Gazef: Where the Adventure Begins

 

BY HANNAH ALTMANN

When four alumni found that they share a passion for travel and adventure, they sought to change the “cliché travel” mindset by establishing their own adventure travel agency.

Since its launch last year, Gazef – which translates to “take a risk” – has provided unique itineraries to exotic destinations all over the world.

“Gazef is not about physically demanding adventures or activities, it’s about travel and stepping outside your comfort zone. You do something different, explore new cultures and meet new people. You [even] explore yourself [and] discover your limits,” said Yasmine El Rashidy, Gazef co-founder and an economics graduate.

The founders merely wish to provide a new and fresh perspective on travel, said Omar Galal, Gazef co-founder and computer engineering alumnus. They want to offer people what other travel agencies were lacking: The sense of adventure.

Gazef has a diverse clientele with ages ranging from 20- to 40-year-olds, with some fit and active people and others who have rarely had any physical activity.

This shows that the trips offered are suitable for all people and are not physically straining, agreed the four co-founders, El Rashidy, Galal, Mohamed El Shabrawy, computer engineering alumnus and Ayten Wahba, integrated marketing and communication graduate.

El Rashidy added that Gazef provides group and individual trips, as well as tailored itineraries such as honeymoons.

Each of the four co-founders is responsible for the travel arrangements of one continent. They research the designated country and its activities, deal with suppliers in the country and check every detail of the itinerary. At least one co-founder travels as a guide on group trips.

After the four co-founders collectively choose a destination for a group trip, one member travels to the set location and creates a detailed day-to-day itinerary. To ensure the trip is as organized and adventurous as possible, the member visits the restaurants chosen to ensure its quality, hikes designated routes and compares prices for different activities such as paragliding and bungee jumping.

“Both of [the group trips I went to] were life-changing experiences for me. You didn’t even have time to be bored for one second. Each day you had a plan to the smallest detail [with at least two activities],” said Dina Medhat, business administration graduate.

She added that, due to the chaperones’ organization, the group managed to engage in many activities such as bungee jumping and shark cage diving, which she had never done before.

Medhat said that during the trip she met many diverse people within and outside the group.

“Our edge [is that] it’s very personal to us, since it’s our passion and not only focused on money. We’re very personal with our clients, we become friends later on and do reunions every few weeks,” El Rashidy said.

Within its first year, Gazef managed to organize 12 group trips, 40 individual trips and 12 tailored trips.

In the near future, they will be launching special interest travel such as yoga, cycling and culinary trips, as well as festival and family trips.

Gazef is exploring trips and adventures for people with special needs but the team said it would take extensive research to select appropriate destinations and activities that won’t compromise anyone’s safety.