Choosing the right trip for you
Choosing the trip that's right for you is an important consideration. All of our trips offer different levels of physical and cultural challenge so it's up to you to choose a challenge that's suited to your
abilities and experience. The gradings below correspond to what you will find on each trip page and more detail on the event can be found in the trip dossiers.
Physical gradings
3 *
Activities include treks of 4 -5 hours vigorous walking per day in hilly terrain and bike rides of 4 to 5 hours each day. You will definitely raise your heart rate on these trips, so a reasonable level of aerobic fitness is required. People who take regular excercise or sport should be able to cope but will find it taxing.These events are achievable by anyone who is prepared to do some training for a few months prior to the event and get their fitness upto a reasonably good level.
4*
Be prepared for some serious physical activity. This may be treks of up to 5-7 hours per day in steep terrain often at altitude above 3000m, or bike rides of more than six to seven hours in a day sometimes over mountainous terrain. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your challenge. It is recommended that everyone should undertake a programme of regular training for a few months before the event.
5*
These are tough events that require a good level of fitness and mental stamina. Activities include extended treks or of 8+ hours a day in very mountainous and taxing conditions, often involving altitudes of 3,000 to 5,000m and basic conditions. Or extended
bike rides of upto 8 to 9 hours a day riding with lots of steep and rugged terrain, unsealed roads and basic facilities. Even if you're in excellent shape, these trips provide plenty of challenges.
Culture shock rating
2*
You'll be arriving in a fairly westernized, modern culture and the level of services and facilities won't be too dissimilar to what you would find in Australia. Most local people speak English as a second language and the food of a high standard and
variety, with western dishes on offer. The accommodation will be of a western standard in either guest houses or hotels.
3*
The trip includes a range of accommodation, such as basic hotels and guesthouses with western facilities. You may stay
one or two nights in local style guesthouse with very basic facilities and you may spend a night on an overnight train. Communication with the outside world is never far away and a wide variety of food is commonly available. There will always be some English spoken in the towns and villages you visit.
4*
Expect to rough it every now and again, whether it's very simple group share accommodation or camping. The comforts of
home are more of a rarity. You'll have frequent encounters with squat toilets and the odd cold shower. English will not be widely spoken and the quality of the food may vary according to what is available or in season.
5*
You will be traveling through rural areas where there is usually little contact with the outside world and communications are more difficult to find. You're out there in Asia and it can be tough. You are likely to be exposed to the elements and /or altitude, stay in very
basic lodgings or camping for extended periods, travel in whatever means of transport is available and basically take it as it comes, whatever comes! English speakers will be a rarity. Expect extended stays of multi-share accommodation, limited access to hot water, simple food and days cut off from the rest of the world.
