Khiva Daytrip To Ayaz Kala And Other 4 Castles

Day 1: Khiva, Uzbekistan to Bustan, Uzbekistan

Daytrip Details: We pick you up from Airport / Train Station or your hotel both in Khiva or Urgench and 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 in the afternoon after lunch while it is a half day trip. It takes about 90 minutes to the first Castle. Duman Kala is the first fortress to visit. It is composed of three adjacent sections – a square-shaped western enclosure with corner towers; a smaller square-shaped citadel on the eastern side; and an irregular four-sided northern enclosure, the remains of which can no longer been seen. The western citadel is the best-preserved section, especially along its northern side, but only small section of the eastern enclosure remains... The second fortress is 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 The third fortress is Toprak Kala. It is dated in 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. There is a lake – Akchakul Lake between Toprak and Ayaz Kala. There are also Yurt camps and restaurants next to the lake where visitors can enjoy local meals. Sometimes visitors enjoy swimming and sand bath in Akchakul Lake. The fourth and main fortress of the day is 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... The last fortress is Kavat kala After visiting all five fortresses, it is about 90 minutes to drive back to Khiva. 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 of the trip without any extra charge.