Easy
Suitable for beginners and first-time Himalayan trekkers. Focuses on gradual trails,
moderate walking hours, and comfortable sleeping altitudes.
- Daily walking: 4–5 hours (occasionally longer on level trails)
- Sleeping altitude: Below 4,000 meters
- Trail type: Gradual, no steep ascents or descents
- Trek duration: Up to 7 days
- Remoteness: Low
- Evacuation: Possible from most points
Moderate
Designed for trekkers with good basic fitness. Involves longer days, occasional steep
sections, and higher trail altitudes.
- Daily walking: 4–5 hours (some days up to 8–9 hours)
- Sleeping altitude: Below or slightly above 4,000 meters
- Highest trail altitude: 4,500–5,000 meters
- Trail type: Gradual with occasional steep ascents/descents
- Fitness required: Regular cardio recommended
- Evacuation: Possible from most, but not all camps
Moderate+
A step above Moderate. Longer walking days at altitude, tougher gradients, and increased
exposure make these treks more demanding.
- Walking hours: Long days on multiple occasions
- Altitude exposure: Higher for longer durations
- Terrain: Steeper gradients and exposed sections
- Remoteness: Moderate to high
- Experience: Prior high-altitude trekking recommended
Strenuous
Physically demanding treks that require strong fitness, endurance, and mental preparedness.
Suitable only for well-conditioned trekkers.
- Daily walking: 5–8 hours (up to 8–9 hours on some days)
- Sleeping altitude: Above 4,000 meters on a few days
- Highest trail altitude: 4,500–5,200 meters
- Trail type: Steep ascents and descents
- Remoteness: High
- Evacuation: Not possible from all camps
Challenging
High-altitude and/or remote treks requiring strong physical fitness, resilience, and
technical awareness. Conditions can be unpredictable.
- Daily walking: 5–8+ hours on demanding terrain
- Sleeping altitude: Above 5,000 meters on some days
- Highest trail altitude: 5,000–6,000 meters
- Terrain: Steep sections, glaciers, scree zones
- Technical gear: May require rope, ice axe, crampons
- Remoteness: High to extreme
- Duration: Usually around a week
A trek may also be graded Challenging irrespective of altitude if the route is treacherous
and requires technical assistance or advanced footing skills.
Challenging+
Highly demanding expeditions for experienced trekkers only. Combines high altitude,
remoteness, technical terrain, and long duration.
- Daily walking: 5–8+ hours over extended periods
- Sleeping altitude: Well above 5,000 meters
- Highest trail altitude: 5,000–6,000 meters
- Terrain: Glacial moraines, scree zones, glacier travel
- Technical gear: Mandatory (ropes, ice axe, crampons)
- Support: Strong technical team and experienced local guides essential
- Duration: Over 2 weeks
- Eligibility: Only for experienced high-altitude trekkers
As with Challenging treks, route difficulty alone may justify this grade even if altitude
or distance appears lower on paper.