Adventure tour operator Intrepid Travel just announced a new partnership with beloved outdoor retailer REI (in operation since 1938, the latter is a member-owned cooperative that boasts more than 25 million members).
It’s a value-aligned partnership that will ideally attract sustainability-minded travelers — a market that continues to grow, according to recent industry data. Intrepid has championed responsible travel for years, planning climate-conscious trips that bolster in-destination communities and raising funds to support local causes around the world through The Intrepid Foundation. Similarly, the REI Cooperative Action Fund, which debuted in 2021, supports nonprofits that make the outdoors more accessible and inclusive. The fund has invested nearly $36 million in more than 500 U.S. nonprofits with that aim.
“This is a great opportunity for our two brands to come together,” said Leigh Barnes, president of the Americas for Intrepid. “REI does a lot of great work with their Fund. And we want to help their members get outside and see the world.”
Bookings for the duo’s two collections of trips will open on Jan. 1, 2026, and 1% of sales proceeds will support the REI Cooperative Action Fund. The REI Exclusive Collection will include 25 trips, and destinations will range from Chile to California. All trips will be led by Intrepid’s trusted local experts. Unsurprisingly, the portfolio will offer ample opportunities for clients to get outside, including alpine treks, multi-sport adventures and women-led expeditions. While any client can book from this collection, REI members will receive a 15% discount on Exclusive trips.
Meanwhile, the REI Recommended Collection will include more than 50 trips across 32 countries. REI members who book from this collection will receive a 20% off coupon to put toward future REI purchases.
Many of the partnership trips highlight U.S. National Parks.
Credit: 2025 Intrepid TravelClients should also know that Intrepid will draw from its current trip styles, from Basix to Premium, to ensure that travelers can choose the comfort level that’s right for them.
Barnes says he is eager to see the collections open, and notes that departures will likely begin in May of 2026, with itineraries ranging from three to 14 days long. Cultural tours in Morocco, trekking in Patagonia and an itinerary that gets travelers to Mount Everest base camp are among exciting offerings.
“We've been able to develop some amazing trips,” Barnes said. “But my favorite one might be [exploring] the John Muir Trail, which is an iconic American holiday.”
The John Muir Trail cuts runs through California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, where trekkers are likely to walk through fields of wildflowers and stand in awe at the alpine lakes and majestic peaks that inspired Muir himself. These kinds of outdoor experiences are what the partnership aims to provide.
“We know REI members are seeking unique, authentic and meaningful travel experiences grounded in community,” Barnes said. “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.”
