What is the Cities of Lost Civilizations tour?«
The Cities of Lost Civilizations Tour is a culturalarchaeological journey through the territory of ancient Khorezm, one of the key centers of Central Asian civilization. The route passes through sites where fortified cities, religious complexes, and administrative centers once stood, now hidden amid desert landscapes.
Unlike traditional sightseeing tours, this route focuses not on modern cities, but on the remains of vanished cultures, their architecture, beliefs, and way of life. The tour allows you to appreciate the scale of ancient states and understand why Khorezm became one of the most important regions at the crossroads of trade and cultural routes.
This trip is suitable for those who interested in history, archeology and ancient civilizations, and wants to see Uzbekistan in more depth than through standard tourist routes.
Tour itinerary
The tour route passes through the key archaeological sites of ancient Khorezm, connecting modern cities and forgotten fortresses into a single historical narrative. The journey begins in Nukus and concludes in Khiva, encompassing the region's most significant sites.
Along the way, the route includes a visit to Chilpik, the Zoroastrian Tower of Silence, as well as the fortresses of Kyzyl-kala, Toprak-kala, and Ayaz-kala, located among desert landscapes.
Chilpik
Chilpik is a Zoroastrian Tower of Silence dating back to the 1st millennium CE. It was used for funerary rituals and reflects the religious beliefs of ancient Khorezm.
Kyzyl-Kala
Kyzyl-Kala is a powerful red brick fortress that served as a defensive outpost and administrative center. Its well-preserved walls provide a glimpse of the scale of the ancient fortifications.
Toprak-kala
Toprak-Kala was the capital of the Khorezm state in the 3rd–4th centuries CE. The complex of palaces, temples, and residential areas makes this monument one of the most important archaeological sites in the region.
Ayaz-kala
Ayaz-Kala is a complex of several fortresses located on elevated ground. It is considered one of the most impressive defensive complexes of ancient Khorezm and a symbol of the region.
Savitsky Museum
The tour begins with a glimpse of the artistic creations at the I.V. Savitsky Karakalpak State Museum of Art, which houses a magnificent collection of Russian avant-garde art from the 1920s and 1930s. Here, each exhibit becomes a kind of time portal to an era of creative revolutions. This is what gave rise to the phenomenon of the Louvre in the desert.
The route is designed to consistently reveal the evolution of the ancient cities of Khorezm—from religious structures and early settlements to powerful defensive complexes and capital centers, preserved to this day as open-air archaeological sites.
Tour itinerary
Nukus → Chilpik → Kyzyl-kala → Toprak-kala → Ayaz-kala → Khiva
09:00 We start our exciting journey from Nukus.
9:15-11:00 AM The tour begins with a glimpse of the artistic creations at the I.V. Savitsky Karakalpak State Museum of Art, which houses a magnificent collection of Russian avant-garde art from the 1920s and 1930s. Here, each exhibit becomes a unique portal into the era of creative revolutions. This is why the Louvre in the desert has become a phenomenon.
11:30 Transfer to Chilpik (1st century AD), where you will learn about the history of Zoroastrian culture. Dakhma, the "Tower of Silence," rises before your eyes, and the Amu Darya River opens up before your eyes. This place immerses you in the imagination of rituals and mysticism.
12:30 Visit to the Kyzyl-Kala Fortress (Red Fortress), dating from the 1st-4th-7th centuries. This defensive fortress is part of the Khorezm chain of fortifications. Here, you can admire the architectural features and experience the grandeur of ancient history.
1:00 PM Visit to the Toprak-Kala Palace ("Clay Fortress"), dating from the 1st to 4th centuries AD, which was the residence of the kings of ancient Khorezm during the classical period. The preserved walls of Toprak-Kala allow you to experience the most important events of centuries-old history.
2:30 PM: Encounter with the majestic Ayaz-Kala complex, which defended the oasis from raids by desert nomads. This largest fortress of Ancient Khorezm dates back to the 2nd to 7th centuries AD. From the top of this unique architectural landmark, a breathtaking view of the Kyzylkum Desert opens up. The fortress walls preserve the history of the Kushan Empire. Leaving this amazing place, we take with us captivating impressions of the grandeur of Ancient Khorezm.
17:00 Transfer to Khiva. End of the program.
Important to know
Is there a professional guide and what languages are the tours offered in?
The tour is led by professional guides. Tours are available in Russian, English, French, German, and Italian (language selection is required upon booking).
Do you need any special physical training?
No. The tour does not involve long hikes. Viewings are conducted with short walks on flat or sandy terrain.
Is the tour suitable for people without a deep knowledge of history?
Yes. The tour is designed for both history buffs and casual travelers—guides explain the historical context in detail and in an accessible manner.
Is it possible to go on a tour with children?
Yes, the tour is suitable for school-age children interested in history and travel. It's important to consider weather conditions and travel times.
What makes this tour particularly interesting for travelers?
This tour allows you to see real cities and fortresses of an ancient civilization, preserved without reconstruction, in one day, and get a sense of the scale of Central Asian history.
Tour conditions
Tour starting point
Nukus
Duration
Day 1
Included in the price
- Transport services;
- Entrance tickets to the Savitsky Museum
- Guide services
Paid separately
- Visa (the cost of the visa depends on citizenship);
- Tourist tax;
Additional information
- Prepayment 50%;
Tour cost
The cost of the tour depends on the number of people in the group:
|
Number of people
|
Price per person
|
| 1 person | 160 $ |
| 2 people | 85 $ |
| 3 people | 60 $ |
About the region
Ancient Khorezm Khorezm is one of the oldest cultural and political regions of Central Asia, existing on the territory of modern-day Karakalpakstan and the lower reaches of the Amu Darya River more than two thousand years ago. Thanks to its developed irrigation system, trade routes, and fortified cities, Khorezm became a powerful center of civilization long before the arrival of the Arabs and Mongols.
The region is renowned for its unique concentration of open-air archaeological sites: dozens of fortresses, temples, and settlements have been preserved in the desert almost in their original form. It is here that one can trace the evolution of urban planning, defensive fortifications, and religious practices of ancient peoples, including Zoroastrian traditions.
Today, Ancient Khorezm is considered one of the most significant archaeological regions of Uzbekistan and allows you to literally touch vanished civilizations without leaving the confines of one trip.
Why is it worth going on a tour of ancient cities?
A tour of the cities of vanished civilizations Offers a rare opportunity to see genuine archaeological sites without reconstructions or museum displays. The fortresses and settlements of ancient Khorezm have been preserved in the desert just as time left them, creating the feeling of a genuine journey into the past.
The route encompasses several key monuments, each revealing different stages of the development of ancient states—from religious buildings to powerful defensive complexes. This allows one to not only explore the ruins but also understand the scale, structure, and logic of ancient cities.
The trip is especially valuable for those interested in the history, archaeology, and cultures of Central Asia, and who want a deep, meaningful experience that goes beyond standard excursion programs.
