challenge grading

challenging

Do not be fooled by the fact that this is the lowest grade of difficulty. Challenging expeditions require you to have a reasonable level of fitness and an open mind to deal with new situations. They are not typically at high altitude, and usually between 8 and 12 days. A typical day would involve 5 to 7 hours of activity. The trails are less remote and although still basic, the facilities are slightly more comfortable. You will be expected to carry a daypack of about 5kgs.

challenging

Challenge	Country
Brazilian Trek and Kayak Challenge	Brazil
Coast to Coast Eco Challenge	UK
Cuban Revolution Cycle	Cuba
Cycle Kathmandu Valley	Nepal
Escambray Encounter	Cuba
Etna Volcanic Adventure	Italy
Footsteps of the Maasai	Tanzania
Golden Triangle Hill Tribe Trek	Thailand
Grand Canyon Explorer	USA
Great Wall Cycle Challenge	China
Great Wall Discovery	China
Icelandic Lava Trek	Iceland
London to Paris Bike Ride	UK, France
Mali communitychallenge	Mali
Manchester to Liverpool: Bike Unite	UK
Mongolian Horse Ride	Mongolia
nepal communitychallenge	Nepal
Rajasthan Tiger Challenge	India
Sahara Desert Trek	Morocco
Saigon to Angkor Wat Bike Ride	Vietnam, Cambodia
Santiago de Compostela	Spain
Sapa Hill Tribe Trek	Vietnam
Skydive	UK
Slovenia Multi-Activity Challenge	Slovenia
South Africa Community Challenge	South Africa
South Africa communitychallenge	South Africa
Tanzania communitychallenge	Tanzania
Thailand Jungle Expedition	Thailand
Three Peaks Challenge	UK
Trek Transylvania	Romania
Verdon Gorge Cycle Challenge	UK, France
Vietnam Experience	Vietnam
Volcano Bike Challenge	Mexico

extreme

Challenges that are graded extreme normally last for between 12 and 18 days, and require a very good level of fitness and a more focussed training programme to enable you to undertake the challenge. All extreme challenges involve camping in a remote mountain environment where facilities are very basic and the unpredictability of mountain weather can often provide numerous unexpected challenges of their own. The terrain will be hard going, with steep climbs and descents. A typical day would involve 6 to 8 hours of activity, but a summit day could involve up to 15 hours of activity. You will have to carry a daypack of about 7kgs.

extreme

Challenge	Country
Avenue of the Volcanoes	Ecuador
Everest Base Camp	Nepal
Kilimanjaro Summit Climb - Lemosho Route	Tanzania
Kilimanjaro Summit Climb - Rongai Route	Tanzania
Stok Kangri Summit Trek	India

tough

Tough itineraries are generally at high altitude, and may take place in more remote areas where there are limited facilities available. Due to the nature of high altitude expeditions, the itineraries are normally longer (typically between 10 and 12 days), allowing you time to acclimatise. The terrain is likely to be hard going, and a good level of fitness is required. A typical day would involve 6 to 8 hours of activity in unpredictable weather conditions, and you will have to carry a daypack of about 7kgs.

tough

Challenge	Country
Andes to Amazon Bike Ride	Peru
Annapurna Siklis Circuit	Nepal
High Atlas Summit Trek	Morocco
Little Tibet Trek	India
Simien Mountain Trek	Ethiopia
Trek to Machu Picchu	Peru
Trek to The Home of the Dalai Lama	India