Most complete9 days · 8 nightsGrand Silk Road with Khiva
Tashkent • Urgench • Khiva • Bukhara • Samarkand • Tashkent
Price on request
Khiva
A walled desert city of clay ramparts, minarets and palaces, where Itchan Kala looks much as it did in the days of the caravans.
Khiva is a remarkably preserved walled city whose inner town, Itchan Kala, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its minarets, madrasas and palaces fit within a compact, walkable area. Spend one to two days. Fly from Tashkent to Urgench in about 1.5 hours, then drive roughly 30 km; we arrange the private transfer.
Behind the tall clay walls of Itchan Kala, Khiva feels like a city paused in time. Minarets, madrasas, mosques and palaces of the khans stand side by side along quiet lanes, and in the evening the whole town glows golden as the sun sets over the desert.
Khiva is small enough to explore on foot: the unfinished turquoise drum of Kalta Minor, the slender Islam Khoja minaret, the tiled courtyards of Tash-Hauli palace and the forest of carved wooden columns in the Juma Mosque. Climb the city walls at sunset for the view over the domes.
Because Khiva lies far to the west, we plan the journey carefully — usually a domestic flight to Urgench with a private car waiting — and choose a comfortable hotel close to, or within, the old walls.
Good to know
- Getting there
- Flight Tashkent–Urgench, about 1.5 h
- From Urgench
- About 30 km by road
- Days to spend
- 1–2 days
- Best season
- April–May and September–October
- UNESCO
- Itchan Kala, World Heritage site
What to see
Itchan Kala walls
Massive clay ramparts enclose the inner city; walk along them at sunset for sweeping views over domes and minarets.
Kalta Minor
The wide, unfinished minaret wrapped entirely in turquoise and blue tiles — Khiva’s most recognisable landmark.
Islam Khoja minaret
The tallest minaret in Khiva, banded with turquoise tiles; on clear days its silhouette defines the skyline.
Tash-Hauli palace
The khan’s palace, celebrated for its courtyards of blue-and-white majolica and carved wooden pillars.
Juma Mosque
A hushed prayer hall supported by a forest of carved wooden columns, some of them centuries old.
Tours that visit Khiva
Most complete9 days · 8 nightsDetails
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