Trek Difficulty

Nepal offers trekking grades ranging from one to four or A to D. The journey grades are given based on the destinations’ altitudes. Each excursion is given a grade based on the weather, distance traveled, greatest height, and complexity of the terrain. Trekking and bike trips that are categorized as simple and classic are perfect for almost everyone who appreciates adventure.

A demanding graded hike requires a certain amount of experience and physical fitness. Most of our trekking tours should be accessible to anybody who loves the outdoors and is in good health, since fitness levels are important, you should carefully consider which trip is ideal for you. Here are some factors that affect the difficulty of the treks:

Maximum altitude

You might already know this; as trekkers travel to higher elevations. the conditions get harsh and riskier. Once you reach the 5000-meter mark, you are more prone to altitude sickness which is the main thing that any trekker must avoid. With altitude gain, the oxygen content in the air becomes thin rendering you tired very easily.

Duration

Most of the easy treks in Nepal can be done within a week or faster. These treks do not pose a major altitude sickness threat and you will walk for about 5 hours on average on relatively easy trails. But on challenging trekking destinations, you will have to trek for a couple of weeks even months to reach the ultimate destination.

Trekking for 5 to 6 hours a day you will go on for weeks and months, walking rugged paths and remote regions of Nepal. To be able to pull off such treks you must be physically prepared and also mentally ready.

Weather conditions

In the highlands of Nepal, much like any other mountain region, windy afternoons and cloudy days are normal. In addition to that, there is unexpected rain and snowfall that might catch you off guard. Since the winds in these regions are unpredictable, we can not correctly predict the changes in weather conditions.

Especially in base camps, snow storms can hit you at any time and last for a long period of time, sometimes days. This is why spring and autumn seasons are preferred for trekking as storms and other variables are less likely to occur during this time.

Terrain

In general, the terrain in most of the Himalayan treks is the same. You will be trekking on rocky and dusty trails and the ground will mostly be dry and barren. However, some trekking destinations require you to travel on glaciers, thick snow, and slippery descends. These elements make the trek a bit more difficult and inconvenient.

Grade A Trekking | Easy Trek/Tour (up to 3500m-3800m and max 4 hr walk)

You need not worry if you don’t have any prior trekking experience. The simple treks are meant for all skill levels, or to put it another way, they are meant for novices. Families, kids, and the elderly may all enjoy this kind of hiking. You can take breaks while walking, and you must walk for up to four hours each day in the mountainous terrain.

The majority of the simple trip will take place below 4000 meters, and there is a very small risk of developing severe altitude sickness. People of average fitness may do this excursion with ease. Easy trekking options in Nepal include the Dhampus – Sarangkot Hike, Ghorepani Poon Hill, Shivapuri – Nagarjuna Hike, the Everest short walk, Sanga – Panauti Hike, the Royal & Panchase climb, Nagarkot – Dhulikhel Hike, and treks around the Kathmandu Valley.

Grade B Trekking | Moderate (up to 3800m-5500m and max 5-6 hr walk)

On grade B treks, you should plan on walking for five to six hours a day, traversing challenging mountainous terrain, and arriving at the base camp of mountains, which is situated between 3800 and 5500 meters above sea level. There are daily climbs and descends of 400-900 meters on these adventures, with a few high passes here and there.

It’s possible that you’ll spend many nights with the barest of conveniences, inhale air with low oxygen levels, stay in a distant place, and encounter harsh weather. Thus, it is necessary to have prior trekking experience, be physically fit, and have a positive mindset. The trekking destinations in these groups are suitable for hikers of all ages, albeit they are too challenging for little children.

Langtang valley trek, Gokyo lake Everest trek, Annapurna base camp, Khopra Dana trek, etc. are just a few examples of Grade B treks.

Grade C Trekking | Difficult (up to 5500m-6000m and max 7-8 hr walk)

It takes vitality, physical fitness, and excellent health to undertake grade-C trekking adventures. Mental as well as physical well-being is required for these treks, which often involve crossing passes and trekking for over seven hours on a few days (but not all days), with an altitude gain of between 5500 and 6000 meters.

Grade C treks include high passes like Sherpinicol, Ambhulapcha pass, Tashilapcha pass, etc. These passes are not only difficult to hike up to but also challenging because of the lack of oxygen and cold temperature.

On these hikes, we will get the opportunity to interact with the local people of the Himalayas in person. Seeing the beautiful Himalayas will encourage you to make the most of your trekking days. You will be staying at lodges and tea houses, so don’t anticipate modern comforts as you would in a city.

Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Manaslu Circuit Trek, and Kanchanjungha Base Camp Trek are some examples of Grade C trekking destinations.

Grade D Trekking | Strenuous (up to 6000m-7000m and max 8-9 hr climbing)

You will be trekking at very high elevations for eight to nine hours a day, occasionally longer, on Grade D adventures. You are going to reach a height of 6000 to 7000 meters above sea level with daily tough tracks that feature ups and downs of 500 to 1000 meters. These hikes also take place in a remote, countryside with often harsh weather and little access to amenities, sometimes lasting for long stretches of time.

While hiking, there will also be sections of difficult or icy terrain that you will need to cross over. Trekkers consequently need to be extremely experienced, mentally strong, and physically fit. As such, excellent physical condition is required, and previous climbing experience is very important.

Everest high passes trek, Kanchenjunga trekking, Ganja La pass trek, Upper Dolpo trek, Manaslu trekking, etc. are some of the Grade D trekking destinations in Nepal. However, most of the Grade D treks are peak climbing and mountaineering expeditions.

Challenging (up to 7000m-8848m and max 12-15 hr climbing)

Lastly, this is the final level of trekking, the ultimate challenge for any trekker and adventurer. During this grade of trek, you will reach a maximum elevation of 7000 to 8848 meters above sea level, aka the highest point on Earth. If you are up for the challenge, you will walk for about 12 to 15 hours a day to reach the top of the world.

These challenging treks are all peak climbing expeditions. You can choose from a bunch of 7000 meters and above peaks that reside in the Himalayan region of Nepal. 8 of the world’s top 10 highest peaks are in Nepal which means you have plenty of exciting options to choose from. Additionally, all of these peaks are more than 8000 meters in height.