We want to ensure that your adventures match your experience and expectations in order to enjoy to the fullest your time hiking and climbing with us!
Ratings used internationally today include several systems depending on the location and specific activity such as rock climbing, alpine climbing, ice climbing or aid climbing.
Our difficulty rate system aims to resume these systems and helps you to choose an adventure that is challenging and within your FITNESS and SKILLS.
Read the following guidelines to understand the difficulty of our climbs and take the best option for you and your group!
Remember we LOVE TO CUSTOMIZE UNIQUE ADVENTURES, so we can create the perfect climbing tour based in your experience and expectations.
If you have any doubt or inquire, please contact us! We are happy to help you.
HIKING SKILL LEVELS
Our hikes do not required previous experience; however, we recommend you have some basic hiking or backpacking experience prior to join to an adventure. If not, do not worry! Our guides will assist you to enjoy and reach your goals safely!
BEGINNER
• You may have no prior hiking experience
• Hiking is not a habitual activity
• Routes on roads, mule tracks, or wide trails
• Routes with no long paths, perfectly visible,
• Itineraries do not require specific equipment
• Easy walking terrain with small and short hills
INTERMEDIATE
• You have some previous hike and backpacking experience
• Itineraries that take place on all kinds of paths, or on obvious traces of passage through varied terrain including grass, bushes, rock or sand slopes.
• Routes may take place on steep slopes, may have individual passages or short sections on rock, not exposed, not tiring or demanding
• Itineraries do not require specific climbing equipment (helmet, harness, carabiners, ropes, etc.).
• Routes require a sense of orientation, experience and knowledge of the mountain environment, walking training, in addition to appropriate equipment and footwear.
ADVANCED
• You have good hiking and backpacking experience
• You are a regular hiker or climber
• Routes may take place on steep slopes, may have individual passages or sections on exposed rock, not tiring or demanding where however the parts exposed are generally protected by guiding techniques.
• Itineraries may require specific climbing equipment (helmet, harness, carabiners, ropes, etc.).
• Trails require abilities to move on particular tough terrains including rock, loose rocks, gravel, sand slopes, bushes or even snow.
• Experience hiking in hard mountain environment: high altitude, strong winds, low temperatures, rain and mist.
• Trails can that take place on all kinds of paths, or on obvious traces of passage through varied and sometimes
HIKING FITNESS LEVELS
Hiking in the Ecuadorian Andes above 4.000 m /13,120 ft is physically demanding, not only because of the fitness required, but also because of the altitude. That is why, we highly recommend consider an acclimatization process before hike at this altitude.
Your trip will be more rewarding for yourself and others if you prepare for it by conditioning properly.
EASY
• Exercising is not really part of your life
• You have almost a sedentary life with little physical activity besides walking
• You hike occasionally
• You are able to hike 3 or 4 hours at a relaxed pace, as long as there are several breaks.
• Hiking small and short hills are tough but you can take it as a challenge
• You will never consider hiking more than a day in a row
• You exercise on average 1 hour per week
MODERATE
• You like exercising and physical activity
• You hike or run often, at least twice a month!
• You are able to hike 4 to 6 hours at a relaxed pace, as long as there are several breaks.
• Hiking on a hilly terrain is tough but you can take it as a challenge
• Hiking for multiple days in a row sounds daunting, but you could handle 2 or 3 days for an average of 3 to 5 hours of hiking
• You exercise on average 2 or 3 hours per week
INTERMEDIATE
• Exercising is part of your life!
• You love hiking or running, at least once a week!
• You can handle 6 to 8 hours hiking on terrain with climbs at a moderate pace taking breaks
• Hiking steep or long climbs is tough but you can take it as a challenge
• You are able to hike multiple day in a row at a moderate pace for an average of 5 to 6 hours of hiking
• You exercise on average 4 to 5 hours per week
DIFFICULT
• You cannot live without exercising!
• You must hike or run, at least two or three times a week!
• You can handle 8 to 10 hours hiking on a hilly terrain at a good pace taking breaks
• Hiking steep or long climbs is not an issue as long as you keep a moderate pace
• You are able to hike multiple day in a row at a good pace for an average of 5 to 6 hours of hiking
• You exercise every day, at least one hour per day
CHALLENGING
• Hiking or running is your life!
• You exercise every day
• You can handle easily 10 hours or more hiking on hilly terrain at a good pace almost with no breaks
• Actually, you enjoy hiking steep or long climbs at a good pace!
• You are able to hike multiple day in a row at a good pace for an average of 6 to 8 hours of hiking
• You exercise every day, at least two hour per day
