When you select a vacation, it's important to know if the trip is a good match for your fitness level. You want to make sure the pace of the walking, biking, hiking, paddling or riding you'll be doing is well-suited to you and your group or family members.

We've rated our trips based on the level of difficulty of the featured activity. For example, the rating on a walking trip addresses the walking challenge it presents, while a mountain climbing trip's rating highlights the degree facing climbers.

The destination, weather, temperature and type and length of activity all impact the fitness level required for each trip. A biking trip that required 40 miles (64 km) of biking each day on hilly terrain in hot weather would be rated difficult, while biking a similar distance on level terrain in cool weather may be rated intermediate.

Remember, many trips offer varied levels of activities, so an intermediate hiker or biker can opt for longer distances while a beginner on the same trip can choose shorter distances and ride the support van on challenging uphill climbs.

Look for detailed information about daily physical requirements in each trip's itinerary. Also, remember that the pace of each trip can vary depending on the fitness and age range of each travel group. If you have any questions, call one of our travel specialists at 977-981024777 for additional information.

Trip Ratings:
Easy: These trips offer an easy pace and an average-to-sedentary level of fitness. Activities may be optional.

Moderate : An average level of fitness or some experience with the featured activity is recommended. While some activities may be optional, you may still have to walk, hike, bike or paddle for two to three hours daily. Daily biking distances may exceed 20 miles (38 km) on varied terrain.

Intermediate : These active trips require you to have performed the featured activity regularly, with some periods on challenging terrain. Activities are mandatory and you may be traveling at high elevations or facing Class III to IV rapids. Your biking may exceed 40 miles (64 km) daily. Your lodging and camping accommodations may be primitive and in remote locations.

Difficult : On these trips, you must be extremely physically fit and are expected to hike or bike over steep or more rugged terrain or in elevations exceeding 10,000 feet (3,000 m), often in remote locations far from medical facilities. On rafting trips, you will face Class IV to V-rated rapids that require paddling experience. You may camp in subzero conditions.

Very Difficult : These are the most challenging trips we offer, including climbing Everest, K-2 or dog sledding above the Arctic Circle. You may travel in sub-zero arctic conditions and must have a measurable level of expertise in the featured sport. You will travel in remote areas, far from medical facilities and conventional accommodations.

Varied Options : These trips offer activities that suit a variety of fitness levels. For example, one person may bike 45 miles (72 km) a day while his/her partner or younger family member pedals 15 miles (24 km) or opts for a ride on the support van over hilly terrain.