Tour from Khiva to ancient fortresses

Join me on a fascinating journey through time and explore the majestic desert fortresses of ancient Khorezm: Ayaz Qala, Toprak Qala, and Kyzyl Qala. These silent sentinels of the Kyzylkum Desert guarded the borders of a flourishing civilization over 2,000 years ago.

📝 What's included:
Knowledgeable local guide (English speaking)
Historical background, cultural insights and legends
Bottled water and light refreshments

✅ Additional information:
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate. The terrain is sandy but manageable.
Recommendation: Wear comfortable shoes, bring sunscreen and a hat.
Available year-round, although mornings and evenings are cooler in summer.

Solo travelers, families, and photographers are all welcome!

Why choose this tour?

These fortresses are more than just ruins—they are monuments to human resilience, creativity, and survival in a harsh environment. As your guide, I will help you understand the culture and context of each site, connecting you to the stories of kings, soldiers, and ordinary people who once called these desert outposts home.

Whether you are a passionate history buff or simply want to enjoy the beauty and mystery of Uzbekistan's ancient past, this tour offers something special and unforgettable.

* Additional costs: Tickets are purchased to climb the forts, and there is a fee for each fort, the price is 20,000 soms, and this is legal.

The tour lasts 4 hours

Available in English

Guide: Sarvarbek

Guiding since 2025

Hi. My name is Sarvarbek. I am a guide with 3 years of experience. We are team of uzb travelers and we have been working in tourism industry for 3 years and have experienced around Uzbekistan. We arrange Transportation, Hotels, Experienced English Speaking Guide all around Uzbekistan

5 stops

784.0 km walking

4 hours

Meeting point:226G+8VM, Republic of Karakalpakstan, UzbekistanOur meeting point is in front of the terrace restaurant, an easy-to-find place in the city, and from there we start our tour.I will be wearing a white shirt and a black hatOpen in Google Maps →

Entry not included

Ayaz QalaThe last fortress is Ayaz Kala. It 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, some time around the

Entry not included

Topraq-Kala The second Fortress is Toprak Kala. Toprak Kala is dated in the Kushan period, around the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE and was the royal residence of the kings of the Khorezm. The place, having first served as a Royal sanctuary, was briefly abandoned in the early 4th century and then after some restorations, was used as an administrative citadel for the city.

Entry not included

Kyzyl-KalaKizil Kala was originally constructed in the Late Antique period, 1st to 4th centuries CE, but was abandoned and then rebuilt in the 12th-13th centuries on the eve of the Mongol invasions. There is some debate about how this fortress may have been used in ancient times, with some scholars proposing that it was a garrison barracks for troops, whilst others suggest it was an early example of the many fortified manor houses that were typical of Khorezm in the early medieval periods

5 stops

784.0 km walking

4 hours

Entry not included

4.67

12 reviews

Professionalism

4.67

Entertainment

4.67

Communication

4.67

Quality

4.50

Route

4.83

Free tours don't have a fixed price. At the end, each person contributes to the guide the amount they consider fair based on their satisfaction. As a guideline, Guruwalk recommends between €15 and $50 per participant.

Accessibility

Suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Groups

Does not accept large group bookings.

Pets

Not suitable for bringing pets.

Minimum attendees

Requires a minimum of 5 people to conduct the tour.

Additional costs

The tour requires payment for entries or additional expenses.

Free cancellation

If you cannot attend the tour, please cancel the reservation, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.