Difficulty Levels: Easy, Moderate, Challenging

Tours marked “easy” are suitable for every adventurer and are the least difficult of our tours. Some of our more active adventures, like multi-day hiking, dog sledding, or snowmobiling might be over less friendly terrain, require slightly more vigorous activity, or endurance, yet they’re open to everyone and don’t have any prerequisites. Our “easy” tours welcome adventurers of all ages, with various goals and in fair physical condition.

The “easy” level suggests that you’re able to walk for 2-3 hours at a slow pace with occasional breaks, handle slightly uneven terrain, and traverse trails that are in good condition and at a relatively low elevation.

Our tours marked “moderate” or “intermediate” range from day tours to multi-day tours, though they are mostly found under the multi-day tour category as longer itineraries tend to be more strenuous. These tours can vary in activity, from hiking and camping in the wilderness to cross-country skiing and mountaineering. Adventurers embarking on such tours, should be aware of how difficult the activity is and have some previous experience unless stated otherwise.

“Moderate” or “Intermediate” tours are suitable for those in good physical condition. Everyone on these tours should be able to hike for about 4 hours at a moderate pace with breaks. Trails can be expected to be in good condition, yet they may feature higher elevations and rocky terrain.

Our most adventurous tours are marked “challenging” or “demanding”. They involve kayaking and wildlife watching adventures in Pond Inlet, cross-country skiing in Baffin Island, various expeditions in the Canadian North, as well as some less traveled locations in Iceland. Experience and good physical condition are necessary as well as a strong desire for adventure and the courage to withstand any kind of weather.

The trails on these tours are generally in good condition. However, some may include high elevation, off-road hiking, and uneven terrain. Most of these “challenging” or “demanding” tours are multi-day tours involving camping outside during frigid weather conditions. Adventurers should be able to hike from 7.5 miles (12 km) to 12.5 miles (20 km) per day on uneasy terrain and snow.

You might’ve noticed that some of our tours state two different difficulty levels, such as “easy/moderate” or “moderate/challenging.” This is because some tours have two or more different itineraries, which result in multiple difficulty levels.

Our day tours can vary in length. Longer day tour options might require more physical readiness, impose a greater strain on your body, or ask for more endurance than shorter day tours. Shorter day tour itineraries are marked at level “easy,” whereas the same day tour that is slightly longer can be listed as “moderate.”

On our multi-day tours, the length of the itinerary can vary, with longer tours being more challenging. The same tour can have two or more itineraries of different lengths. The shorter itinerary is often easier and requires less physical effort. Longer itineraries are usually more challenging and can require more physical preparation and endurance. 

It is important for us to provide our customers with relevant information so they can decide which of our Treks are right for them. A detailed description of our difficulty levels helps you decide which of our Trek suits you and ensures you have an enjoyable Trekking experience with us.

Easy
For most people, young and old in good health. No more than 300 m (1000 ft) of elevation gain and no more than 10 km (6 mi) hiking. The trails are mostly in good condition. The backpack should be a light daypack (less than 5kg, 11 lbs) with snacks and lunch and raingear. Up to 5 hours on the trail.

Moderate
For most people in good health that do some exercise regularly. Hiking is no more than 16 km (10 mi) and elevation gain no more than 500 m (1500 ft). Trails are mostly in good condition. The backpack should be a light (less than 5kg, 11 lbs) daypack with lunch and snacks and rain gear. Minimum of 5 hours on the trail and up to 8 hours can be expected

Challenging
For someone in good physical health and in good hiking condition. The hiking day has up to 20 km (12 mi) of hiking and/or significant elevation gain, but usually no more than 1000 m (3280 ft) of elevation gain. The trails are mostly in good condition but some parts could be on poor trails. The backpack should be a light (less than 7 kg, 15 lbs) day backpack with lunch, snacks and water, also rain-gear and possibly some other equipment issued by the guide if necessary (for example crampons, headlamp, ice axe or other equipment). Usually 8 hours on the trail, but up to 10 hours can be expected.

Demanding
For someone in good physical condition with prior hiking experience. Hiking can be in excess of 20 km (12 mi). Elevation gain can be up to 1000 m (3300 ft). The trails are mostly in good condition but some parts could be off trail. Steep or exposed sections can also be expected. The backpack should be adequate for food, water and extra clothing for the day and also additional equipment provided by the guide such as crampons, ice axe or other equipment. Weight of backpack should not exceed 10 kg or 22 lbs. Days can be long but should not be in excess of 10 hours on the trail.

Extreme
For someone in very good physical condition and with prior hiking experience. The day can be but not necessarily in excess of 20 km (12 mi). Elevation gain can be but not necessarily in excess of 1500 m (5000 ft). Hiking is usually off trail or on poor trails. Steep or exposed sections can be expected. The backpack should be adequate for food, water and extra clothing, also additional equipment provided by the guide such as crampons, ice axe or other equipment. Days can be long but should not be in excess of 15 hours on the trail. This can be a glacier hike so check equipment list carefully.

Easy
For most people, young and old in good health. No more than about 500 m (1640 ft) of elevation gain and no more than about 10 -12 km (6 - 8 mi) hiking each day. The trails are mostly in good condition. The backpack should be a light daypack with snacks, lunch and raingear. Up to 5 hours on the trail each day

Moderate
For most people that are in good health and exercise regularly. Hiking each day can go up to about 16 -18 km (10 - 12 mi) and elevation gain should not be more than 1000 meters (3280 f). Trails are mostly in good condition. The backpack should be a light day backpack with lunch, snacks and rain gear. Each day is usually a minimum of 5 hours on the trail and some days up to 8 hours on the trail can be expected.

Challenging
For someone in good physical health and in good hiking condition. Each day has up to 25 km (15 mi) of hiking and/or significant elevation gain but no more than 1000 meters (3280 f) of elevation gain. The trails are mostly in good condition but some parts could be on poor trails. The backpack should be a light day backpack with lunch, snacks, water, rain-gear and possibly some other equipment issued by the guide if necessary (for example crampons, headlamp, ice axe or other equipment). Days can be up to 8 hours on the trail and occasional longer days can be expected.

Demanding
For someone in good physical condition and with prior hiking experience. Each day can be in excess of 20 km (12 mi). Elevation gain can be up to 1000 meters (3300 feet). The trails are mostly in good condition but some parts could be off trail. Steep sections can also be expected. The backpack should be adequate for food, water and extra clothing for the day and also additional equipment provided by the guide such as crampons, ice axe or other equipment. Days can be long but should not be in excess of 10 hours on the trail

Extreme
For someone in very good physical condition and with prior hiking experience. Each day can be in excess of 20 km (12 mi). Elevation gain can be up to 1500 meters or more (5000 feet). Hiking is usually off trail or on poor trails. Steep or exposed sections can  be expected. The backpack should be adequate for food, water, cooking equipment and extra clothing for multiple days and also additional equipment provided by the guide such as crampons, ice axe or other equipment. Days can be long but should not be in excess of 12 hours on the trail