Khiva → Eight Fortresses → Bukhara / Bukhara → Eight Fortresses → Khiva

Daytrip Duration: 12-14 hours
Sightseeing time: 4-5 hours
Driving time: 8-9 hours
Driving Distance: 710 km.
Included: Hands-Free 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.

We pick you up from your place in Khiva or Urgench with our driver and start the Daytrip from there. You can start the Daytrip at any time of the day. It is recommended to start the trip in the morning after breakfast around 07:00 – 08:00 am. It takes about 60-90 minutes to the first fortress.
The first fortress 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 next fortress Toprak Kala located just in 10 minutes far from Kizil Kala. It 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 two fortresses, our driver will stop at the shore of the Akchakul Lake. You can find Yurt Camp Restaurant, Minimarket and Washroom there. You can enjoy local meals and drinks, swimming and sand bath.
The next and the fortress is Kavat Kala. It looks back on 2400 years of History. As center of complex irrigation system, it has been surrounded by flourishing settlements especially in the 11th to 13th centuries.
After driving 30 minutes from Kavat Kala, you will arrive to Ayaz Kala which 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 was probable founded in the Afrighid period, sometime around the 7th to 8th Centuries CE…
The next fortress is Big Kirkkiz Kala. The fortress dates from the 4th Century BCE to the 7th-8th centuries CE. The fortress is rectangular in plan with double walls containing a double story archer’s gallery with arrow-shaped embrasures. In the Afrighid period the area within and around the fortress was a pottery production center.
Next fortress Janbas Kala has one of the most archaic fortification systems dating from that Early Antique period. All four of its flanking walls are in relatively good condition, reaching in places up to 20 meters in height. It differs from most of the other fortresses in having no towers on its outer walls. This meant that the fort was potentially vulnerable from an attack on the lower sections of its walls.
Angka Kala dates from the Late Antique period of Khorezm, around the 1st to the 3rd centuries AD – the time of the Kushan Empire. It seems to have been established on the eastern edge of Khorezm to guard the main caravan trade route to the east.
The last fortress is Guldursun Kala. It is a fortified town. The exterior walls and towers date to the 12th century CE. Much ancient and medieval pottery and many bronze items and coins were found within the site during archeological excavations. The coins indicate that the last period of occupation is related to the year 1220.
After visiting all eight fortresses it takes about 4-5 hours to drive to Bukhara. Please feel free to stop the car in any place during the trip to have a break, to take photo, lunch or other reasons. There are also several restaurants available on the way where you can stop for lunch. Afterall, our driver will drop you off in your hotel, airport or train station in Bukhara and end the trip there.