FIND YOUR PERFECT HOLIDAY
Trip Grading
To show the relative difficulty of our Trekking, Climbing, Biking, Family and Other Adventure holidays, we give each of them a grade. Our simple, colour-coded grade symbol provides an indication of the difficulty of each trip.
Clearly, there are many different factors that contribute to the difficulty of a particular trip, including, length of day, terrain, altitude and weather conditions. Since some of these factors are necessarily changeable, any system of grades can only provide a general indication. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please contact us.
Trek and Walk
Yellow
Suitable for most people in good health, these trips include only a short element of trekking which is predominantly on good paths and at low altitude.
Green
Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers, holidays at this grade generally include relatively short walking days at moderate altitude, on good paths and tracks. There can be the occasional more difficult day.
Blue
Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go. Holidays at this grade are suitable for regular hill walkers who are used to extended days and can involve difficult and sometimes glaciated terrain, as well as lengthy periods at high altitude.
Red
Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas and at extreme altitude. May also include difficult pass crossings, requiring basic mountaineering skills and equipment. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.
Discovery
Yellow
Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity. Any elements of walking are predominantly on good paths.
Green
Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers, holidays at this grade generally include relatively short walking days at moderate altitude, on good paths and tracks. There can be the occasional more difficult day.
Blue
Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go. Holidays at this grade are suitable for regular hill walkers who are used to extended days and can involve difficult and sometimes glaciated terrain, as well as lengthy periods at high altitude.
Red
Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas and at extreme altitude. May also include difficult pass crossings, requiring basic mountaineering skills and equipment. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.
Bike
Yellow
Suitable for most people in good health who occasionally ride a bike. Cycling holidays at this grade are predominantly on paved roads involving only gentle climbs, with daily distances between 25 kms (16 miles) and 60 kms (38 miles). Appropriate as an introduction to cycling holidays, vehicle support is always available.
Green
Right for leisure cyclists who are used to cycling paved roads and forestry roads, with limited off road experience. Relatively short days with distances that rarely exceed 70km (44 miles) and vehicle support is always available. These holidays are suitable for moderate bikers looking for a fun challenge.
Blue
These holidays will provide a challenge for regular weekend cyclists. Mountain biking holidays at this grade will require reasonable off-road skills, whilst road tours are aimed at those who are used to weekend rides of 75-95 km (45-60 miles) per day. Fitness and regular training is important for these trips. A support vehicle will not be always available.
Red
True epic rides that will provide a real sustained experience and involve long days, often in isolated areas. Mountain bike trips will include technically demanding singletrack ascents and descents, as well as portage sections. Road rides at this level include classic Alpine routes with major climbs and descents, demanding a high level of endurance. They are perfect for regular sportive / club riders. Average 100+ km per day. You need to be confident in your fitness and ability.
Family
Family grade
To help you decide which trip is for you, we have given each trip a "minimum age indicator" - the example to the right denotes that we think the trip is suitable for families with children aged 8 and up and is, in part, a reflection of the challenges of the itinerary. Note that there are many factors influencing this decision, and they can include everything from the size of available equipment for special activities to the amount of walking involved in the itinerary. To be sure that you are making the right choice for you and your family, we suggest that you also read the "Is it for you" statement we have made for each itinerary. Found in each trip overview it will give a fuller description of what the trip involves and whom it is suitable for. Within KE's range of family adventures, there really is something for everyone!
Winter
Yellow
Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity. Any elements of walking are predominantly on good paths.
Green
Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers, holidays at this grade generally include relatively short walking days at moderate altitude, on good paths and tracks. There can be the occasional more difficult day.
Blue
Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go. Holidays at this grade are suitable for regular hill walkers who are used to extended days and can involve difficult and sometimes glaciated terrain, as well as lengthy periods at high altitude.
Red
Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas and at extreme altitude. May also include difficult pass crossings, requiring basic mountaineering skills and equipment. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.
Climbing
Yellow
Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity. Any elements of walking are predominantly on good paths.
Green
Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers, holidays at this grade generally include relatively short walking days at moderate altitude, on good paths and tracks. There can be the occasional more difficult day.
Blue
Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go. Holidays at this grade are suitable for regular hill walkers who are used to extended days and can involve difficult and sometimes glaciated terrain, as well as lengthy periods at high altitude.
Red
Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas and at extreme altitude. May also include difficult pass crossings, requiring basic mountaineering skills and equipment. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.
School
Yellow
Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity. Any elements of walking are predominantly on good paths.
Green
Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers, holidays at this grade generally include relatively short walking days at moderate altitude, on good paths and tracks. There can be the occasional more difficult day.
Blue
Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go. Holidays at this grade are suitable for regular hill walkers who are used to extended days and can involve difficult and sometimes glaciated terrain, as well as lengthy periods at high altitude.
Red
Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas and at extreme altitude. May also include difficult pass crossings, requiring basic mountaineering skills and equipment. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.
Multi Activity
Yellow
Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity. Any elements of walking are predominantly on good paths.
Green
Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers, holidays at this grade generally include relatively short walking days at moderate altitude, on good paths and tracks. There can be the occasional more difficult day.
Blue
Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go. Holidays at this grade are suitable for regular hill walkers who are used to extended days and can involve difficult and sometimes glaciated terrain, as well as lengthy periods at high altitude.
Red
Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas and at extreme altitude. May also include difficult pass crossings, requiring basic mountaineering skills and equipment. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.
Wildlife and Safari
Yellow
Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity. Any elements of walking are predominantly on good paths.
Green
Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers, holidays at this grade generally include relatively short walking days at moderate altitude, on good paths and tracks. There can be the occasional more difficult day.
Blue
Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go. Holidays at this grade are suitable for regular hill walkers who are used to extended days and can involve difficult and sometimes glaciated terrain, as well as lengthy periods at high altitude.
Red
Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas and at extreme altitude. May also include difficult pass crossings, requiring basic mountaineering skills and equipment. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.
Photo Special
Yellow
Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity. Any elements of walking are predominantly on good paths.
Green
Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers, holidays at this grade generally include relatively short walking days at moderate altitude, on good paths and tracks. There can be the occasional more difficult day.
Blue
Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go. Holidays at this grade are suitable for regular hill walkers who are used to extended days and can involve difficult and sometimes glaciated terrain, as well as lengthy periods at high altitude.
Red
Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas and at extreme altitude. May also include difficult pass crossings, requiring basic mountaineering skills and equipment. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.
Polar
Yellow
Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity. Any elements of walking are predominantly on good paths.
Green
Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers, holidays at this grade generally include relatively short walking days at moderate altitude, on good paths and tracks. There can be the occasional more difficult day.
Blue
Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go. Holidays at this grade are suitable for regular hill walkers who are used to extended days and can involve difficult and sometimes glaciated terrain, as well as lengthy periods at high altitude.
Red
Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas and at extreme altitude. May also include difficult pass crossings, requiring basic mountaineering skills and equipment. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.
