Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Khiva or Urgench (or the airport/train station) to begin the trip. You can start any time of the day, but the best option is in the morning after breakfast, around 08:00–09:00 am. The first stop, Kizil Kala fortress, is about 60–90 minutes away.
Kizil Kala was first built between the 1st and 4th centuries CE, later abandoned, and rebuilt in the 12th–13th centuries, just before the Mongol invasions. Historians are still unsure about its original purpose—some think it served as army barracks, while others believe it was an early version of fortified manor houses common in Khorezm.
Just a short 10-minute drive away lies Toprak Kala, dating back to the 2nd–3rd centuries CE during the Kushan period. This fortress once served as the royal residence of Khorezm kings. It was first used as a sacred royal site, then abandoned for a short time in the 4th century, later restored, and turned into the administrative center of the city.
After exploring these two fortresses, we’ll stop at Akchakul Lake. Here you’ll find a yurt camp, a small restaurant, a minimarket, and washrooms. You can enjoy local food, drinks, and even traditional ice cream made from fresh milk. Visitors can also swim in the lake or relax with a sand bath.
The final destination is the impressive Ayaz Kala, considered one of the most spectacular fortresses in the region. In fact, there are three fortresses located together on and around a hill at the eastern end of the Sultan-Uiz-Dag range. Built around the 7th–8th centuries CE during the Afrighid period, Ayaz Kala was designed to protect the area from nomadic raids. A gravel road leads to a small yurt camp and a rest area overlooking a scenic lake.
After visiting all three fortresses, the drive to Bukhara takes about 4–5 hours through the Kizilkum Desert. Along the way, you can stop whenever you like—for photos, rest, or meals. There are also several restaurants on the route for lunch. Finally, our driver will drop you off at your hotel, airport, or train station in Bukhara, completing the trip.
