Welcome to Khiva
Khiva’s name, redolent of slave caravans, barbaric cruelty, terrible desert journeys and steppes infested with raiding Turkmen tribesmen, struck fear into all but the boldest 19th-century hearts. Nowadays it’s a friendly and welcoming Silk Road old town that's well set up for tourism.
Top experiences in Khiva
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We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
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Khiva activities
11-Day Tour: Magical Cities of Uzbekistan
1 Day: Your Homeland – Tashkent (B)Arrive at Tashkent in early morning, your guide and driver will greet you at the airport and transfer you to hotel for early check-in and breakfast in the hotel. You may explore the city at your leisure for the rest of the day.2 Day: Tashkent (B)After breakfast at the hotel, you will start sightseeing in Tashkent visiting Amir Timur Boulevard, Independence Square, Monument of Courage (the epicenter of a 1966 earthquake), and the Square of Khazrati Imam. Accommodation in Tashkent.Day 3: Tashkent – Urgench – (17 mi/30 km) – Khiva (B) Catch an early morning flight from Tashkent at 6:10am to arrive in Urgench at 07:50am. Then drive to Khiva which is 19 mile (30 km) away from Urgench. Visit Kunya-Ark Fortress (Castle Khana), Ichan Kala, Tower Kalta Minor, Madrassah Muhammad Amin Khan, Juma Mosque with 212 trees and Minaret, Tash Khauli, the Mosque Ark, the Minaret of Islam Khodja, the Minaret of the main Vizir, and Caravansaray of Allakhuli-Khan.Day 4: Khiva (B)After breakfast, visit the Memorial of Pakhlavan Makhmud, Khiva Bazaar, and the craft centers of Khiva.Day 5: Khiva – Bukhara (B)A six-hour ride to Bukhara. On your way to Bukhara, stop to see Kyzyl-Kum Desert. After arriving in Bukhara, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.Day 6: Bukhara (B)Visit Mausoleum Ismail Samanid, Chashmai Ayyub, Bolo Khauz Mosque, and Ark Citadel before lunch time. In the afternoon, visit Minaret Kalian, Mosque Kalian, Madrassah of Mir Arab, Madrassah of Ulughbek, Madrassah of Abdulazizkhan, and Hanaka & Madrassah Nadir Divan Begui.Day 7: Bukhara (B)Visit Ensemble of Bakha-ad-Din Nakshband, Sitorai Mohi Khosa, Puppet Workshop, and Suzani Workshop.These workshops are home-stays where you will meet with chief embroiderer and his family in the evening. The wives of these families will show you how to cook the famous meal, “Uzbek Palov”. Day 8: Bukhara – Shakrisabz – Samarkand (B)Drive to Shakhrisabz and visit Ak-Saray Palace, Mausoleum of Jakhangir, Complex Darut Saadat, Mosque of Imam Khazrat, Gumbazi Saiidon, and Darut-Tillavat. On you way to Samarkand, drop in “Arab Bandi” village to visit a local family and see hand crafted Kilims. Day 9: Samarkand (B)Sightseeing in Samarkand includes Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Reghistan Square, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolises, BibiKhanum Mosque, and local Siyab Bazaar. Day 10: Samarkand - Tashkent (B) Drive to Tashkent through Djizzakh and Syrdarya regions. These two regions were known for cultivation of cotton during the time of USSR. After arriving in Tashkent, visit Chorsu Bazaar, one of the most famous underground bazaars in Central Asia.Day 11: Tashkent – Homeland (B)You will be transferred to Tashkent International airport of Tashkent and departure for your homeland.
7-Day Tour: Under the Open Sky of Uzbekistan
Day 1: Homeland – Tashkent (B,D)Arrive at Tashkent in early morning, your guide and driver will greet you at the airport and transfer you to hotel for early check-in and breakfast in the hotel. In the afternoon, you will start sightseeing in Tashkent and visit Amir Timur Boulevard, Independence Square, Modern monuments, Fountain of Tashkent, Madrassah Kukaldash (built in 16 Century, now a center for Muslim Education), Monument of Courage (the epicenter of a 1966 earthquake), and city streets. Accommodation in Tashkent.Day 2: Tashkent – Samarkand (199 mi/320 km) (B,D)Drive to Tashkent Railway Station at 7:00 am and departure for Samarkand via high speed train (Afrasiob) at 8:00am. Upon arrival in Samarkand at 10:10am, you will start today's sightseeing tour by visiting ancient attractions such as Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Reghistan Square (the main square of Samarkand). Accommodation in Samarkand. Day 3: Samarkand – Bukhara (174 mi/280 km) (B,D) You will visit Shakhi-Zinda Necropolises, Bibi Khanum Mosque, and Siyab Local bazaar before driving to Bukhara. On your way to Bukhara, you will have a chance to see world famous Gijduvan Ceramic of the Narzullaevs, which is listed as World Heritage under UNESCO, and arrive in Bukhara in late afternoon. Accommodation in Bukhara.Day 4: Bukhara (B,D) Enjoy a day of excursion in Bukhara. You will visit Mausoleum Ismail Samani, Chashmai Ayyub, Bolo Khauz Mosque, Ark Citadel, Minaret Kalian, Madrassah of Mir Arab (built in 16 Century and still in use today), Tim of Abdulla-Khan (known for its carpet), Toki Telpak Furushon, Toki Sarrafon, Toki Zargaron (domes of jewelers built in 15-16 Century), Madrassah of Ulughbek, Madrassah of Kukaldosh, Hanaka and Madrassah Nadir Divan Begui, and Lyabi Khauz Ensemble. In the evening, you will see a folklore show in the madrassah Nadir Divan-begui. Accommodation in Bukhara.Day 5: Bukhara - Khiva (281 mi/452 km) (B,D)Drive to Khiva today and enjoy beautiful landscape.It takes about 6 hours from Bukhara to Khiva. Accommodation in Khiva.Day 6: Khiva (B,D) A day of sightseeing to ancient attractions of Khiva such as Complex of Ichan Kala (UNESCO World Heritage Center), Kunya-Ark Fortress (including Castle Khana), Tower “Kalta Minor” (Short Tower), and Madrassah Muhammad Amin Khan, Juma Mosque with 212 trees and Minaret which is built in 10th Century with the height of 107 ft (32.5 m), Tash Khauli (Stone Yard), The Mosque Ark (a small mosque located near the gates of Palvan-Darvaza), The Memorial of Pakhlavan Makhmud, The Minaret of Islam Khodja, Caravansaray of Allakhuli-Khan.Day 7: Khiva – (17 mi/30 km)- Urgench –Tashkent (B,D) Transfer to airport of Urgench at 7h:30am to catch a flight back to Tashkent at 10.50am and then check into you hotel before more sightseeing. Visit the Complex of Hazrati Imam and Chorsu Bazaar before dinner. Day 8: Tashkent – Your Homeland (B)Early breakfast in hotel before transferring to Tashkent International airport and departure for your homeland.
Uzbekistan Cultural and Historical Tour
Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent, be met and transferred to your hotel. Sightseeing includes: Khasti Imam complex, Barakhan madrasa, Mui Muborak library, Chorsu bazar and Kukeldash madrasah. Tashkent Opera and Ballet theatre Alisher Navoi, performance starts at 1800 (optional). Day 2: Tashkent-Samarkand (300 kms, 2 hours by fast train). Take morning train ride to Samarkand 0800-1010. Visit includes: Registan square with Sherdor Madrasa, Ulughbek madrasa, Tilla Sheikh madrasa, Gur Emir Mausoleum, the stunning burial place of Temur’s teacher, sons and grandsons. Bibi Hanum mosque, Bazaar, Shahi Zinda complex, a holy place in Central Asia famed for its tile work; Afrosiab ancient settlement destroyed by Ghengis Khan in the 13th century. Tour ends up with folk show or Light and Sound show at Registan square (optional, available upon request or join booked show) Day 3: Samarkand-Bukhara via Shahrisabz. (80 km+290 km) After breakfast drive to Bukhara via Shahrisabz , the birthplace of Amir Temur. If you are a small group of 1-3 persons, you can drive over the mountain of Zarafshan pass (1450 m) and arrive Shahrisabz in around one hour; bigger groups will travel by van or bus around the mountain which will take around 2. 5 hours and see remote villages of the province. Visit in Shahrisabz includes Ak Saray Palace, Jahangir’s mausoleum and Kok Gumbaz mosque PM continue driving to Bukhara, another 290 kms through the semi steppe of Kyzikum desert. Day 4: Bukhara: Today’s full day city tour, all on foot through this ancient, holy city, includes Chashmai Ayub mausoleum, Ismail Samani mausoleum, Bolo Hauz mosque and Ark Fortress. Turkish hammam, the bazaar and many souvenir shops. After lunch at a local restaurants or café. you visit Kalyan minaret, Ulughbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasa, Nadir Divan Begi Madrasa and Khanaka, Magaki Attari mosque, Chor Minor madrasa. You can finish city tour with an optional folk show in Nadir Divan Begi madrasa at 1800. Day 5: Bukhara-Khiva (500 km, 8 hrs) Today you will have a long journey through the Kyzilkum desert, which covers 1/3 of Uzbekistan's territory, crossing the river Amudarya (Oxus) near Urgench and arrive in Khiva at around 1500. Free time.Overnight. Day 6: Full day walking tour in Khiva. You will visit the whole town with its minarets, mosques, museums, palaces and caravanserai. You will meet also local people living in the old town, celebrating weddings in the city, shopping in the local market. Kunya Ark, Kalta minor, Muhammad Aminkhan madrasa, Muhammad Rahimkhan madrasa, Juma mosque and Minaret, Islam Khodja minaret, Tash Hauli palace are the main but not the full list of attractions located in the town. Day 7: Fly to Tashkent and enjoy your free time in Tashkent. Day 8: Departure. Transfer to international airport for next destinations. End of services.
Central Asia – Multi-Stan Adventure
With their reputation for welcoming visitors and their unique cultural footprint, the countries of Central Asia will remind you why you travel. This comprehensive 23-day tour will take you through all the 'Stans we visit, offering a fascinating glimpse at a beautiful part of the world most travellers miss. Stay at unique homestays, sleep in traditional yurts, discover the breathtaking mountain and desert scenery, enjoy free time in the Uzbek city of Tashkent, and roam gorgeous buildings built centuries ago. See Central Asia with a group of like-minded adventurers and an expert Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and cross off an entire and unexpected region of the world from your must-see list.
Best of Tajikistan & Uzbekistan
Get yourself to two incredible (and often overlooked) destinations: Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. This 15-day combo trip brings together the best highlights of these two cultures for first-time visitors. Stay at unique Tajik homestays and roam the stunning countryside before heading to the cultural centre of Samarkand. Spend a night in a traditional desert yurt and discover a part of the world few others get to see. This is a tour for all kinds of adventurers.
Highlights of Uzbekistan
While it doesn't get a lot of attention, Uzbekistan is a life-changing destination for those who visit. These 10 days will take you through some of the greatest cultural highlights the country has to offer. Marvel at the gorgeous mosques in Samarkand, experience a one-night stay in a traditional desert yurt, and immerse yourself in the diverse culture of ancient Bukhara. Uzbekistan is a must-see for any seasoned or first-time traveller.