The Ilbirs Foundation Launches a New Eco-Tourism Route in Khan-Teniri National Park
he route was developed jointly with the park’s rangers under the AMIC in Central Asia project. The tour “In the Footsteps of Rangers” is aimed at supporting local communities and conserving Kyrgyzstan’s wildlife, in particular the snow leopard and its habitat.
The first practical stage of the route’s launch was a familiarization FAM tour, held from September 16 to 19, 2025, which brought together tour operators, media representatives, and bloggers. The main goal of the trip was to showcase the uniqueness of the route, inspire tour operators to include it in their travel programs, and collect suggestions for further improvement.
The route passed through some of the most scenic and remote corners of Kyrgyzstan: participants visited Turgen Gorge, Chon-Ashuu Pass, the ghost town of Enilchek, hot springs, Kaindy Gorge, At-Jailoo Mountains, the Sary-Jaz Valley, and Turuk Pass.
Participants noted both the extraordinary beauty of nature and the unique format of the route:
“I especially enjoyed Turgen Gorge. The contrast of rocky mountains with snowy peaks makes an impressive sight,” shared Ajnagul Juzubalieva, tour operator at Silk Way Travel.
“It is difficult to impress tourists with luxury nowadays. The tour to Enilchek meets the new demands of travelers who value wild nature,” said Zamirbek Orozbakov, tour operator at Ala Tours Travel.
A special value of the route lies in the fact that groups are accompanied by the park’s rangers. They know the territory in depth and share their expertise in conserving vulnerable flora and fauna.
“Previously, I did not realize how important and complex the work of rangers is in protecting the park’s natural treasures. Their knowledge makes the tour especially valuable,” noted travel blogger Zaman Abdyldaev.
The ecological route is designed not only as a journey, but as a socio-environmental initiative. It supports the development of local guesthouses and small businesses, promotes principles of sustainable natural resource use, and fosters a culture of care for nature. In addition, 10% of the tour revenues will be directed to a special conservation fund in the region.
The results of the FAM tour demonstrated strong interest from tour operators: four operators have already scheduled group trips for September–October 2025. The Ilbirs Foundation is convinced that joint promotion of socio-environmental tours will make a significant contribution to the development of local communities and the preservation of Kyrgyzstan’s unique nature.
About the Organizers
Ilbirs Foundation – a non-profit environmental organization in Kyrgyzstan working to conserve the biodiversity of mountain ecosystems, engage local communities in nature conservation, and promote sustainable natural resource management practices.
Khan-Teniri State Nature Park – a national park located in Issyk-Kul region, Kyrgyzstan, home to one of the highest peaks in Central Asia, Khan-Tengri. The park’s mission is to conserve biodiversity, conduct wildlife monitoring, and involve local communities in conservation activities.
AMIC in Central Asia (Adaptation of Migratory Mammals to Climate Change in Central Asia Project) – aims to improve the conservation of key migratory mammal species in Central Asia through climate-informed management and decision-making.