Nepal Trekking Grades

While grading treks the following factors are taken into account :

– The total duration of the trekking.

– The duration of stay at high altitude (+3000m).

– The maximum difference in altitude per day.

– The condition of the terrain.

– The average duration of the daily stages.

– The night temperatures.

Nevertheless we want to warn our trekkers that the level of difficulty of a trek is very subjective. Weather conditions, your physical condition, possible health problems during the trek and other factors can have an important influence on the way you experience a trek.

Nepal Mountain Trekking GRADE 1: Short light daily stages along generally good passable trails. Maximum difference in altitude is less than 300m. Night temperature remains above freezing point.

Nepal Mountain Trekking GRADE 2: Daily stages of 5 to 6 hours along good passable trails. Differences in altitude of up to 800m below 4000m. Night temperature can drop below freezing point.

Nepal Mountain Trekking GRADE 3: Daily stages of 4 to 7 hours a day. The trails are usually well passable but some high altitude passes above 4000m can be steep. Possible snow on the high altitude passes can put your endurance to the test. A good condition is recommended.

Nepal Mountain Trekking GRADE 4: Treks of more than 15 days with daily stages of 4 to 8 hours. Differences in altitude of up to 1000m below 4000m. One or more high altitude passes above 5000m. Most nights temperatures below freezing point. Sometimes difficult camping sites. A good condition is a requirement.

Nepal Mountain Trekking GRADE 5: Treks and climbs of more than 15 days. Walking on very difficult grounds, basic mountaineering skills required. Nights at very low temperature. A strong resistance and a very good physical condition are required.

Rescue : Although ninety-nine percent of the time there won’t be any need for a emergency rescue evacuation, emergency situations do arise in the Himalayas with illness, AMS (acute mountain sickness), snow storms, landslide, and avalanches being the primary cause for rescue to take place. In a non-life threatening situation, we will arrange for the porters to carry you to the nearest health post or hospital. Where the situation is more serious, one of your Sherpa’s will hurry to the nearest communication center where he can request a Helicopter Rescue from our Kathmandu office.

It is highly recommend that you take travel insurance, which will cover emergency helicopter rescue flight. To enable to contact your insurance company, in case of a rescue and not to loose any valuable time, trekking agency need the co-ordinates of your insurance companies local representative for Nepal.