The 8 Best Ancient Fortress Tours in Khorezm

1.Transfer: Bukhara – Khiva via Ancient Fortresses

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 101 reviews · 9 hours Our pick

Travel privately from Bukhara to Khiva through the Kyzylkum Desert, stopping at Toprakkala, Kizilkala, and Ayazkala. Your English or Russian-speaking driver handles the long road and fortress visits, with drivers such as Pavlik, Jasur, and Ulugkbek praised for safe driving and useful explanations. Allow nine hours, plus entrance fees and lunch.

“We really enjoyed our trip to khiva as we had the chance to visit old fortresses. Recommended!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Private Daytrip to 7 Ancient Fortresses of Khorezm

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews Top rated

Travel from Khiva or Urgench by private, air-conditioned car to the desert fortresses of ancient Khorezm. You will see Ayaz Kala, Toprak Kala, Guldursun Kala, Janbas Kala, Qizil Kala, Duman Kala, and Aqchako‘l Lake. Sarvar may guide the trip, with audio materials supplied for extra site context.

“We booked a private tour to see all of the Kalas. The tour was good. We ended up with another group travelling in a separate car but with the same guide. This wasn't really what we booked and meant we didnt have the amount of time Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Guided Tour To Old Fortresses

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews

Travel from Khiva with English-speaking guide Sukhrab to three ancient Khorezm fortresses: Ayaz-Kala, Toprak-Kala, and Kyzyl-Kala. Expect about seven hours, roughly two hours each way by air-conditioned car, site walks, desert views, local culture, and personal stories. Entrance tickets and pickup are included; lunch is extra.

“Sukharab is a top notch tour guide for the Kalas around Khiva. He’s extremely knowledgeable about Uzbekistan history, history, legends and stories about the Kalas. To prepare his tour, he visited and interviewed local seniors, this enables hiRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Tranfer Khiva – Bukhara via Ancient Fortresses

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 24 reviews · 9 hours

Travel privately from Khiva to Bukhara in about nine hours, stopping at three remote Khorezm fortresses in the Kizilkum Desert. You will visit Toprakkala, Kizilkala, and Ayazkala with an English or Russian-speaking driver such as Jasur or Bek, then continue to your Bukhara hotel.

“Trip was a great way to get from Khiva to Bukhara and see some sites along the way!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Daytrip from Khiva to Five Ancient Fortresses

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 15 reviews · 7 hours

Travel privately from Khiva or Urgench to Guldursun-Kala, Ayaz-Kala, Kavat-Kala, Toprak-Kala, and Kyzyl-Kala. Your driver handles the long roads and stops, while you explore mostly on your own. English may be limited, so bring a guidebook or prepare questions in advance.

“It was great. The personal driver was very friendly, funny and accommodating. He stopped where we wanted. He got us from point a to b very quickly. He did his best to communicate in English which was great. The forts were beautiful and cool. Its remarkable they have survived for this long.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Transfer from Khiva to Bukhara by Fortresses

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews

Travel privately from Khiva to Bukhara in an air-conditioned vehicle, stopping at Toprak Kala, Ayaz Kala, and Kyzyl Kala. An audio guide explains the sites while your driver handles the route. The transfer takes about eight hours, includes hotel pickup and drop-off, and works best for adults and children aged 10 or older.

“A great trip. Good communication with the tour company and everything was as expected. Highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Private Bukhara-Khiva Transfer via Ancient Fortresses

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · from $79

Travel privately from Bukhara to Khiva in an air-conditioned vehicle, with hotel pickup, bottled water, and stops near ancient fortresses. Drivers such as Rustam are praised for safe, smooth driving, though English is not guaranteed. The trip takes about 6 to 7 hours and includes a $20 fuel surcharge per booking.

“It was a long driving however our driver Rustam was very attentive. We did not feel boring during this long journey.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Ayaz Kala & Toprak Kala private fortress daytrip from Khiva

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 6 reviews · from $38Best value

Leave Khiva at 8:00 am in an air-conditioned vehicle for the ancient fortresses of Toprak Kala, Kyzyl Kala, and Ayaz Kala. Expect a private ride, wide countryside views, and a long route through the Khorezm region. This is mainly transport and sightseeing, not a fully guided history tour.

“This was just car service between Khiva and the three fortresses, no guide and driver had limited English. If you want to know the history, go with guided tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review