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

DURATION: 1 day
DISTANCE: up to 250 km.
SEASON: Year round.

This trail follows the footprints of trade caravans, that used to once traveled thru the Chu Valley - along one of the northern routes of the Silk Road.

Field excursions offered on this trip are developed by the researchers who have been participating in studies carried out on these sites. Air overviews of the medieval cities, horseback rides, folk music concert are being offered as optional add-ons to the main tour program and are hence printed in italics and a different font color.

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

Depart from Bishkek.

Krasnaia Rechka archeological site ( city of NAVEKAT):
- Air excursions depend much on the weather conditions. Best times for flights are during sunrise/set.
- Field excursion - Buddhist Temple, Rabad, Shakhristan, Fire Worshipers’ Temple (Zoroastrianist)
- Demonstration of coin collection from Krasnaya Rechka.

Light breakfast.

Transfer to Ak-Beshim archeological site.

Ak-Beshim (city of SUIAB):
- Field excursion (on horseback) Nestorian Christian Temple, Buddhist Temple, Rabad, and look for a Balbal stone figure.

Transfer to Burana tower. (on horseback) - 15 км

Lunch

Burana archeological site (city of BALASAGUN):
- Field excursion - Burana museum, the minarah, digs at the Shakhristan.

Transfer to Issyk-Ata mountain valley.

Issyk-Ata Buddha: Excursion at the 1930s mineral springs resort, Radon swiming pool. (downhill biking - 15 км)

Transfer to Bishkek.

Dinner, folk music performance.

When one of the adventure tourism groups approached me with a request to develop an archeological trail in the Chu River valley, I was not very optimistic about the prospect. They proved me wrong…

As revealed by earlier scientific explorations, the Red River archeological site represents an early mediaeval city known as Navekat - a uniquie legacy, but its significance and historical value is only accessible to professionals. The city lies under a thick alluvial of hundreds of years. A few recent digs, which uncovered a Buddhist temple, fortification structures of the citadel, and an independently positioned castle with round shaped corner towers had soon turned into vague ruins and fall far from appealing to one's esthetic emotions. Neusses burial places of fire worshippers zoroastrians, destroyed by cattle farms constructed at the site also envoke emotions far from positive. For now, from my point of view, there isn't much at the site to see for an average tourist yet. But the adventurous guides proposed to take off and catch a bird's eye perspective on the ancient city. As a trail-blazer, I was supposed to be the first one to test fly the route and catch a few effective views on camera for advertisement purposes.

The views uncovered from 200m (650 ft) were worth the few unpleasant moments when the motorized hang-glider steeped up and the wind blasted tears from my eyes. It's amazing how much detail comes to view when you are looking from above. Beside the fortress walls one may distinguish living quarters and even outlines of separate buildings. The pilot of the ultralight would pass down by the hills, obliterating ancient temples or gain altitude letting you assess the size of this grand city on the route of the Great Silk Road.

The excitement of free flight, resembling only those emotions from dreams, mixed with the thrill over a great perspective to a medieval city and beauty of the Chu River Valley.

The trail yet needs to be perfected, there is much work in progress - the route needs to be detailed, a guidance narrative has to be translated to several languages and recorded on tape, to be played back in the air explaining what is seen under feet of those daring adventure tourists. By now I have a belief in the future of our adventure tourism, and can use the words of Gorky's characters in “The Song of the Felcon” to say: “I've seen the sky… I know happiness…”