History & Heritage
Khorezm desert fortresses
Ayaz Kala, Toprak Kala and the story of ancient Khorezm, with a guide — easy to combine with a stay in Khiva.
- Duration5–7 hours
- Group sizeUp to 4 people
- LanguagesEnglish, Russian
- AvailabilityDaily, on request
From $55 per group
Request this experience
Free to request · No payment now · Confirmed with the host first
About this experience
North of Khiva, the ruins of ancient Khorezm's fortresses stand in the Kyzylkum desert, some of them more than 2,000 years old. With a local guide they turn from impressive ruins into a story about the civilisations that lived here.
The trip visits Ayaz Kala's hilltop citadel and the ancient city walls of Toprak Kala, with desert landscapes along the way. It's usually done as a day from Khiva or Urgench.
What you'll experience
- Ayaz Kala hilltop fortress ruins
- Toprak Kala's ancient city walls
- Desert landscapes and the story of ancient Khorezm
- Easy to combine with a stay in Khiva
What you'll do
- Pickup in Khiva
- Toprak Kala
- Ayaz Kala
- Return to Khiva
The details
- Duration
- 5–7 hours
- Group size
- Up to 4 people
- Languages
- English, Russian
- Location
- Karakalpakstan, north of Khiva
- Meeting point
- Your hotel in Khiva or Urgench.
- Availability
- Daily, on request
- Experience type
- Day trip
- Price
- From $55 per group
What's included
- Local guide
Not included
- Transport (book the fortress transfer, or add it to your request)
- Entrance fees
- Food
Your host
A local local guide in Khorezm
We work with local hosts in Khorezm. Your host's name, the exact meeting point and the final details are shared with you when we confirm your request.
How it works
Request first. Confirm later.
No account and no payment to send a request.
Choose and request
Pick an experience, your date and group size, and send a request in a minute.
We confirm with your host
We check availability with the local host and send you the plan, meeting point and final price.
Add the ride
Need a pickup? Add a private transfer to the same request — transportation is what we do every day.
Request
Request Khorezm desert fortresses
Send your date and group size. We check with the host and reply with the next steps.
Getting to this experience
Your ride, sorted.
Private transfers to Khorezm at fixed prices per vehicle, or keep a car with a driver for the whole day. Or tick “Add a private transfer” in your request.
Questions
Do I pay when I send a request?
No. A request is free and without obligation. We check availability with the local host, then send you the plan and the final price. Nothing is booked until you confirm.
How is my experience confirmed?
After you send a request we contact the host for your date and group size, then reply by your preferred contact method with the details, meeting point and price.
What does "Price on request" mean?
Some experiences depend on the season, the group size or the host's schedule. We quote them for your exact date and group — there's no obligation to book.
Can you add transport to an experience?
Yes. Tick "Add a private transfer" in the request form, or book a transfer separately. Transportation is what we do every day, so pickups from your hotel or between cities are easy to combine.
Can I request something that isn't listed?
Yes. Tell us where you're going and what you're interested in, and we'll look for a local host who can offer it.
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