Please read this information carefully to find out which grade is most suited to your capabilities and requirements. To make the most of your Sherpa holiday it is essential that you choose a trip that is well within your capabilities. All our holidays are graded and clearly marked in each trip description. It is your responsibility to ensure a trip is within your capabilities. All mountains have uphill and downhill sections and by definition walking and cycling demand some effort. However all things are relative, and these grades assume that you are a reasonably active person who enjoys walking or cycling. Few trips are extreme and most are planned around time to sightsee and enjoy the scenery. If in doubt about the grade of any tour please contact us for advice or request a dossier.

SELF-GUIDED AND ESCORTED WALKING HOLIDAYS

WALKING GRADE Easy
Gentle terrain, four to six hours walking per day without steep climbs or vertiginous mountains.

WALKING GRADE Moderate
Rolling uplands, five to six hours walking per day with some uphill climbs and the odd longer day.

WALKING GRADE Challenging
Real mountains like the Alps or the Pyrenees, six to eight hours walking with longer ascents and perhaps a scramble on a ridge and rough conditions underfoot on occasion.

WALKING GRADE Challenging Plus
Challenging trips are made more difficult by factors such as altitude, long ascents, backpacking or longer walking days. Please read the brochure and dossier very carefully for trips of this grade and ensure that you are fit enough to cope.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT HOLIDAYS

Some escorted group departures are designated ‘Research and Development’. This means that the leader will be checking routes and possibly trying out new variations during the trip. Historically this has been done without clients in tow but we thought that some clients might like to take advantage of lower prices and join the trip with a pioneering spirit and the acceptance that on occasion they may have to retrace steps to find the way or take a break while the leader checks out the route.

SELF-GUIDED CYCLING HOLIDAYS

CYCLING GRADE Easy
Three to five hours / 40-55km per day or less. Cycling over mainly flat terrain. Enjoyable for anyone leading a reasonably active life.

CYCLING GRADE Moderate
40-65km per dayover gently rolling terrain. For active people.

CYCLING GRADE Challenging
40-75km per day. For people with cycling experience who enjoy the challenge of mixed terrain.

If in doubt about the grade of any tour please contact us for advice or request a dossier.