Discover 2000 years old Ancient Fortresses on the way from Khiva to Nukus
Daytrip Duration: 8-10 hours
Sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Driving time: 4-5 hours
Driving Distance: 270 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
Day Trip: Ancient Fortresses of Khorezm
We will pick you up from Urgench Airport / Train Station or from your hotel in Khiva or Urgench to start the day trip.
Although the tour can begin at any time, it is best to start in the morning after breakfast (around 08:00 am). The drive from Khiva to the first fortress takes about 90 minutes.
🏰 Ayaz Kala
The adventure begins with Ayaz Kala, one of the most spectacular fortresses of the region. In fact, it is not just one fortress, but three fortresses grouped together on and around a hill at the eastern end of the Sultan-Uiz-dagh range. These strongholds were built to defend against nomadic raids.
Nearby, a gravel road leads to a small cluster of yurts, where visitors can rest and enjoy the view over a shallow but picturesque lake. The fortress is believed to have been founded during the Afrighid period (7th–8th centuries CE).
🌊 Akchakul Lake
Between Ayaz Kala and Toprak Kala lies Akchakul Lake, a beautiful spot surrounded by yurt camps and small restaurants. Here, visitors can relax, try local meals, and sometimes even enjoy swimming or a sand bath.
🏰 Toprak Kala
Next, we visit Toprak Kala, dating back to the Kushan period. This site once served as the royal residence of Khorezmian kings. The monumental palace in the northwest corner is one of the best-preserved Kushan-era buildings in Central Asia. Initially a royal sanctuary, it was later restored and used as an administrative citadel.
🏰 Kizil Kala
Our journey continues to Kizil Kala, originally built during the 1st–4th centuries CE. It was later rebuilt in the 12th–13th centuries, just before the Mongol invasions. Scholars debate its original function — it may have been a garrison barracks or an early fortified manor house, typical of medieval Khorezm.
🏰 Chilpik Kala
The final stop is Chilpik Kala, also known as the Tower of Silence. This Zoroastrian structure was used for exposing the dead to birds of prey, before the bones were collected and placed in ossuaries. Originally constructed in the first centuries CE, Chilpik was rebuilt in the 7th–10th centuries.
🚗 Return to Nukus
After exploring all four fortresses, it takes about 40 minutes to drive from Chilpik Kala to Nukus. At the end of the trip, we can drop you off at Nukus Airport / Train Station or your hotel in Nukus.
✨ This route combines history, culture, and landscapes — giving travelers a glimpse into the ancient civilization of Khorezm.
