After my 30-day trip to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan I would like to give my opinion on the guidebooks I used. I read all guides from cover to cover before leaving except the one for Tajikistan and I had all of them with me during my trip (yes, it was a big bulk, but I love having information).
The Lonely Planet has a lot of useful information and I don’t think you can travel without it. Even though there are guides which are much more detailed, the practical information found in the LP is in my opinion necessary for a trip.
The Odyssey Guide for Kazakhstan is among the best guides I’ve ever used, with a lot of interesting background information and detailed coverage of all sights. Only the maps are of low quality and it is often difficult to find where the places described are. It is definitely worth having it with you.
The Odyssey Guide for Tajikistan is, simply, an exaggeration. There are hundreds of pages on the history of exploration of the Pamir which are nice to read but not necessary for a trip. The authors seem to have forgotten that tourists may want to take the guidebook with them when they travel. That said, if you are staying more than a week in the country I think that the idea of taking it with you is worth considering.
The Odyssey Guide for Uzbekistan is good and informative, but not as good as the one for Kazakhstan (it is also much thinner, in spite of the immense artistic beauties found in the country). The background information is not as complete as the Kazakhstan one, and I noted that, whereas the cruelty of the past rulers are emphasized, little is said about the present dictatorship. I think it is necessary to have this guide with you along with the LP. If you are only visiting the main cities you might even consider the idea of not buying the LP, if you look for the practical information you need before leaving.
I didn’t buy the Odyssey Guide for Kyrgyzstan, as I was only 4 days in the country.
I have not been to Turkmenistan, but I know that there is a Bradt Guide for that country.
Any comment on the last two guides could make this discussion more complete.
