Trekking
in Nepal •
Trekking Grade
The trekking difficulty may vary with every person. To
enjoy trekking in Nepal, you need to be reasonably fit
even though no mountaineering experience is required.
Fitness level could be enhanced by pre – trek training
of hill – walking, jogging or cycling and other
sports. It is essential to choose a trek that is well
within your capabilities. To simplify trekking grade system,
we have taken the following factor in account:
Type of terrain
Maximum altitude and the time spend in high altitude
Weather factor
Length of trekking
Grade I
Trekking to altitudes of about 3000 m/10000ft or less,
easy walking holidays with
the occasional longer walk falls in Grade 1. These trips
can be enjoyed by anyone who leads a reasonably active
life. The trek (walking part of the itinerary) is eight
days or less. The degree of vehicle support is high, and
there are opportunities for rest days. Up to 5 hrs and
12 miles per day.
Grade II
Easy to moderate trekking to altitudes between 2000m/6500
ft and 3500m/11500 ft for up to 6 hours a day. Grade 2
tours involve some longer walks. Some previous hill-walking
experience is desirable. They may best be described as
mild. Up to 6.5 hours / 15 miles per day.
Grade III
Moderate trekking to altitudes of 3000 m/10000 ft to 4000
m/13000 ft for up to 7 hours a day, sometimes including
excursions or pass crossings up to 5000 m/16500 ft.
Some pre-trek training is advisable. Hill walking experience,
a reasonably fit body and good stamina are essential for
these kinds of treks. Walking will be up to 8 hours /
20 miles per day. These treks are generally longer (minimum
2/3 weeks) and more strenuous (long ascents/descents,
steep gradients, rough ground, some backpacking).
Grade IV
strenuous trekking to altitudes predominantly above 4,000
m/13,000 ft. with excursions and pass crossings of between
5,000 m/16,000 ft and 6000 m/19,200 ft. Pre-trek training
is essential. You need to be very fit for these tours,
be familiar with mountain walking, be capable of carrying
a backpack, and possess a fair degree of stamina. We include
treks which involve river, moraine, glacier and snow crossing
in this category.
Grade V
A high level of fitness and experience of walking on scree,
snow, ice and packed snow is required. There will be ice
axes, crampons and, in some cases, ropes used. Climbs
however are non-technical. The altitude would be predominantly
above 4,000m/13,000ft with quite a few nights above 5,000m/16,000ft.
Some climbing experience and elementary knowledge of the
use of crampons and ice axe are essential.
