Travelers looking to combine adventure, cultural exploration and the right outdoor gear will have a new resource this summer as EF Adventures and Backcountry launch a strategic partnership designed to connect guided travel with expert equipment recommendations.
EF Adventures, a guided tour operator focused on active travelers, has named Backcountry its preferred outdoor-gear partner and introduced the co-branded Backcountry Tour Collection. The collaboration will offer travelers curated itineraries, gear guidance, loyalty benefits and exclusive savings aimed at simplifying the process of planning active vacations.
The partnership will feature co-branded departures combining EF Adventures’ focus on exploration and cultural immersion with Backcountry’s outdoor expertise. Select trips will include Backcountry athletes, while Backcountry customers will have access to exclusive deals and booking upgrades on select hiking, biking and multi-adventure tours.
EF Adventures travelers will also gain access to Backcountry Summit Plus, the retailer’s loyalty program, while eligible Backcountry customers can receive savings on select EF Adventures trips.
Another component of the partnership is curated gear lists developed with Backcountry’s Gearhead team. Travelers booking qualifying Backcountry Tour Collection itineraries will be able to review recommended equipment and take advantage of exclusive deals on qualifying purchases.
The program covers a range of active travel experiences, including a 14-day journey along Bhutan’s Trans Bhutan Trail. The hiking itinerary takes travelers through the Eastern Himalayas, with stops at ancient monasteries, including Tiger’s Nest, as well as opportunities to interact with local communities.
Recommended gear for the Bhutan trip includes Altra Timp 6 Mid GTX boots, a Tahoe Sun Hoodie and a Gregory Citro 24L Daypack.
Cyclists can turn to the eight-day Dolomites & Italian Alps tour, which features climbs associated with the Giro d’Italia and routes through mountain passes including the Sella Ronda circuit, Passo dello Stelvio and Passo Gavia. Backcountry recommendations include the Rab Phantom Rain Jacket, Assos Mille S11 GT Bibs and Oakley Sutro Lite Prizm Sunglasses.
For travelers seeking multiple activities, the 15-day North & South Islands adventure in New Zealand combines hiking, kayaking, e-biking, rafting and cultural experiences. Highlights include blackwater rafting through Waitomo’s glowworm caves, hiking in Tongariro National Park, kayaking in Milford Sound and learning about Māori traditions.
Recommended equipment includes the Osprey Talon 22L Daypack, La Sportiva Nucleo II GTX Boots and Nocs Field Issue Binoculars.
To introduce the partnership, EF Adventures is also hosting a sweepstakes from June 23 through June 30, 2026. One grand-prize winner will receive an EF Adventures tour for two valued at up to $20,000, including economy airfare and double-occupancy accommodations, along with a $2,000 Backcountry gift card.
The collaboration reflects the growing intersection between travel and outdoor retail, giving active travelers a way to coordinate where they are going with what they need to get there.