EF Adventures Partners with Outdoor Gear Retailer for New Active Tour Collection

Tour operator EF Adventures has partnered with Backcountry, an outdoor gear retailer, to launch a new collection of active itineraries. 

There will be four trips with one departure each in 2027, starting with an itinerary in Backcountry’s home state of Utah, then continuing with trips in the Dolomites, Patagonia, and Norway. As part of journeys in The EF Adventures x Backcountry Collection, guests will be introduced to one of Backcountry’s Gearheads, who will help them purchase the property equipment for the trip. The itineraries also include: 

• A dedicated Backcountry Gearhead for one-on-one gear, layering and packing guidance ahead of departure 

• A curated, itinerary-specific gear list built by Backcountry’s outdoor experts 

• Select Backcountry gear provided for use on tour, matched to each destination’s terrain and conditions 

• A 15% Backcountry discount and Summit Club+ access 

• A co-branded welcome kit 

• A full-time EF Adventures Tour Director, plus local guides, throughout the itinerary 

“Our travelers come to EF Adventures because they want more from an active trip – incredible experiences in the outdoors, but also a deeper connection to the places, cultures and people they encounter along the way, guided by experts and local guides who bring each destination to life,” said Heidi Durflinger, CEO of EF World Journeys, operator of EF Adventures. “Our partnership with Backcountry extends that experience to how travelers prepare for the adventure ahead. Confidence on the trail or on the water starts long before the trip begins, and connecting every traveler with a Gearhead who understands exactly what their adventure will need in terms of apparel or equipment gives them a new level of personalized support. Starting the collection in Utah, on Backcountry’s home ground, felt like the perfect place to begin — and from there, we can’t wait to help travelers explore this beautiful world.”   

EF World Journeys also recently announced that it will be creating a travel advisor program for its three tour operator brands: EF Adventures, EF Go Ahead Tours, and EF Ultimate Break.  

Here is some more information about each of the new active itineraries: 

American Southwest Hiking with Backcountry: Sedona, the Grand Canyon & Zion is a seven-day tour, with an option for a Zion National Park region extension to nine days. It departs April 25, 2027. Activity Level: Moderate. 

The trip includes hiking Sedona’s red-rock formations, descending the Grand Canyon, and finishing among the sandstone walls and slot canyons of Zion National Park. The optional extension includes a visit to hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. 

Norway Multi-Adventure with Backcountry: Bergen & the Sognefjord Region is a nine-day trip departing on July 15, 2027. Activity Level: Intermediate.  

The multi-sport itinerary in western Norway’s fjord country begins in the harbor city of Bergen and works inland through the Sognefjord region, combining hiking, glacier travel, and paddling in one trip. 

Italy Hiking with Backcountry: The Dolomites is an 11-day tour departing Aug. 21, 2027. Activity Level: Intermediate. 

Set in the limestone towers of northern Italy, guests will have the opportunity to hike and learn about the region’s mountaineering heritage. The trip includes a visit to the Messner Mountain Museum, founded by the first climber to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen. 

Chile & Argentina Hiking with Backcountry: Patagonia is a 14-day itinerary departing Nov. 4, 2027. Activity Level: Challenging. 

The trip takes high-level hikers through the granite spires of Torres del Paine and out onto the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Guests should expect “big mileage days, remote terrain, and weather that can turn several times before lunch.” 

Each of these itineraries has a “Backcountry signature moment” to make the journey extra special, as well as recommended gear. Backcountry’s Gearheads stand ready to help guests make the best picks for their upcoming trips. 

“We’ve spent thirty years helping people figure out what they actually need for the conditions they’re heading into, and the honest answer is that most gear questions are really trip questions,” said Kevin Lenau, president of Backcountry. “These four itineraries gave us something specific to solve for, glacier travel in Norway, wind and rain in Patagonia, sun and heat in the Southwest. Our Gearheads get to work with travelers on a real adventure with a real date on it and then see them use the gear where it matters. Having the collection start in Utah, in our own backyard, makes it that much better.”