Khiva Guided Sightseeing Tour

Day 1: Ichan Kala, Xiva, Uzbekistan to Khiva Ichan Kala, Xiva, Uzbekistan

The sightseeing in Ichan Qala Fort: • Ichan Qala Fort— is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990. Present day Ichan Qala is open-air museum. It represents the old part of the city, surrounded with wall and turned into the State Historical Archaeological Museum. The area of Ichan Qala is 26 hectares. The feeling in Inner Fortress transfers people into the past in a city with narrow lanes, low houses, mosques, mausoleums and madrassahs (Quran or Koran schools). • Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassa— (1855) the largest in the city and named after one of the city’s more impressive khans. Madrassa’s 125 hujra (rooms) cells, once housing the madrssa’s students, are currently home to the atmospheric Hotel Khiva. • Kalta Minor— belong to Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassa and supposed to be the world’s tallest minaret, but abandoned as too costly after the khan was murdered three years later. • Zindon— city jail. • Kunya Ark (“Kuhna Ark” in Uzbek)— fortified palace was built in XVII century by Arang Khan, son of Anusha khan. It was town within town, with its own defensive walls, mosques and offices, stables, arsenal and mint as well as residential areas. There is a watch tower and from the top is the best view of whole inner fortress—Ichan Kala. • Muhammad Rakhim Khan Madrassa— (1871) a museum dedicated to the khan, who was also known for his poetry, written under the name Feruz Shah. • Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum— one of the holiest sites in Khiva which commemorates the poet, wrestler and patron saint of Khiva who died here in 1325. The XIX century tomb contains some of the city’s best tile work and also the largest cupola in Khiva. • Islam Khoja Madrassa— is named after the enlightened early XX century grand vizier who built public school and modern hospital. Built in 1908, it is the last Islamic monument to be built in the city before the arrival of the soviets. • Islam Khoja Minaret— the tallest minaret in the city (Note: climbing the minaret 100.000 sum per person and it is not included to the tour price). • Juma Mosque— (1788) supported by a dense forest of 213 wooden pillars that are cleverly arranged to allow the entire congregation a view of the mihrab (niche pointing the derection to Mecca). Aptly, the mosque holds an exhibition of carved karagach (elm) wood. • Tash Hauli Palace (“Stone Palace” in Uzbek)— (1832-38) home to the court of Allah Kuli Khan (1826-42) and a highlight of the city. A secret corridor connects the fabulously decorated inner harem (Note: separate entrance) to the reception court (ishrat hauli) and law courts. The intricately carved columns are particularly fine, as are the majolica tiles in the harem’s inner courtyard.