Trip Levels
In order to have a good experience, it is important that you choose a trip that suits your level. The scales for physical level and risk should be an aid for you to find the right trip. We have also tried to specify a level of comfort on the tours. Here we typically place emphasis on food and accommodation in connection with the activity. It is important that you read more about the tour to gain an understanding of the physical level required and the risks involved on each tour. Remember that according to our travel conditions, we require that you as a participant are well enough prepared for the trip in question, and have familiarized yourself with what you will be participating in.
Safety
Safety is our number one priority at Norrøna Adventure. In the event of an accident, rest assured you'll receive thorough assistance and follow-up. Our 24-hour standby ensures prompt support during trips, supplemented by a close partnership with Turlegen.no for medical guidance, addressing altitude related illness and other health concerns. We hold our partners and guides to rigorous standards, prioritising their experience and familiarity with our programs.
We always provide a selection of basic medicines and first aid equipment for treatment on tour. On trips abroad where we are out of coverage for a long time, we also have satellite communication so that it will be easier to communicate with us in the office. However, we cannot guarantee that we have full coverage 24/7 on all our trips around the world.
On trips to high mountains, we spend plenty of time getting the best possible acclimatisation. Our guides have extensive altitude experience and are proficient in first aid and altitude sickness treatment. Should severe altitude issues arise, you will be evacuated to lower altitudes - the best treatment for altitude sickness.
IIf you take regular medication, have known allergies or the like, you must always have your personal medication with you. Remember to report this to the office and guide on the tour.
Physical Levels
All of Norrøna Adventures' trips involve us being physically active. We prioritise highlighting the necessity of physical fitness, the daily activity level, and the mental demands of each trip. You do not need to be an athlete to take part in our tours, but we believe that you will have a better experience if you put in a little effort before you leave. Remember that proper preparation prevents poor performance! The preparations you need to make depend on your experience and the level of the trip.
These are our simplest tours and require minimal prior knowledge. On trips with this rating, the stages are relatively short and the pace is calm. We have plenty of time to enjoy the view and arrive at the day's destination. Can be carried out by anyone who likes activity and is in normal physical health.
We need to exert some effort to reach our destination. With a good level of fitness and determination, these journeys are manageable for the majority of participants. Being active in daily life is a beneficial preparation.
Some segments of the journey may prove challenging. It's essential to possess a solid level of fitness prior to departure. Persistence will be required in reaching the trip's goal.
Here you have to be ready for a real challenge! The trips are often longer than at lower levels. Along the way, it will be both physically and mentally demanding, and that requires you to be prepared for this. You should engage in targeted training well in advance of departure, and you must prepare well.
These tours are our most rigorous. Be prepared for multiple days of intense effort to achieve the objective. They demand both physical and mental stamina, necessitating thorough preparation for participation. The trips often go to colder areas and/or at high altitudes, and you have to carry or pull heavy loads. The equipment plays an important role, and the trip places great demands on you as a participant. The guide is responsible for carrying out the tour, but you as a participant are responsible for being sufficiently prepared so that you can take responsibility for yourself along the way.
These tours aren't part of our regular program, for example an expedition to Mount Everest. They demand exceptional commitment from staff, guides, partners, and participants alike. Documented experience from challenging trips/expeditions and excellent physical fitness are prerequisites.
Comfort Levels
Comfort is a subjective concept, the feeling you get from a place, the way you are welcomed or what the views and surroundings are like will influence how you experience the comfort of being there.
Our comfort levels are mainly based on the available facilities during the main part of the trip. Even though we stay in tents on level 1 and 2, there might be some nights we stay in a hut or in a basic hotel/guesthouse. Have a look at the specific itinerary for more details about accommodation, food and other relevant information.
We overnight in tents. On these trips, the participants take part in camp routines such as setting up camp and cooking meals.
We overnight in tents. We are usually served food, but may have to contribute with cooking on certain occasions.
Simple accommodations, such as cabins or guesthouses, often with multi-bed rooms. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with a shared bathroom.
Simple to good quality inns, such as small family hotels, B&Bs and agrotourism (farmhouses), usually with private bathrooms.
Good to high quality hotels with good meals, ambience and service. Accommodation with a special touch.
Luxury hotels with excellent food, ambience and service.
Risk Levels
When we venture into nature, we take greater risks than we usually encounter in everyday life. The mountains and wilderness are infinitely complex, and we can never have full control over all elements along the way. Consequently, unforeseen events may occur.
Our guides do everything they can to have control over the various elements. Nevertheless, it is the case that you as a participant can observe details that the guide has overlooked. We therefore expect you to communicate your observations and feelings along the way. Good communication helps to highlight all important observations so that you make the best possible decisions together.
Activities/trips with minimal risk/everyday risk (incidents that can just as easily occur in everyday life).
Activities/trips with little risk. There are usually few incidents and they are usually of such a nature that they can be dealt with locally.
Activities/trips with some risk. Certain incidents may occur, and they may be of such a nature that they may require professional help.
Activities/trips with significant risk. Incidents may occur, and they can be of such a nature that they require professional help.
Activities/trips with a high risk. Incidents may occur, and they can entail the risk of serious injury. The availability of professional help is often limited.
Activities/trips involving exceptionally high risks, typically beyond the scope of commercial tourism companies. Such endeavours demand extraordinary precautions and impose exceedingly high expectations on all involved. For example an ascent of Mt. Everest.