Khiva - 7 Fortresses of Ancient Khorezm - Yurt Stay

Ayaz-Kala - Perched on the vibrant cliffs of one of the eastern spurs of Sultauizdag in the Kyzyl Kum desert, lie the remnants of Ayaz-Kala, one of the largest castles of ancient Khorezm.

According to local legends, the fortress is named after Ayaz, a legendary warrior-slave and Central Asian Turkic folklore hero. The semi-mythical Ayaz is said to have confronted an Amazon princess residing in the Kirk-Kiz fortress.

Archaeologists date the Ayaz-Kala fortress to the 2nd century AD, during the peak of the Kushan Empire. It was part of a chain of fortresses stretching from East to West, designed to protect the oasis from desert threats. These fortresses were strategically placed within sight of each other to facilitate the transmission of signals about approaching enemies.

Fortress Toprak Kala - Located in modern Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, Toprak-Kala was an ancient palace city and the capital of Chorasmia in the 2nd/3rd century CE. It has yielded wall paintings, coins, and archives, with its history spanning from the 1st to the 5th century CE. It is part of the “Fifty Fortresses Oasis” in present-day Uzbekistan.

Kyzyl Kala - Discovered during a Khorasan expedition led by S.P. Tolstov in 1938, this fortress is almost square in shape and not very large. The foundation and structure reveal a double vallum and watchtowers at each corner. A main street led to a fire-worshippers’ temple where Zoroastrian priests conducted rites. The residential area was divided into sections with multiple rooms for family living.

Guldursun - Dating back to the 2nd-1st centuries BC, Guldursun Kala fortress is located in Karakalpakstan. Built on a rectangular base covering 35 hectares, its adobe walls feature built-in loopholes. Destroyed in the 5th century BC for unknown reasons, it was restored in the early 12th century as a key outpost of the Khorezm state, only to be destroyed again by Mongol invaders in the 13th century. The ground floor’s eight rooms, constructed with double arches, were likely used for religious purposes, while the upper rooms served as warehouses and ceremonial spaces. Artifacts found include small terracotta figures, miniature vessels, and ceramics with mythological themes.

Koi Krylgan Kala - Among the countless fortress ruins in the Khorezm steppes, Koi-Krylgan-Kala, the Fortress of Lost Rams, stands out. Discovered by archaeologists in 1938, its unique circular design was unprecedented in Khorezm. The central citadel, surrounded by an external fortification with towers, formed a perfect circle. The space between the central building and the wall was fully built up. The clay structure’s central building had a diameter of 42 meters and a height of about 8 meters, with the entire construction spanning 90 meters in diameter.

Janbasqala - This fortress is a near-perfect triangle oriented to the cardinal directions, measuring 200 by 170 meters. Its preservation is attributed to centuries of sand drifts covering the walls. The outer walls, almost 10 meters high, indicate the fortress’s immense size. Behind the outer wall was another wall for added defense. The outer wall, 1.30 meters thick at the base, and the inner wall, 1 meter thick, featured narrow embrasures for military purposes.

Ellikkala Tumani To’za Bo’g Ofi - Duman Kala consists of three sections: a square-shaped western enclosure with corner towers, a smaller square-shaped citadel, and an irregular four-sided northern enclosure, now mostly in ruins. The western citadel is the best-preserved part, especially along its northern side, while only small sections of the eastern enclosure remain.

Yurt Stay - Khiva

Ayaz-Kala - Ayaz-Kala is an archaeological site in Ellikqala District, Karakalpakstan, northern Uzbekistan, dating from the 4th century BCE to the 7th century CE. Situated on a hilltop overlooking the Kyzylkum Desert, it includes the ruins of an ancient Khorezm fortress. A square gateway at the southern end, typical of Khorezm frontier fortresses, allowed defenders to attack invaders from above. A massive gateway, defended by two rectangular towers, led into a small rectangular chamber overlooked by high walls for archers to shoot at enemies breaching the first gate.

Khiva - After visiting the seven fortresses and checking out from the yurt, we will return to Khiva. You can spend your free time exploring Khiva, taking pictures, and walking around the Ichan Qala complex. Recommended sites include the Juma Mosque, Citadel Kunya Ark, Mohammed Amin Madrasah, Kalta Minor, and Stone Palace, among others.

• Private transportation
• Hotel pickup and drop off in Khiva
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Audio guide provided
• Driver will take you to locations

• Yurt Overnight Accommodation - USD 50/day that offers dinner and breakfast
• ticket to fortresses (some fortresses apply small fee USD 1 or USD 2)

Visitors can delight in exploring the top 7 fascinating fortresses of the Ancient Khorezm Khanate. Overnight accommodations will be in the heart of the Kyzylkum desert, near the Ayaz Kala fortress. At night, the starry sky offers a breathtaking and serene experience in the desert. Visitors can also witness the traditional lifestyle in Karakalpakstan, including local customs and desert living. Camels roam the area, and guests can enjoy fresh camel milk from local families.

• The youngest age we can accommodate is 10 years old.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.