From Necessity to Rural Development
While research and academic work often offered modest financial compensation, I found that engaging in sustainable mountain tourism in the Tien Shan and Pamir Mountains provided both seasonal economic stability for many and meaningful engagement with people and landscapes.
Today, it is increasingly common for many Ph.D. graduates to face uncertain career prospects after completing their studies. Reflecting on my earlier roles, I now recognize that my work as a fixer and tour guide offered valuable experiences that complemented academic life in many ways. Rather than abandoning these roles, I have chosen to transform my interest in recreation to rural development.
These experiences continue to allow me to explore new places, discover diverse landscapes, and engage with local communities. If you are interested in learning more about my earlier trailblazing programs, feel free to explore this section. I could arrange them for you. And if you would like to join me in discovering new routes and destinations, I would be happy to tag you along. As of 2026, I would like to check out the North West Alai Range sometimes in fall.
From 2013 to 2018, I worked in the eco-tourism sector in the Pamir Mountains region. In partnership with the Italian tour agency Viaggi Avventure nel Mondo, my team and I organized and led dozens of group trekking tours across the Pamir Mountains of Central Asia.
In 2018, I paused my collaboration with the company due to my studies abroad, transferring my travel itineraries and responsibilities to local agencies. For access to these trekking itineraries, please submit a special request via email. I hope to resume collaboration with the company beginning in 2026.
Italy
"2017 I was cycling Pamir Highway to Osh with a British company, Daler was the local organizer. I fell in love with the high Pamirs and decided to come back one day. Talks with Daler revealed, that he knows every corner in the Pamirs, almost everybody, has profound knowledge about local culture and can organize almost anything.
For 2018 I asked him to organize a completely tailored trek for me and my friends, consisting of moderate to difficult fully supported trekking with lots of cultural possibilities to meet local people. After long correspondence we got a trek once in life. What a trek."
Finland
Cycling & Bike Packing:
Pamir Highway M41
With more than five years of experience in the eco-tourism sector in Central Asia, I partnered with a well-known British cycling adventure company, Redspokes Ltd, and organized several cycling tours along the Pamir Highway (M41) between 2016 and 2018. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its significant impact on global tourism and travel, no cycling expeditions were organized in the post-pandemic period. Yet even under such conditions, bike packers were able to cut it though but with a bit of whiskey at the border in January, 2025.
Looking ahead, I am eager to organize new cycling tours in Central Asia the years to come but only by request. Some of my local partners in the Pamirs continue to offer bike tours today.
UK