Nukus, Moynak, Khiva Tour – 4 days

Transfer to Tashkent domestic Airport to take a morning flight to Nukus, the capital of Karakalpak Autonomous Republic. Arrive in Nukus and drive to the town of Moynak. Moynak was a busy fishing fleet with a large canning factory that supplied fish products to the whole country prior retreat of the Aral Sea. Many locals left the town following the retreat of waters of Aral, those who still live in the town believe that the waters of Aral will one day return to their original shores. On the way to Moynak stop at Mizdakhan Complex located in the settlement of Hujayli 30km west of Nukus. The complex consists of several mausoleums, madrassa, and caravanserai that date back to the 9-14 century AD.
Arrive in Moynak and have lunch with a local family. After lunch visits the ship cemetery and small local museum with many photos and paintings describing environmental disasters in Aral.
In the afternoon return to Nukus and stay overnight in the hotel

After breakfast, visit the famous Savitsky Art Museum of Nukus. The Museum is well known for its huge collection of Russian avant-garde paintings and Karakalpak folk art. Savitskiy’s collection of avant-garde paintings were banned by the Soviet regime and could only escape destruction due to its remote location. In the same building, you will also have a chance to see the exposition of Karakalpak applied arts items.
Having finished visiting Savitskiy Museum, drive around in Nukus to see the local sites such as statues of famous Karakalpak poet Berdakh, Nukus City Hall, Drama Theatre, and local Bazar.
In the afternoon, drive to Khiva. On the way to Khiva visit ‘Chilpik’ and Toprak Qala. Chilpik, the circle-shaped Zoroastrian temple “dakhma” (“a Tower of Silence”) was used as a place of Zoroastrian faith for exposure of the dead. This tower is believed to be constructed in the 2nd – 4th centuries A.D. Chilpik was initially used as a temple (“dakhma”) and later in the 9th -11th centuries it served as a signal tower for neighborhood residents.
Toprak Qala, the rectangular fortress dates back to the 2nd and 3rd century AD and was built on a 9m high platform. The city included a temple, a residential area, and gardens.
Arrive in Khiva and settle in the hotel.

Archaeological findings testify that in the territory of the present Khiva people have been living for two millennia. According to legend, the city of Khiva came into being after people discovered Kheivak well in the area of the present Ichon-Qala (inner city) fortress. The name of Khiva is believed to be derived from the name of this ancient well. Being strategically located on the Volga branch of the Silk Road, Khiva was one of the three important trading centers of the area. In the 19th century, Khiva was the capital of Khiva Khanate, which hosted the most famous slave market on the Silk Road. At present Khiva is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the region.
Start exploring UNESCO World Heritage site Ichon-Qala. Entering through the gates of the walled Ichon-Qala fortress you will find yourself surrounded by beautiful medieval blue-tiled mosques, minarets, and madrassas that are like stepping back in time to a scene from the Arabian nights. Wander through a maze of twisted alleyways, bargain with locals on the market and view the town from the top of Kuhna-Ark citadel. Our today’s sightseeing tour includes visits to Mohammed Aminkhan Medressa, Kalta Minor minaret, Kuhna-Ark citadel, Juma Mosque, Tosh-Hovli palace, Pahlavon Makhmud Mausoleum (Khiva’s patron saint), Mohammed Rakhimkhon Medressa, and minaret of Islom-Hoja
After extensive sightseeing, enjoy a free afternoon roaming around and make your own discoveries in this magic town.
Overnight stay in Khiva

After breakfast, start a full-day excursion to the ancient desert fortresses.
Already 2000 years ago, people who lived in the fertile Amu-Darya delta built many fortresses to defend themselves against the invasions of nomadic tribes, who lived with their herds in the Kyzyl-Kum desert. Most of the fortresses are located at the edge of the Sultan Uiz Dag mountain range.
From Khiva you will travel 100km passing the towns of Urgench, Beruni, and Boston to reach Kizil Qal’a, a small but well-preserved fortress that might have been an army base.
Ayaz Qal’a is one of the most spectacular fortresses of the region. It consists of three fortress complexes. The view from Ayaz Qal’a to the Kyzyl-Kum desert, the small lake Ayaz and the Sultan-Uiz range is stunning.
Lunch in Ayaz Qal’a yurt camp, famous for its traditional dishes.

On the way back, visit Jonbos Qala and Qoyqirilgan Qala and learn about the fascinating legend of these fortresses.

In the evening you will be transferred to Urgench airport to take a flight to Tashkent (1 hour 40min).
Arrive in Tashkent and transfer to accommodation.