2-Day Aral Sea Tour from Khiva: Ship Cemetery & Yurt Stay

Dozens of rusting ships lie stranded in the desert where the Aral Sea once was.

A 2-day tour from Khiva to the Aral Sea combines desert travel and ancient sites with an overnight stay in a traditional yurt camp. Day one takes you across the Ustyurt Plateau by 4x4 to the Ship Cemetery in Muynak, the Aral Sea Museum, and the Kurgancha-Kala fortress, ending with dinner and a night in the yurt. Day two visits the Mizdakhan Necropolis and Chilpik Dakhma before returning to Khiva, Nukus or Urgench.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Aral Sea and desert adventure

• Visit Ship Cemetery in Muynak
• Explore Aral Sea Museum
• Off-road 4x4 desert adventure
• Visit Kurgancha-Kala fortress
• Overnight in traditional yurt camp

Day 2: Ancient sites and return

• Visit Mizdakhan Necropolis
• Explore Chilpik Dakhma Tower
• Return to Khiva/Nukus/Urgench
• Drop-off at hotel, airport, or station

The experience

The Aral Sea's collapse is visible the moment you arrive in Muynak. The Ship Cemetery (dozens of fishing trawlers and vessels rusting in the open desert) marks what was once the world's fourth-largest lake. The Aral Sea Museum documents the ecological catastrophe through historical maps, photographs from the 1960s onward, and relics of the fishing industry that vanished when irrigation policies drained the water. From there, the 4x4 journey across the Ustyurt Plateau takes you through canyons and past cliff views, a landscape that shifts between barren and dramatic.

The overnight yurt camp sits on the shores of what remains of the sea. You'll have the option to swim in the salty water (a freshwater rinse-off station is available afterward), or simply rest on the shore. Dinner and breakfast are part of the stay, cooked in the traditional Karakalpak style. The night itself is the heart of the tour: sleeping in a yurt under the desert sky, far from any city.

Day two moves through older history. The Mizdakhan Necropolis, a 7th-century BC burial ground spread across three hills, blends Zoroastrian, Islamic and local Karakalpak traditions. Chilpik Dakhma, a 2,000-year-old circular tower, is one of Central Asia's best-preserved Zoroastrian Towers of Silence: structures used for sky burials that offer both archaeological weight and haunting desert views. After these stops, the return journey takes you back to Khiva, Nukus or Urgench, with drop-off at your hotel, airport or train station.

What’s included

• 4x4 vehicle for the desert crossing.
• private transportation and pickup and drop-off service from Khiva, Nukus or Urgench.
• yurt reservation with dinner and breakfast included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00, 06:30, 07:00 and 07:30Last departure this season: 1 Dec

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 5

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Amu Transport

Is this one for you?The 4x4 desert crossing and overnight yurt stay demand moderate physical fitness and comfort with rough travel, but the pace allows time to absorb each stop without rushing through the sites.

Top questions

What is the Ship Cemetery in Muynak?

The Ship Cemetery is a collection of dozens of rusting fishing trawlers and vessels abandoned in the desert near Muynak, stranded far from the water that once sustained them. It stands as a stark reminder of the Aral Sea's disappearance and is one of Central Asia's most surreal sights.

Can I swim in the Aral Sea during this tour?

Swimming is optional. The water is salty, so avoid getting it in your eyes. A freshwater rinse-off station is available after swimming, and you can relax on the shore if you prefer not to enter the water.

What is Chilpik Dakhma?

Chilpik Dakhma is a 2,000-year-old circular tower, one of Central Asia's best-preserved Zoroastrian Towers of Silence. It was used for sky burials and offers haunting desert views along with insight into pre-Islamic funeral rites.

Where do I sleep on this tour?

You stay overnight in a traditional Karakalpak yurt camp on the shores of the Aral Sea. Dinner and breakfast are included, and you'll sleep under the desert sky.

What does the Aral Sea Museum cover?

The museum in Muynak documents the ecological tragedy of the Aral Sea through historical maps and photographs showing the sea's rapid shrinkage since the 1960s, fishing industry relics, and displays explaining how cotton irrigation policies caused the disaster.

Does the tour include a guide?

This is a self-guided tour. Your driver is fully trained on the itinerary and will take care of you throughout, but you won't have a separate guide providing commentary at each stop.