You will have heard of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, but what about Karakalpakstan? This autonomous republic in the heart of Central Asia is largely under the radar, visited by only the most intrepid of tourists. But as Sophie Ibbotson, author of Bradt Travel Guides’ guidebook to Karakalpakstan, will explain, it is an extraordinary destination with everything from desert fortresses to an internationally-renowned collection of avant garde art and endangered wildlife to yurt camps and the Aral Sea.

Sophie is the founder of Maximum Exposure Ltd, the author of five Bradt Travel Guides, and Uzbekistan’s Ambassador for Tourism. When she’s not working in Central Asia and the Caucasus, you will probably find her on a ski slope or in a good bookshop or country pub.

You can catch up with Sophie on her Instagram.

Cafe Mayak (former Lighthouse), Moynaq

Mazlumkhon-Sulu mausoleum at Mizdarkhan

The Hakim Suleiman Bakirgani mausoleum, Khakim-Ata

Attendees at Stihia festival, Moynaq, Aral sea

 Building a Road (1932), N. Karaxan (1900-1970), Savitsky State Museum of Arts, Nukus