Kyrgyzstan

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-Köl, 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.

Table of Contents:
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, Th e 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