Quest-Style Route: Kazakhstan’s First Gamified Eco-Trail Opens in Burabay National Park

A modern, safe, and interactive eco-trail has opened in the Burabay State National Nature Park. Built along the Boektau tourist route, it is the first eco-trail in Kazakhstan designed with gamification: visitors experience it as a quest using QR codes, an audio guide, and a Telegram bot. The social project was financed by Home Credit Bank, Orda.kz reports.

Home Credit Bank marked its 20th anniversary in Kazakhstan by supporting the project.

It is very important for us to expand the scope of our work with a social initiative in this anniversary year. We all love Burabay for its unique landscape, and this project reflects both our values and our ‘family’ slogan. We are glad to help Kazakhstanis and tourists make the climb more comfortable, modern, and educational—while protecting nature. We hope visitors treat the eco-trail created by our team and partners with love and care, said Kiril Bachvarov, Chairman of the Bank’s Board.

The trail starts with an entrance arch and ends with a rest area and shaded gazebo. The chosen route passes through the steepest and most dangerous section. Along the way, information boards describe Bölektau’s flora, fauna, and legends.

Audio guides are available in English, Kazakh, and Russian. At the top, visitors complete tasks: those who collect all six “wonders of Bölektau” receive rewards such as an audio fairy tale or a PDF story from the Ecoplaton team.

Organizers are also negotiating discounts for tourists with travel companies. Motivational slogans from Home Credit Bank are placed along the route to encourage climbers to “rise to the heights of success.”

The gamification of the eco-trail is not just for fun. Each audio message carries the theme of caring for nature. Design elements include a paw motif—both as a greeting from animals and as a reminder that people are guests in nature, not the other way around, explained Irina Kharitonova, head of the Sustainable Development Fund of the Central Asia Creative & Innovation Institute.

Another unique feature is the frame of the information stands, made from a special material that purifies air and releases clean oxygen. This innovation, new to Kazakhstan, has so far been introduced as a sample in the form of a small architectural structure.

Sofya Karapidi, director of Home Credit Bank’s Aqmola branch, explained the choice of location:

Bölektau is part of several routes. Anyone who wants to see Burabay ends up climbing this mountain. We all remember how difficult this section was, especially for families. Now, in the year of Home Credit Bank’s 20th anniversary, we are proud to help people see Kazakhstan from a bird’s-eye view. We hope the eco-friendly trail and the views along the way will inspire tourists to new heights, said Sofya Karapidi, director of the bank’s Aqmola branch.

The symbolic red ribbon was cut by Bank Chairman Kiril Bachvarov, Kazakh Tourism head Daniyel Serzhanuly, and Aqmola Deputy Akim Yernar Zharkeshov.

On behalf of the national company, I thank Home Credit Bank for this project. A comprehensive tourism development plan has been adopted, and over the next five years Burabay’s infrastructure will be significantly improved. Of course, it will become even more attractive and effective with private sector participation. What you have done is not just tourism, but conscious tourism that respects ecology and nature. We, in turn, accept the important mission of further promoting this trail and attracting environmentally minded tourists to the region, said Serzhanuly.

This became possible thanks to Home Credit Bank’s financial support, the leadership’s long-term vision, and strong state-business partnership. I hope we will continue to carry out such social initiatives together with your bank and others, he said.

The eco-trail lies within Burabay National Park.

As we can see, the tourist flow here is constantly growing. In heavily visited areas, the soil is compacted and damaged. This eco-trail will help protect it from both compaction and pollution. I wish us environmentally conscious tourists and prosperity for Kazakhstan, said Bauyrzhan Makhmetov, deputy director of the park.

This project is part of a wider set of social and charitable initiatives by Home Credit Bank marking its 20th anniversary in Kazakhstan.

Other efforts include:

• Providing emergency medical workers in Kostanay and West Kazakhstan regions with uniforms
• Restoring forest in the Abay region’s “Semey Ormany” after wildfires
• Improving city environments through the creation of “Green Alleys”
• Building a sports ground for schoolchildren in Satpayev, as well as donating a playground and cultural installation with works by Kazakh akyns and composers in Almaty
• Publishing a financial literacy book in the Kazakh language

Original Author: Asel Turar