Trip Gradings

We take great care to ensure that you select an adventure suited to your interests and physical capabilities. The gradings set out on below are a starting point to appreciate what the trip involves and should be consulted in conjunction with our detailed trip notes. Please remember, the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your trip, as ‘there is no such thing as an easy trek.’ All of our trips require participants to be active in their daily lives. Trips listed as Grade 3 and above require regular exercise..

Grade 1: Walking and Sightseeing

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may involve long travelling days. 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.

Grade 2: Adventure Touring

These adventurous touring style trips sometimes may visit remote areas where facilities are often basic. Many of our cultural journeys often involve some basic lodging. Our Adventure Touring trips will often involve 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 3 months prior to departure.

Grade 3: Introductory 

These trips involve walking 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. Our introductory trips are not ‘easy’ trips and you will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.

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

Grade 4: Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our Introductory and Moderate levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages.

Suggested preparation: We recommend 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise three times a week, from a minimum of three months period to your departure. 

Grade 5: Moderate

These adventures involve walking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. You will need a good level of fitness and must be in good health. Treks may involve carrying a full pack around 15kg. Be prepared for potential variable weather conditions.

Suggested preparation: We recommend 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to four times a week. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions.

Grade 6: Moderate to Challenging

This trip grading involves a combination of what is described in our MODERATE and CHALLENGING levels. The emphasis is on moderate activity with several challenging stages.

Suggested preparation: We recommend one hour of aerobic type exercise, four times a week. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions.

Grade 7: Challenging

These adventures involve hiking for up to 8 to 10 hours a day, possibly more. With remoteness comes potential to encounter variable weather conditions. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a full pack weighing up to 20kgs (depending on the trip you choose) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions and remote locations where evacuation may be very difficult.

Suggested preparation: One hour of strenuous exercise, four times a week, interspersed with a relatively demanding hikes. Hill walking with a 5-7kg daypack is also highly recommended at least once a week for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. The best exercise for trekking is bushwalking involving relatively steep ascents and descents. Hill walking with a 7kg pack in variable weather conditions is a must. Multi day walks are ideal preparation for our challenging adventures.