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Kyrgyz Nomad Trail: Connecting People and Nature in Kyrgyzstan


by Samuel MaretFebruary 19, 2025
the nomadic hiker met with a local family
the nomadic hiker met with a local family

Nomad's Land's objectives for the development of the ‘Kyrgyz Nomad Trail’ project, in line with its principles of sustainable tourism, are as follows: 

Trail Development

  • Assist in exploration, mapping and marking new sections of the trail by leveraging your experience in sustainable tourism development.

From the outset, Nomad's Land has contributed to KNT by sharing its information and local knowledge. Now a lot of work remains to be done to mark the way.

Community Engagement & Capacity Building

  • Identify local communities along the trail and inform them about the project KNT
  • Organize training programs for local guides and hosts to improve hospitality standards, safety, and storytelling skills.
  • Help local businesses and communities along the trail develop services that align with ecotourism principles, such as eco-lodges, food services, and transport options.
  • Ensure that a fair share of the economic benefits goes to local stakeholders by promoting responsible business practices.

In the Jeti Oguz region, training courses for local guides have been organised for several years. Both basic and more specific training courses, particularly on risk, help to raise the standard of local guides.

Sustainable Tourism Promotion

  • Act as an partner for the Kyrgyz Nomad Trail by promoting it through your existing marketing channels, tour packages, and partnerships.
  • Integrate KNT-based itineraries into Nomad’s Land’s tailor-made adventure programs, combining trekking with cultural immersion.
  • Showcase the trail as a leading example of responsible and community-based tourism in Central Asia through articles, documentaries, and media collaborations.

Our Destination Development Manager works closely with the project and shares our database.

Conservation & Environmental Responsibility

  • Advocate for and implement Leave No Trace principles along the trail.
  • Support ecological and conservation initiatives in collaboration with local and international sustainability organizations.
  • Monitor the environmental impact of tourism along the trail and propose solutions for minimizing carbon footprints.

Our training courses for DMOs include topics on the environment, waste management and ‘eating local’.

Networking & Institutional Partnerships

  • Help KNT gain international recognition by connecting it with global hiking networks, sustainability initiatives, and ecotourism certifications.
  • Work with local authorities, NGOs, and tourism boards to ensure proper governance and long-term sustainability of the trail.

Getting together and speaking a common language is the basis of our approaches to local authorities and associations.

More featured articles

Read the last news about Jeti Oguz.

Affiche du film Passage en Terre Nomade
May 25, 2024

Towards Nomadic Land: A Documentary by Lucas Garceau Bédard

In 2018, Nomad's Land had the pleasure of supporting a group of young Canadian an extraordinary adventure captured in the film "Towards Nomadic Land." This cinematic journey takes us deep into the heart of Kyrgyzstan, where five young adventurers in their twenties embark on a tumultuous expedition of backcountry skiing and cultural exploration.

Икона Барса
March 23, 2024

The snow leopard is the national symbol of Kyrgyzstan

Enigmatic and graceful, the snow leopard (or irbis) is a symbol of survival and beauty in the harsh conditions of the mountain peaks. This marvellous predator, with its snow-white fur and awe-inspiring grace, lives in one of the most inaccessible places on earth: the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia.

For the Kyrgyz, the Ak Ilbirs is a national icon and an amulet, even considered a sacred animal. "The snow leopard is the heritage of our fathers," said Atambayev. Its strength has also made it a symbol of heroism. Nearly 1,200 years ago, the leader of the tribal association that became the first Kyrgyz khanate was called Barsbek ("Lord Snow Leopard"). Atambayev urged his people to respect their ancestors: 'The snow leopard', he declared, 'is one of us'.