| April 25th, 2025 | News

Make your next trip both memorable and meaningful!

As mountain communities look for alternative livelihoods to sustain them in an uncertain future, tourism is an option that is hard to ignore. Each year, more and more tourists come to Central Asia – attracted by the history, unique landscapes, and iconic wildlife. The Kyrgyz Republic welcomed more than 8.5 million tourists in 2019, and Tajikistan over 1 million the year before (see data from the World Bank Group). The World Travel and Tourism Council predicted in 2023 that the direct contribution of tourism to GDP in the region is projected to grow to USD 6.4 billion in the coming decade.

However, more and more tourists want to make sure their money is spent in an ethical way – benefitting both the local environment and the communities they visit, especially in lieu of CO2 emissions from plane travel. Communities are also keen to find ways to reap the benefits an influx of tourism money can bring while managing potential risks like overcrowding or an increase in waste. Our partners at the Ilbirs Foundation in Kyrgyzstan and the Tajikistan Nature Foundation in Tajikistan are working with communities to help them achieve these goals.

We profile two options to visit Central Asia, one in Kyrgyzstan and one in Tajikistan, so you can get a feel for what your next vacation might look like!

ECO-ADVENTURE IN KHAN-TENGRI STATE NATURE PARK, KYRGYZSTAN

Check out this video!

SUMMARY: Enjoy an immersive experience in the pristine wilderness of Khan-Tengri Nature Park, a protected area established to preserve the biodiversity of Kyrgyzstan’s iconic Tien Shan Mountains. This eco-adventure combines both thrilling explorations and opportunities to relax in natural hot springs. Enjoy authentic interactions with local communities and stay in a traditional yurt to make it a truly unforgettable journey!

WHAT YOU GET: A local park ranger will be your guide! They want to share their in-depth knowledge of the park’s flora, fauna, and conservation efforts and offer visitors a rare glimpse into what it’s like to be a wildlife manager and ranger. Your participation directly supports the rangers and their efforts to preserve biodiversity while promoting eco-friendly tourism practices. Rangers can provide equipment for observing wildlife (such as spotting scopes), or feel free to sponsor a camera trap! Help set it up, and if wildlife is captured, the photos and videos can be sent directly to your email inbox for a small fee. Tours are typically 5+ days, but extending your trip to explore sights such as Jet-Oguz Gorge, Barskoon Gorge, and Skazka Canyons is easy.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: June, July, August, September

WHAT TO EXPECT: This tour is well-suited for adventurous travelers who are looking for an “off-road” experience, have a passion for photography, hiking, nature, or wildlife, and are prepared for remote conditions with limited facilities. Participants should be physically fit and comfortable with outdoor activities, including horseback riding and long drives on rough terrain. The minimum altitude is 1600 meters (5250 feet), and the maximum altitude is 3,822 meters (12540 feet). Temperatures can vary quite a lot, especially if rain is expected – between -10C and +20C (between 68F and 14F).

If you would like to receive a quote or ask about availability, please email or contact the Kenje Sultanbaeva at kenjesultanvaeva@gmail.com and +996 705 351 583 (WhatsApp) or the Ilbirs Foundation at Ilbirsf@gmail.com for more information!

HOME STAY IN BARTANG VALLEY, TAJIKISTAN

SUMMARY:

The remote Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan have a lot to offer for someone adventurous looking for hiking and wildlife viewing! Your homestay will be in the village of Gudara, in the Bartang Valley. As a long-time favorite of cyclists and culture afficionados, this is a great area to learn more about the traditional culture of the Pamirs and experience their well-known hospitality.

WHAT YOU GET:

The homestay is an immersive experience into traditional Pamiri culture, including language, food and family life. Travelers can connect meaningfully with villagers, fostering cultural exchange and appreciation. Visitors to Gudara can strike out on their own, but a local tourism group in Gudara, established under the Vanishing Treasures program, offers guided hiking tours where you can check camera traps and spot unique birds, an Ibex, or even a snow leopard. The money that you spend here supports livelihoods directly and promotes conservation by funding monitoring efforts and patrols when and where they are needed most. It gives villagers an incentive to conserve the natural environment and provides an economic alternative to destructive practices such as poaching and overgrazing livestock.

BEST TIME TO VISIT:

May through October. The weather is mild during these months and wildflowers are in full bloom! Hardy tourists may want to visit a little earlier or later, when temperatures are lower and there are fewer travelers. The chances of seeing wildlife are better as snow pushes them down from the mountains in the fall. We recommend you plan your to Bartang due outside of February to March (spring) when avalanches are a frequent.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

The Bartang Valley offers a full-value adventure for experienced tourists. Until recently, there was little infrastructure to support tourism in this area (i.e. no hotels, restaurants, or stores), so accommodations are rustic. Hiking in this region is moderate to strenuous. The elevation is around 3000 meters in Gudara, and hikes can go up to 4500 masl. The trails are narrow and not well marked. Food is produced by the villagers from locally grown products and meals will reflect the crops that are available at the time of the visit.

If you would like to receive a quote or ask about availability, please email or contact WildTajikistan, Bartang Sarez Tour, or Tajikistan Nature Foundation for more information!

Central Asia is a unique gem just off the beaten path, waiting to be discovered! Funding for communities and organizations to create these types of programs and offerings was provided in part by the Vanishing Treasures program, and additional funding was provided by the CAMCA project for further promotion and improvements.