The tour begins at the Nurullabay Palace, where we will spend two hours exploring.
The Nurullabay Palace offers a glimpse into the final decades of the Khiva Khanate. During the tour, you will explore the structure of the royal residence and admire its luxurious interiors. You'll learn how this once-independent state became part of Soviet Central Asia, and how these changes affected life at the royal court.
The remaining three hours of my tour will take place inside the walls of Ichan Kala.
The Nurullabay Palace is just a 3-minute walk from the Ota Darvoza, the main gate of Ichan Kala.
Ichan Kala is an open-air museum that you could explore endlessly. We’ll take a relaxed, friendly walk without any rush. You’ll see the ancient Juma Mosque and the magnificent Kunya Ark Palace, step inside the Tash Khauli Palace, and climb the highest bastion to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Along the way, I’ll share with you the most important and fascinating stories about Khiva!
Our journey through Ichan Kala will begin at the Ota Darvoza (Main Gate). From there, you'll get acquainted with the map of Ichan Kala and visit the following landmarks:
The Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah is the largest educational institution in Khiva, featuring a tiled façade and cosy student cells.
The Kalta Minor Minaret stands out with its unique architecture, and from its viewing platform, you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire Ichan-Kala.
The Kunya-Ark Citadel — the residence of the Khivan Khans, featuring luxurious halls.
Islam Khodja Madrasa and Minaret — an architectural ensemble featuring the tallest minaret in Uzbekistan.
Juma Mosque– The Juma Mosque dates back to the 10th century and survived even the Mongol invasion unscathed. I will show you the columns decorated with Zoroastrian symbols.
The Tash-Khauli Palace — a labyrinthine royal residence of the khans, adorned with an exquisite Oriental interior.
The Allakuli Khan Caravanserai was a vibrant centre of trade and craftsmanship.
And finally, we'll stroll through the historic caravanserai
You will discover Khiva in a whole new way, leaving you with unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.
After exploring the caravanserai, we will exit through the Palvan Gate of Ichan Kala — and this is where our wonderful journey together will come to an end.
The tour will conclude after our walk through the caravanserai.
