Trekking in the Himalayas of India and Nepal requires good health and reasonable physical fitness. Physical capabilities can be enhanced by pre–trek training; hill–walking or stair climbing, jogging 3 miles or cycling 5x a week (minimum). Be sure to work up to your training, especially if it is not already a part of your weekly routine. It is essential to choose a trek that is well within your capabilities.

Grade 1 involves trekking to altitudes of about 3,000m/10,000ft or less, it is relatively easy walking up to 5 hrs/15km per day, with the occasional longer walk. These treks can be enjoyed by anyone who leads a reasonably active life. Grade 2 involves some longer walks, and easy to moderate trekking to altitudes between 2,000m/6,500ft and 3,500m/11,500ft for up to 6 hrs/20km a day. Some previous hill-walking experience is desirable. Grade 2 may best be described as mild to moderate.

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Grade 3 involves moderate trekking to altitudes of 3,000m/10,000ft to 4,000m/13,000ft for up to 8 hrs/25km per day, sometimes including excursions or pass crossings up to 5,000m/16,500ft.

Some pre-trek training is advisable. Hill walking experience, a reasonably fit body and good stamina are essential for these kinds of treks, which are generally longer (minimum 2/3 weeks) and more strenuous (long ascents/descents, steep gradients, rough ground).

Grade 4 involves strenuous trekking to altitudes predominantly above 4,000m/13,000ft with excursions and pass crossings of between 5,000m/16,500ft and 6,000m/19,200ft. Pre-trek training
is essential.

You need to be very fit for these treks, capable of carrying a backpack, possess a fair degree of stamina and familiar with mountain walking. We include treks which involve river, moraine, glacier and snow crossing in this category.



Grade 5 requires a high level of fitness and experience walking on scree, snow, ice and packed snow. There will be ice axes, crampons, and in some cases, ropes used. Climbs however are non-technical. The altitude would be predominantly above 4,000m/13,000ft with quite a few nights above 5,000m/16,000ft.

Some climbing experience and elementary knowledge of the use of crampons and ice axe are essential.