Khiva Fortresses Day Trip: 10 Mud-Brick Citadels

Ten fortress ruins across the Khorezm desert, each one a different chapter of a 2,000-year-old civilization.

A full-day private tour from Khiva to ten of the most significant ancient Khorezm fortresses scattered across the desert plains, with a professional local guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a swimming stop at Akchakul Lake. The itinerary spans from Guldursun Kala's towering mud walls to Toprak Kala, the 2,000-year-old royal palace complex, with stops at lesser-known outposts like Angka Kala and the "Forty Girls" fortresses. Three fortress sites require separate on-site payment. A personal guide and lunch are optional add-ons at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Khorezm Fortresses and Akchakul Lake

• Start daytrip in Khiva
• Visit Guldursun Kala fortress
• Explore Koy Krylgan Kala complex
• Tour Angka Kala fortress
• Visit Janbas Kala fortress
• Explore Big Kirkkiz Kala fortress
• Explore Small Kirkkiz Kala fortress
• Visit Ayaz Kala fortresses and view lake
• Tour Kavat-Kala archaeological complex
• Relax at Akchakul Lake oasis
• Visit Toprak-Kala palace complex
• Explore Kizil Kala fortress
• End daytrip in Khiva

The experience

How do you see ten ancient fortresses in a single day without renting a car? The answer is a private driver who knows the desert routes and the archaeology behind each stop. You start from your Khiva hotel in an air-conditioned Chevrolet, heading out across the Khorezm plains toward Guldursun Kala, one of the largest frontier fortresses, famous for its towering mud walls and a medieval legend about a princess who betrayed her city. From there the day unfolds as a sequence of ruins, each one telling a different story: Koy Krylgan Kala, a circular complex that archaeologists believe served as both a Zoroastrian temple and an astronomical observatory; Angka Kala, a well-preserved square military outpost; Janbas Kala, dating to the 4th century BC and built without defensive towers, its arrow slits still visible in the mud brick.

The journey includes the two Kirkkiz Kala fortresses (Big and Small), whose name translates to "Forty Girls" and carries Central Asian folklore about warrior women defending their lands. Ayaz Kala sits on a prominent hill with three fortress clusters and a panoramic view across the surrounding landscape. You climb and walk the ruins at your own pace, with printed brochures from your driver providing historical context. Kavat Kala, a 12th-century agricultural complex with preserved medieval canals and grid patterns, follows the same self-guided format. Between the fortresses, you stop to taste local melons and watermelons, watch camels, and visit cotton fields where you can try cotton picking. The day includes a break at Akchakul Lake, where deep blue water sits against golden sand dunes. You can swim and take a sand bath before heading back to Khiva.

Three of the major fortresses: Toprak Kala (the 2,000-year-old royal palace), Kizil Kala (the red fortress), and Ayaz Kala, require separate on-site payment, so budget for those entries. A personal guide and lunch are optional at checkout. The full day runs 10 to 12 hours depending on how long you spend at each ruin. Free Wi-Fi is available in the car, and the vehicle has functional seat belts and air conditioning. Photo stops happen anywhere you want them along the route.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off with luggage.
• modern air-conditioned Chevrolet with a professional local driver.
• swimming and sand bath at Akchakul Lake.
• printed archaeological brochures for each fortress.
• photo stops anywhere along the route.
• stops to taste local melons and watermelons.
• cotton field visit with cotton-picking experience.
• camel watching.
• free Wi-Fi in the vehicle.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 85

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Islambek Travel & Hotels, Khiva

Is this one for you?You start from your Khiva hotel without needing a car or a guide who speaks your language fluently. The driver handles the route and provides printed materials at each stop. This works best if you have a moderate level of physical fitness, since the day involves climbing and walking across ten different fortress sites over 10 to 12 hours, with a swimming break at Akchakul Lake to balance the intensity.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

35 verified traveler reviews

5 ★35

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is Toprak Kala and why is it significant?

Toprak Kala, meaning "Earth Fortress," is a 2,000-year-old fortified palace complex that served as the capital and royal residence of the ancient Khorezm Kings from the 1st to the 4th centuries CE. It stands as one of the most monumental examples of ancient Khorezm architecture and requires separate on-site payment to enter.

Can I swim during the day trip?

Yes. Akchakul Lake, a natural freshwater lake in the Karakalpakstan region, is included as a stop where you can swim and take a sand bath. The lake sits alongside the ancient ruins, making it a relaxation point midway through the fortress tour.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation from the hotel?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and you travel in a modern, air-conditioned Chevrolet with your driver throughout the day. The driver has basic language skills and provides printed brochures with historical information at each stop.

What is Koy Krylgan Kala and what made it unique?

Koy Krylgan Kala is a circular fortress complex thousands of years old that archaeologists believe served as both a sacred Zoroastrian temple and an astronomical observatory. Its circular design sets it apart from the other square and rectangular fortresses on the tour.

Are there extra costs beyond the tour price?

Three fortress sites (Toprak Kala, Kizil Kala, and Ayaz Kala) require separate on-site payment for entry. A personal guide and lunch are optional add-ons you can choose at checkout. All other stops, including Akchakul Lake swimming and cotton field visits, are included.

How much time do I spend at each fortress?

You set your own pace at most stops. The itinerary is designed for self-guided exploration, and your driver provides printed materials with historical context. The full day runs 10 to 12 hours total, allowing time to climb, walk the ruins, and take photographs at each site.