Private Tour

Day Trip Top 3 Fortresses departure from Khiva Self-Guided Tour

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Overview

7 hours

Mobile ticket

Visit 3 the top attractions outside of Khiva on this day trip to Kyzyl Qala (“Red fortress” in Uzbek), Toprak Qala (“Sand” in Uzbek) and “must see” fort in the desert Ayaz Qala. After breakfast transfer to the Qala trip (“Fortress” in Uzbek) total drive 210 km. The ruins of over a dozen walled towns, palaces and forts, some well over 2000 years old, stand half-forgotten in the semi-desert east and north of Urgench in southern Karakalpakstan. The area’s traditionally name, Ellik Qala (the 50 fortresses) gives a stark indication of what lies beneath the desert sands. There are about 20 forts and you will visit three of the most impressive forts: Toprak Qala and Ayaz Qala.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Total duration of the tour is 7 hours which includes driving from Khiva till Kyzyl Qala (less than an hour), from Kyzyl Qala till Toprak Qala (around 10 minutes), from Toprak Qala till Ayaz Qala (around 45 minutes), lunch break if needed and drive back to Khiva (1 hour 40 minutes).

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

1

Kyzyl Kala

Kyzyl Qala (“Red fortress” in Uzbek)— located in modern Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan and it was an ancient fortress in Khorazm built in the 1st -4th centuries AD. Kyzyl Qala fortress buried in the desert for centuries before being discovered by Professor Tolstov in 1938.

40 minutes • Admission Included
2

Fortress Toprak Kala

Toprak Qala (“Sand” in Uzbek)— used to be the region’s biggest city (350 meters by 500 meters) until the destruction canals left it marooned in the desert sands. The Russian archaeologist Tolstov excavated the palace friezes in 1938 dating from the 2nd and 3rd century AD.

1 hour • Admission Included

What‘s Included

Entrance tickets to the fortresses

Air-conditioned vehicle

Lunch

English guide

Gratuities

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

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Day Trip Top 3 Fortresses departure from Khiva Self-Guided Tour

Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

2 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

2
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  • A departure for a step back in time

    jean-jacques L,May 20, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Starting point for desert fortresses. Khiva, a quiet little town with its truncated minaret, medrassas, brick fortress and tranquil atmosphere is an excellent entry point to discover Uzbekistan. Must visit before Bukhara and Samarkand.

From US$70.00

5.00
(2 reviews)