Snow leopard watching has gained popularity in countries such as India, Mongolia, China, and Pakistan. Inspired by successful examples, the Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched a project in 2023 called "Snow Leopard Tours — the Key to Preserving Local Nature."
According to data from the UN News Service, this project has become the foundation for developing ethical tourism in the Sarychat-Eertash Reserve. As part of the initiative, training courses were organized for rangers and residents of nearby villages, and necessary equipment was purchased — from tents and yurts to solar panels and pack bags. This provided comfortable and environmentally safe conditions for observing wildlife.
The tours run from mid-autumn to the end of winter. After the project was completed, the reserve was visited by 10–12 groups over two seasons, totaling about 60–70 people, including locations such as the Jangart and Ak-Shyyrak areas.
“Unlike standard excursions, our snow leopard tours take into account the capacity of the reserve and the surrounding nature. The maximum number of participants in a group is six people, and we ensure that there are no multiple groups in the reserve at the same time,” emphasizes Kubanychbek Jumabay uulu, director of the Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan.
Starting in 2025, each tourist will contribute $100 to the local community's conservation fund. These funds will help support the work of rangers, develop infrastructure, and promote nature conservation.
With a sustainable flow of tourists, it is expected that the contribution could reach $7,000 per year, which would be a significant support for remote regions.
Each tour generates an income of $3-4 thousand, with all services provided by local residents: rangers, guides, cooks, and guesthouse owners.
It is important to note that the excursions focus on careful and unobtrusive observation of wild animals in their natural habitat. Tourists strive to capture rare moments with the snow leopard, as well as see other predators such as wolves, bears, manuls, and large scavengers. Predators previously considered "harmful," such as wolves and foxes, are now attracting the attention of tourists and are perceived as valuable observation targets.
These excursions have allowed the reserve to improve its infrastructure and enhance service levels. The professionalism of rangers and local guides has increased, and according to statistics, the probability of seeing a snow leopard during a tour reaches 90 percent — a unique figure even by global standards.
