Aral Sea Tour from Khiva is an amazing combination of different types of tourism. After leaving Khiva, you will first go to the outskirts of the Kyzylkum desert, where the ruins of the Toprak-Kala fortress, which was part of the Ancient Khorezm state, have been preserved. Then visit the Zoroastrian dakhma Chilpyk and arrive in Nukus – the capital and largest city of Karakalpakstan. The archaeological theme will be replaced by painting. Here you will visit the Savitsky Museum, which has the second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art. The next topic will be ecology: you will go to Muynak, a former port city, where a small cemetery of ships left after the drying of the Aral Sea is located at the bottom of the pier. And after that, the main topic will be nature tourism: you will drive along the bottom of the Aral Sea, which has turned into a desert, gradually overgrown with various plants, climb by car over the cliffs of the Ustyurt plateau, and at the end of the way you will see the current view of the Aral Sea. Check out the details of the route and start booking the most unusual tour in Uzbekistan.
Tour itinerary:
In the morning depart Khiva and drive to Nukus (200 km, 4-hrs). On the way visit archaeological monuments of Ancient Khorezm: Toprak-Kala, the capital of Khorezm dating back to the 3rd century A.D. and Chilpyk, a Zoroastrian dakhma (funerary tower). Upon arrival in Nukus visit the Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum. The museum hosts the world's second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art and exposition of Karakalpak applied arts items. Have a short drive around center of Nukus: see statue of Karakalpak poet Berdakh, Nukus City Hall, and Drama Theatre. Free evening. Overnight at the hotel.
At 9 am meet your guide and driver and depart Nukus towards Muynak. The first stop of the Aral Sea tour will be in Muynak town, where you will see “Cemetery of ships”, the former port with abandoned ships in the sand, and visit Muynak Regional Studies Museum (might be closed without prior notice). Lunch at the guesthouse. Continue driving on the boundless Ustyurt Plateau. You will reach the Aral Sea in the late afternoon. Stop to take pictures of beautiful canyons and the collapsed land. Arrive in a yurt Camp. Camp-style dinner. Overnight in the yurt.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Early wake up to take pictures of sun rise. After breakfast visit the settlement Kurgancha-Kala dating back to the 13th century. Pass via Kungrad district, which used to be one of the trading centers on the Silk Road. On the way, see remains of a lighthouse; pass by the ruins of abandoned settlement Urga. Photo stop at Lake Sudochie. Have a picnic lunch on the way. After lunch head back to Nukus. On the way to Nukus, stop at Mizdakhan memorial complex and Gyaur-Kala Fortress. Arrive in Nukus. End of the tour service.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- All transfers 1-2 pax by sedan type car; 3-7 pax by van; to/from the Aral Sea by 4W;
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included: 3* hotel in Nukus, yurt at the Aral Sea;
- Guide at Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum;
- Escorted English speaking tour guide to the Aral Sea Day 2-3;
- Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
- Meals according to the itinerary.
- Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour;
- Full board (lunches and dinners);
- Hotel charges for additional services;
- Tips are not included, but would be appreciated;
- Travel insurance.
Prices per person
Prices are for 2024 in US$ per person, with discounted prices for larger groups available on request.
Accommodation
Jipek Joli or similar
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