To make the most of this hiking adventure, you’ll need to be able to:
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- Hike anywhere from 4 to 8 hours a day for 5 full days while carrying a daypack full of gear
- Hike a total of 43-53 miles (70-85 km) in a week
- Follow a pace of 7.5-10.5 miles (12-17 km) a day on the Classic Tour, or up to 15 miles (24 km) a day on the Advanced Tour
- Handle a max of 1,970 – 2,620 ft (600-800 m) of elevation gain in a day
The trails are not paved, but in some places, paths have formed. Some trails are rocky but are easily accessible to anyone used to hiking in uneven terrain. Participants will need to hike up and down steep slopes that sometimes have loose grounds and require good balance. Hikes will involve river crossings on the trail every day except the first. The water level in the rivers changes from time to time due to seasonal conditions. In some cases, you will be able to step from stone to stone to get to the other side. In other cases, you will need to take your shoes and socks off, put on river-crossing shoes and wade the rivers. Neoprene socks and sandals or neoprene shoes (beach shoes) are the best choice. Your guide will provide you with advice for river crossing, as well as help you to cross the river. Trekking poles might come in handy when wading rivers, as well as crossing with a partner.