Outdoor retailer REI Co-op is teaming up with Intrepid Travel to launch a new collection of active travel trips.
The new partnership will offer a range of U.S. and international excursions for REI members and customers starting in January 2026. The collaboration will introduce two distinct collections of guided adventures: REI Exclusive, which offer an exclusive discount to REI members, and REI Recommended.
“We are pleased to introduce immersive travel experiences in partnership with Intrepid that allow our customers and members to foster meaningful connections with new cultures and landscapes in bucket-list destinations,” said Susan Viscon, REI’s chief new ventures and impact officer, in a statement. “These trips are designed to bring together REI members’ deep appreciation for familiar outdoor spaces and the thrill of discovering the unknown, while reflecting the co-op’s core values of time outside, inclusion, and sustainability.”
The collaboration comes less than a year after REI shut down its own “Experiences” division, a move that eliminated more than 400 jobs. The new venture signals a strategic pivot for REI, which will leverage an external partner’s infrastructure rather than managing its own travel logistics.
Details of the Partnership
The partnership will offer over 75 trips across 32 countries, designed to appeal to a wide range of travelers and skill levels (see the full list of options below).
The REI Exclusive collection will feature more than 25 trips, ranging from three to 14 days. These adventures, guided by Intrepid’s local experts, will cover destinations like Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, Japan, Morocco and U.S. national parks. Activities will include alpine hikes, multi-sport adventures, and wildlife encounters. REI members who book an REI Exclusive trip will receive a 15% discount.
The REI Recommended collection includes more than 50 trips across six continents. These itineraries, which range from four to 15 days, will also be sold on Intrepid’s website. REI members who book an REI Recommended trip will receive a 20% off coupon for future gear and apparel purchases at REI.
Travelers can choose experiences based on Intrepid’s existing trip styles (Basix, Original, Comfort, and Premium), which allows them to select a pace and accommodation level that suits their preferences. REI will provide curated packing lists and sell Intrepid travel books.
Who is Intrepid Travel?
Founded over 35 years ago, Melbourne, Australia-based Intrepid Travel is a global leader in responsible, small-group adventure travel, according to the news release. The company became a certified B-Corporation in 2018 and operates more than 900 trips designed to offer authentic local experiences. With a network of offices in 32 countries, Intrepid emphasizes locally-led tourism and community impact.
“We know REI members are seeking unique, authentic and meaningful travel experiences grounded in community,” said Leigh Barnes, president of the Americas at Intrepid Travel. “By combining REI’s deep outdoor expertise with Intrepid’s recognized approach to responsible and locally-led tourism, we’re making it easier for curious members to seek out the unknown and experience the world.”
A portion of trip sales will support the REI Cooperative Action Fund, which focuses on making the outdoors more inclusive.
REI’s Experiences Shutdown
Former REI CEO Eric Artz announced the closure of the REI Experiences division in January 2025, which included adventure travel, day tours, and classes. The decision resulted in the elimination of 428 jobs, affecting 180 full-time employees and 248 part-time guides.
In a memo to employees, Artz explained that the division was financially unsustainable.
“Experiences served 40,000 customers in 2024 — less than 0.4% of all co-op customers — and costs significantly more to run than it brings in,” he said at the time. “When we look at the all-up costs of running this business…we are losing millions of dollars every year.”
Artz noted that even in its best year, 2019, the Experiences division did not generate a profit. The shutdown was part of a broader effort to return the co-op to “sustainable, profitable growth” by focusing on its core retail business. REI reported a 6% revenue decline in 2024 to $3.53 billion. Its net loss narrowed to $156 million from $311 million in the prior year.
The recent announcement of the Intrepid partnership comes under the leadership of new CEO Mary Beth Laughton, who was appointed to replace Artz in January.
In September, Laughton unveiled REI’s three-year transformation strategy, which included “Reinvented Membership,” which aimed to transform the co-op’s program with new offerings to deepen engagement and drive growth with its members.
REI Travel Operated by Intrepid
REI shared a full list of the REI Exclusive and REI Recommended collections of trips.
The REI Exclusive collection was co-created with Intrepid and delivers adventure and authentic local connections with experiences to match a variety of paces and personalities. These trips are only available to book on REI.com/travel. While anyone can book these trips, REI members and their traveling companions will receive a 15% discount.
Europe
- Spain: Walk the Camino de Santiago
- Portugal: Walk the Portuguese Camino
- Italy: Hike & Kayak on Italy’s Amalfi Coast
Asia
- Japan: Hiking in Japan – Koya-san & Kumano Kodo
- Nepal: Everest Base Camp Trekking
- Nepal: Himalayan Trekking – Annapurna Circuit
Central & South America
- Peru: Peru Multi-Sport
- Peru: Hike the Inca Trail
- Peru: Inca Trail Trek & Amazon Experience
- Costa Rica: Costa Rica Adventure
- Chile: Patagonia Hiking Adventure
- Chile: Hiking in Patagonia – Torres del Paine W Trek
- Colombia: Colombia’s Lost City Trekking
Africa
- Tanzania: Roof of Africa Trek (Kilimanjaro)
- Morocco: Trek Morocco’s Mount Toubkal
North America
- USA: John Muir Trail – Northbound to Yosemite Valley
- USA: Smokey Mountains Backpacking – Shining Rock Wilderness
- USA: Sedona Hiking – Red Rock
- USA: Explore Olympic National Park
- USA: Joshua Tree Backpacking
- USA: Alaska Backpacking
- USA: Montana Llama Trek
- USA: Yosemite Hiking – High Country
- USA: Rocky Mountain National Park Hiking
- USA: Explore Yellowstone and Grand Tetons
- USA: Alaska Hike and Kayak
- USA: Explore Montana
- USA: Grand Canyon Hiking – South Rim
REI Recommended
The REI Recommended collection, endorsed by the Co-op’s experts, features a wider range of styles and themes across more than 30 countries. These trips are available to book on REI.com/travel or IntrepidTravel.com. Members who purchase a Recommended trip on REI.com/travel will receive a 20% off coupon for a future REI gear and apparel purchase.
Africa & Middle East
- Egypt: Egypt Adventure
- Egypt: Premium Egypt
- Jordan: Jordan Discovery
- Jordan: Premium Walking and Hiking Jordan (Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea)
- Kenya / Tanzania: Classic East Africa
- Morocco: Hike & Bike
- Morocco: Women’s Expedition Tour
- Morocco: Classic Morocco
- Morocco: Premium Morocco in Depth
- Southern Africa: Kruger to Vic Falls
- Southern Africa: Southern Africa Safari
- Southern Africa: East Africa Highlights
South America
- Belize: Land of Belize
- Chile: Premium Chile & Argentina
- Costa Rica: Costa Rica – Hike, Bike & Raft
- Costa Rica: Best of Costa Rica
- Costa Rica: Classic Costa Rica
- Galapagos: Galapagos Island Hopping
- Galapagos: Galapagos Adventure – Northern Islands (Grand Daphne)
- Guatemala / El Salvador: Central America: Hike, Bike & Kayak
- Mexico: Baja California – Hike, Bike & Kayak (Mexico)
- Mexico: Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca
- Peru: Premium Walking & Hiking in Peru
- Peru: Premium Peru
Asia
- Cambodia: Cambodian Traveler
- Indonesia: Beautiful Bali
- Japan: Japan – Hike, Bike & Kayak
- Nepal: Nepal – Women’s Expedition
- Sri Lanka: Best of Sri Lanka
- Thailand: Highlights of Thailand
- Vietnam: Premium Walking & Hiking in Vietnam
- Vietnam: Vietnam – Hike, Bike & Kayak
Europe
- Croatia: Croatia & Slovenia
- Croatia / Montenegro: Croatia & Montenegro – Hike, Bike & Raft
- France / Italy / Switzerland: Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc
- Germany: Europe Christmas Markets – Munich to Budapest
- Greece: Premium Greece
- Greece: Athens to Santorini
- Iceland: Iceland – Hike, Bike & Raft
- Iceland: Iceland Discovery
- Iceland: Northern Lights Escape
- Italy: Premium Walking & Hiking on Italy’s Amalfi Coast
- Italy: Premium Walking & Hiking in the Italian Dolomites
- Italy: Cinque Terre – Hike, Bike & Kayak
- Italy: Rome to Amalfi
- Portugal: Hike the Rota Vicentina in Portugal
- Portugal: Premium Walking & Hiking in Madeira
- Portugal: Premium Portugal
- Slovenia: Slovenia – Hike, Bike & Raft
- Spain: Premium Spain
- Turkey: Turkey Highlights
- Turkey: Turkey Encompassed
North America
- USA: Hiking the Great Land of Alaska
- USA: Hiking in Yosemite National Park
- USA: Hiking Utah’s National Parks
- USA: Southwest USA Canyons & Cultures
- USA: Zion Glamping
- Canada: Hiking in the Canadian Rockies
Kate Robertson can be reached at kate@shop-eat-surf-outdoor.com.
