For local guides & hosts

Share your world.
On your terms.

Join a community of independent guides across Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Silk Road. Connect with curious travellers who want to experience your region – not just pass through it.

12+Countries covered
10%Platform fee only
100%Independent hosts
What we believe

Built on trust,
transparency & place

Indy Guide exists because the best travel experiences don’t happen in tour buses or luxury lodges. They happen when you walk a route no guidebook lists, and understand a place through the eyes of someone who calls it home.

01
Independence first

No big agencies. No middlemen taking 40%. You are the expert of your region, and you should be compensated and recognised as one.

02
Authentic experiences

Travellers come to Indy Guide precisely because they want to escape the clichés. Your local knowledge is the product – not a backdrop.

03
Fair economics

We charge a 10% platform fee. The remaining 90% is paid directly to you on Day 1 of the trip – in cash, in your hands, no delays.

04
Travellers who care

Our travellers are curious, respectful, and here to learn. They read about your country before arriving – not package tourists.

05
Full control

You decide what trips you offer, when you’re available, and how many guests you take. No exclusivity, no minimum quotas.

06
Built for the Silk Road

We go deep in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Silk Road destinations – not everywhere. That focus makes us better for you.

The process

How it works

Six simple steps from sign-up to your first booking. We review every application personally – quality matters more than volume.

1
Sign Up

Submit your application. Tell us who you are, where you operate, and what experiences you offer.

2
Verification

Complete our verification process – ID, background check, and a short video interview with our team.

3
Build Your Profile

Create your listing with photos, services, pricing, and availability. We’ll help with copy if needed.

4
Receive Inquiries

Travellers discover your profile and send trip requests with their plans, dates, and group details.

5
Confirm & Deposit

Discuss details with the traveller and confirm. They pay a 10% deposit online to secure the booking.

6
Get Paid & Host

Welcome your guest and receive the remaining 90% in cash on Day 1. Deliver an experience they’ll never forget.

HOST
Why Indy Guide

The advantages
of hosting here

“With Indy Guide I get travellers who actually want to be in Kyrgyzstan. They read, they ask good questions, they show up with respect. That changes everything.”

— Bakyt, Horse Trek Guide · Bishkek
Cash payment on Day 1

90% of your trip fee is paid directly by the traveller on the first day. No waiting for payouts, no conversion surprises.

Your own host profile

A dedicated page with your story, reviews, specialisms, and photos – not just a name in a list.

Vetted, motivated travellers

Travellers submit detailed trip requests – we know they’re serious before they even reach you.

Superhost recognition

Top-rated hosts earn priority in search, a visible badge, and increased visibility with new travellers.

No exclusivity required

Work with us alongside other platforms. We earn your loyalty by sending quality bookings.

Multilingual support

Our team supports you in English, Russian, and local languages – whenever you need us.

Host success story

Real words from
a real host

A
Atai
Guide & Tour Organizer
Kyrgyzstan
★ Superhost

Indy Guide has completely transformed my life – both personally and professionally. As a local tour manager and guide in Kyrgyzstan, I used to rely on seasonal work and word-of-mouth to support my family. Since joining Indy Guide, I’ve been able to connect with amazing travellers from all over the world who are seeking authentic, meaningful experiences.

What makes Indy Guide special is that it truly puts local people first. Unlike big travel agencies, it empowers guides, drivers, guesthouse owners, and communities to earn a fair income and share our stories on our own terms.

Each tour I lead doesn’t just support me – it supports an entire network of locals: craftspeople, cooks, shepherds, and village hosts. This is tourism that uplifts people. And beyond the economics, Indy Guide helps create real cultural exchange. I’ve met travellers who’ve become lifelong friends.

★★★★★
Who can apply

You might be the perfect host if…

⛰️
Adventure & trekking guides

You lead hikes, horse treks, or expeditions in remote landscapes. You know the terrain, the weather, and the stories behind the peaks.

🏡
Homestay & guesthouse hosts

You open your home to guests and create experiences around local food, customs, and family life that no hotel can replicate.

🏛️
Cultural & city guides

You guide in cities, bazaars, or historical sites. You explain your culture to outsiders in a way that’s honest and engaging.

🚗
Driver-guides

You offer transport combined with genuine local knowledge – across deserts, steppe, mountain passes, or Silk Road corridors.

🍪
Festival specialists

You know when and where the real celebrations happen – Nauryz, Tsagaan Sar, Nowruz – beyond the tourist version.

🌾
Nomadic experience hosts

You offer ger stays, yurt camps, or nomadic life immersions. You connect travellers with a way of life that is vanishing from the world.

Basic requirements

What we ask
of every host

Simple standards that ensure quality experiences for all travellers – and protect your reputation on the platform.

Be a local resident in your area of expertise
Provide accurate and up-to-date information about your services
Respond to traveller inquiries within 24 hours
Maintain good guest reviews and ratings over time
Comply with local laws and regulations in your region
Hold proper licences or certifications where required
Communicate clearly in at least one supported language
Host verification

How we vet
every host

We maintain high standards to ensure traveller safety and service quality. Our process builds trust and credibility for all hosts on the platform.

1
Background Check

We conduct online research including social media presence to verify your identity and ensure you’re a genuine local expert with authentic community connections.

2
ID & Licences

Submit your government-issued ID and any relevant licences or certifications. This verifies your credentials and ensures compliance with local regulations.

3
1:1 Interview with Indy Guide

Our team conducts a personal video interview to learn about your local expertise, services, and passion for sharing your culture with travellers.

4
References from Former Clients

We may request testimonials from previous clients to validate your experience and service quality as a local guide or host.

5
Ongoing Monitoring

After approval, we continuously monitor guest reviews and feedback to maintain service quality and ensure all hosts meet our community standards.

FAQ for hosts

Common questions

It’s free to apply and create your profile. We only take a 10% commission on the deposit paid online – the remaining 90% goes directly to you in cash on Day 1.
Travellers pay a 10% deposit online to confirm the booking. On Day 1 of the experience, they pay the remaining 90% directly to you in cash. Simple, immediate, no waiting.
Any authentic local experience – guided treks, city tours, homestays, driver services, cultural workshops, festival visits, horse riding, yurt stays, and more. If it’s genuinely local, we want it listed.
Superhost status is awarded to hosts who consistently receive 5-star reviews, maintain a high response rate, and complete a minimum number of trips per year. It brings priority placement and a visible badge on your profile.
Our cancellation policy protects hosts. If a traveller cancels within the penalty window, you keep a portion of the deposit. Full details are in our host terms, reviewed during sign-up.
Yes. You are always in control. You can decline any request that doesn’t suit your schedule or preferences. We only ask that you respond promptly to keep your response rate healthy.
Basic English is helpful but not always required. Many guests specifically seek hosts who speak Russian or local languages. We support you with translation tools where possible.
Yes – multi-country Silk Road itineraries are one of our most popular categories. You can list trips spanning several countries and coordinate with other Indy Guide hosts along the route.