REI Adventures Profile [2024] - 102 reviews, 28 trips
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# of trips

28

Type

Global operator

Service level

standard

Travelers age

12 — 65

Trip prices

$799 — 5,599

Tour languages

English

What they’re known for
Guided tours for small groups of adventurous travelers wanting a physically active and exciting experience in the great outdoors.

Trips other travelers liked

See all 28 trips

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REI Adventures Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
102  Reviews
See all REI Adventures tour reviews
Excellent
96
Great
4
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
2
K

Kevin K

Mar 2021

Provided byREI Adventures

The heart of Alaska - hiking, and more

The entire trip was well researched, conceived and executed. The schedule, order of activities, pace, and diversity yielded a quality mix of physical activity, Alask...

a

ankah

Mar 2021

Provided byREI Adventures

Great Hiking experience in the Rockies!

Traveling all the way from Sweden we were looking for a way to hike out in the wilderness with a group and we found this great trip. It takes you out in the amazing ...

C

CB12

Mar 2021

Provided byREI Adventures

Fantastic Trip

This trip was A+ from the get go. Our guides (Jeannie and Chris) were organized and had great rapport building skills so the first impression was super. Our fellow t...

J

Jen702

Mar 2021

Provided byREI Adventures

Exceeded Expectations!

The Canadian Rockies are amazing! The trip was so well organized, I left feeling like I saw and experienced the best the Canadian Rockies has to offer. Our Guides TK...

G

Ginger Baby Bear Cub

Mar 2021

Provided byREI Adventures

Nice Pace & Nice People

This trip was exactly what I was looking for! Chris and Jeannie call it the sample pack of the Canadian Rockies and they really do a great Job of Packing in the must...

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Editoral Review of REI Adventures

REI Adventures has offered leading active outdoor adventures around the world for 25 years. They are known for their stores that sell quality outdoor equipment and gear and their desire to awaken a lifelong love of the outdoors for everyone and anyone.

What Makes REI Adventures Stand Out?

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REI Adventures is best known for their high quality outdoor gear which makes it no surprise that their trips are focused specifically on outdoor activities and experiences. They understand the transformational power of nature which influences their trips which are designed for anyone from the new outdoors adventurer to a seasoned pro.

Aside from their many trip options, from women-only departures to family friendly outings, they also offer volunteering trips, for those travelers interested in making a difference through their travel. These trips are designed to help improve nature with specific focuses such as wildlife habitat restoration and trail maintenance. REI strives to protect the nature and outdoors they explore as pristine and undisturbed as possible.

REI also shows their passion for the outdoors with their nonprofit investments. 70 percent of their annual profits are invested back into the outdoor community. Some of this goes into nonprofits dedicated to the outdoors.

Who Will Enjoy Traveling With REI Adventures?

Young Women on adventure travel trip with REI Adventures

REI travelers enjoy nature and being active outdoors. They get excited to put on a pair of hiking boots and hit the trail for a several hour excursion in the wilderness.  The space in your suitcase that might have been dedicated to makeup, ties, jewelry, or cufflinks is replaced with outdoor travel accessories.

Getting out in nature with REI includes intense physically active experiences. REI travelers aren’t scared off by doing hard core activities like extreme whitewater rafting, trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro or going on a safari to Antarctica.

These travelers travel because they want to experience the outdoors. That said, it's also nice to slow down and get some cultural experiences in too, something REI Adventures offers to their active travelers that need a moment to rest and unwind. 

hiking with REI Adventures

Everyone from travelers who simply love nature and the outdoors to hard core adventure travelers who love chasing adrenaline highs will be right at home on a trip with REI. However, because their core focus is in active travel, a certain level of physical fitness is expected for each traveler.

REI travelers encompass a wide range of ages, but the core age group is between 18-40. On Family Friendly trips it is recommended that children be no younger than 8 years old as all activities are very hands on and even intense. Not all activities will be open to the younger travelers in the group, but these trips are specifically designed to make sure everyone has something fun to do.

Top Destinations

Trekking trail in Nepal with REI Adventures

REI Adventures offers departures on all 7 continents, with an impressive number of Antarctica tours available. They have three categories to sort through destinations which include Regions, National Parks and Featured.

Regions include Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Central America, Europe, North America and South America. They offer trips to national parks such as Bryce Canyon, Death Valley and the Grand Canyon. Featured destinations include places like the Alps and Machu Picchu.

Whatever the destination, travelers can expect to experience the outdoors like they never had before. Travelers will get to do it all from hiking to climbing or kayaking.

REI Adventures Travel Style

Coffee at the fire on REI Adventure camping trip

Each of REI’s 150 trips are rated 1 through 5 for activity level. Level 1 (relaxed) includes trips to Tanzania and Botswana with activities such as going on a wildlife safari or hiking. Level 2 (easy active) include trips to Thailand and Italy with activities such as kayaking, hiking and going on a cruise.

Trips rated 1 and 2 are ideal for families with younger kids, older travelers seeking some invigoration without, you know, climbing cliffs or barreling through whitewater, or completely novice active outdoor travelers. 

Each level after the first two increase in difficulty. Level 3 stands for moderate; 4 stands for vigorous and level 5 stands for strenuous. Trips that are rated Moderate are also great for novices, but those interested in a slightly bigger challenge physically. Those trips rated 4 and 5 often require a doctor’s note to ensure you are aware of the risk, and able to keep up with the physical demands. These may include 10+ hours of extreme activity a day with dramatically changing elevations and steep uneven terrain.

REI Adventures focuses on great outdoor experiences which means accommodations are also outdoor and nature focused. Camping is a common accommodation style, but you usually won’t be required to do your own set up or break down. In most cases (not all) hot running water is available. Other types of accommodations include rustic lodges, and basic hotels.

How difficult are REI Adventures trips physically?

This will vary by the trip, but in general it will be good to expect some parts of the trip to be physically challenging, relative to the trip classification. REI separates their trips into five main categories:

1. Relaxed: These trips are ideal for new adventurers with no background in active travel. They usually involve easy hikes - expect to walk no more than 3 miles a day, and to be active between 1-3 hours a day. Elevation changes are rare, so most hiking and walking is relatively flat. Great for families with young kids looking to enjoy being out in the fresh air!

2. Easy Active: Another good option for families or slightly older travelers looking to push their limits. These trips are active and exciting without being extreme. Expect to be active between 2-5 hours a day, hiking up to 6 miles; cycling between 10-30 miles.

3. Moderate: Here’s where it begins to get more challenging - though REI states that these trips are perfectly doable for novices to outdoor travel. Expect to be active between 4-6 hours most days, and covering distances of up to 10 miles for hiking; between 20-40 miles for cycling.

3a. Moderate plus: Moderate plus indicates that some experience in active outdoor travel would be beneficial. These trips are a combination of Moderate and Vigorous activities.

4. Vigorous: These trips are best suited to those travelers with a bit of active travel already under their belt, and basic outdoor travel skills are recommended. Or at least willing to undergo some training to be ready and able to keep up with the group. You’ll be active for between 5-8 hours a day, hiking 12 miles most days; cycling between 30-50 miles.

5. Strenuous: This designation is reserved for long distance trekking, dramatic changes in elevation, and it is required that travelers be fit and able bodied. A doctor’s note is required for you to be permitted on these tours. Expect consistently uneven terrain, and long days of activity - hiking 12 miles or more, or cycling 50 miles or more. Prepare to be active upwards of 10 hours a day.

Why REI Adventures?

Arizona national park tour REI Adventures

For an exhilarating and invigorating deep dive into nature and the outdoors, choose REI Adventures. If you love being active and pushing your limits with activities like climbing, white water rafting or mountain biking, you’ll feel right at home with REI.

With nature and outdoors travel comes a lower level of luxury. Most accommodations include camping and rustic lodges. REI travelers embrace the sleeping arrangements and even joy the extra level of immersion into the outdoors. If the idea of sleeping in a tent or potentially not having running water isn’t the level of luxury you’re looking for when you travel, REI adventures may not be for you.

Traveler in Iceland with REI Adventures

REI Adventures doesn’t have a big focus on museums, history or classic tourist attractions. If you love the outdoors and being active when you travel, REI is the perfect tour operator for you. They specialize in active adventure travel, as evidenced by their outfitters, so if you love shopping at REI for all your outdoor needs you’re sure to enjoy touring with them too.

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About the company

What they’re known for
Guided tours for small groups of adventurous travelers wanting a physically active and exciting experience in the great outdoors.

At REI, we love to get outside and play, and we know first-hand the importance of quality outdoor gear. We stand behind all our products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and we design our own line of award-winning REI brand gear and clothing. Whether you're new to outdoor adventure or a seasoned pro, we gladly share our enthusiasm for our products—and the trails, slopes and waterways where we play.

Each year, REI donates millions of dollars to support conservation efforts nationwide and sends dedicated teams of volunteers—members, customers and REI employees—to build trails, clean up beaches, restore local habitats and more. Through responsible business practices across the company, we strive to reduce our environmental footprint.

What began as a group of 23 mountain climbing buddies is now the nation's largest consumer cooperative. But no matter how large we grow, our roots remain firmly planted in the outdoors. Our passion for outdoor adventure is clear, whether you visit any of our stores across the country, phone us, or interact with us online.

By staying true to our roots, we've earned a place on Fortune magazine's list of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" every year since the rankings began in 1998. We work hard to earn our reputation for quality and integrity every day. Our core purpose guides everything we do: we all work to inspire, educate and outfit for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship.

Why has REI offered adventure travel trips for more than 25 years? To get people outdoors! It's really that simple. For us, getting people outdoors is our mission, our goal, and our passion. And it's been that way for over 75 years! So whether you dream of cycling the winding roads of Zion National Park, exploring the unique flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands, trekking through the Himalayas, or joining us for a close-to-home weekend getaway, we're here to help you live that dream. With more than 150 different trips on every continent, you're sure to land on the trip of a lifetime, every time you travel with us.

REI Style Defined

Fantastic Travel Companions:

One of the best parts of travel is who you meet along the journey. With an REI Adventures trip, you have a head start because you're traveling with fellow REI members who more than likely share your values and your passion to explore the world around you. Not only will you make connections with local people across the globe, you'll be traveling with new friends that you'll want to keep for life.

Active Trips that Explore the World:

We can take you to all the places you've always wanted to go, to do the activities you love. You will be immersed in the natural beauty and culture of a place. And we do it in the REI way, welcoming those serendipitous travel moments that can't be planned and ultimately result in your best stories and memories from a trip. Chance encounters with wildlife, conversations with local residents, camaraderie with active like-minded travelers—these are the hallmarks of an REI Adventures trip.

Guides Worth Following:

Travel with us and you'll get to know a place like the back of your hand. You'll plunge into a region with access only a resident guide can offer. Our guides are musicians and scientist, Sherpas and chefs, each one passionate about the outdoors. Follow our guides away from the beaten path and you'll discover the unexpected. There's a world of truth and beauty waiting out there that's not found in any guidebook.

Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff:

Every REI Adventures journey begins with one of our travel-savvy staff. When you call, you'll get first-hand knowledge about your trip. Not only can REI tell you what to bring and how to prepare for your adventure—we do know a thing or two about gear—we'll also share our own passion for the destination and the activities you'll be doing. You can trust our knowledge and attention to detail to make your trip the best you've ever taken.

REI Adventures Trips & Specials

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Awards

  • Backpacker awarded the "2010 Editors' Choice Gold" to the REI Half Dome 2 Tent
  • Outside Magazine awarded the "2010 Gear of the Year" to the REI Half Dome 2 Plus Tent
  • Listed on Fortune magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" every year since the magazine began compiling the list in 1998.

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