity and several moderate stages.

Suggested preparation: We recommend 45 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week for a minimum of three months prior to departure. This can include swimming, jogging, brisk walking or cycling.

For treks, hill or stair walking with a 7kg daypack is highly recommended at least once a week. For cycling adventures, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is advised.

Who this grade is for: Fit, active travellers who are comfortable with long days and sustained physical activity.

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to six or seven hours a day at a steady pace. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Treks may involve carrying a full pack of around 15kg. Be prepared for variable weather conditions.

Suggested preparation: We recommend 45 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times a week. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions, kayaking or road cycling is also recommended depending on the activity.

Who this grade is for: Experienced adventurers who can handle regular physical demands with occasional tough stages.

This grading combines Moderate and Challenging levels, with an emphasis on moderate activity and several challenging stages.

Suggested preparation: We recommend one hour of aerobic exercise four times a week. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions, kayaking or road cycling is also recommended depending on the activity.

Who this grade is for: Very fit, confident adventurers who thrive in remote environments and demanding conditions.

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas for up to eight to ten hours a day, possibly more. You may encounter variable weather conditions. You will need an excellent level of fitness and be prepared to carry a full pack weighing up to 20kg (depending on the trip). Comfort in adverse weather and remote locations is essential, as evacuation may be difficult.

Suggested preparation: One hour of strenuous exercise four times a week, interspersed with a demanding bushwalk or long-distance cycle depending on the activity.

Trekking: Hill walking with a 5–7kg daypack is highly recommended at least once a week. The best preparation is bushwalking with steep ascents and descents. Hill walking with a 7kg pack in variable weather conditions is essential. Multi-day walks are ideal preparation for challenging adventures.

Cycling: Regular cycling four to five times a week for one to four hours, including hills, is recommended. Cycling can be combined with other aerobic exercise. Consistency is key to building endurance and stamina.

Who this grade is for: Strong trekkers ready to step into expedition-style travel and introductory mountaineering.

These adventures are classed as expeditions and involve extreme trekking and/or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day. Terrain may include demanding high pass crossings and evacuation can be difficult. Prior high-altitude trekking experience is preferable but not essential. Technical mountaineering experience is not required. Basic mountaineering instruction is provided.

Suggested preparation: Training should begin four to six months prior to departure and progressively build endurance, stamina and flexibility. Three to five hard sessions of 45–60 minutes per week are recommended. Overnight or multi-day bushwalks on rough terrain should be included. Please review the Physical Fitness section of your detailed trip notes.

Who this grade is for: Self-sufficient mountaineers with prior expedition experience and technical skills.

Participants must be competent and self-sufficient outdoors, with experience in multi-day trekking at altitude. Terrain includes exposed ridges and crevassed glaciers. Experience using an ice axe and crampons is mandatory.

Suggested preparation: As per Grade 8, with an emphasis on endurance, strength and technical confidence. Please review the Physical Fitness section of your detailed trip notes.

Who this grade is for: Highly experienced mountaineers seeking serious, technical high-altitude expeditions.

These are our most challenging expeditions. Prior mountaineering experience is essential. Trips are participatory and may include load carrying, camp setup and technical climbing at altitude exceeding 6,500m. Participation is subject to acceptance by our high-altitude mountaineering guides.

Suggested preparation: Training should begin four to six months prior to departure and build progressively. Three to five hard sessions of 45–60 minutes per week are recommended, plus overnight or multi-day bushwalks. Please review the Physical Fitness section of your detailed trip notes.

Who this grade is for: Trekkers new to mountaineering who want an introduction to snow and glacier travel.

Conditions are relatively straightforward and not technically difficult. Expect generally low-angled slopes with no prolonged steep or exposed sections. Glacier travel is common, with participants roped together. Short sections of abseiling may be required.

Who this grade is for: Adventurers with some prior mountaineering experience and basic rope skills.

Conditions are variable, with generally low-angled slopes combined with sections of moderately steep snow or easy rock where ropes are required. Some basic rock climbing and abseiling is involved.

Who this grade is for: Experienced mountaineers confident on steep, exposed snow, ice and rock.

Conditions are challenging and include steep and exposed snow and ice slopes, with sections of rock and ice climbing. Some pitches involve serious exposure on knife ridges. Belaying and abseiling are required on multiple sections.

Who this grade is for: Highly experienced, technically proficient mountaineers seeking serious alpine objectives.

A more serious and technical undertaking involving long, exposed climbing on snow, rock and ice. Competent rope work, efficiency of movement and strong technical skills are required throughout.