Our Core Team
Akylai Karim
Co-Founder of Baktylai Group
Born and raised in Osh, Akylai Karim is a widely travelled project designer, activist, and female leader in Kyrgyzstan. She is fluent in Kyrgyz, Russian, and English and brings a wealth of international expertise to our team. Akylai has a background in English & Literature from Osh State University and has worked over 15 years on designing and implementing development projects. Through her professional background, she brings a deep understanding of local dynamics and challenges, both from the perspective of an international expert and a local observer. Akylai has founded „Youth of Osh,“ an organisation that empowers and engages youth in social and cultural activities in the South of Kyrgyzstan. She has great experience of working with people from various backgrounds and cultures, which makes her one of the most preferred researchers based in Osh.
Baktygul Diusheeva
Co-Founder of Baktylai Group | B.S. in Sociology from Paris Lodron University in Salzburg
Baktygul studied sociology at the University of Salzburg and has lived and worked in Austria for over ten years. With fluency in several languages, including German, English, Russian, and Kyrgyz, Baktygul gained valuable insights and skills that she now brings back to her native Osh.
While studying in Austria, Baktygul noticed a lack of knowledge about Central Asia and Kyrgyzstan among her fellow students. This inspired her to develop a mission of promoting cultural exchange on an academic level and sustainable tourism practices in Kyrgyzstan to raise awareness and understanding of Central Asia.
Baktygul is dedicated to creating unique and authentic experiences for participants. Fergana Valley is a great spot to start this adventure as it lies on the Great Silk Road and is divided into three countries: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
Marcel Jaun
Founder of AlayToo Advisory | B.S. in Business Engineering from Bern University of Applied Sciences
During the last decade, Marcel undertook climbing expeditions to South America, Pakistan, and Kyrgyzstan, where he finally fell in love with the local culture and the country. This passion led him to co-found with his friend Damian Göldi the SarySoul Mountainlodge in Sary-Tash and start their own company, SaryVenture GmbH, offering climbing expeditions in Kyrgyzstan’s south.
With a strong inclination towards business and people, Marcel pursued his studies in Business Engineering and Management Science at the Bern University of Applied Sciences. Marcel’s desire to make a difference in the local community led him to move entirely to Kyrgyzstan in 2022.