Gear Up for Four New Adventures: Introducing the EF Adventures × Backcountry Collection

Every great adventure starts long before the trailhead. It starts with the decision to go, then the questions about terrain and temperature, the uncertainty over whether that jacket will keep you dry, and the pile on the bedroom floor that somehow keeps growing. 

We're here to change that. Earlier this year, EF Adventures named Backcountry our preferred outdoor gear partner. Today, we're expanding that partnership with the EF Adventures × Backcountry Collection: four new hiking and multi-adventure tours across three continents, all departing in 2027. 

EF has spent more than 60 years building travel that goes deeper than the view from the trail. Backcountry has been outfitting climbers, skiers, hikers, and paddlers since 1996. Together, we're offering support at every stage of the adventure, so travelers show up prepared, not guessing. Every itinerary is built around a signature moment and includes Backcountry gear chosen for the terrain and conditions you'll encounter. After you book, you'll also connect with a dedicated Backcountry Gearhead, an in-house gear expert, for personalized guidance months before departure. 

“Confidence on a trail or by the waterways we explore starts long before the adventure begins, and pairing every traveler with a Gearhead who knows exactly what that activity will demand is a genuinely new kind of support we’re offering travelers.” — Heidi Durflinger, CEO of EF World Journeys 

Here's a look at the four tours, with packing tips from the Gearheads who know the gear best.

U.S. Hiking with Backcountry: Sedona, the Grand Canyon & Zion National Park 

7 days (9 days with the Zion National Park region extension) | Departs April 25, 2027 | Activity level: Moderate

We started on home ground. Backcountry’s global headquarters sits in Utah, and this itinerary runs through the wider Southwest — red-rock Arizona, the rim of the Grand Canyon, and Utah’s own sandstone country at Zion. 

The Backcountry signature moment is a guided descent of the Bright Angel Trail, with Backcountry-provided sun-protection gear, a hydration station set up partway down, and a hydration pack to carry for the rest of the trip — and to keep. You’ll also join a Navajo guide through the spiraling sandstone of Lower Antelope Canyon and glamp under the stars near the Grand Canyon. 

Included on this tour: a Backcountry sun hoodie and a Backcountry hydration pack, to shield you from the desert sun and keep you hydrated on long, dry days on the trail. 

What to pack:  

Your Gearhead: David Swisher, Summit Gearhead. Previously worked in the Grand Canyon as a field technician. 

1. La Sportiva Prodigio Max (Men’s / Women’s) — “I prefer trail runners over boots in the Southwest because they’re a little more breathable. These still have an amazing amount of traction and cushion, so they’re great for all-day comfort.” 
2. Osprey Hikelite 26L or The North Face Trail Lite 24L — “A comfortable daypack that holds plenty of water and snacks. The Osprey is more like a traditional backpack; the North Face has a trail-running-vest-inspired front where you can store things you’ll need quick access to.”

Norway Multi-Adventure with Backcountry: Bergen & the Sognefjord Region 

9 days | Departs July 15, 2027 | Activity level: Intermediate

From coastal fjords to alpine glaciers, Norway offers plenty of ways to get outside—and a wide range of conditions to prepare for. On this trip, you’ll explore by foot, kayak, bike, and raft, with time to experience the landscapes between Bergen and the Sognefjord region. 

The journey begins in the harbor city of Bergen before heading inland for hiking, glacier exploration, and paddling. Two Backcountry signature moments are at the heart of the itinerary: a guided trek on the Jostedalsbreen Ice Cap, where you’ll strap on crampons to explore the blue ice, and a kayaking excursion on the narrow, UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, with Backcountry gear provided for each. From there, it’s on to Voss, Norway’s adventure capital, for ziplining through the Flåm Valley, a gravel bike ride along Rallarvegen, and whitewater rafting on the Raundalselva. 

Included on this tour: a Backcountry Peale insulated jacket and dry bags, to keep you warm on the ice and your essentials protected on the water. 

What to pack:  

Your Gearhead: Chris Johnson, Summit Gearhead, who has traveled through Norway from Oslo to Bergen by way of Flåm. 

1. Norrøna Falketind Flex1 Softshell Pant — “A do-it-all pant with zippered ventilation built in. It can handle any adventure you throw at it — and Norrøna is a fifth-generation, family-owned Norwegian brand, so you’ll fit right in with the locals.”  
2. The North Face Summit FUTUREFLEECE LT ½-Zip Pullover — “A great top for varied temperatures. It’s light enough to breathe well when the sun is out, and the waffle-style interior fabric keeps you warm when that cold fjord breeze hits.” 
3. Rab Downpour Jacket — “In Norway, one thing is certain: rain. Be ready to deploy this jacket at a moment’s notice when dark clouds roll in. It pairs very well with climbing harnesses, too, thanks to hand pockets placed slightly higher than on a regular rain jacket.”

Italy Hiking with Backcountry: The Dolomites 

11 days | Departs August 21, 2027 | Activity level: Intermediate

Spend 11 days exploring northern Italy’s Dolomites, where limestone peaks rise above alpine meadows and mountain villages. You’ll hike historic trails around Cortina d’Ampezzo, circle Tre Cime di Lavaredo, cross the meadows of Alpe di Siusi, and learn about the region’s mountaineering heritage at the Messner Mountain Museum atop Kronplatz, founded by pioneering climber Reinhold Messner. 

The Backcountry signature moment is a full-day hike along the Seceda ridgeline, with its dramatic peaks and sweeping views. 

Included on this tour: a co-branded Backcountry Waas LT ALLIED Down Vest, handed to you at the start of the Seceda hike and yours to keep. 

What to pack:  

Your Gearhead: Zach Petersen, Summit Gearhead.  

1. La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX (Men’s / Women’s) — “A sturdy, waterproof boot with good grip and ankle support — amazing for the region’s rocky, uneven trails and unpredictable weather.” 

2. Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles — “These poles help keep your energy high after long days on the trail, making big days like the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike feel much easier.” 

3. Rab Phantom Mountain Jacket (Men’s / Women’s) — “The perfect rain jacket for storms that come up and disappear on you out of thin air. It takes virtually no space in your pack and breathes incredibly well, even while you’re moving, to keep you comfortable in all conditions.”

Chile & Argentina Hiking with Backcountry: Patagonia 

14 days | Departs November 4, 2027 | Activity level: Challenging

The collection’s most demanding itinerary, and a bucket-list departure. Two weeks of hiking across the Chilean and Argentine sides of Patagonia, from Santiago through the granite spires of Torres del Paine to Mount Fitz Roy, ending in Buenos Aires. Big mileage days, remote terrain, and weather that can turn several times before lunch. 

The signature moment is the ascent to Mirador Las Torres for the classic view of the Torres del Paine towers — a long, steep day that ends beneath the granite spires the park is named for. You’ll also cruise past the Grey Glacier, walk the panoramic balconies overlooking the Perito Moreno Glacier, and hike beneath Mount Fitz Roy to Laguna de los Tres. 

Included on this tour: a co-branded Backcountry Kanarra 2.5L Rain Jacket, waiting for you at the start of the Mirador Las Torres hike and yours to keep, built for Patagonia’s fast-moving wind and rain.  

What to pack:  

Your Gearhead: Ben Magid, Summit Gearhead, who has climbed throughout Chile and Argentina, from Fitz Roy in Patagonia to Aconcagua in the Andes. 

1. Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles — “An essential piece of gear: trekking poles take the load off your knees, improve balance and help you navigate Patagonia’s rocky landscape. I choose carbon for its lightweight strength and cork grips to help mitigate blisters.” 

2. Patagonia Houdini Jacket (Men’s / Women’s) — “If you’re going to Patagonia, you have to bring at least one Patagonia item! My choice is the Houdini, which became one of my most-used pieces there. It’s insanely light, packs into its own pocket and blocks wind like no other.” 

3. CoolNet UV+ Print Buff — “Because of the wind and dust, a Buff is another essential. You can use it as a neck gaiter, pull it over your mouth and nose, or wear it as a hair tie or hat — it really does have a million and one uses.”