This article first appeared in our sister publication Shop Eat Surf Outdoor (SESO)
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.”
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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.
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, in a statement. “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.
