TravelTips24 : Asia : Central Asia : Afghanistan : Northeast Afghanistan : Nuristan
Nuristan
Nuristan is in the Northeast part of Afghanistan.
Culture and History
Nuristan is one of the most remote areas on Earth, right up in the Hindu Kush mountains. "Hindu Kush" translates as "Hindu Killer", which describes the terrain and climate well. The area used to be called Kafiristan, land of unbelievers, until it was converted to Islam at swordpoint in the 19th century and became known as Nuristan.
Kipling wrote of it in "The Man Who Would be King". In his day, no Europeans had been there. John Huston made a film [1] based on the book, with Sean Connery and Michael Caine in lead roles. It is a fine movie and the geography is about right, but the culture is more from Kipling's imagination than anything related to the actual place.
Another wonderful book about the area is Eric Newby's "A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush", long out of print but recently reprinted by Lonely Planet, [2] ISBN: 0864426046. When Newby and a friend visited Nuristan in the 1950s, they were the second or third European expedition ever to reach it.
Talk
Travel to Nuristan & Visa Requirements
To even get close to Nuristan, you need a four-wheel drive vehicle with a winch and other rough-country preparation.
Tours & Getting around Nuristan
For most of the area, you need to hike or ride a horse or donkey.
Nuristan attractions and sightseeing
Nuristan city tours
There are some peaks of interest to mountain climbers. Newby and friend attempted one.
Nuristan Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive
Nuristan nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs
Stay safe
In addition, Nuristan poses risks of altitude sickness.
This page was last edited at 11:15, on 8 December 2006 by Wikitravel user Cacahuate. Based on work by Wikitravel user(s) Pashley.
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