Our Websites
These days the internet plays an important part in global communications. Sometimes I wonder how it was possible to run a tour business in somewhere like Kyrgyzstan in the days before the internet. Certainly it would have been much more difficult. Although we have produced leaflets and other forms of printed materials, attended trade fairs and exhibitions; assisted travel writers and journalists in preparing materials, by far the majority of business is driven by the internet.
Here is a list of the websites which we currently operate:
General websites
www.celestialweb.info: Over the years we have been asked lots of questions about Kyrgyzstan and the Central Asian region by travelers interested in exploring a new destination; to experience something of the historic Great Silk Road; and / or learning about the traditional lifestyle, customs and culture of the nomadic Kyrgyz, as well as from others such as academics and journalists. As interest in traveling to Kyrgyzstan grew, people asked us more and more questions and the companies developed, so our sites keep on growing in size and number. This site is designed as a simple portal to the complete range of our sites.
www.celestial.com.kg: The information pack, or Travel Encyclopedia: This was the first of our websites and contains background information about Kyrgyzstan, practical advice for visitors, as well as information about our tours and hotels. It began as a relatively small website, but as interest in travelling to Kyrgyzstan grew, people asked us more questions and the companies developed, so the site grew in size. We also offer “The Kyrgyzstan Information Pack” as a CD. Over the years we have been asked lots of questions about Kyrgyzstan and the Central Asian region by travellers interested in exploring a new destination; to experience something of the historic Great Silk Road; and/or learning about the traditional lifestyle, customs and culture of the nomadic Kyrgyz, as well as from others such as academics and journalists. Although based on our website www.celestial.com.kg, it has more information and can be accessed off-line giving more flexibility to explore the country and what it has to offer.
www.links.kg: There is a rich vein of information available on the internet, but sometimes it can be difficult to locate it. www.links.kg is an information service provided by the Celestial Mountains Tour Company, (CMTC) as a “gateway” to sites with information about life in and travel to Kyrgyzstan. Our aim is that the site will present surfers with links to “Traveller’s Tales”, (accounts of travellers’ visits to Kyrgyzstan, their experiences, impressions and opinions), as well as some general articles about Kyrgyzstan and sites that contain general background information for people who are interested in visiting, or simply finding out more about the country.
Coming soon
www.kyrgyzdiary.info: Here in Kyrgyzstan, we often hear about events only a few days they happen – sometimes on the day, (and sometimes even after they have happened), which makes planning difficult. As a result we started to issue a regular monthly newsletter, Bishkek Madaniyat, which includes brief information about various cultural activities (theater, cinema, exhibitions, etc. The Kyrgyz Diary website is an extension of this newsletter.
The Celestial Mountains companies
www.celestial.kg: This website introduces the Celestial Mountains Companies and their activities.
www.tours.kg: This is the website of the tour department. It gives a range of ideas for tours with sample itineraries in Kyrgyzstan, along the Silk Road and throughout Central Asia.
www.silkroad.com.kg, www.silkroadlodge.kg: These two sites are dedicated to our hotel in central Bishkek, which opened in 2000, and give an outline of the accommodation, facilities and the services that the hotel offers.
www.cmgh.kg: The website of our guesthouse in Naryn, which opened in 1998, with information about the accommodation, facilities and services that the guesthouse offers.
Culture of Kyrgyzstan websites
…a series of websites which is planned to cover the many different aspects of Kyrgyzstan: the people and their traditional lifestyle and culture; the places and the history of the country; and (especially as we are a tour company) about the tourism potential of the country and the region. The reason we created these sites is that we find many people know little about this small country in the heart of the Asian continent, and which straddles the ancient Silk Road. As a result they have many questions. We hope that the websites will answer some of these questions and also introduce the country to a wider audience.
www.horses.kg: – “Horses in Kyrgyzstan” – This is the first of a series of websites which is planned to cover the many different aspects of Kyrgyzstan: the people and their traditional lifestyle and culture; the places and the history of the country; and (especially as we are a tour company) about the tourism potential of the country and the region. ”Horses in Kyrgyzstan” concentrates on the place of the horse in traditional Kyrgyz society. Horses have played an important role in the daily lives of Kyrgyz for many centuries. For many centuries the Kyrgyz were nomadic herdsmen and shepherds and the horse provided many of their daily needs: a means of transport in times of both peace and war; a beast of burden; provided food (meat) and drink (kumyz) and served as a measure of wealth.
www.tastes.kg: This particular site concentrates on the variety of different styles of cuisine that can be found in Kyrgyzstan. The country has a long history of assimilating peoples, such as travelers along the Great Silk Road; and settlers who were either attracted to this the remote corner of the Russian Empire or, perhaps, exiled here during the period of the Soviet Union. Each of these nationalities brought with them, and still maintains, their own traditional cultures and cuisines which together create a kaleidoscope of tastes available to explore.
www.sounds.kg : This site will explore the traditional musical and instruments of the nomadic Kyrgyz, together with some clips of examples to download.
www.yurts.kg: The yurt is the traditional dwelling of the nomadic peoples of Central Asia – including the Kyrgyz. They are found from Anatolia to Mongolia and it is not possible to say which of the ancient nomadic tribes originally developed the traditional design. However, it is clearly a very ancient device. The yurt is still in use by people throughout the region and plays an important role in the lifestyle of the Kyrgyz “chaban”, or shepherd, and although styles of architecture and city planning come and go, the yurt remains a stable and lasting link with the past.
Coming soon
www.crafts.kg: Kyrgyz traditional handicrafts reflect ancient traditions and nomadic lifestyle of the people, and demonstrate a practicality arising out of necessity. For example, musical instruments and other implements were fashioned out of objects found naturally in the environment – were easily crafted and transported as the family from pasture to pasture with their flocks of sheep.
Social / Charity project
www.gk.kg: – “Good Causes in Kyrgyzstan” – This Celestial Mountains sponsored website offers a showcase to a variety of “good causes” in Kyrgyzstan.
And, of course, there is:
ianbek.kg – (although, strictly speaking, it is not one of the company’s websites) – giving the reminiscences and observations of an expat running a business in Kyrgyzstan.
Bishkek