Daytrip to Three Fortresses Ayaz, Toprak and Kyzyl kalas

Khiva – Urgench – Kizil Kala – Toprak Kala – Akchakul Lake – Ayaz Kala – Urgench – Khiva

Daytrip Duration: 6-7 hours
Sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Driving time: 3-4 hours
Driving Distance: 225 km.
Included: Printed Brochures, a good drivers with new Cars with AC, pick up and drop off at your location and Mineral water (0.5l. per person)
Not Included: Entrance tickets, meals, camel riding, Yurt Camp stay & etc

Daytrip Details: We can pick you up from Urgench Airport, Urgench / Khiva Train Station or your hotel both from Khiva or Urgench to start the Daytrip. You can start the Daytrip at any time of the day. It is recommended to start the trip in the morning after breakfast or in the afternoon after lunch while it is a half day trip. It takes about 90 minutes to drive from Khiva to the first fortress – Kizil Kala.
Kizil Kala was originally constructed in the Late Antique period, 1st to 4th centuries CE, but was abandoned and then rebuilt in the 12th-13th centuries on the eve of the Mongol invasions. There is some debate about how this fortress may have been used in ancient times, with some scholars proposing that it was a garrison barracks for troops, whilst others suggest it was an early example of the many fortified manor houses that were typical of Khorezm in the early medieval periods
It is only 15 minutes to drive from Kizil Kala to the second Fortress Toprak Kala. Toprak Kala is dated in the Kushan period, around the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE and was the royal residence of the kings of the Khorezm. The place, having first served as a Royal sanctuary, was briefly abandoned in the early 4th century and then after some restorations, was used as an administrative citadel for the city.
After visiting 2 Fortresses our driver will stop at the shore of the Akchakul Lake for Lunch, Minimarket, toilet and etc. It takes about 20 minutes to drive from the Toprak Kala to the Lake. There are also Yurt camps and restaurants next to the lake where visitors can enjoy local meals, drinks and even Ice-Cream from local milk. It is also possible to enjoy swimming and sand bath in Natural Lake Akchakul.
After having break in Akchakul Lake it takes about 30 minutes to drive to the last and the best part of the Day – Ayaz Kala. It 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 defense against nomad raids. A gravel road leads up to a small cluster of Yurts, a tourist rest center 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…
After visiting Ayaz Kala fortress, it is about 90 minutes to drive back to Khiva and 60 minutes to drive back to Urgench. Our driver may drop you off in Urgench Airport, Urgench / Khiva Train Station or in your hotel both in Khiva or Urgench at the end and finish the Daytrip there.