Sightseeing on the way
Visit Chilpik and two ancient Khorezm sites while travelling south.
Private Nukus to Khiva Transfer via Chilpik, Toprak-Kala and Ayaz-Kala
Prices valid until:
1 day · about 7–9 hours · available daily · Nukus → Chilpik → Toprak-Kala → Ayaz-Kala → Khiva
Travel from Nukus to Khiva with your luggage and visit Chilpik, Toprak-Kala and Ayaz-Kala before door-to-door drop-off in Khiva.
The published fare covers the vehicle, driver, fuel and planned stops. An English-speaking guide is available for an additional charge; the driver is not a guide.
Available daily and bookable online. CAJ.UZ confirms the pickup time, suitable vehicle and any add-ons after checking the order.
Quick answer: this is a private one-way sightseeing transfer from Nukus to Khiva, not a return excursion. The planned route covers Chilpik, Toprak-Kala and Ayaz-Kala in about 7–9 hours and approximately 270–280 km. Pickup is available from a confirmed hotel, airport, railway station or city address in Nukus; drop-off is at your accommodation in Khiva. Published rates are per person.
Essential information
- Format: private one-way sightseeing transfer.
- Availability: daily, subject to written confirmation.
- Route: Nukus → Chilpik → Toprak-Kala → Ayaz-Kala → Khiva.
- Duration: about 7–9 hours, including stops.
- Distance: approximately 270–280 km with access roads.
- Pickup: confirmed hotel, airport, railway station or address in Nukus.
- Drop-off: confirmed hotel, guesthouse or address in Khiva.
- Base service: private vehicle with driver; guide service is separate.
- Luggage: accepted within the confirmed vehicle capacity.
- Booking: select your date and group size online.
Why choose the fortress route
Combine the intercity transfer with three meaningful stops, without booking a separate return excursion.
Keep one vehicle all day
Your bags stay in the vehicle; capacity is checked in advance.
Finish at your Khiva address
After Ayaz-Kala, the driver continues to your confirmed accommodation.
Who this route suits
Your next night is in Khiva
- you are travelling with bags;
- you want time at three historic sites;
- you prefer a private car with driver;
- uneven ground is manageable.
When speed matters more
- you want the fastest journey;
- you prefer no sightseeing stops;
- heat, steps or rough ground are unsuitable;
- you need a fully step-free route.
Mostly driving, with short walks
The sites have exposed slopes and uneven paths. Higher viewpoints depend on your mobility and conditions.
Prices per person
These are driver-only rates. The price changes with group size; guide service, site charges and meals are separate.
USD 119
Private service with the planned stops.
USD 65 / person
For three travellers, bag volume is checked first.
USD 50 / person
Vehicle capacity is matched to the group.
| Group size | Price per person | Base fare | Separate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | USD 119 | Driver, fuel, three stops and Khiva drop-off. | Guide, site fees, meals and extras. |
| 2–3 travellers | USD 65 | Same route after the capacity check. | Guide, site fees, meals and extras. |
| 4–5 travellers | USD 50 | Same route in a suitable vehicle. | Guide, site fees, meals and extras. |
| 6–7 travellers | USD 45 | Confirmed after the capacity check. | Services outside the base fare. |
| 8+ travellers | On request | Quoted after vehicle selection. | As listed in the quotation. |
Prices are valid until 31 December 2026. Payment creates an order; CAJ.UZ confirms the trip in writing after checking the services.
What the published fare includes
Transport is included. Guiding, site charges and meals are not.
Vehicle and driver
- confirmed pickup in Nukus;
- fuel for the route;
- waiting at three stops;
- confirmed drop-off in Khiva.
Bags and coordination
- declared bags within capacity;
- vehicle matched to the group;
- pickup and drop-off details;
- trip information before departure.
Guide, fees and extras
- professional guide;
- entrance, local or parking fees;
- lunch and drinks;
- extra stops, overtime, child seat or excess bags.
Route and driving logic
The stops follow a north-to-south sequence. The route is approximately 270–280 km with access roads; compare other options in our Uzbekistan distance guide.
Start
Pickup in Nukus
The standard hotel pickup is 08:30. Airport and station starts follow the confirmed arrival time.
First stop
Chilpik
A circular Zoroastrian dakhma above the lower Amu Darya plain.
Ancient Khorezm
Toprak-Kala and Ayaz-Kala
Two archaeological settings with different layouts and desert views.
Finish
Your address in Khiva
Door-to-door drop-off, without returning to Nukus.
Four reasons to choose this route
Each stop adds a different view of western Uzbekistan, and the day ends at your accommodation in Khiva.
Chilpik
Above the Amu Darya plain
When conditions allow, the short ascent opens a broad view beyond the dakhma.
Toprak-Kala
Walk through the ancient city plan
The schedule allows time inside the archaeological area, not only a roadside photo.
Ayaz-Kala
Choose the right viewpoint
Select a short climb or lower panorama according to heat, wind and footing.
Khiva
Finish at the hotel
Your bags stay with you, and there is no return drive north.
One-day itinerary
These are planning times for an 08:30 hotel pickup in Nukus. A later start, airport or railway pickup, road conditions, weather and group pace will shift the schedule.
Day 1 — Nukus → Chilpik → Toprak-Kala → Ayaz-Kala → Khiva
Meals: lunch is not included; a stop is planned along the route.
08:30 Meet the driver at the confirmed hotel in Nukus, load the luggage and depart.
If a professional guide is added, the language, meeting point and length of guide service are stated in the written confirmation.
| Time | Programme | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | Pickup in Nukus — meet the driver, confirm the Khiva address and load the luggage. | — |
| 08:30–09:20 | Drive Nukus → Chilpik, about 45–50 km. | about 50 min |
| 09:20–10:05 | Chilpik — short uphill walk to the Zoroastrian dakhma and views across the plain when conditions allow. | about 45 min |
| 10:05–11:25 | Drive Chilpik → Toprak-Kala, about 85 km. | about 1 hr 20 min |
| 11:25–12:20 | Toprak-Kala — walk through the fortified settlement and surviving palace area. | about 55 min |
Lunch stop
| Time | Programme | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 12:20–13:10 | Lunch stop along the route. Food and drinks are paid separately. | about 50 min |
Second part of the route
| Time | Programme | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 13:10–13:40 | Drive Toprak-Kala → Ayaz-Kala, about 33–36 km. | about 30 min |
| 13:40–14:40 | Ayaz-Kala — view the fortress complex and desert panorama; the walking plan depends on heat, wind and footing. | about 1 hr |
| 14:40–16:45 | Drive Ayaz-Kala → Khiva, approximately 100–106 km. | about 2 hr 5 min |
| 16:45–17:30 | Arrival in Khiva and drop-off at the confirmed hotel, guesthouse or address. | timing varies |
Notes:
- The full route with access roads is approximately 270–280 km.
- Expect a driving day with several short walks on open, uneven ground.
- In summer, bring water, a hat, sun protection and closed walking shoes.
- Wind, rain or poor road access may shorten or change a stop.
- Luggage is accepted only within the confirmed vehicle capacity.
- The service ends at the agreed address in Khiva.
What you will see along the way
A Zoroastrian monument, two ancient Khorezm sites, open desert scenery and Khiva.
Zoroastrian monument
Chilpik
A circular dakhma (Tower of Silence) on an isolated hill.
Fortified city
Toprak-Kala
Defensive walls, urban blocks and a raised palace area.
Desert fortresses
Ayaz-Kala
Fortifications on hills above the desert plain.
Landscape
Lower Amu Darya plain
The open setting around Chilpik.
Historical context
Ancient Khorezm
Mud-brick settlements shaped by irrigation and desert.
Arrival city
Khiva
Drop-off near your accommodation and Ichan Kala.
Driver-only service or add a guide
Private vehicle with driver
The driver manages transport, the agreed route and waiting time. Professional historical commentary is not included.
English-speaking tour guide
A guide can join the site visits, subject to availability. The supplement is quoted separately.
Language and logistics are fixed in writing
CAJ.UZ confirms where the guide meets you, how long the service lasts and where it ends.
Pickup, drop-off, vehicle and bags
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where is pickup? | At a confirmed hotel or address in Nukus. Airport and station pickup follows the actual arrival time. |
| Where does the service end? | At the confirmed hotel, guesthouse or address in Khiva. |
| Can I bring suitcases? | Yes. Declare large, hand and oversized bags before booking; keep valuables with you. |
| How is the vehicle selected? | By passenger count and bag volume. A suitable class or equivalent is confirmed, not a specific model. |
| Can I request a child seat? | Yes, in advance. Availability and any charge are confirmed in writing. |
Daily online booking and confirmation
Choose the date and group size
- enter pickup and drop-off;
- state the number of bags;
- request a guide or child seat if needed.
Official CAJ.UZ checkout
- the checkout shows the published group-size fare;
- Visa and Mastercard are accepted;
- guide requests and other extras are confirmed separately.
Payment creates an order
- CAJ.UZ checks the transport;
- requested extras are reviewed;
- the booking is final after written confirmation.
Useful pages: online payment · booking terms · cancellation and refunds.
Why book through CAJ.UZ?
- Local operator: Central Asia Journeys has worked in Uzbekistan since 1996 and publishes its tour operator licence.
- One-way route planning: the day finishes in Khiva without an unnecessary return to Nukus.
- Capacity check: the vehicle is matched to the group and declared luggage.
- Clear pricing: the driver-only fare is separated from guide service, site charges and meals.
- Official process: checkout, booking terms and refund rules are available before purchase.
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers before you book.
How long does the Nukus to Khiva trip via the fortresses take?
About 7–9 hours. Road, weather and time at the sites determine the final duration.
What is the route?
Nukus → Chilpik → Toprak-Kala → Ayaz-Kala → Khiva. It is one way and does not return to Nukus.
Where does the trip start?
At a hotel or address in Nukus. Airport or station pickup is timed to the confirmed arrival.
Where does the trip finish?
At your confirmed hotel, guesthouse or address in Khiva.
Can I travel with suitcases?
Yes, within vehicle capacity. Declare large, hand and oversized bags before booking.
Is the published price per person?
Yes. The driver-only rate is per traveller and changes with group size.
What type of vehicle is used?
A suitable vehicle is selected for the group and bags. A specific model is not guaranteed.
Does the driver provide a guided tour?
No. Historical commentary requires a separately booked professional guide.
Can I add an English-speaking guide?
Yes, subject to availability. The price and guide logistics are confirmed separately.
Are entrance tickets and local fees included?
No, unless your written confirmation states otherwise.
Is lunch included?
No. A lunch stop is planned; food and drinks are separate.
Is the route suitable for children and older travellers?
It may be, if everyone can manage a long drive and short walks on exposed, uneven ground. Share mobility and child-seat needs in advance.
What happens in bad weather?
Stops or climbs may be shortened, changed or omitted if access is unsafe.
Can Muynak be added to the same day?
No. Muynak needs a separate day. See the Muynak day trip from Nukus.
Can I book the route in the opposite direction?
Yes. The Khiva to Nukus route is calculated and confirmed separately.
Can I book this trip for any date?
The service is available daily. Book your preferred date online; final availability is confirmed after the transport check.
Does payment confirm the trip immediately?
No. Payment creates an order. The booking is final after CAJ.UZ confirms the vehicle, pickup and agreed services.
How do cancellation and refunds work?
Cancel 24 hours or more before the confirmed start and CAJ.UZ charges no cancellation fee. Supplier costs may still apply; see the refund policy.
Is Chilpik a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
No. It is on Uzbekistan’s UNESCO Tentative List, not the World Heritage List.
Useful CAJ.UZ pages
Order and payment
Prepare the journey
Continue planning
Book your Nukus to Khiva sightseeing transfer
Information to provide
- Preferred travel date and pickup time.
- Number of adults and children.
- Nukus pickup point and Khiva drop-off address.
- Number of large suitcases and hand-luggage items.
- Any guide, child-seat or mobility request.
Ready to choose a date?
Book online or send the trip details by WhatsApp. CAJ.UZ checks the transport and sends written confirmation.
Phone: +998 71 236 39 45 · Email: cajourneys@gmail.com
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Price for 1 pax
Tour price per person
1 person
$119
from 2 to 3 persons
$65
from 4 to 5 persons
$50
from 6 to 7 persons
$45
Book now.
Prices valid until: 31.12.2026