To make the most of your Sherpa holiday it is essential that you choose a trek which is well within your capabilities. All our treks are graded and clearly marked at the top of each trip description.

Please read the trek information carefully to find out which itinerary is most suited to your capabilities and requirements.

All mountains have uphills and downhills and by definition walking demands some effort. However all things are relative, and these trip gradings assume that you are a reasonably active person who actually enjoys walking. Self Guided trips are graded Easy, Moderate and Challenging. None of the walks are extreme, they are all planned around time to sightsee and enjoy the scenery.

GRADE Easy
Gentle terrain, four to six hours a day walking without steep climbs or vertiginous mountains.

GRADE Moderate
Rolling uplands, five to six hours a day walking, with some uphill climbs and the odd longer day.

GRADE Challenging
Real mountains like the Alps or the Pyrenees, six to eight hours walking with longer ascents and the scramble on an exposed ridge and rough conditions under foot on occasion. If you are in any doubt a quick call to our operations department or a detailed trip dossier will provide more information to assist your choice.

An 'A' grade trek is the easiest, an 'E' grade trek is the most strenuous. A plus (+) sign indicates that the trek is slightly harder than the grade described below.

GRADE A:
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. None of our holidays are for the totally sedentary! There may be up to 5 hours / 12 miles per day of treking, although the average is less.

GRADE B:
Grade B tours involve some longer walks. Some previous hill-walking experience is desirable. They may best be described as moderate. Up to 6.5 hours / 15 miles per day.

GRADE B/C:
The day stages on these treks are mostly graded B, although some of the days are, unaviodably, slightly longer.

GRADE C:
These treks are generally longer (minimum 2 weeks) and more strenuous (long ascents/descents, steep gradients, rough ground, some backpacking). Hill walking experience and a reasonably high standard of fitness and stamina are essential for enjoyment of a grade C trek. Up to 8 hours / 20 miles per day.

GRADE D:
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 E:
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.

If in doubt about the grade of any tour please contact us for advice or request a trek dossier.