Travel FAQ

REI has offered the finest in outdoor gear since 1938. In that same spirit, REI Adventures has led the way down wilderness paths and far-off back roads since 1987.

We have adventures that range from weekend getaways to week-long experiences. We'll explore the outdoors on foot, by kayak, canoe or raft, bicycle, small boat or a combination! Novices are welcome. We can teach you to kayak or to safely summit a mountain.

This website provides full details of each trip. If you still have questions, please call us at 1-800-622-2236 or e-mail us at travel@rei.com.

Our travelers love the outdoors and want to experience new things and inspiring places! Our trips usually have a good mix of genders, and ages vary depending on a number of factors, including activity level, duration and price. People join us from all over the world—your traveling companions are just like the people you'd meet at an REI store.

We keep our groups small — usually 16 participants or fewer. Our minimum is typically four, but it varies by trip.

About half of our trip participants are individuals traveling alone. We also have people traveling with a friend, a spouse or their entire family.

Note: Prices are based on double occupancy. If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the single supplement fee. There is no single supplement fee for those willing to share accommodations, though, and we will assign you a roommate if one is available (some exceptions apply, see individual trip details for more information).

Please also note that there are a limited number of single accommodations available and that some trips with certain lodging options (such as tent camping or dormitory-styled accommodations) may not offer single accommodations, regardless of a customer's willingness to pay a supplemental fee.

Please review our Solo Travel page for further details and current policies.

Adventure travel and physical comfort can go hand-in-hand. Join us for a hike through the breathtaking red rock landscape of Sedona, and you’ll sleep in boutique hotels and dine in local restaurants each night. If you prefer mountaineering, these amenities will, of course, be unavailable. That said, our camping trip arrangements are exceptional and comfortable. For example, our Signature Camping trips provide spacious sleeping tents, a dining tent, a shower tent or bathrooms (where available), and a variety of REI camp furniture—from deluxe chairs and loungers to cozy hammocks. Even the most camping-averse people can find comfort here!

Some REI Adventures trips can accommodate young people who are accompanied and supervised by a legal guardian and who can handle the physical and emotional requirements of the trip. Our REI Adventures staff can discuss whether a trip is suitable for your child. See our family trips for adventures offered for participants of all ages.

Yes. We offer private departures for all kinds of groups, including couples, families and friends, clubs and organizations. See our private departures page for details.

REI Adventures finds knowledgeable local experts to lead our trips. These guides know their terrain intimately, and are enthusiastic and accommodating. They 'show you the ropes' and encourage you every step of the way. Take a look at our guides page for more details.

Tipping is a customary practice in the guided travel industry and, while entirely voluntary, it is deeply appreciated by your guides. If you feel your guide(s) provided exceptional service and would like to recognize their efforts, a recommended gratuity is 10-20% of the trip cost. This amount can be divided among the guides and is typically given directly at the end of the trip or during the farewell dinner on the final night.

Please note that guides are unable to accept gratuities via credit card. Some guides may offer electronic payment options such as Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal. Not every guide has this option; we encourage you to bring cash to ensure you are prepared to tip if you choose to do so.

Usually all you need to bring is your personal gear. We provide a gear list outlining needed clothing and equipment for each trip on our website. The gear list is also available through your Online Traveler Profile. For the majority of our trips, we provide the rest: tents, rafting gear, sea kayaking, commissary and camping gear, etc.

On hotel- and inn-based trips, we dine in local restaurants and have the pleasure of experiencing a variety of local cuisine. We eat well on our camping trips, too, which feature an abundance of fresh, delicious food. On our high-altitude climbing trips, we use a combination of fresh and freeze-dried food. All water used for cooking and drinking is purified by filter or it's boiled. We can also accommodate special dietary requests (vegetarian, food allergies, etc.). Please refer to the specific trip itinerary for a list of which meals are included on your trip.

Relaxed (1) :

Adventure Travel at its most relaxed pace.

• Activity: 1-3 hours most days
• Distances: walk less than 3 miles most days
• Surfaces: flat terrain
• Elevation change: little to none
• Altitude: less than 3,000 ft

Easy Active (2):

Great for newcomers to active travel.

• Activity: 2-5 hours most days
• Distances: Hike up to 6 miles, cycle 10-30 miles most days
• Surfaces: flat or rolling terrain with some steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
• Elevation change: up to 2,000 ft/day
• Altitude: up to 6,000 ft

Moderate (3):

For outdoor novices and above.

• Activity: 4-6 hours most days
• Distances: Hike up to 10 miles most days, cycle 20-40 miles most days
• Surfaces: rolling or mountainous terrain with some steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
• Elevation change: up to 3,000 ft/day
• Altitude: up to 10,000 ft

Moderate Plus (3) (4): for travelers seeking both moderate (3) and vigorous (4) activity levels.

• Please refer to daily trip itineraries for specifics.

Vigorous (4):

Recommended for fit travelers with basic skills

• Activity: 5-8 hours most days
• Distances: Hike up to 12 miles most days, cycle 30-50 miles most days
• Surfaces: mountainous, exposed terrain with steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
• Elevation change: up to 4,000 ft/day
• Altitude: up to 14,000 ft.
• Experience may be required

Strenuous (5):

Designed for very fit travelers.

• Activity: 10+ hours/day
• Distances: Hike 12 or more miles most days, cycle 50 or more miles most days
• Surfaces: remote, mountainous, exposed terrain with steep ascents/descents, uneven trails with loose features.
• Elevation change: up to 4,000 ft/day
• Altitude: may well exceed 14,000 ft
• Experience is required

Although you do not need to be an REI member to go on an REI Adventures trip, REI members do get a substantial discount.

You can, whether by purchasing a specific trip or an REI Gift Card which can be applied to any of our trips. There's also our REI Adventures' Gift Registry, which can be used for any occasion — a wedding present, honeymoon trip, graduation gift, birthday or any other celebration. For more information on our Gift Registry, please call us at 1-800-622-2236.

No. REI Adventures trips aren't included in the member refund portion of the Co-op Member Reward. However, the special REI member pricing discount is approximately equal to the amount which would be received as a dividend.

Yes. REI Adventures trips are included in the 5% REI Co-op World Mastercard® reward program.

TripAssure Travel Insurance Services has specialized in travel insurance programs since 1961. For unforeseen circumstances that may arise, we strongly recommend the purchase of the Adventure Protection Plan. TripAssure offers Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance for REI Adventures. This pays for loss due to covered unforeseen circumstances or death, injury or illness of you or a family member. TripAssure also covers emergency medical transportation and medical expenses. REI Adventures recommends that you purchase this customized insurance policy that meets the needs of an active traveler.

Camaraderie is a big part of REI Adventures trips. Your fellow travelers are also REI members: people who enjoy being active and exploring the outdoors. We encourage you to carefully review the trip information in order to make good decisions about which trips are right for you.
Keep in mind that different travelers will have different goals, perspectives, experiences and abilities. With that in mind, we ask that the group respect each individual's conditions and needs throughout the trip. We want everyone to enjoy themselves to the fullest. Often, trip participants become lifelong friends.
By participating in an REI Adventures trip, you assume certain obligations to REI Adventures and the other trip members. It is your responsibility to:
REI Adventures reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a tour participant should such person's behavior, health or mental condition impede the operation of the trip.
Medical Considerations: If you have any medical or psychological conditions, it's very important that you let us know well before departure so that we can work with you as much as possible. Trip leaders have the right to disqualify anyone at any time during the trip if they feel the trip member is incapable of continuing and/or if a trip member's continued participation jeopardizes the group's or the individual's own safety. Under these circumstances, refunds are not given.
OUR LEGAL LIMITATIONS-PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
REI Adventures may contract with independent contractors to provide transportation, guide services and/or all other related travel services. We assume no responsibility, however caused, for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service provided by an independent contractor or resulting directly from the following: - acts of God - detention - annoyance - terrorism - thefts - pilferage - force majeure - civil disturbances - government restrictions or regulations - strikes - delays and expenses arising from quarantine - failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled - discrepancies or change in transit or hotel services over which we have no control.
We reserve the right to make reasonable changes in the itinerary where deemed necessary or advisable for the comfort and well-being of trip members.
By advancing payment to REI Adventures, the payee thereby agrees to be bound by the above terms and conditions.

Reserving a trip is easy! Sign up online or call us at 1-800-622-2236. Our group sizes are small, though, so departures frequently sell out months in advance.

A deposit is required at the time of booking, which is fully refundable until 90 days before your departure. Your final payment must be made no later than two months before your departure. A few trips have special deposit/payment policies, which you'll find on the trip itinerary page. You can make payments online or by giving us a call at 1-800-622-2236.

All prices quoted are in US dollars and subject to change. Payments must be made in US dollars, and we accept Visa®, Mastercard®, American Express® and Discover®. To apply your REI Co-op Member Reward or an REI gift card as payment toward the purchase of your trip, you'll need to book by phone.

Yes, we offer lots of flexibility in payment for your trip. Just a $400 per person deposit secures your spot at the time of booking, and your deposit is fully refundable until 90 days before your departure. Your balance is due in full by no later than two months before your departure, and you can login to your online traveler profile anytime, or call us during business hours, to make a payment in any amount at your convenience.

Trips do not earn Co-op Member Rewards, but REI members do receive special pricing. You can apply your Co-op Member Reward as payment toward the purchase of any trip.

Yes! REI Adventures travelers are entitled to a discount to be applied towards their next REI Adventures trip. Travel with us within the following year and you'll save $50 on your trip!

You don't have to be an REI member to go on an REI Adventures trip, but REI members enjoy many benefits, including a yearly member refund, discounts on rental gear and special pricing on REI Adventures trips. To learn more about the advantages of REI membership and to join REI, see our membership page or call 1-800-426-4840.

If you decide to cancel your trip, the following fees apply and are due to REI Adventures at the time (prior to departure) we receive notice of your cancellation.

Some trips have specific cancellation fees, which are noted on the trip itinerary. Please see specific trip itineraries for details.

To protect your investment, we recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance.

If you decide to transfer to another trip, the following fees apply and are due to REI Adventures at the time (prior to departure) we receive your request to transfer.

Some trips have specific transfer fees, which are noted on the trip itinerary. Please see specific trip itineraries for details.

If a transferred reservation is later cancelled, the original applicable cancellation penalties will apply.

To protect your investment, we recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance.

Sometimes life happens, and you need to cancel your trip or return home early. REI Adventures cannot issue refunds in many cases. Travel insurance helps protect against last-minute cancellation, trip interruption and to cover medical treatment or emergency medical evacuation during your trip. We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance in advance of your trip. Give us a call if you have any questions about trip insurance: 1-800-622-2236

REI Adventures reserves the right to cancel all or a portion of a trip. In the event of such a cancellation, full or partial refunds, if any, will be at REI's sole discretion. REI is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by you in preparing for the trip (including non-refundable air tickets, visa fees, gear or medical expenses, etc.).

Each trip requires a minimum number of participants. If we sign up enough participants to run a trip, the trip is confirmed, and we'll alert travelers so they can purchase their airfare. Many of our departures confirm with as few as four trip participants.

In most cases, if a trip doesn't have enough participants, you may either transfer to another departure date or trip, be refunded your deposit or you might be able to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer participants.

REI Adventures doesn't give any refunds for unused hotel rooms, meals, sightseeing trips or trek arrangements. Trip price is quoted as a package; credits are not given for services not used.

Our prices are land costs only; airfare is additional.

If you're looking for the best price, we suggest contacting your preferred airlines directly or searching online for airline tickets.

Every REI guide has wilderness medicine and CPR training. If needed, they can provide immediate aid to participants. Depending on the severity of the injury or illness, participants could be evacuated from the trip to a medical facility or other nearby location to receive advanced care. Any additional costs associated with medical treatment, evacuation or transportation would be your responsibility, which is one of the many reasons we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance.

Yes, our programs are designed to support a wide range of experiences and abilities. We understand that each participant is unique, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. Our experienced guides are trained to handle various health situations; in addition, we'll work closely with you to try to address any specific concerns or requirements related to your condition. If you have any of these pre-existing conditions, including but not limited to pregnancy, diabetes, seizure disorder, cardiac conditions, recent injury, severe allergies, serious mobility problems, or any condition which might necessitate a medical evacuation, please consult with your health care provider to decide if our program is suitable for you. If you have specific questions or require accommodations related to your pre-existing medical condition, please contact us during the registration process. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience safe and fulfilling outdoor adventures; choosing the best trip for you and your condition is where that starts.

Our guests are no longer required to test for COVID-19 if they exhibit flu-like symptoms during their trip. Depending on your level of concern, you may wear a mask or stay at a distance from another guest with flu-like symptoms. Should anyone in the group test positive for a respiratory illness during the trip, CDC recommendations regarding respiratory illness such as COVID-19, influenza, or RSV will be followed. In the event a medical practitioner recommends you discontinue travel or not join your trip due to an illness, we recommend trip insurance to help protect your travel investment. Since Covid-19-era travel restrictions have been removed, COVID-19 will be treated in the same way as any other illness when resolving claims.

Anyone who has taken one of our trips is encouraged to submit an online trip review of your REI Adventures trip experiences.

No. We won't publish reviews that contain offensive/inappropriate material, have personally identifiable information, contain specific pricing or vendor references, are irrelevant to the trip or are not written in English.

A third party moderator reads all reviews for appropriateness, so please allow at least five business days in most cases for your review to be approved and published.

Please provide honest feedback about the trip based on your personal experiences. If you plan on mentioning fellow trip members, guides or REI Adventures staff, please give only their first names.