Private Daytrip to 3 Ancient Fortresses of Khorezm

5.0 (5 reviews) 6 hours Free cancellation Private tour

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5 reviews

5.0

Private Daytrip to 3 Ancient Fortresses of Khorezm — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Private Daytrip to 3 Ancient Fortresses of Khorezm, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Venture into the storied landscapes of Khorezm on a private day trip to its ancient fortresses. Discover the historical significance of sites like Toprak Kala and Ayaz-Kala, each narrating the tales of bygone eras. Enjoy the flexibility of private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off, ensuring a comfortable experience. This tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, offering audio-guide materials to enrich your visit. With a moderate physical fitness level required, prepare to explore these remarkable ruins over approximately 6 hours, including a lunch stop at a local restaurant.

Private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off
Explore ancient fortresses like Toprak Kala, Kyzyl kala and Ayaz-Kala
Audio-guide materials to enhance your historical exploration
Full-day tour lasting approximately 6 hours, including lunch stop

Day Trips Half-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides City Tours Car Tours

At a glance

Duration: 6 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: German, Japanese, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Operated by: Oxus Travel

What is included

Included

Included: Private transportation
Included: Hotel pick up and drop off
Included: audio-guide materials
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle

Not included

Not included: Lunch
Not included: Entrance fees: Two fortress has small entrance fee (paid on site)

Itinerary

Fortress Toprak Kala

30 min Admission not included

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.
Ayaz-Kala

one hour

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. It was probable founded in the Afrighid period, sometime around the 7th to 8th Centuries CE…

There is a lake – Akchakul Lake between Toprak and Ayaz Kala. There are also Yurt camps and restaurants next to the lake where you can enjoy local meals and drinks. In summer time it is possible to enjoy swimming and sand bath in Akchakul Lake.
Stop 3

30 min Admission not included

Kizil 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

After visiting all seven fortresses, it is about 90 minutes to drive back to Khiva. Your driver may drop you off in Urgench Airport, Urgench or Khiva Train Station or in your hotel both in Khiva or Urgench at the end of the trip