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Daytrip from Khiva to the best 10 Fortresses and Akchakul Lake
Khiva, Uzbekistan
$135
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
Overview
Step off the standard tourist trail and discover the best ""Ancient Khorezm Fortresses" on a premium private archaeological expedition from Khiva. Designed specifically for discerning travelers, historians, and photography enthusiasts, this exclusive full-day itinerary offers an exhaustive exploration of Ancient Khorezm—a sophisticated 2,000-year-old desert civilization whose monumental architecture once rivaled the greatest empires of antiquity.
Accompanied by a dedicated professional local expert drives, you will traverse the desert plains to analyze ten of the most structurally significant, monumental mud-brick citadels remaining in Central Asia.
To balance the day's intensive archaeological focus, the journey includes a curated stop at the striking Akchakul Lake oasis, where deep blue waters provide a stark, beautiful contrast to the surrounding golden sand dunes.
Accompanied by a dedicated professional local expert drives, you will traverse the desert plains to analyze ten of the most structurally significant, monumental mud-brick citadels remaining in Central Asia.
To balance the day's intensive archaeological focus, the journey includes a curated stop at the striking Akchakul Lake oasis, where deep blue waters provide a stark, beautiful contrast to the surrounding golden sand dunes.
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A Sedan (1-3 passengers)
Pickup included
Pickup included
Tour guide
Language: English
Printed guide
- Flexible photo stops at any scenic point along the route.
- Parking Fees
- Fuel surcharge
- Professional local drivers with basic English & Russian language skills.
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Hands-on cotton picking experience in local fields (seasonal)
- Fresh, local melon and watermelon tastings along the way (seasonal).
- Informative printed materials and brochures about the historic sites.
- 1L per person
- Private transportation
- Kizil Kala Fortress (must be paid on site)
- Toprak Kala Fortress (must be paid on site)
- Ayaz Kala Fortress (must be paid on site)
- Lunch (optional)
- A personal tour guide, English & Russian only, $100 (optional, (must be paid on site)
Meeting point
Our Travel Agency located inside the Ichan Kala Touristic Complex next to the Caravan Sarai and Toshhovli Palace.
Return details
Our Travel Agency located inside the Ichan Kala Touristic Complex next to the Caravan Sarai and Toshhovli Palace.
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UrgenchWe can also start the daytrip here
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Stop 1: Guldursun Kala – Marvel at one of the largest frontier fortresses of Khorezm, famous for its towering mud walls and the tragic medieval legend of the princess who betrayed her city for love.
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Stop 2: Koy Krylgan Kala – Discover a unique, thousands-of-years-old circular complex believed by archeologists to have served as both a sacred Zoroastrian temple and an astronomical observatory. Stop 3: Angka Kala – Explore this lesser-visited, well-preserved square frontier post that guarded the ancient trade routes passing through the oasis.
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Stop 3. Angka Kala (also spelled Anka-kala or Anka Qala) is a remarkably well-preserved ancient mud-brick military fortress located in the Turtkul district of Karakalpakstan, roughly 4 kilometers east of the famous circular ruins of Koykirilgan Kala.Unlike the larger royal palace cities of the region, Angka Kala is highly valued by archaeologists for providing a textbook example of a highly disciplined, standard-issue Late Antique Khorezmian military outpost
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Stop 4: Janbas Kala – Step inside a fascinating fortress dating back to the 4th century BC. Uniquely built without defensive towers, its well-preserved arrow slits reveal early military architecture. Stops 5 & 6: Big & Small Kirkkiz Kala – Explore the "Forty Girls" fortresses. Separate myth from history as you tour these atmospheric ruins, which legends say were defended by fierce warrior women.
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Stop 5. Big Kirkkiz Kala (also known as U'lken Qırq Qız qala) is a prominent, ancient mud-brick fortress located roughly 11 kilometers east of the famous Ayaz Kala complex in the Ellik Kala district of Karakalpakstan.Its name translates to "Forty Girls," a common moniker in Central Asian folklore traditionally associated with legends of brave warrior women defending their lands
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Stop 6. Small Kirkkiz Kala (also known as Kishkene Qırq Qız qala) is the sister outpost to Big Kirkkiz Kala. It is situated in the Ellik Kala district of Karakalpakstan, roughly 6 kilometers east of Ayaz Kala and just over 4 kilometers west of its larger counterpart.Dating back to the 4th–3rd centuries BCE, it was a vital node in the ancient outer defensive network of the Khorezmian Oasis.
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Ayaz-KalaStop 7. Ayaz Kala is the one of the most spectacular fortresses in the area. There are in fact, not one but three fortresses clustered together on and around a prominent hill at the Eastern end of the Sultan-Uiz-dahg range. The fortress provided defense against nomad raids. A gravel road leads up to a small cluster of Yurts, a tourist rest center overlooking a shallow but picturesque lake. The Fort dates to medieval times. It was probable founded in the Afrighid period, sometime around the 7th to 8th Centuries CE… Please take your time and guide yourself to visit the Fortress, climb & walk on it and enjoy the panoramic view from the top of the fortress. You can get more interesting historical information on the Printed Brochure provided by your driver.
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Stop 8. Kavat-Kala is a vast archaeological oasis complex dating from the 12th to the early 13th centuries CE, famous for its exceptionally well-preserved medieval agricultural grid, canals, and ruins. Please take your time and guide yourself to visit the Fortress, climb & walk on it. You can get more interesting historical information on the Printed Brochure provided by your driver.
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Stop 9. Akchakul Lake is a natural Lake located in the Karakalpakstan region where visitors can enjoy freshwater swimming, jet skiing, take a sand bath, wildlife birdwatching, eat and drink in the local restaurant/Caffes and overnight stays in beachfront desert yurt camps. The This unique body of water sits right alongside the region's ancient ruins, making it the perfect relaxation stop during the daytrip.
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Fortress Toprak KalaStop 10. Toprak-Kala means Earth Fortress. It is a 2,000-year-old fortified palace complex that served as the capital and royal residence of the ancient Khorezm Kings from the 1st to the 4th centuries CE. Please take your time and guide yourself to visit the Fortress, climb & walk on it and enjoy the panoramic view from the top of the fortress. You can get more interesting historical information on the Printed Brochure provided by your driver.
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Kyzyl KalaStop 11. Kizil Kala means red Fortress. It is a compact and highly photogenic ancient military outpost located in the Ellik-Kala oasis of Karakalpakstan. Originally built between the 1st and 4th centuries AD to protect the nearby royal capital of Toprak Kala, it stands as a unique testament to the military architecture of ancient Khorezm. Please take your time and guide yourself to visit the Fortress, climb & walk on it and enjoy the panoramic view from the top of the fortress. You can get more interesting historical information on the Printed Brochure provided by your driver.
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UrgenchWe can also end the daytrip here
How it works?
01
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You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
02
—
We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
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Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!
Daytrip from Khiva to the best 10 Fortresses and Akchakul Lake
Khiva, Uzbekistan
$135
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
How it works?
01
—
You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
02
—
We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
—
Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!