The specialists at Fourteen Summits Pvt. Ltd. have graded each trek based on the terrain level, walking length and climate. Treks graded easy and moderate would be suitable for almost anyone with a craving for adventure while treks graded difficult or strenuous requires a certain amount of experience and good physical health. Our trekking trips are designed to be accessible to all who are in good health and enjoy the outdoors, but fitness levels are important and you should consider carefully which trip is right for you.
Experience is not necessary for doing an easy trek: anyone fit and healthy enough to walk for 4-6 hours a day can manage an easy trek. Easy treks only involve lower altitude with daily ascents of around 300-600m on a generally good weather, well maintained paths and with easy access to local amenities.
Moderate:
Walking for 6-7 hours each day over steep hilly terrain on usually rough trails but no real extremes of weather would fall under moderate trek. Moderate trail entails reaching up to 5500m with daily ascends of around 400-700m. On some days, you will also be facing high altitude air with low level of oxygen and are therefore required to have a positive attitude and be physically fit. Previous hiking or camping experience is strongly preferable.
Difficult:
In difficult treks you are likely to walk for 6-8 hours, cross steep hilly terrain and occasional high passes with daily ascend & descend of around 500-1000m. You are most likely to be on a remote environment with extreme weather in some days where you might be facing high altitude air with low level of oxygen and only basic facilities on some nights. Previous trekking experience, physical fitness and positive attitude are therefore essential.
Strenuous:
You will be walking for 6-8 hours per day or longer on very high altitude with tough daily ascend and descend of around 500-1000m. Strenuous treks also involve extremely remote, wild environment with severe weather at times and availability of only few facility, perhaps for extended periods. You will also be trekking on minor trails and difficult terrain including snow or scrambling sections and are therefore required to have high level of physical fitness along with optimal level of experience and positive attitude.