The following guides will give you some more details about some of the activities we have on offer, and the way we run these tours. This includes information on your physical fitness, equipment required and provided, insurance requirements etc.  

Every tour on our website has been assigned an activity level, to give you an idea of the overall level of exertion you should expect during the tour (see the Tour Facts box on each tour page). Added to this, we have graded any rafting and trekking to give you more information about these sections of the tour.

Low

The level of activity on these tours is minimal and would normal only include gentle walking, usually around sites of interest. These tours are suitable for most people both young and old and are also well suited to families with children.

 

The level of activity on these tours is more demanding and might include short treks, longer days and more physical activities such as elephant rides and jungle walks. This level of activity makes these tours suitable for the more active traveller and therefore may be unsuitable for those under 18 or over 65. Please contact us if you are unsure.

 

The level of activity on these tours is of a strenuous nature and will require a reasonable level of fitness. Activities at this level might include longer treks, white-water rafting, and scuba diving. Please see below for more detailed rafting and trekking grades.

Trekking Grades
If you remain uncertain, please feel free to contact us.

Easy
This is an easy trek, suitable for most people that are either weekend walkers or confident enough to embark on a trek for the stated duration. As long as you are fit and healthy, this trek should present no problems. Altitudes are usually lower than 3,000m, but there may be some steep climbs and descents.

Fair
A trek, where the terrain can vary considerably. Some days can be quite easy walking, but on others the going will be considerably harder. You must have confidence in your ability to be able to complete a day's walk even when the route becomes tough.

Moderate
Walking this kind of trek, can be physically demanding. You should ensure your fitness is appropriate for spending anything up to 8 hours a day walking. Some of those days might involve crossing a pass or a long arduous climb. Trekking experience here is useful, (but not absolutely essential).

Difficult
A serious trek, where we would expect you to have had previous trekking experience. You should be very confident of your trekking ability and be prepared to walk some long days perhaps on a steep climb (or descent). You may also have to walk difficult terrain for a number of days. This is definitely the kind of trek where you are more likely to experience extremes of altitude and/or weather. You may also be required to use an ice axe and crampons for part of this trek.

Strenuous

For a trek of this nature, we should expect you to have had previous trekking experience at altitude, and be very confident of your own physical condition. On some days you might be expected to walk in excess of 10 hours a day and for several days in succession. There may be a particular aspect of this trek that is considered very difficult, like long uphill climbs. You may also be required to use an ice axe and crampons for part of this trek and some climbing experience may be required.

* Please note that the grade of treks can vary throughout the year as weather and ground conditions change. These can vary on a day-to-day basis as well as season to season. You should be aware of this and take it into consideration when you choose the level of trek that is suitable for you.

Grades of Whitewater
All whitewater is graded using an international system and can range from pleasant to terrifying. If you remain uncertain please contact us.

Class I – no rapids, flat water
Class II - mild rapids, suitable for children and anyone seeking an enjoyable experience
Class III – larger rapids, requiring a little more skill but with little real danger
Class IV – powerful rapids, needing more advanced techniques
Class V – heart-stopping rapids, for the brave only

Each of our rafting tours is graded based on the whitewater classes described above and using the following icons.

Class I-II
Class II-III
Class III-IV
Class IV-V