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DiverseChina Trip Grading System
In order to inform clients more fair details of all trips, particularly all trekking and biking trips, which need more intensive circumstantiate, also in order to assist clients to make the decision choosing proper trips, DiverseChina classifies all the trips into different grades according to the relative physical difficulty, duration, altitude and terrain including the conditions of roads, trail and riding/driving hours. To make the grades more visible, we use color-coded grade within detailed itinerary on each trip. Further more, each brief introduction will give explanation of physical demands.
In addition, what we grade is indication based on our experience and judgment, but not accurate scientific data. Clients might find the grading is somewhat different according to particular personal fitness and experience.
It is very important to read through all the information of each trip of DiverseChina and start to choose your favorites. The team of DiverseChina is also glad to offer you information as much as impossible of any trip we operate.
I. Featured Trips, Photography, Family, Corporate Service
 Normally, except the trips to Tibet, Qinghai, Northern Yunnan and western Sichuan, and Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang, all featured trips, photography trips, family trips, corporate service are all regarded as easy, coded as the color of Blue.
Blue coded trips are for anybody who likes relaxing and comfortable travels.
II. DiverseChina Trekking Grades
Any long distance walking, high altitude walking and mountain pass crossing is considered as trekking in all the trips of DiverseChina. And the main area of Trekking is western China, including Tibet, Xinjiang, Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai and sometimes in Inner Mongolia. Any demanding or rigorous trekking is backed up with a logistic team including local guide, porter, loading animal, or cook if necessary. On each group, please see the detailed itinerary for further information.
l Demanding
 Color coded as Red
Highest altitude over 5,000 meters/16,400 feet or involving many days as long as two weeks or more in isolated area; no vehicle support available on trek; camping overnight; all picnic meals; mountain passes crossing; changeable weather also. Previous trekking experience and solid fitness are prerequisite.
For instance, trek to the Everest or pilgrimage on Mt.Kalaish or Kawa Karpo
l Rigorous
 Color coded as Orange
About one week or less walking days in isolated area; no vehicle support available on trek; camping, hostel or local houses overnight; picnic meals or in local simple restaurants; might cross mountain passes less than over 5,000 meters/16,400 feet. Previous trekking experience and good in fitness is also required.
For instance, Minya Konka trek.
l Moderate
 Color coded as Yellow
Most walking on moderate altitude; shorter days on paths or tracks in inhabited area; overnight in local hostels or local hotel; support vehicle partially available; meals in local families or local restaurants; uphill and downhill with occasional demanding days; body fitness is required too.
Like Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek and Great Wall trek on some sections.
l Easy
Color coded as Blue
Also known as gentle trek or hiking; on low altitude area; suitable for most clients in good health; as short as one to a couple of days of short walking; vehicle partially available; the taking path or trail is good; no much ascending or descending.
Like trek along Li River in Guilin.
III. DiverseChina Biking Grades
As trekking trips, DiverseChina also divided our biking trips into four grades as followed. All the biking trips go with vehicle support if practicable. Our biking occasionally go to remote area vehicle cannot reach. However, please pay attention to our detailed description in the itinerary.
l Demanding
Color coded as Red
Most difficult biking trips; remote area with high altitude; big ascending mountains, involving many long days; long distance sections; might camping overnight; mostly with support vehicle and bikes. The road or tracks might be rough, rocky or dusty on some sections; weather also would be easy to change. Previous biking experience and solid fitness are prerequisite. Suitable for very tough bikers.
For instance, bike from Chengdu to Lhasa along Sichuan-Tibet national route.
l Rigorous
Color coded as Orange
Might be at high altitude or low attitude but with long days; less ascending mountains; shorter distance on each day; mostly local hostels overnight maybe camping overnight sometimes; always with support vehicle and bikes; road or tracks might be rough, rocky or dusty. Previous biking experience and solid fitness are required. Suitable for regular but fit bikers.
For instance, bike around Qinghai Lake or from Zhaoxing to Guilin.
l Moderate
Color coded as Yellow
Mostly at low altitude; involving a few days leisure biking and with hill ascending. Vehicle is available through the entire trip if necessary.
For instance, bike by the Great Wall in Beijing or on the grassland near Xanadu in Inner Mongolia.
l Easy
Color coded as Blue
At low altitude and short days or even just hours ride. Generally we put this type of biking into our featured trips as some activity instead of a serious biking item.
For instance, bike in country side of Yangshuo or along the ancient city wall of Xi?an.
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