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Mountain Kora

The Scramble to Align with REI | Mountain Kora Adventures Offers Alternatives

lake oeschinensee switzerland

Mountain Kora group hiking down to Lake Oeschinensee, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland.

The recent closure of REI’s Experiences branch sent ripples through the adventure travel industry. For years, REI Adventures was a trusted name for outdoor enthusiasts, offering trips designed to connect travelers with nature and local cultures. With approximately 400 jobs lost and 40,000 travelers left with canceled trips, this decision is a significant shake-up. However, as REI steps back from this space, it creates a void—and an opportunity.

 

The Reflex Reaction to REI’s Departure

Predictably, some of REI’s closest competitors have rushed to fill the gap, touting their ability to replicate REI’s offerings. In a recent blog, Wildland Trekking announced that 74% of their tours closely compare to REI’s, branding them as “replacement” tours. Similarly, MT Sobek highlighted their ability to offer “many of the same itineraries, guides, and experiences, often on identical dates” in recent posts.

This reaction of the adventure travel community is reminiscent of a few years ago when REI Adventures shut down their international trips in 2021 and shifted to REI Experiences. Back then, competitors like Wilderness Travel responded with a blog listing trips resembling the discontinued REI tours. 


Why This Trend Is Concerning

While convenient for travelers, this trend underscores a troubling reality: the lack of distinctiveness among many adventure travel companies. Adventure travel is, at its core, about exploration and connection—with nature, with culture, and with oneself. Instead of offering distinctive experiences, larger adventure travel companies often rely on the same local guides, operators, and Destination Management Companies (DMCs), enabling them to swiftly replicate another company’s offerings. This lack of differentiation raises questions about the value and authenticity of these experiences—and what it means for travelers seeking something truly unique.

When companies use the same local infrastructure, they create a cookie-cutter approach that limits opportunities for discovery. Travelers may find themselves on crowded trails, participating in activities that feel more like checklists than meaningful experiences. This approach not only diminishes the traveler’s experience but also often fails to provide genuine benefits to the local communities hosting these adventures. True adventure demands more than just filling a void; it requires a commitment to originality and purpose.

 

Mountain Kora: A Different Approach

Zebras on foot: Okavango Delta

Zebras on foot on our Wilderness Walking Safari in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.

At Mountain Kora, we proudly break away from this trend. We craft adventures that cannot be replicated, prioritizing off-the-beaten-path itineraries, authentic community-led travel, and unparalleled access. Our approach is deeply rooted in local connections, customization, and real-time adaptability. We are committed to customization and personalization, underpinned by a constant presence on the ground.

 

Partnering with Guide-Owned Local Operators

Swiss Hiking Guide, expert guide, Bernese Oberland, Swiss Alps

Our Swiss Hiking guide, Jürg Schranz, leading us on our Switzerland: Bernese Oberland Traverse.


Unlike larger operators dependent on DMCs with office-based contacts far removed from the trails, we collaborate with small, guide-owned outfits in each destination. For instance, our Sherpa guides in Nepal are actively on the trekking routes, fine-tuning our tours and discovering alternatives to popular treks like the Everest Base Camp. This ground-level expertise ensures that our trips remain dynamic, distinctive, and deeply connected to the regions we explore.

 

Flexibility Through Real-Time Insights

Our guides’ continuous presence in the field allows us to adapt and optimize our itineraries in real-time. In advance of a recently planned walking safari in Botswana’s Kgalagadi region, our guide identified drought conditions that would have compromised the guest experience. Thanks to his on-the-ground insights, we swiftly relocated the group to the Okavango Delta and Central Kalahari Game Reserve, ensuring an unforgettable wildlife adventure. Had he not been in the region prior to our group’s arrival, we may not have adapted to these extenuating circumstances, and been able to provide an unforgettable adventure walking safari.

 

Unparalleled Access and Alternative Treks

Trekking up Gokyo Valley, Alternative to the Everest Base Camp Route

Trekking up the Gokyo Valley to Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri on our alternative trek to the Everest Base Camp route.


Through our guides, we are able to design unique adventures that provide unparalleled access to hidden gems, alternative treks, and deep connections with local communities.

By seeking out less-visited destinations and creating routes that showcase the true beauty and diversity of a region, we offer adventures that cannot be found elsewhere. Whether it’s a remote mountain pass, an epic African wildlife adventure on foot, an urban homestay in Kathmandu or a cultural experience in a small Himalayan village, Mountain Kora ensures that every journey is one-of-a-kind.

 

Building Community Connections

Himalayan home for yak butter tea, Khumjung, Everest region, Nepal

Invited into a Himalayan home for yak butter tea, Khumjung Village, Everest region, Nepal.


We prioritize engaging with local communities to shape tourism in ways that benefit them. This collaboration ensures that our travelers enjoy authentic cultural experiences while supporting sustainable practices. For example, on our Botswana Walking Safaris, we use tracking guides and Mokoro boat (traditional dug out canoes) drivers from local communities in the Okavango Delta and Kalahari regions. Our adventure safari guiding partner has cultivated relationships with these communities over the years and works directly with them to improve their livelihoods. By maintaining a pulse on local needs and conditions, we deliver adventures that are not only unique but also respectful and enriching.

 

Customized and Personalized Adventures

Buddhist monks making a sand mandala_Manaslu Himalaya

Buddhist monks making a sand mandala along out Manaslu trekking route in the Nepal Himalaya.


Unlike large companies offering pre-packaged trips, Mountain Kora tailors each adventure to the interests and needs of its travelers. This personalized approach ensures that every trip feels intimate and special—a far cry from the cookie-cutter experiences offered by larger operators. We take the time to listen to our travelers interests and travel desires and tailor adventures to our clients interests. By vetting our travelers, we align with those who share our passion for meaningful, transformative journeys, creating a mutually enriching experience for guests and local communities alike.

 

Insights from Industry Experience

From 2011 to 2017, I worked in the mainstream luxury adventure travel industry, managing hiking and walking tours across Asia. It was an eye-opening experience that highlighted how difficult it is to differentiate in this crowded market. At the time, it was common for competitors like Backroads, Wilderness Travel, MT Sobek, and REI Adventures to share the same operators and guides, diluting the difference between companies. 

I found it possible to only marginally stand out among other adventure tour companies, whether through minor variations in accommodations or slight itinerary tweaks. Even claims about having the “best guides” were challenging to substantiate when the same individuals and operators often worked across multiple companies. 

This experience fueled my commitment to creating something distinctive with Mountain Kora. Our approach is not about marginal differences but about delivering experiences that are fundamentally different from those offered by larger companies.

 

Conclusion: The Case for Unique Adventures

The closure of REI Experiences is a moment for reflection within the adventure travel industry. While some companies rush to replicate REI’s itineraries, this homogenization risks eroding the authenticity that defines true adventure. At Mountain Kora, we reject this trend. Our journeys are not replacements; they are one-of-a-kind explorations rooted in exclusivity, personalization, and community engagement. For travelers seeking something extraordinary, Mountain Kora ensures that every adventure is unforgettable, meaningful, and truly different from the mainstream. 



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