Here's how various operators articulate activity levels, depending on the traveler's fitness and the company's expertise.
AdventureWomen
Bozeman, Mont.
- "Easy," "moderate," "high-energy." "Moderate means that you must be in very good physical condition. You should be able to hike from five to eight miles, in rolling terrain."
HE Travel
Key West, Fla.
- "Physical challenge" ratings of 1 to 5. Nearly all "1s" have been cut; currently no "5s."
Journeys International
Ann Arbor, Mich.
- Five "activity levels:" "gentle," "active," "vigorous," "challenging," "demanding."
Mountain Travel Sobek
Emeryville, Calif.
- Under FAQs: "Easy" (short hikes / optional walks) and "moderate" ("hiking over moderately strenuous and varied terrain ... wilderness camping," etc.). Also "strenuous" and "ultimate challenge."
Overseas Adventure Travel
Cambridge, Mass.
- Find trip under "Our Adventures," click "What to Know" on the trip page, see "Physical Requirements."
Road Scholar
Boston
- Levels generated via Advanced Search on website home page. Filtered by country, price, duration, program type, age range and activity levels. "Moderately challenging" and "challenging" reflect soft adventure.
Note: AdventureWomen and Road Scholar do not work with agents.