Khiva walking tour with local guide: UNESCO walled city

215 wooden columns carved by hand, each one different, holding up the Juma Mosque for over a thousand years.

A three-hour guided walking tour of Khiva's Itchan Kala, the walled inner city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, led by a local guide who shares stories of Silk Road traders, khans, and hidden spots most visitors miss. Entry tickets are not included in the tour price and must be paid separately (250,000 sum per person). The tour is available as a shared group experience or as a private option.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Khiva's Historic Landmarks

• Start at Ata Darwaza gate
• Visit Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah
• See the Kalta Minor Minaret
• Tour the Kuhna Ark fortress
• Watch artisans at wood carving workshop
• Explore Scholars Museum
• Visit Tosh Khovli Palace
• Shop at Allakulikhan Caravanserai
• Visit Juma Mosque
• Explore Islom Khodja Madrasah and minaret

The experience

You start at Ata Darwaza, the main gate that once welcomed Silk Road caravans, and move through narrow alleys toward the landmarks that define Khiva. The Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, built in 1851, once housed over 250 students and still stands as the largest Islamic school the region has ever seen. Next to it rises the Kalta Minor, Khiva's most recognizable minaret with its bold turquoise tiles: construction stopped abruptly after the Khan's death, leaving it shorter and wider than originally planned. Your guide walks you through the Kuhna Ark, the fortress where khans once ruled from a throne room and harem, its tilework and reception halls still intact.

The Juma Mosque arrives as the spiritual center of the tour: a 10th-century building held up by 215 individually carved wooden columns, each one different, blending Islamic design with local craft. You'll also visit the Tosh Khovli Palace (also called Allakulikhan Palace), a 19th-century residence built for the khans themselves, and the Islom Khodja Madrasah, which houses Khiva's tallest minaret and is known for its tilework. Along the way, your guide takes you to a local wood-carving workshop where artisans still use age-old techniques, and to the Scholars Museum, where you learn about historical figures like Al-Khorazmiy and Ibn Sina who shaped world civilization. The Allakulikhan Caravanserai, a 17th-century Silk Road stop, gives you a chance to shop for local souvenirs and see where merchants once sheltered their camels.

Your guide shares local legends and cultural insights that bring the city to life, and offers tips on where to eat and explore more during your stay. The tour works for all fitness levels, and families with infants or small children can bring a pram or stroller. Public transportation is available nearby if you need it.

What’s included

• An English-speaking local guide who was born and raised in Khiva and shares personal stories, local legends, and cultural insights.
• visits to the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, Kalta Minor minaret, Kuhna Ark fortress, Juma Mosque with its 215 carved wooden columns, Tosh Khovli Palace, Islom Khodja Madrasah, a local wood-carving workshop, the Scholars Museum, and the Allakulikhan Caravanserai where you can shop for souvenirs.

Options for this experience

2 options

Group Walking Tour with a Local Guide09:00 and 17:00A guided walk through Khiva's historic streets, taking in its ancient monuments, local culture and lesser-known gems.

Private Option09:00 and 17:00Walking tour

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 17:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 15

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Uzbekistan Travelers - Guided By Sarvar

Is this one for you?Pick the group tour to share costs with other travelers, or book privately if you want the guide to adjust the pace and route based on what captures your interest.

Traveler reviews

4.96★★★★★★★★★★

23 verified traveler reviews

5 ★22

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4).

What is the Kalta Minor minaret and why is it shaped the way it is?

The Kalta Minor is Khiva's most iconic landmark, built by Muhammad Amin Khan with bold turquoise tiles. It was meant to be the tallest minaret in Central Asia, but construction stopped after the Khan's unexpected death, leaving it short and wide instead of tall and slender.

How many wooden columns are inside the Juma Mosque and what makes them special?

The Juma Mosque holds 215 wooden columns, each one intricately carved by hand and different from the others. Built in the 10th century, they blend Islamic and local architecture and have supported the mosque for over a thousand years.

Will my entry tickets to Khiva's sites be included in the tour price?

Entry tickets are not included in the tour price. You pay separately for site access, which costs 250,000 sum per person and can be paid in cash or by card.

Can I book this tour as a private experience instead of joining a group?

Yes, the tour is available as both a shared group walking tour and as a private option. You choose which one suits your travel style when you book.

What will I see inside the Kuhna Ark fortress?

The Kuhna Ark is the historic fortress where Khiva's khans once lived. Inside you'll see a throne room, harem, mint, mosque, and richly decorated reception areas with stunning tilework that reflects the city's grandeur.