Bradt's Kyrgyzstan remains the only English-language guide dedicated solely to this astounding country, described as 'the Switzerland of central Asia' and regarded by many as the most beautiful country in the world. This new, thoroughly updated fourth edition further extends its comprehensive coverage of all the country has to offer, including trekking, mountaineering, horse riding, historical sites, festivals and Kyrgyz culture. All the most recent information on all the major towns and visitor hubs is included, along with suggested itineraries and details of natural history and conservation issues. Feature boxes throughout the text give further cultural detail on Kyrgyz society, while all budgets are catered for with traveller information covering all options from low-cost to luxury, as well as extensive detail on travel by public transport throughout the country. Deep within central Asia, Kyrgyzstan's beautiful mountainscapes, dreamlike rock formations and semi-nomadic culture are gloriously unspoiled. A trip here can be as adventurous as you please: admire 5,000-year-old petroglyphs at Saimaluu-Tash, gallop on horseback through the alpine meadows that surround 3,016m-high Lake Song-Koel, go trekking in the mountain valleys that lie south of Karakol, visit Bishkek's Soviet-era statues or simply laze on the shores of the vast Lake Issyk-Kul. Kyrgyzstan has it all: glorious mountain scenery, a rich nomadic tradition, Silk Road monuments and thrilling wildlife. It also remains an intriguing, little known but easily accessible country for travellers. With in-depth coverage of historical background, health, safety and transport, plus author recommendations on the best yurt camps and chaikhanas, Bradt's Kyrgyzstan is the ideal companion for a successful trip.

'Utterly essential...particularly the dos and don'ts and basic phrases.' James Willsher Times of Central Asia Recommended reading Wanderlust magazine

Autorentext

By Laurence Mitchell

Zusammenfassung
Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide - Travel information and advice on everything from Bishkek hotels and restaurants to Tien Shan trekking, Kyrgyz traditions and culture. Also including natural history and wildlife, Lake Issyk-Kul, Karakol Valley, shopping in Osh Bazaar, Arslanbob, Community-Based Tourism, Tash Rabat, historical sites and architecture.

Inhalt

Introduction

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION

Chapter 1 Background Information 

Geography, Climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education, Culture 

Chapter 2 Practical Information 

When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Women travellers, Travellers with a disability, LGBTQ travellers, Travelling with a family, What to take, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, 

Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Photography, Media and communications, Business, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively 

PART TWO THE GUIDE 

Chapter 3 Bishkek

History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Safety, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Sports, Other practicalities, What to see and do 

Chapter 4 Chui Province 

Valleys south of Bishkek, Chui Valley, Chong-Kemin Valley, Boom Gorge, Kara-Balta, Suusamyr Valley 

Chapter 5 Lake Issyk-Kul – North Shore 

Lake Issyk-Kul, Balykchy, Tamchy, Cholpon-Ata, East of Cholpon-Ata, Karkara Valley

Chapter 6 Lake Issyk-Kul South and the Central Tien Shan 

Karakol, Around Karakol, Trekking south of Karakol, Th e Central Tien Shan, Lake Issyk-Kul’s southern shore, Barskoon, Tamga, Bokonbaevo, The southwest shore 

Chapter 7 Talas Province 

Talas, South of Talas, West of Talas, East of Talas 

Chapter 8 Naryn Province 

Kochkor, Excursions from Kochkor, Lake Song-Kol, Naryn, East of Naryn, Kol-Suu Lake, The Torugart Pass, Naryn to Kazarman

Chapter 9 Jalal-Abad Province 

Jalal-Abad, Kazarman to Jalal-Abad, Kazarman, Saimaluu-Tash, Ortok, Arslanbob, The road to Bishkek, Western Jalal-Abad Province, Lake Sary-Chelek, Arkyt, West to the Chatkal Valley

Chapter 10 Southern Kyrgyzstan 

Osh, Around Osh, Ozgon, The Alay Valley, The Irkeshtam crossing to China, The road south to Tajikistan, Batken Province 

Appendix 1 Language 

Appendix 2 Glossary of Kyrgyz Terms 

Appendix 3 Further Information 

Index