Discover 2000 years old Ancient Fortresses on the way between Khiva and Bukhara.
Daytrip Duration: 12-14 hours
Sightseeing time: 4-5 hours
Driving time: 8-9 hours
Driving Distance: 710 km.
Included: Hands-Free Brochures, a good drivers with new Cars with AC, pick up and drop off at your location and Mineral water (0.5l. per person)
Not Included: Entrance tickets, meals, camel riding, Yurt Camp stay & etc.
Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Khiva or Urgench to begin the day trip. You can start at any time, but we suggest setting off in the morning after breakfast, around 07:00–08:00. The first stop is about 60–90 minutes away.
The journey begins with Kizil Kala, a fortress first built between the 1st and 4th centuries CE, then abandoned and later reconstructed in the 12th–13th centuries, just before the Mongol invasion. Scholars are still unsure of its original use—some say it served as a military garrison, while others think it was one of the earliest fortified manor houses typical of Khorezm.
Just 10 minutes away lies Toprak Kala, dating to the 2nd–3rd centuries CE in the Kushan period. Once the royal residence of Khorezm’s kings, it was initially used as a sacred royal complex, then briefly abandoned in the 4th century, before being restored and turned into the city’s main administrative center.
After exploring these fortresses, you’ll take a break at Akchakul Lake. Here you’ll find a yurt camp restaurant, a minimarket, and washrooms. You can enjoy local dishes and drinks, or even try swimming and sand bathing in the lake.
Next is Kavat Kala, a site with over 2400 years of history. Positioned at the heart of a major irrigation system, it was surrounded by prosperous settlements, particularly between the 11th and 13th centuries.
A 30-minute drive then brings you to Ayaz Kala, one of the most remarkable fortresses in the region. In fact, this site includes three separate forts built on and around a high hill at the eastern end of the Sultan-Uiz-Dag range. Believed to have been founded in the 7th–8th centuries CE during the Afrighid dynasty, Ayaz Kala served as protection from nomadic raids. Nearby, you’ll also find yurts and a small tourist camp overlooking a scenic lake.
The next stop is Big Kirkkiz Kala, dating from the 4th century BCE to the 7th–8th centuries CE. This rectangular fortress is known for its double walls with an archer’s gallery and arrow-shaped slits. During the Afrighid period, it became a hub for pottery production.
From there, you will see Janbas Kala, which has one of the oldest defensive designs from the Early Antique period. Its four walls are still well-preserved, some reaching up to 20 meters high. Unlike most Khorezm fortresses, Janbas Kala had no towers on its outer walls, making it more vulnerable to attacks at its lower sections.
Next is Angka Kala, dating back to the 1st–3rd centuries CE, during the Kushan Empire. Built on the eastern edge of Khorezm, it guarded the main caravan route to the east.
The final fortress is Guldursun Kala, a fortified town whose massive walls and towers date to the 12th century. Excavations here revealed pottery, bronze artifacts, and coins. The most recent finds date to around 1220 CE, the time of Muhammad Khorezmshah and the Mongol invasion.
After visiting all eight fortresses, the drive to Bukhara takes about 4–5 hours. Along the way, you can stop for breaks, meals, or photos. There are several roadside restaurants available for lunch. By evening, our driver will drop you off at your hotel, airport, or train station in Bukhara, where the trip ends.
