Activity Level

Our activity level guidelines should give you a better idea of what to expect on your trip; how challenging the activity (or activities) will be. The activity level applies to the overall intensity of the trip, so some days may be a little tougher than stated and some a little bit easier.

You know your own capabilities best, so while we are all for challenging yourself, it is very important to consider your fitness and experience carefully when selecting a trip.

The activity level will help you choose the right adventure, and enjoy it in comfort and safely (while having a lot of fun). If you have any questions or concerns, we're always here to offer advice.

Easy Walking

Easy

Short distances on low level, relatively flat paths that are well maintained and easy to follow. Perfect for those with little or no previous experience of walking trips, or those looking for a relaxing experience.

Easy - Moderate Walking

Easy - Moderate

Some longer distances on varied terrain but mostly well-maintained trails, and/or quiet country roads and paths. Some ascent and descent but nothing too strenuous. Perfect for those with a relatively good level of fitness

Moderate Walking

Moderate

Longer distances on rugged and varied terrain with regular steep ascents and descents. Ideal for regular walkers with a good level of fitness or beginners looking for a challenge.

Moderate - Strenuous Walking

Moderate - Strenuous

Long days with significant and consistent steep ascent and descents on varied terrain which is often rugged underfoot, requiring a good level of fitness. There may be some exposed sections that require a head for heights. Navigation could be more difficult in poor weather conditions.

Strenuous Walking

Strenuous

Full days on challenging terrain, distances, ascents and descents suited for experienced walkers with a high level of fitness. Terrain is rough and could be Alpine or mountainous in nature and remote. Possibility of exposed sections and/or sections with cables/chains/ladders to aid ascent and descent, a head for heights is required. Navigation could be challenging in poor weather conditions and some trips may include higher altitudes.

Extreme Walking

Extreme

Designed for very fit hikers looking for their next challenge; a head for heights, a sure foot and experience required. Rough, mountainous terrain including narrow scree and rocky paths, light scrambling, exposure and use of cables/chains/ladders to aid ascent and descent. Navigation could be challenging in poor weather conditions. Location may be remote, with extreme temperatures, weather and high altitudes adding to the challenge.

Easy Biking

Ideal for beginners on their first biking holiday, or those who simply wish to take it easy. There’s plenty of time to explore en route with daily distances under 20 miles. Sometimes there will be an occasional longer day, on almost completely flat or slightly rolling terrain. You will either be biking on dedicated cycle path/routes or on quiet country roads, coming onto busier town roads only to reach your accommodation.

Easy - Moderate Biking

Easy - Moderate Grade Cycling

Perfect for occasional riders seeking to discover a region from the saddle, and comfortable riding up to 25 miles each day over a few consecutive days. Shorter daily mileages allow time to stop and take in the scenery, visit wineries, museums or stop for a long lunch before arriving at your destination. You may be biking on dedicated bike paths or quiet country roads with very occasional stretches on busier roads. Terrain will be largely easy-going but may be rolling or include 1 or 2 short steeper ascents/descents. 

Moderate Biking

Moderate Grade Cycling

Designed for relatively fit regular cyclists seeking an active holiday. Spend much of the day in the saddle experiencing a region and discovering its variety over longer daily distances. The terrain will be varied, and usually rolling with some longer or steeper ascents/descents on quiet country roads with the occasional short stretch on busier roads through towns.

Moderate - Strenuous Biking

Moderate - Strenuous Cycling

For regular cyclists, looking for a sense of achievement at the end of the day. Comfortable with longer distances, taking in rolling and hillier terrain with occasional steep ascents/descents and some longer ascents/descents on largely low gradients. Cycle largely on quiet country roads while being comfortable on busier stretches where necessary.

Strenuous Biking

Strenuous Cycling

Ideal for fit cyclists who relish hill climbs and look forward to snaking descents on switchback roads. Most trips in this grade are road cycling tours for experienced riders who enjoy consecutive days of long and hilly riding with up to approximately 1000 m per day. You should have a degree of bike handling skills and be comfortable on long/steep ascents/descents. Riding is on quiet country roads wherever possible but there maybe stretches of busier roads particularly as you pass through or bike into towns or cities.

  • Frances 23/03/2023
    We had a wonderful time on our South Island New Zealand adventure. Macs organised everything perfectly and there was zero stress due to their seamless planning. The South Island is stunning - wild and brimming with nature. I highly recommend this trip. The highlight for us was Steward Island which is another world.
  • Anonymous 09/03/2023
    We booked a walking tour through a company, as we wanted to travel to an adventurous and remote destination, with all the accommodation, luggage transfers etc sorted. The accommodation, transfers and walking routes were all excellent. But we really saw the advantage of booking through a company when we hit snags. We hit 3 problems - all related to touring in the winter season - and all of which were quickly and easily solved by the fantastic rep on the ground: 1) one of our proposed accommodations was shut at short notice - another was found; 2) one of our walking routes was truncated by an landslide (!) - an alternative was proposed, with taxi pickup; 3) one of the party slipped - routes with less downhill could be devised. Would definitely book again
  • Mr Charles Dunnagan 12/02/2023
    We've used Mac/s in the past and will use them again, but this trip wasn't the best.
  • Anonymous 12/01/2023
    Thank you. Excellent and well organized trip. Professional and caring staff. Amazing region in France. Very good bikes.
  • Dr. Graham Gauld 22/12/2022
    The holiday was well organised and had good back-up in terms of maps and route guidance. It would be good if details of some routes were updated daily/weekly to take into account walkers feedback and changing local conditions
  • Anonymous 18/12/2022
    I realize it was a busy year but to take days to return emails and phone calls is not acceptable. To also tell us you can book our trip then inform me weeks later that you can book the trip except for the first night and we would have to find our own accommodation that you could not contact any other accommodation. On the trip The Sun Inn in Warkworth , the room was fine except we had no cold running water for the entire two days and no internet in the rooms. The manager kept saying we’ll get to it. The Bluebell Inn in Belford, there was mold in the bathroom, torn wallpaper and little hot water. We were freezing in the dining room for dinner but were told sorry we can’t turn the heat on until the end of September. A very very tired hotel. The app was helpful but not always accurate. The book we were given was quite outdated and definitely not accurate and in some cases misleading.. A detailed map of the hike would have been useful as well as indications that you could get lunch in the route or that you needed to pick up a sandwich before starting. To have luggage ready by 9 is fine but then we had to sit and wait until 9:30 for a taxi was a waste of time. We are going on another hike this year but will use another company.
  • Mr Graham Egan 16/12/2022
    The Best of New Zealand trip was comprehensive and very well organised. It was an excellent way to see New Zealand. Emergency out of hours contact was available.
  • Anonymous 15/12/2022
    Provided excellent service and advice. We have done many self-guided cycling tours and know what makes a great trip. This trip more than met our expectations with excellent accommodation and varied route. The supplied notes and GPS tracks made navigation very easy.
  • Anonymous 15/12/2022
    This was a trip that had been postponed due to COVID. In rescheduling it, I had tried to reschedule early (9 months in advance) but was told too early, then when I tried again, it was a different rep and they did not respond in a timely fashion and as a consequence the accommodations that we requested were not available. The trip was described as moderate hiking. This trip was not moderate hiking. The first day of hiking--we were met by the guide and instead of an orientation type of hike, we immediately got out of the transport and started on a 11 mile hike with a 3,000 foot elevation gain and that doesn't include the time that I spent on a mule because the terrain was steep or my legs just gave out. Our trip did not start out well because we were not met at the airport. We waited over an hour and finally hired a taxi to take us to the Riad. The Riad was OK, it definitely did not seem as if it was an upgrade which had been promised. One person in our group had cockroaches in her room and a shower that kept flooding the room. The final hotel was wonderful and they went out of their way to provide an excellent experience (Kasbah du Toubkal). We had been told that we could only spend one night at this property and have to move to another property (because reservations had been slow to be made as noted earlier). They were able to find us a room so that we did not have to move---this may have been due to they were the ones that forgot to pick us up at the airport. The food throughout the trip was excellent. People in Morocco were welcoming and lovely. The High Atlas Mountains were a beautiful and rugged landscape which helped partially make up for the downsides of this trip.
  • Mr Frank Stevenson 15/12/2022
    Lots of trips to choose from……easy to follow hiking instructions and map app…excellent customer service….great value….we have traveled extensively with B&R and Backroads and now much prefer Macs
  • Mrs Lucy King 15/12/2022
    The Cotopaxi region is magical and our guide, Julio, was superb. He loved the area and was so enthusiastic about showing it to us. He got himself, and us, up very early so that we could be the first of the day to top of the Cotopaxi Snowline...very special. He took us to Pasochoa Peak and we were the first of the day to summit that as well. He was very knowledgable of the birdlife, the wildlife and the area's history. He was absolutely terrific!
  • Mrs Lucy King 15/12/2022
    The guide services were top notch. From arrival at the Quito airport to the Amazon Rainforest to the city tour and back to the airport the guides were A+. They were always at least 15 minutes early and so polite and kind.
  • Anonymous 15/12/2022
    Amazing experience! This was my first Macs adventure and definitely NOT my last!
  • Mr William Ritchie 15/12/2022
    Great variety of active holidays. Walking holidays which range from gentle stroll's to challenging adventures.
  • Anonymous 01/12/2022
    Overall worked well. Turn by turn instructions were sometimes way off but following the GPS blue line worked well. Lodging was decent but not exemplary.
  • Anonymous 27/11/2022
    I understand the challenges due to Covid but it often took multiple phone calls and emails to receive a response to my inquiries about our Queen Charlotte Track trip and then it would take several weeks to get an answer to my question. I ended up going directly to the company you outsourced to (Wilderness Guides) as they would reply within 24 hours. Also, most of the information provided by Mac’s was wrong! Thank goodness for Wilderness Guides. You should tell your prop,e if they don’t know the answer to a question, don’t guess!
  • Anonymous 19/10/2022
    Everything went as planned except for a couple of schedule glitches which were easily remedied through direct calls to providers or your Glasgow office. I had tried to solve two of the schedule issues but was not able to get the issues resolved through the personnel in the Colorado office. I did four trips in Scotland and am pleased that all went beautifully--luggage transfers, accommodations, pre-arranged programs. You deserve the five stars for how smoothly all four programs went.
  • Anonymous 19/10/2022
    Good service, excellent accommodation, good value for money
  • Ms Leslie Shea 19/10/2022
    Excellent choices of lodging. Coordination of baggage and lodging, an impossible task, was great Phone, online availability was very good.
  • Dulcie Charles 19/10/2022
    Yes I would book again and recommend them

OVERALL SCORE

4.5
User1098 Total
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
Currency:
$ - USD - US Dollar
Country/Region name:
USAUSA
Change country/region