challenge grading
challenging
tough
extreme
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.
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 |
| High Atlas Summit Trek | Morocco |
| Himalayan Mountain Trek | Nepal |
| Simien Mountain Trek | Ethiopia |
| Trek to Machu Picchu | Peru |
| Trek to The Home of the Dalai Lama | India |
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 |
|---|---|
| Aconcagua Summit Trek | Argentina |
| Avenue of the Volcanoes | Ecuador |
| Everest Base Camp | Nepal |
| Kilimanjaro Summit Climb | Tanzania |
| Stok Kangri Summit Trek | India |
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