Grades for Himalayas

BASIS

  • Easy <12000Ft >4 Days 3 – 5 Hrs of walking each day
  • Moderate <14000Ft 5 – 8 Days 4 – 6 Hrs of walking each day
  • Challenging <16000Ft 9 – 12 Days 5 – 8 Hrs of walking each day
  • Difficult <18000Ft 13 – 15 Days 5 – 10 Hrs of walking each day
  • Extreme >15000Ft >14 Days 6 – 12 Hrs of walking each day

Easy – Himalayas & Others  

  • Each day’s walk of 3 – 5Hrs but no more than ~6Hrs
  • Trek duration of no more than 4 Days
  • Treks usually do not go beyond 12,000Ft (~3,750Mtrs) of altitude.
  • Usually popular treks / trails in the Himalayas
  • Walk on clear trails*
  • Small altitude gain / loss on gentle slopes
  • Suitable for Beginners and Children
  • Basic health and fitness desirable
  • Leader always carries basic emergency gear
  • Expect to carry a day pack of 5 – 7Kgs each day.

Moderate – Himalayas & Others  

  • Each day’s walk of 4 – 6Hrs but no more than ~8Hrs
  • Trek durations of 5 – 8 Days
  • Treks usually do not go beyond 14,000Ft (~4,500Mtrs) of altitude.
  • Usually popular treks / trails in the Himalayas
  • Mostly walk on clear trails*
  • Some altitude gain / loss on gentle to slopes. May have a few steep sections.
  • Suitable for Beginners and Children with experience and good physical fitness.
  • Considerable health and fitness desirable. 
  • Leader always carries basic emergency gear
  • Expect to carry a day pack of 6 – 7Kgs each day.

Challenging / Strenuous – Himalayas & Others    

  • Each day’s trek of 5 – 8Hrs
  • Trek durations of 9 – 12 Days
  • Treks usually do not go beyond 16,000Ft (~5,000Mtrs) of altitude.
  • Includes trekking on faint trails*
  • Trails may not be clear or there may be multiple trails / routes.
  • May include trekking on mixed terrain consisting of loose rocks & soil and boulders
  • Considerable height gain / loss on steep slopes
  • May require use of ropes or any climbing gear on small patches for safety 
    • (Please check with your operator about the possibility of this for a particular trek / route / trail)
  • Suitable for Experienced Trekkers
  • Considerable amount of fitness necessary. 
  • Trekkers need requested to get a medical check done for any health issues before signing up for such this grade of treks.
  • Necessary safety gear for emergencies only
  • Expect to carry a day pack of 6 – 7Kgs each day.

Difficult / Tough – Himalayas & Others    

  • Each day’s trek of 5 – 10Hrs
  • Trek durations of 13 – 15 Days
  • Treks usually do not go beyond 18,000Ft (~5,500Mtrs) of altitude.
  • Includes trekking on faint trails*
  • Trails may not be clear or there may be multiple trails / routes.
  • May include trekking on mixed terrain consisting of loose rocks & soil and boulders. May have some altitude exposure (Steep edges).
  • Considerable height gain / loss on steep slopes
  • May require use of ropes or any climbing gear on small patches for safety 
    • (Please check with your operator about the possibility of this for a particular trek / route / trail)
  • Suitable for Regular Trekkers with considerable prior experience of trekking.
  • Trekkers need to be very fit and regularly exercising to participate and complete this grade of trek. 
  • Trekkers need requested to get a medical check done for any health issues before signing up for such this grade of treks.
  • Necessary safety gear for emergencies only
  • Expect to carry a day pack of 6 – 8Kgs each day.

Extreme / Technical – Himalayas & Others      

  • Each day’s trek of 6 – 12Hrs
  • Trek durations of  14 Days or more
  • Treks usually are beyond 15,000Ft (~4,500Mtrs) of altitude.
  • Includes trekking on faint trails*
  • Trails may not be clear or there may be multiple trails / routes.
  • Will include trekking on mixed terrain consisting of loose rocks & soil and boulders. May have some altitude exposure (Steep edges).
  • Considerable height gain / loss on extremely steep slopes
  • May require use of ropes or any climbing gear on small patches for safety 
    • (Please check with your operator about the possibility of this for a particular trek / route / trail)
  • Suitable for Regular Trekkers with considerable prior experience of trekking.
  • Trekkers need to be very fit and regularly exercising to participate and complete this grade of trek. 
  • Trekkers need requested to get a medical check done for any health issues before signing up for such this grade of treks.
  • Necessary safety gear for emergencies only
  • Expect to carry a day pack of 7 – 10Kgs each day.

Notes:

    • Water – 2Ltrs 2.0Kgs
    • Packed Food 0.50Kgs
    • Clothes, Jackets, Socks, Gloves, Napkin 1.5Kgs
    • Energy / Chocolate Bars, Nuts 0.25Kg
    • Rain Poncho 0.25Kgs
    • Sunglasses, Sunblock, Toilteries, Meds 0.50Kgs
    • Camera 0.50Kgs
    • Mobile & Battery Pack 0.50Kg
    • Trekking Pole 0.50Kgs
    • Backpack 0.50Kgs
    • Misc 0.25Kgs

Common ailments / diseases to watch out for if you want to trek

  1. Hypertension
  2. Diabetes
  3. Obesity
  4. Asthma / Wheezing
  5. Heart and/or lung conditions
  6. Muscle, Bone and Joint injuries from past