Adventure Intensity Guide

Level 1: Gentle

  • If camping: fully supported camping

  • Relaxed physical demands, can include walking for 30 minutes

  • Can entail long car rides on rough roads

  • Indoor lodging

  • Trail conditions: mostly even surfaces on well-groomed trails/pathways

  • Example: Safari

  • If camping: fully supported camping

  • Easy to moderate physical demands, trip is primarily focused around walking

  • Can entail long car rides on rough roads

  • Indoor lodging

  • Trail conditions: some uneven, rocky surfaces on well-groomed trails/pathways

  • Example: Canada

  • If camping: fully supported camping
  • Moderate physical demands, distances are longer and daily elevation gain is +/- 1,000 ft and daily mileage ranges from 3-7 miles
  • Can entail long car rides on rough roads
  • Indoor and outdoor lodging
  • Trail conditions: some uneven, rocky surfaces, exposed trails, steep pathways
  • Example: Guatemala
  • If camping: fully supported camping
  • Strenuous physical demands, average hiking time is 5-8 hours per day, and daily elevation gain is +/-4,000 ft 
  • Can entail long car rides on rough roads
  • Indoor and outdoor lodging
  • Trail conditions: Many uneven, rocky  surfaces, rugged terrain, potentially into areas of exposure and elevations exceeding 10,000 ft
  • Example: Ecuador
  • Fully supported camping
  • Challenging physical demands, daily hikes of up to 12 hours into remote areas of wilderness, daily elevation gain is +/-2,000 ft occasionally 4,000 ft
  • Can entail long car rides on rough roads
  • Mostly outdoor lodging
  • Trail conditions: some uneven, rocky  surfaces, sometimes rugged terrain, potentially into areas of exposure and elevations exceeding 15,000 ft
  • Example: Kilimanjaro
  • Partially supported camping
  • Challenging physical demands, daily hikes of up to 12 hours into remote areas of wilderness, daily elevation gain is +/-4,000 ft 
  • Can entail long car rides on rough roads
  • Indoor and outdoor lodging
  • Trail conditions: many uneven, rocky  surfaces, very rugged, steep terrain, sleeping and exposed at high elevations, potentially into areas of exposure and elevations exceeding 17,000-20,000 ft. Responsible for your own and group gear carry.
  • Example: Aconcagua