City Tour
Khiva Tours
Uzbekistan
Khiva's inner town, Itchan Kala, is a whole walled city kept as it was: mud-brick walls, minarets, palaces and madrasahs, mostly from the 18th and 19th centuries, when Khiva was the capital of a khanate on the edge of the desert. In 1990 it became the first place in Uzbekistan on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
One full day covers Itchan Kala; a second adds the desert fortresses of ancient Khorezm. Khiva is half an hour from Urgench airport, with flights from Tashkent, and there are trains from Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara.
What to see in Khiva
Kalta Minor
The short minaret covered in turquoise tiles, meant to be the tallest in the East and never finished.
Kunya-Ark
The khans' old fortress, with the throne room, the mint and a watchtower over the town.
Juma Mosque
A hall of more than 200 carved wooden columns, the oldest of them about a thousand years old.
Tash Hauli
The khan's palace, with tiled courtyards and the harem.
Islam Khodja Minaret
The tallest minaret in Khiva, about 57 metres; climb it for the view over the town.
Desert fortresses
Ayaz-Kala and Toprak-Kala, ruined fortresses of ancient Khorezm, a day trip from Khiva.
Day trips and short tours: Khiva
City Tour
History TourMulti-day tours through Khiva
Classic TourTashkent – Khiva – Bukhara – Samarkand, Uzbekistan
NewClassic Uzbekistan: 8 Days
8 Days / 7 Nights
from $1,050/ person
Expedition TourTashkent – Nukus – Khiva – Bukhara – Samarkand, Uzbekistan
NewAral Sea & Silk Road: 9 Days
9 Days / 8 Nights
from $1,495/ person
Culture & Desert TourTashkent – Samarkand – Nuratau – Bukhara – Khiva, Uzbekistan
NewSilk Road & Nuratau: 10 Days
10 Days / 9 Nights
from $1,275/ person
Grand TourTashkent – Samarkand – Seven Lakes – Nuratau – Bukhara – Khiva, Uzbekistan & Tajikistan
NewUzbekistan & Tajikistan: 14 Days
14 Days / 13 Nights
from $1,795/ person
Upcoming group departures
Join a small group on a fixed date, with a local guide in every city.
- Mon 30 Nov – Mon 7 Dec 2026Classic Uzbekistan: 8 Days8 Days / 7 Nights 12 seats left$1,190 / personBook a seat
- Mon 14 Dec – Mon 21 Dec 2026Classic Uzbekistan: 8 Days8 Days / 7 Nights 12 seats left$1,190 / personBook a seat
- Mon 28 Dec – Mon 4 Jan 2027Classic Uzbekistan: 8 Days8 Days / 7 Nights 12 seats left$1,190 / personBook a seat
Read more about Khiva
Where to eat
Where to Eat in Khiva: 6 Restaurants for Khorezmian Food and Views
Green shivit oshi, rooftops over the walls of Itchan Kala and dinner in a madrasah: where to eat in Khiva.
2 min read
Destinations
Khiva & Itchan Kala: Walking Inside a Walled Silk Road City
A guide to one of Uzbekistan's most distinctive historic environments.
1 min read
Frequently asked questions
›How many days do I need in Khiva?
One full day for Itchan Kala; two with the desert fortresses.
›How do I get to Khiva?
Fly from Tashkent to Urgench (about an hour and a half), then half an hour by car; or take the train from Tashkent, Samarkand or Bukhara.
›Is it worth staying inside the walls?
Yes. In the evening, when the day visitors leave, the lanes are quiet and the walls glow at sunset. Several small hotels are inside Itchan Kala.
›Can I see Khiva on a day trip from Bukhara?
It is too far for a comfortable day trip, six to seven hours each way; plan at least one night.