How hard will
your trek be?
Graded 1 to 10.
Every Swotah journey carries a single difficulty rating from 1 to 10 — built from real trail data, not marketing. Here's exactly what goes into that number, and what each grade feels like on the ground.
Four bands, ten grades
What each level really means
Use the bands to narrow down quickly, then read the individual grades to find the trip that matches your fitness and experience.
Short days, low altitude, well-made trails. A great first taste of the hills.
Mostly flat, 2–3 hours of easy walking a day. Suitable for almost anyone in reasonable health, including families with children.
Gentle ups and downs, 3–4 hours a day on good paths at low elevation. No experience needed — just a willingness to walk.
A little more height gain and a few longer days. Comfortable for anyone who walks regularly at home.
Real trekking. Longer days, proper ascents, and altitude that you'll feel.
4–6 hours of walking on most days with sustained climbs. A good baseline level of fitness makes all the difference.
Consecutive long days, bigger height gains and time spent above 3,000 m. Some hill-fitness preparation is strongly recommended.
Demanding days on steeper, rougher terrain, often above 4,000 m. You should be active and confident on multi-day walks.
Tough, high and committing. For experienced, well-trained trekkers.
Long days at high altitude with serious ascents and descents. Previous high-altitude trekking experience matters here.
Sustained effort over high passes, sometimes on snow or ice, with thin air and remote camps. Strong fitness and preparation are essential.
Expedition territory. Altitude, exposure and endurance at the limit.
Expedition-grade days in extreme altitude and weather, often requiring technical skills and prior mountaineering experience.
The hardest journeys we run — high peaks and remote crossings demanding excellent fitness, technical ability and full commitment.
What goes into the number
A rating is never a guess. We weigh five concrete things from every itinerary — measured from the actual route, day by day.
How long you're on your feet each day — averaged across the whole itinerary, not just the easy days.
The highest point you reach, and how much time you spend in the thin air above 3,000 m and 4,000 m.
The number of trekking days back to back — fatigue compounds, so longer routes grade higher than a single hard day.
Steepness, rough or exposed ground, river crossings, and whether sections cross snow, ice or scree.
How far you are from roads, help and medical care — remote routes carry more weight on the scale.
We'll match the trek to you
Fitness is personal, and the right grade depends on your experience, the time you have to prepare, and what you want from the trip. Tell us a little about yourself and a Kathmandu-based specialist will recommend the routes that fit — and steer you away from the ones that don't.