Islambek Travel & Hotels

Duration: 10-12 hours
Driving time: 7-8 hours
Sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Daytrip length : 640 km.
Included: Fuel, Driver & Drinking Water
Not Included: Entrance tickets (Toprak Kala is 10,000 sums and Ayaz Kala is another 10,000 sums for eacg tourist), meals & etc.

Sedan (1-3 people) - $89

SUV (1-4 people) - $190

Minivan (1-7 people) - $250

Minibus (1-10 people) - $360

Bus (1-45 people) - $740

Please provide and confirm following details via E-mail or Whatsapp to make a reservation:
1. Name of the Daytrip/Transfer.
2. Date of the Daytrip/Transfer.
3. Number of Participants.
4. Full names.
5. Pick up and starting time.
6. Pick up and starting place.
7. Drop off place
That is all we need to know from your side in advance to book and organize our Daytrips and Transfers.

We pick you up from your place in Khiva or Urgench with our driver 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 around 8-9 am.

Khiva - Five Castles - Bukhara
We pick you up from your place in Khiva or Urgench with our driver 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 around 8-9 am. It takes about 90 minutes to drive from Khiva to the first Castle – Kizil Kala.
1. 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.
2. Toprak 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 at the North West corner of the settlement is one of the largest and best preserved monumental buildings of the Kushan era in Central Asia. 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.
3. Ayaz Kala 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, some-time around the 7th to 8th Centuries CE…
4. Dumon Kala has an unusual shape. 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.
5. Guldursun Kala is the last fortress for the day. 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, during the rule of Muhammad Khorezmshah and the time of the Mongol invasion of Khorezm.
After visiting all fortresses it is about 4-5hours drive from Guldursun Kala to Bukhara through Kizilkum Desert. Our driver will drop you off in your hotel, airport or train station in Bukhara and will end the trip.

Download Itinerary of Khiva - Five Castles - Bukhara

Download Map of Khiva - Five Castles - Bukhara