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Kyrgyzstan

Explore in a sustainable way the most beautiful trails of the Tian Shan mountain range and experience the hospitality of the Kyrgyz nomads.

Uzbekistan

Unlock the secrets of the Silk Road and immerse yourself in its unique traditions and way of life of the ancient civilizations and rich culture of Uzbekistan.

Tajikistan

Disclose the gems of Tajikistan and explore the hidden corners of the Pamir and Fan mountains while respecting the fragile nature.

Turkmenistan

Create your own trip and uncover the authentic life of the Turkmen people and their rich history in the heart of the Great Silk Road.

Kazakhstan

Enjoy your unique tailor-made journey exploring the endless steppes and snowy peaks of Kazakhstan. Immerse yourself in the nomadic traditions.

China

In private group, unlock the secrets of ancients civilizations of China and immerse yourself in its unique traditions with a tailor-made program.

Nepal

Experience our hiking programs off the beaten track and discover the magic life of Nepal while supporting local sustainability initiatives.

Mongolia

Find your adventure in Mongolia and experience the rich nomadic culture and stunning landscapes, in immersion with local communities.

Pakistan

Discover in a sustainable way the heart of the Indus civilizations and the Karakoram mountains, in total immersion with local traditions and cultures.

Afghanistan

Explore safely the rich culture and stunning landscapes of Afghanistan, like never before with local communities and preserving incredible nature.

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Places to visit

Culture

Behind the scenes of the documentary "Gerard Depardieu: My Uzbek Dream"

After  the documentary  "Gerard Depardieu : My Uzbek Dream" was shoot, Arnaud Frilley reveals Uzbekistan, which fascinates with the beauty of its landscapes and cultural richness. Novastan was particularly interested in the role of Uzbeks in the creation of this documentary.

Within the framework of the international Festival of Asian cinema, which took place in Vesule from 1 to 8 February, Arnaud Frilley, director of the documentary "Gerard Depardieu : my Uzbek dream", was able to present his film to the general public. The film premiered in Paris in October 2020 years without film distribution.

Originally conceived in collaboration with Uzbek director Ali Khamraev, the documentary film eventually had to be thought in a different way. " From the first day, Khamrayev and Depardieu did not come to terms  on the film. Ali wanted to make a feature film, and we wanted to make a documentary. In addition, he wanted to shoot Depardieu, as in the era of the New Wave film, but Gerard did not want to shoot like 40 years ago," says Arnaud Frilley to Novastan. Unable to use Ali Khamrayev's script, Arnaud Frilley rethought it and decided to leave more space for spontaneity. The director wanted to show the audience a beautiful story telling about Gerard Depardieu's journey through Uzbekistan. The film takes the viewer to the main tourist points of the country: Khiva, Samarkand, Bukhara, known for their Silk Road past, and at the same time touches on such problematic topics as the situation in Muynak, located next to what remains of the Aral Sea. Nuanced facets throughout the film, Gerard Depardieu gets acquainted with the population Uzbekistan, its culture, customs, religion and traces left by previous civilizations. Accompanied by local guides, he traveled from city to city, introducing the viewer to the little-known history of this country. This documentary highlights the tourist advantages of the country, revealing its diversity: its cultural wealth, its mythical cities and historical relics, the diversity of its landscapes. Although for some the film may seem like an advertisement for tourists, but for Arnaud Frilley this wealth is a reality. Why not show it? How long will it be possible to save this extremely fragile balance? The director refers to the numerous layers of civilizations that have taken root in Uzbekistan with its Sufi Islam, the philosophy of which is used by the authorities to create a new political model. Arnaud Frilley asks, "How many people actually practice Sufi Islam? Today, traditional Islam is much more widespread among the less educated population.

The independence of the country was marked by the searching of spiritual alternative

of Soviet ideology. In this context, Sufism was declared an "exceptional heritage", political leaders wanted to find an alternative to the aggressiveness and terrorism that political Islam seemed to be approaching. In addition, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan, since coming to power in 2016, has made important changes to the new model of society - the "new" Uzbekistan. This development strategy includes various directions, such as reforms in the spiritual and educational spheres aimed at developing a more enlightened society.

Blog

"The Valley of Balls" - the unsolved mystery of Mangistau

"The Valley of Spheres" in Mangistau, Kazakhstan, remains one of the most mysterious and little-studied archaeological finds in the world. Many questions surround these strange stone spheres, and researchers continue to try to unravel their mystery.

One of the interesting features of the Mangistau spheres is their perfectly round shape. They have striking smoothness and symmetry, indicating the possible presence of high-tech methods of creation. Some orbs have precise geometric patterns, while others contain internal cavities and channels. These artifacts demonstrate a high degree of craftsmanship and technical knowledge, which raises questions about the possible ancient civilization that may have created them.

There are several hypotheses regarding the possible origin of the Mangistau orbs. One hypothesis is that they may be a natural formation resulting from natural processes of erosion and abrasion. However, there are doubts about the extent to which natural forces could have created such perfectly rounded shapes.

Another hypothesis suggests that the orbs were created by an ancient civilization or highly developed people who possessed unique technical skills. Arguments supporting this hypothesis include not only the perfect shape of the orbs, but also their unique location and location in the valley. Some believe that the orbs had religious or cultic significance and were used for rituals or ceremonies.

However, no direct evidence has yet been found to support any of these hypotheses. Research in the "Valley of the Orbs" has been limited and many questions remain unanswered. The lack of physical evidence and limited access to the site make it difficult to research and the ability to fully understand the Valley of the Balls.

In spite of this, the Valley of the Balls is attracting more and more attention from researchers, archaeologists and scientists. Numerous expeditions have been conducted to study these mysterious artifacts and try to unravel their origins. Methods of geological analysis, radiocarbon dating and comparative studies with other archaeological finds have been used.

One of the difficulties in exploring the Valley of Spheres is its remote location in the desert regions of Mangistau and difficult climatic conditions. There are also restrictions on access to the area, which makes it difficult to conduct meaningful research and archaeological excavations.

Despite all the difficulties, some research results have already been obtained. Certain stone samples have been analyzed and some are composed of granite, basalt or sandstone. This gives us an idea of the nature of the materials used to create the orbs.

Most questions remain unanswered, however, and the "Valley of the Balls" remains a mysterious place. Further research and analysis is needed to fully understand these archaeological findings. Scientists continue to work on this mystery, hoping to find new evidence and indicators that will help solve the mystery of the "Valley of the Balls" and shed light on the ancient history of this amazing area in Mangistau.

 

 

Eco Projects

Rural development in Nepal

The Nepalko Sathi association leads its actions in favor of the Sherpas of Khembalung in the Arun valley (Province of Koshi). Nepalko Sathi

From Tumlingtar airport we reach by jeep the small town of Kahandbari where we are greeted by Kibutie and his family. From there, we climb to the small village of Gontala, in the heart of the actions of Nepalko Sathi (three days of walking), then we go up to Saissima, where Tendi Sherpa is rehabilitating the hamlet of his childhood. From Saissima it is possible to continue and make a loop towards Makalu and the impressive surrounding peaks (under tent).

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