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REI Adventure Travel: Ultimate Guide to Worldwide Outdoor Expeditions (2024)

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REI Adventure Travel opens doorways to extraordinary outdoor experiences across the globe. From trekking the Inca Trail to cycling through Tuscany these expertly curated trips combine adventure excitement and cultural immersion for unforgettable journeys. As a trusted name in outdoor recreation since 1938 REI’s adventure travel division brings decades of wilderness expertise to every expedition. Their professional guides lead small groups through carefully planned itineraries that range from moderate to challenging ensuring travelers find the perfect match for their skill level and interests. Whether it’s kayaking in Croatia climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or exploring the national parks of Costa Rica REI Adventures delivers authentic experiences that connect people with nature and local communities.

What Is REI Adventure Travel

REI Adventure Travel is a specialized division of REI Co-op that organizes guided outdoor adventures across 100+ global destinations. The program combines expert-led experiences with sustainable tourism practices to create immersive outdoor journeys for small groups of 4-16 participants.

History and Mission

REI Adventure Travel emerged from REI Co-op’s outdoor expertise in 1987. The program’s mission centers on three core principles:
    • Creating transformative outdoor experiences through expert-guided adventures
    • Protecting natural environments by implementing sustainable travel practices
    • Supporting local communities through partnerships with regional guides businesses

Types of Adventures Offered

REI Adventure Travel categorizes its expeditions into distinct experience levels:
    • Level 1 – Relaxed: Walking tours cultural experiences short day hikes
    • Level 2 – Easy Active: Day hiking casual biking kayaking flat water
    • Level 3 – Moderate: Multi-day treks backpacking intermediate cycling
    • Level 4 – Vigorous: Technical climbing advanced kayaking mountain summits
    • Level 5 – Strenuous: High-altitude expeditions extended wilderness treks
    • Hiking & Trekking: Inca Trail Torres del Paine Mont Blanc
    • Cycling: Tuscany Provence New Zealand
    • Multisport: Costa Rica Patagonia Iceland
    • Climbing: Mount Kilimanjaro Mount Baker Mount Rainier
    • Water Sports: Croatia kayaking Galapagos snorkeling Alaska rafting

Planning Your REI Adventure Trip

Selecting an REI adventure trip involves matching personal fitness levels with destination preferences to create an ideal outdoor experience. The planning process starts with understanding REI’s rating system and evaluating potential destinations.

Skill Levels and Trip Ratings

REI’s adventure trips follow a 5-tier activity rating system designed to match travelers with appropriate experiences:
    • Level 1 – Relaxed: Features flat terrain walks up to 2 miles with minimal elevation gain
    • Level 2 – Easy Active: Includes 2-4 miles of daily activity on gentle terrain with 500-1000 feet elevation changes
    • Level 3 – Moderate: Incorporates 4-6 miles of daily activity with 1000-2000 feet elevation changes
    • Level 4 – Vigorous: Demands 6-8 miles of daily activity with 2000-3000 feet elevation changes
    • Level 5 – Strenuous: Requires 8+ miles of daily activity with 3000+ feet elevation changes

Choosing the Right Destination

    • Seasonal Conditions: Pick destinations during optimal weather windows like Nepal in October or Costa Rica in February
    • Activity Focus: Match locations to preferred activities such as:
    • Utah for rock climbing
    • Patagonia for trekking
    • Thailand for cultural immersion
    • Trip Duration: Select based on available vacation time:
    • Weekend trips: 3-4 days in national parks
    • Standard trips: 7-10 days in single countries
    • Extended adventures: 14+ days for multi-country expeditions
    • Group Size: Consider trip capacities ranging from 4-16 participants based on destination requirements

Popular REI Adventure Destinations

REI Adventure Travel offers destinations across six continents, featuring both international expeditions and domestic adventures. Each destination provides unique outdoor experiences tailored to different activity preferences and skill levels.

International Expeditions

REI’s international expeditions span diverse landscapes from Himalayan peaks to Patagonian wilderness. Popular destinations include:
    • Machu Picchu, Peru: 7-12 day treks along the Inca Trail featuring ancient ruins exploration
    • Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: 8-9 day climbing expeditions reaching Africa’s highest peak at 19,341 feet
    • Tuscan Countryside, Italy: 6-8 day cycling tours through medieval villages and vineyards
    • Croatian Coast: 8-day sea kayaking adventures exploring Dalmatian Islands
    • New Zealand: 8-12 day multisport trips combining hiking, cycling and kayaking in both North and South Islands
    • Patagonia: 7-14 day treks through Torres del Paine National Park in Chile

Domestic US Adventures

    • Alaska: 6-9 day trips featuring glacier hiking and wildlife viewing in Kenai Fjords
    • Utah: 4-7 day adventures exploring Zion, Bryce Canyon and Arches National Parks
    • Hawaii: 6-day multisport trips on Maui and Kauai combining hiking and snorkeling
    • Washington: 3-6 day expeditions in Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks
    • Arizona: 4-6 day hiking and camping trips in Grand Canyon National Park
    • California: 4-7 day adventures in Yosemite featuring rock climbing and backpacking
Region Average Trip Duration Group Size Activity Level Range
International 7-12 days 8-16 people Levels 2-5
Domestic US 3-7 days 4-12 people Levels 1-4

What to Expect on an REI Trip

REI adventure trips deliver structured outdoor experiences with professional guidance, quality accommodations and detailed logistics management. Each trip component adheres to REI’s established standards for safety, comfort and environmental responsibility.

Expert Guides and Leaders

REI’s guides combine extensive outdoor expertise with local knowledge of each destination. These certified professionals hold wilderness first aid certifications, regional permits and specialized activity credentials like alpine climbing or sea kayaking certifications. Local guides provide cultural insights, navigate terrain confidently and share detailed information about regional flora, fauna and geography.

Group Size and Dynamics

REI adventures maintain small group sizes of 4-16 participants to ensure personalized attention and minimal environmental impact. Groups typically include:
    • Solo travelers seeking shared experiences
    • Couples exploring destinations together
    • Friends joining as small subgroups
    • Mixed-age participants with similar activity levels

Accommodation Standards

    • Premium hotels in urban segments
    • Mountain lodges on trekking routes
    • Eco-lodges in remote destinations
    • Permanent safari-style camps
    • Traditional guesthouses in rural areas
Accommodation Type Typical Amenities Location Types
Hotels Private bath, WiFi Cities, towns
Mountain Lodges Shared facilities, heating Remote trails
Eco-lodges Solar power, local meals Protected areas
Safari Camps En-suite tents, dining area Wildlife zones
Guesthouses Basic rooms, home cooking Rural villages

Gear and Preparation

REI Adventure Travel provides detailed packing lists tailored to each specific trip itinerary. Proper gear selection combined with physical preparation ensures participants maximize their outdoor adventure experience.

Required Equipment

Essential gear for REI adventures varies based on the destination climate activity type. Core equipment includes:
    • Technical clothing layers (moisture-wicking base layers synthetic mid-layers waterproof outer shells)
    • Activity-specific footwear (hiking boots trekking shoes water sandals)
    • Safety equipment (headlamp first-aid kit hydration system)
    • Personal protection items (sunscreen insect repellent UV-protective eyewear)
    • Travel documents (passport visas travel insurance cards)
Equipment Category Rental Available Purchase Required
Technical Clothing Yes Optional
Hiking Gear Yes Optional
Camping Equipment Yes Optional
Safety Items No Yes
Personal Items No Yes

Training Recommendations

Physical conditioning starts 12-16 weeks before departure based on trip difficulty ratings:
    • Level 1-2 Trips: 30-minute cardio sessions 3 times weekly plus regular walking
    • Level 3 Trips: 45-minute cardio workouts 4 times weekly plus weekend hikes
    • Level 4-5 Trips: 60-minute high-intensity training 5 times weekly plus long hikes with elevation gain
Training activities align with trip focus:
    • Hiking trips: Stair climbing hill training loaded pack walks
    • Cycling tours: Indoor spinning outdoor road biking core exercises
    • Mountaineering: Strength training altitude conditioning technical skills practice
    • Water sports: Swimming endurance training upper body workouts
    • Weekly workout schedules
    • Progress tracking metrics
    • Altitude adaptation protocols
    • Activity-specific exercises

Cost and Value Analysis

REI Adventure Travel trips balance premium experiences with comprehensive inclusions starting at $799 for domestic weekend trips to $7,299 for international expeditions. The pricing structure reflects the all-inclusive nature of these expertly guided adventures combined with REI’s commitment to quality and sustainability.

What’s Included

REI adventure packages include professional guide services, accommodations, ground transportation, activity fees, permits, most meals, and specialized equipment rentals. Trip costs cover:
    • Lodging arrangements from premium hotels to wilderness camping
    • Transportation within the destination country or region
    • Expert guides with local knowledge and required certifications
    • Equipment for specialized activities such as kayaks bikes or climbing gear
    • Park entrance fees permits and activity passes
    • Daily meals (80-90% of trip meals) with local cuisine options
    • Emergency medical evacuation coverage up to $100,000
    • Detailed pre-trip planning materials and support
Trip Type Starting Price Average Duration Typical Group Size
Weekend Escapes $799 3-4 days 4-12 people
National Parks $1,999 5-7 days 8-14 people
International Adventures $3,499 7-14 days 8-16 people
Expedition Trips $7,299 10-21 days 8-12 people

Member Benefits and Discounts

REI Co-op members receive exclusive advantages on adventure travel bookings:
    • Annual member dividend of 10% on trip cost
    • Early access to trip dates and special departures
    • $200 gear credit for first-time adventure travelers
    • Special pricing on REI gear purchases for trip preparation
    • Exclusive access to member-only trips and destinations
    • Complimentary lifetime REI Adventures daypack
    • Priority booking for popular destinations
    • Access to members-only trip planning resources
The member benefits translate to an average savings of $400-$800 per person on international trips combined with the annual dividend return on the booking cost. REI Adventure Travel stands as a premier choice for outdoor enthusiasts seeking expertly guided adventures across the globe. Their commitment to sustainable tourism sustainable practices and local community support sets them apart in the adventure travel industry. Whether someone’s dreaming of scaling Kilimanjaro or cycling through Tuscany REI Adventure Travel provides the perfect blend of challenge adventure and comfort. With comprehensive trip planning resources professional guides and quality gear recommendations travelers can embark on their dream outdoor expedition with confidence. The combination of REI’s extensive experience member benefits and diverse destination offerings makes it an excellent choice for anyone ready to embark on their next great outdoor adventure.