Ancient Khorezm and the "Louvre in the Desert" — Khiva, Nukus, Muynak — 6 Days

Most travelers see Khiva and turn back toward Samarkand — missing the most unexpected part of Uzbekistan. Out here in the Kyzylkum desert stand fortresses two thousand years old, Nukus holds the world’s largest collection of Soviet-banned avant-garde art, and ships sit frozen in place where a sea used to be. This trip is for travelers who’ve already checked off Samarkand and Bukhara and want something a standard itinerary won’t show them.

Route

Urgench → Khiva → Ayaz-Kala → Toprak-Kala → Nukus → Muynak → Mizdakhan → Nukus → Khiva → Urgench.

Why this tour

• Western Uzbekistan is almost never on the standard circuit — a chance to see the country where there are far fewer tourists.
• The Savitsky Museum in Nukus is a collection art historians fly to Karakalpakstan specifically to see.
• The “ship graveyard” at Muynak is one of the most powerful sights anywhere in Central Asia.
• At just 6 days, it pairs easily with any of our other Uzbekistan tours as an extension.

Day by day

1. Arrival in Urgench, transfer to Khiva, a free evening for a first walk through Ichan-Kala after dark.
2. Khiva: the entire walled city of Ichan-Kala, the Kunya-Ark fortress, the Tash-Khauli palace, the Islam-Khoja minaret.
3. The ancient Khorezm fortresses of Ayaz-Kala and Toprak-Kala, rising over the desert for two thousand years, lunch by Lake Aydarkul, drive to Nukus.
4. Muynak — the “ship graveyard” on the former shore of the Aral Sea, the Mizdakhan necropolis with its legendary “grave of Adam.”
5. Nukus: the Savitsky Art Museum, nicknamed the “Louvre in the Desert” for its collection of avant-garde art once banned in the USSR. Drive to Khiva.
6. Transfer to Urgench airport, departure.

Included (placeholder — confirm before publishing)

• Comfortable air-conditioned transport
• Guide throughout the route
• Breakfasts and 2 lunches as per the itinerary
• Souvenirs

Not included

• International flights, insurance
• Meals not listed in the itinerary

Confirmed hotel categories, guaranteed departure dates and the final price are arranged with your travel consultant at booking.