Discover the fortresses of the Kyzyl Kum Desert from Khiva, visiting Toprak-Kala, Kizil-Kala, and Ayaz-Kala on this private tour in English. A true journey back in time!
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the activity starts. Any cancellations after this time or no-shows on the day will not be refunded.
You can book up to 4 days in advance if there are any seats left. Book now and guarantee your spot.
If you have other questions, contact us
Discover the fortresses of the Kyzyl Kum Desert from Khiva, visiting Toprak-Kala, Kizil-Kala, and Ayaz-Kala on this private tour in English. A true journey back in time!
At the indicated time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel in Khiva and head into the vast Kyzyl Kum Desert, a golden sea that guarded the borders of the ancient Kingdom of Khorezm for thousands of years.
As we cross these plains, we’ll discover a landscape shaped by wind and silence, where some of the most impressive fortresses in Central Asia once rose. The first we’ll visit will be Toprak-Kala, capital of ancient Chorasmia.
During the visit, we’ll walk among its adobe walls, still majestic despite the passage of time. Frescoes, sculptures, and manuscripts found here reveal the sophistication of a royal court that ruled from these arid lands. Did you know that Toprak-Kala once housed a royal hall decorated with 23 colossal sculptures?
We’ll continue to Kizil-Kala, the red fortress, used as a defensive outpost between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. Its reddish tones stand out against the desert sands, and its rectangular layout helps us understand how a military system was organized to monitor trade routes and detect nomadic incursions.
Next stop? Ayaz-Kala Fortress, perhaps the most impressive of them all. It consists of 3 castles perched on a volcanic ridge, offering breathtaking views over the desert. Some say its name, “icy fortress,” comes from the cutting winds that sweep across the area.
Finally, we’ll return to Khiva and conclude the tour by dropping you off at your hotel after between 7 and 8 hours of sightseeing.
Booking a private tour offers several advantages. You’ll enjoy the exclusive service of an English-speaking guide, and there won’t be anyone else in the group apart from your partner, family, or friends. If you’re traveling as a larger group, you’ll also save money!
You can book up to 4 days in advance if there are any seats left. Book now and guarantee your spot.
If you have other questions, contact us
Free cancellation
