Ayaz Kala - ancient fortresses of Khorezm

09:00 Meeting with the guide and transport at the hotel.
Departure to the Kyzylkum desert.

The ancient Khorezm kingdom was located on the territory of present-day Karakalpakstan. A chain of defensive fortresses was built along its borders in the Kyzylkum desert. We will visit several places and see the ancient ruins of these fortresses, which are called "kala".

• Toprak Kala (I-VI centuries AD) this fortress city was the capital of Khorezm in the III century. There were houses, streets, a temple and a palace in the city. Many finds were made here by architects - coins, ceramics, sculptures, paintings, jewelry, writing and even fabrics.
• Kyzyl-Kala is a small fortress with a double protective wall, located near Toprak Kala. Presumably it was an additional fortification, according to legend, connected to Toprak Kala by an underground passage.

Lunch at a yurt camp in the desert. After lunch, continue the tour:

• Ayaz-Kala Fortress (II century AD) was built during the heyday of the Kushan Empire. It is noteworthy that rural settlements and individual houses were located around the fortress. It is located on the top of a hill and most often tourists inspect it from afar.
• Kyrk-kyz-Kala (I-VI centuries AD) – "Fortress of Forty Maidens". Various legends are associated with this place: about Queen Gulayim, who defended the fortress with her 40 friends; about 40 exiles who lived here as hermits; about righteous women who turned into stones to escape from their pursuers. Archaeologists also found Zoroastrian burials here.
• Kavat Kala (XII-XII centuries) is a fortress stretching along the riverbed in the middle of an ancient oasis. The central part of it was densely populated. The ruler's palace was also located here. The contours of the towers and walls have been preserved to this day.

18:00 Return to the hotel and end of the tour

Tour cost for foreign citizens – from 50$ per person
The price includes: tour guide, transport, lunch.