“Our travelers tell us they love active adventures, but don’t always feel they can accomplish a more difficult itinerary, be that out of personal interest or time to physically train for a more intense trip. To meet that need, we’ve expanded our offerings in the easy active category with 14 new itineraries. So far the response has been exciting and we look forward to growing the collection to inspire a life outside,” says Cynthia Dunbar, general manager of REI Adventures.
“For the past decade, thousands of families–from parents and their children to multiple generations of a family–have trusted REI to broaden their perspective of the world through transformational experiences where they meet local communities, learn about cultures and historical places and participate in daily outdoor activities.”
REI Adventures Discover Thailand Chiang Mai to River Kwai: Enjoy 10 days of relaxed adventure from the mountains of Chiang Mai to vibrant Bangkok. (PRNewsfoto/REI Adventures)
Easy Active
Like all of REI Adventures’ itineraries, the company’s easy active trips are centered on experiencing a destination through daily activity but at a more relaxed pace. The itineraries are ideal for those new to active travel, as well as adventurers who have previously participated in a higher intensity trips but seek lower impact and fewer miles covered each day.
Discover Thailand – Chiang Mai to River Kwai: From the northern mountains of Chiang Mai to vibrant Bangkok, travelers experience Thailand’s natural beauty and remarkable culture over 10 days. Guests hike in lush forests and among the village homelands of the Hmong hill tribes, kayak the historic River Kwai, bike to temple ruins in Ayutthaya, and zip-line through jungle canopies. Other highlights include bathing rescued elephants and a street food tour of Chiang Mai’s famous night market.
Four Corners Hiking – Discover the American Southwest: Discover the dramatic landscapes and cultural sites of the Four Corners over seven days–Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. Hike in iconic Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly National Monument with local guides and First Nation community members while learning about geology and Native American history and traditions of the Colorado Plateau. The group will also explore the renowned ruins at Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde National Park to learn about the ancestral Puebloans who once inhabited the arid land. The adventure continues with a whitewater rafting trip down the San Juan River along the edge of Bear’s Ears National Monument.
Croatia Island Hopper: Available in early February, REI’s new eight-day itinerary is ideal for anyone who relishes the sun and sea. Discover the laidback Mediterranean lifestyle and beauty of the Dalmatian Coast while exploring on foot, by bike and by boat at a relaxed pace. Starting in historic Dubrovnik, board a catamaran to the idyllic Elafiti Islands, with sand beaches backed by lush hills of pine forest. Other highlights include a bike ride around the turquoise blue lakes of Mljet Island National Park, casual lunches in small fishing villages and outdoor cafes and strolling through 12th century fortresses, Gothic palaces and traffic-free marble streets.
REI Adventures Family Great Smoky Mountains Hiking Weekend: Create lasting outdoor memories while exploring some of the park’s best trails and renowned sites over three days of hiking. (PRNewsfoto/REI Adventures)
Family Adventures
Many of REI Adventures’ family itineraries introduced a decade ago remain popular, including active trips to the Galapagos Islands, Costa Rica, Thailand and the San Juan Islands in Washington state. Last year, the company experienced 56 percent growth in the number of guests traveling with its family adventure collection. Today, with nearly 20 itineraries to destinations around the world, trips remain focused on active adventure in the outdoors. New trips for 2018 include:
Olympic National Park Family Adventure: Over five days, explore the park’s remarkable diversity, from scenic beaches and lush rainforests to glacier-capped peaks. It’s no wonder why the park is a designated World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve. Explore the emerald old growth of the Hoh Rain Forest, marvel at the tide pools along the dramatic wilderness coast and hike among the Olympic peaks of Hurricane Ridge. While soaking in nature at a deluxe campsite, guests relax in private tents or chat about the day around the campfire while local REI guides thoughtfully prepare every meal. REI Adventures remains the largest operator of national park trips in the country. For those not traveling with kids under 18, other new itineraries include Olympic National Park Hiking & Camping and Olympic National Park Hiking – Lodge-based.
Family Great Smoky Mountains Hiking Weekend: Create lasting outdoor memories while exploring some of the park’s best trails and renowned sites, such as Greenbrier – home to the park’s oldest trees and tallest waterfall. Kids and adults alike will earn their trail names while on a portion of the iconic Appalachian Trail, and will marvel at wildlife at Cades Cove. REI’s local guides always inspire an appreciation for conservation while sharing their vast knowledge of the plants, fungi and animals that make this park the most biologically diverse of any U.S. national park. Evenings are spent at REI’s private Signature Camp with oversized tents, cots and amenities galore. REI Adventures also offers a five-day Great Smoky Mountains Family Adventure that adds an adrenaline-filled day of zip-lining and rafting the Nantahala River.
Tanzania Family Adventure & Safari: Spend nine exciting days exploring the country’s vibrant culture and captivating wildlife reserves where the seemingly endless savannah, punctuated with grand acacia trees, teems with wildlife of all shapes and sizes. REI’s family safari mixes fun activities with visits to Tanzania’s premier wildlife parks, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Families visit a traditional Maasai village and hike with warriors to the top of the Rift Valley Escarpment. With kid-friendly, comfortable lodging along the way, the whole family can enjoy a safari dream come true.
Throughout the year, REI Adventures will continue to launch new itineraries designed to immerse travelers in the outdoors through active adventure, highlighting each destination’s historical significance and unique cultural and environmental treasures.
About REI Adventures
Award-winning REI Adventures has been a global leader in worldwide guided active adventure trips since 1987. As the travel business for national specialty outdoor retailer REI, the company offers unique itineraries focused on sustainable, human-powered outdoor adventure, including hiking, biking, kayaking, climbing and more. Guests experience iconic destinations as guides take them off the “beaten path” and provide opportunities to explore a destination, get to know the local people, their culture, the flora and fauna and discover things they would not be able to duplicate on their own or with another travel company. REI members receive a special discount price on most trips. For more information, full itineraries and trip reviews provided by guests, visit http://www.rei.com/adventures.
Photos courtesy REI
