For decades, outdoor enthusiasts have turned to Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) Adventures for expertly guided explorations of breathtaking landscapes. Rei Travel Trips, synonymous with active vacations in iconic locations like Denali National Park, became a trusted choice for those seeking immersive hiking, cycling, and multi-sport experiences. However, recent news has shaken the active travel industry: REI is discontinuing its Adventures program, leaving many travelers seeking alternatives for their planned excursions.
This announcement marks the end of an era for REI’s travel division, a venture that has served approximately 40,000 customers annually. In a public statement, REI’s CEO Eric Artz explained the difficult decision to exit the “Experiences business,” effective immediately. For those with existing bookings, REI has pledged full refunds and is addressing associated non-refundable expenses. The sudden closure, while disappointing for loyal customers, underscores shifts within the travel sector and opens doors for other established adventure travel companies to step in.
The active travel market, encompassing guided hiking and cycling tours, has witnessed significant growth, fueled by increasing interest in fitness, outdoor adventures, and experiential travel, particularly post-pandemic. The demand for well-organized trips to stunning natural destinations remains robust. Fortunately, the cessation of REI travel trips does not signify a lack of options, but rather a pivot in the landscape of providers.
One immediate solution for travelers impacted by the REI Adventures closure is to explore alternative operators offering similar itineraries and destinations. While replicating exact dates and trips might require some flexibility, the active travel industry is well-populated with reputable companies ready to cater to those seeking guided National Park experiences. For air travel already booked, most non-budget airline tickets offer flexibility for changes, allowing travelers to redirect their flights toward new adventures.
In a swift response to the REI announcement, MT Sobek, a veteran adventure travel company with roots dating back to 1969, declared its intention to adopt many of the cancelled REI itineraries, maintaining original dates to ensure a seamless transition for affected customers. This proactive approach highlights the agility and customer-centric nature of the active travel community.
REI Adventures carved a unique niche within the active travel sphere. It distinguished itself by offering a greater variety of shorter duration trips, including popular 4-day getaways, contrasting with the industry norm of 5-day or longer expeditions. Furthermore, REI provided diverse lodging options, ranging from immersive camping experiences to comfortable rustic lodges and more upscale hotels, appealing to a broad spectrum of travel preferences and budgets. Notably, REI was also a frontrunner in offering women-only departures, acknowledging and catering to the growing trend of female-focused adventure travel.
However, perhaps the most defining characteristic of REI travel trips was its geographic focus. While many prominent active travel companies operate globally, REI Adventures concentrated primarily on North America, with a strong emphasis on the U.S. National Parks. For individuals seeking expertly guided hiking experiences in iconic parks like the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Acadia, or Great Smoky Mountains, REI was often a top recommendation. This National Park specialization made REI travel trips exceptionally appealing for domestic adventurers.
For those now seeking alternatives to REI travel trips, Backroads emerges as a leading contender, closely mirroring REI’s expertise, particularly in National Park destinations. As the oldest and largest active travel company in the United States, Backroads, established in 1979, boasts a long-standing reputation for excellence. While Backroads positions itself as a luxury operator, offering a more upscale experience than REI Adventures, it shares considerable overlap in trip styles and destinations, particularly in shorter trips, women-only departures, and U.S. National Park adventures. Backroads offers hiking, cycling, and multi-sport options, often within the same National Parks previously featured by REI. For instance, Backroads presents a compelling alternative to the Banff to Jasper cycling tour, a route formerly offered by REI, providing varied distance options and luxurious accommodations in the region’s premier hotels.
G Adventures presents another viable option, particularly for travelers seeking a wider range of price points and travel styles. G Adventures covers numerous National Parks in the U.S. and Canada, offering both camping and hotel-based trips, often at a more budget-friendly price point compared to Backroads. While some G Adventures itineraries blend National Park visits with broader tourism experiences, their Alaska offerings, including Denali National Park expeditions, directly parallel former REI travel trips.
Sister companies Country Walkers and VBT Bicycling Vacations further enrich the landscape of alternatives to REI travel trips. Country Walkers specializes in guided hiking tours, featuring destinations like Bryce and Zion National Parks, Olympic National Park, Acadia National Park, and Banff National Park – all classic REI destinations. VBT Bicycling Vacations focuses on cycling tours, including routes in Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Banff, among other parks.
While numerous other exceptional active travel companies exist, many do not concentrate specifically on the domestic National Parks market that REI Adventures so effectively served. Therefore, Backroads, G Adventures, Country Walkers, and VBT represent the most direct and readily available substitutes for those seeking to reimagine their planned REI travel trips and continue exploring the natural wonders of North America.
The departure of REI from the guided travel sector creates a void, but also an opportunity. The robust demand for active travel experiences, especially in National Parks, remains undiminished. Travelers seeking to replace their REI travel trips will find a diverse and capable array of alternative providers ready to guide them on their next adventure.
