Given its height the area has a cool climate, serving as refuge during the hot Azeri summers. Besides attracting people for therapeutic reasons, the Asatsu area is also of great natural beauty with the cones of extinct volcanoes, waterfall and immense meadows.

Istisu is not located in Nagorno-Karabakh proper, but in the narrow strip of territory between it and Armenia, some times called the 'Armenian Golan Heights' in military circles.

As a consequence of the war this strip of territory is still under the control of Armenian troops. In the present cold peace climate, in order to reach Istisu you must go trough Armenia. This should not be very difficult as the Nagorno-Karabakh  (Artsakh for the Armenians) region is eager to welcome tourists. See the section on visas, for details.

(330 km west of Baku)
 
 

see also: places, Lachin, Xankandi, maps, Shusha, Agdam, Nagorno Karabakh, summary, history, images

A to Z of Azerbaijan / A dan Z ye Azerbaycan

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