An aerial survey of Krasnorechenskoe archeological site in the Chu river valley in Kyrgyzstan. The ruins are associated with the medieval town of Navekat, which was established as a Sogdian merchants' stopover on the Great Silk Road 4-9 ca AD. The place is known for its multi-confessional population. Temples of Zoroastrian Fire-worshipers, Buddhists and Nestorian Christians met in this spot of space-time.

A flight like this can be part of a day-trip visiting the Lost Cities of the Chu-river valley. To sign-up for the trip please write to asia@lostnomads.com

Kyrgyzstan is a country of contrasts. Mountains and valleys, nomads and settled dwellers, glaciers, wines, and silk worms - all coexist here in a symbiosis. This land was home to Pagan Shamans, Zoroastrians, Buddhists, Nestorian Christians, Muslims, Communists, Capitalists, and Atheists. In this area, centuries ago, East and West came together on the crossroads of the Silk Road, and now, North and South are linked by a thread of the Karakorom Highway. The Saks, Usuns, Kushans, Sogdians, Turgeshes, Karluks, and Karahanids, the Golden Horde, the Chinese Dynasties, the Kokand Khans, the Russian Empire, and the Soviet Union - all left traces here.

Life in the post-industrial Kyrgyzstan is an adventure in itself. In the remote, elevated areas of the Tien-Shan, time and space warp, priorities shift, and values readjust. Distance is measured here in days on horseback. Weather changes in a glimpse of an eye. Simple things like sitting down and drinking tea may be the most sacred wishes, and constitute an ultimate happiness.

Most of the adventure activities described in this site involve our network of host families as base camps. Our guests share meals and shelter with contemporary nomads, yak herders, shamans, and hunters of the Tien-Shan. Our hosts provide valuable guidance during an expedition. We call our host families the Lost Nomads.

Statistics says that 80% of fun from an expedition come from the anticipation, in the preparations and planning stages. The other 80% only come after the trip in the appreciation stage. What happens during an expedition, and where the extra 60% of fun come from, statistics doesn't say. Come discover for yourselves.