expedia
Skip to main content
One Key

Earn OneKeyCash when you sign in and book an activity

Sign in
A desert landscape with a large rock formation featuring multiple holes. 1
A plate of beef and potatoes. 2
Four grilled kebabs on a white plate. 3
A desert landscape with a large hill and a small building on top. 4
A desert landscape with sparse vegetation and a single animal standing in the sand. 5

Daytrip from Khiva to the best 10 Fortresses and Akchakul Lake

By Islambek Travel & Hotels, Khiva
Free cancellation available
Price is AU$193 per traveller* *Get a lower price by selecting multiple travellers
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 12h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation

Overview

Step off the standard tourist trail and discover the best ““Ancient Khorezm Fortresses” on a premium private archaeological expedition from Khiva. Designed specifically for discerning travellers, historians, and photography enthusiasts, this exclusive full-day itinerary offers an exhaustive exploration of Ancient Khorezm—a sophisticated 2,000-year-old desert civilisation whose monumental architecture once rivalled the greatest empires of antiquity.

Accompanied by a dedicated professional local expert drives, you will traverse the desert plains to analyse ten of the most structurally significant, monumental mud-brick citadels remaining in Central Asia.

To balance the day's intensive archaeological focus, the journey includes a curated stop at the striking Akchakul Lake oasis, where deep blue waters provide a stark, beautiful contrast to the surrounding golden sand dunes.

Activity location

  • Urgench
    • Urgench, Uzbekistan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Islambek Hotel
    • 60 Toshpulatov Street
    • 741400, Xiva, Xorazm Viloyati, Uzbekistan

Check availability

A Saloon (1-3 passengers)

  • Activity duration is 12 hours12h
    12h
  • English

Pickup included

Language options: English
Starting time: 8:00 AM
Price details
AU$192.52 x 1 TravellerAU$192.52
Total
Price is AU$192.52
Until Tue, 23 June

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Private transport
  • What's includedWhat's included
    1L per person
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Informative printed materials and brochures about the historic sites.
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Fresh, local melon and watermelon tastings along the way (seasonal).
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Hands-on cotton picking experience in local fields (seasonal)
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Air-conditioned vehicle
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Professional local drivers with basic English & Russian language skills.
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Fuel surcharge
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Parking Fees
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Flexible photo stops at any scenic point along the route.
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    A personal tour guide, English & Russian only, $100 (optional, (must be paid on site)
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Lunch (optional)
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Ayaz Kala Fortress (must be paid on site)
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Toprak Kala Fortress (must be paid on site)
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Kizil Kala Fortress (must be paid on site)

Know before you book

  • Specialised infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Not recommended for pregnant travellers
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transport options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Transport options are wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Travellers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Activity itinerary

Urgench

We can also start the daytrip here

Guldursin

  • 30m
Stop 1: Guldursun Kala – Marvel at one of the largest frontier fortresses of Khorezm, famous for its towering mud walls and the tragic medieval legend of the princess who betrayed her city for love.

Koi Krylgan Kala

  • 40m
Stop 2: Koy Krylgan Kala – Discover a unique, thousands-of-years-old circular complex believed by archeologists to have served as both a sacred Zoroastrian temple and an astronomical observatory. Stop 3: Angka Kala – Explore this lesser-visited, well-preserved square frontier post that guarded the ancient trade routes passing through the oasis.

Angka Kala

  • 30m
Stop 3. Angka Kala (also spelled Anka-kala or Anka Qala) is a remarkably well-preserved ancient mud-brick military fortress located in the Turtkul district of Karakalpakstan, roughly 4 kilometres east of the famous circular ruins of Koykirilgan Kala.Unlike the larger royal palace cities of the region, Angka Kala is highly valued by archaeologists for providing a textbook example of a highly disciplined, standard-issue Late Antique Khorezmian military outpost

Janbas kala fortress

  • 40m
Stop 4: Janbas Kala – Step inside a fascinating fortress dating back to the 4th century BC. Uniquely built without defensive towers, its well-preserved arrow slits reveal early military architecture. Stops 5 & 6: Big & Small Kirkkiz Kala – Explore the "Forty Girls" fortresses. Separate myth from history as you tour these atmospheric ruins, which legends say were defended by fierce warrior women.

Big Qırq Qız Qala

  • 30m
Stop 5. Big Kirkkiz Kala (also known as U'lken Qırq Qız qala) is a prominent, ancient mud-brick fortress located roughly 11 kilometres east of the famous Ayaz Kala complex in the Ellik Kala district of Karakalpakstan.Its name translates to "Forty Girls," a common moniker in Central Asian folklore traditionally associated with legends of brave warrior women defending their lands

Kyrk Kyz Kala Malaya

  • 30m
Stop 6. Small Kirkkiz Kala (also known as Kishkene Qırq Qız qala) is the sister outpost to Big Kirkkiz Kala. It is situated in the Ellik Kala district of Karakalpakstan, roughly 6 kilometres east of Ayaz Kala and just over 4 kilometres west of its larger counterpart.Dating back to the 4th–3rd centuries BCE, it was a vital node in the ancient outer defensive network of the Khorezmian Oasis.

Ayaz-Kala

  • 1h
  • Admission ticket included
Stop 7. 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 defence against nomad raids. A gravel road leads up to a small cluster of Yurts, a tourist rest centre overlooking a shallow but picturesque lake. The Fort dates to medieval times. It was probable founded in the Afrighid period, sometime around the 7th to 8th Centuries CE… Please take your time and guide yourself to visit the Fortress, climb & walk on it and enjoy the panoramic view from the top of the fortress. You can get more interesting historical information on the Printed Brochure provided by your driver.

Qavatqaʼla mfi

  • 20m
  • Admission ticket included
Stop 8. Kavat-Kala is a vast archaeological oasis complex dating from the 12th to the early 13th centuries CE, famous for its exceptionally well-preserved medieval agricultural grid, canals, and ruins. Please take your time and guide yourself to visit the Fortress, climb & walk on it. You can get more interesting historical information on the Printed Brochure provided by your driver.

Aqchako‘l

  • 30m
Stop 9. Akchakul Lake is a natural Lake located in the Karakalpakstan region where visitors can enjoy freshwater swimming, jet skiing, take a sand bath, wildlife birdwatching, eat and drink in the local restaurant/Caffes and overnight stays in beachfront desert yurt camps. The This unique body of water sits right alongside the region's ancient ruins, making it the perfect relaxation stop during the daytrip.

Fortress Toprak Kala

  • 30m
  • Admission ticket included
Stop 10. Toprak-Kala means Earth Fortress. It 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. Please take your time and guide yourself to visit the Fortress, climb & walk on it and enjoy the panoramic view from the top of the fortress. You can get more interesting historical information on the Printed Brochure provided by your driver.

Kyzyl Kala

  • 30m
  • Admission ticket included
Stop 11. Kizil Kala means red Fortress. It is a compact and highly photogenic ancient military outpost located in the Ellik-Kala oasis of Karakalpakstan. Originally built between the 1st and 4th centuries AD to protect the nearby royal capital of Toprak Kala, it stands as a unique testament to the military architecture of ancient Khorezm. Please take your time and guide yourself to visit the Fortress, climb & walk on it and enjoy the panoramic view from the top of the fortress. You can get more interesting historical information on the Printed Brochure provided by your driver.

Urgench

We can also end the daytrip here

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Urgench
    • Urgench, Uzbekistan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Islambek Hotel
    • 60 Toshpulatov Street
    • 741400, Xiva, Xorazm Viloyati, Uzbekistan

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Urgench your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top experiences in Urgench

With so many activities in Urgench, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Urgench. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Urgench to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.