Sophie Ibbotson ([...] is the founder of Maximum Exposure Ltd, a tourism and culture development consultancy focused on emerging destinations. She read Oriental Studies at Clare College, Cambridge, and has a particular interest in Afghanistan and Central Asia, where she has worked since 2008. An author or co-author of six Bradt travel guides, three of which cover central Asia (Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan), Ibbotson has also written for publications such as The Financial Times, The Economist and The Telegraph. She is also: the Director of the Silk Road Literary Festival; a consultant for the World Bank; Uzbekistan's Tourism Ambassador to the UK; and Chairman of the Royal Society for Asian Affairs.

Stephanie Adams is a bilingual (English and Russian) writer and researcher who has lived and studied in Russia, Central Asia and the Caucasus. Having graduated from Plymouth University with a degree in English and Publishing, she works for Maximum Exposure, a tourism development consultancy and PR firm specialising in Central Asia. Her travel writing has been published in outlets including Asian Geographic, TNT Magazine, and The Travel Magazine, and she also contributed to two Bradt guidebooks to Central Asian countries: Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Introduction

PART 1 GENERAL INFORMATION

Chapter 1 Background Information

Geography and climate, Natural history and conservation, History and archaeology, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education, Arts and crafts, Architecture, Theatre and cinema, Music, Literature

Chapter 2 Practical Information

When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Women travellers, LGBTQIA+ travellers, Travelling with a disability, Travelling with kids, What to take, Money and 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 2 THE GUIDE

Chapter 3 Nukus

History, Getting there and away, Orientation, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Around Nukus

Chapter 4 Ustyurt Plateau and the Saigachy Reserve

Kungrad and around, Jaslyk, Kubla Ustyurt, Saigachy Reserve, Karakalpakiya and Tejen

Chapter 5 Muynak and the Aral Sea

Muynak , South of Muynak, Sudochye-Akpetki State Reserve, Aralkum National Nature Park, Southeast of Muynak

Chapter 6 Central Karakalpakstan

Kanlikul District, Shumanay District, Kegeyli District, Chimbay District, Karauzyak District, Takhtakopir District

Chapter 7 Along the Amu Darya

Khujayli District, Amu Darya District

Chapter 8 Southeast Karakalpakstan

Beruni, Buston, Tortkul

Appendix 1 Language

Appendix 2 Further information

Index