Khiva
Why Khiva
Khiva is the last of the three great Silk Road cities and the most concentrated: the walled inner town of Ichan-Kala is barely 650 metres across, and almost everything inside it is historic. It was a slave-trading khanate until the 19th century and feels sealed off — a single, coherent medieval city rather than monuments scattered through a modern one.
What to see
- Ichan-Kala walls — the mud-brick ramparts, best at sunset from the west gate
- Kalta Minor — the fat, turquoise, unfinished minaret that became Khiva’s symbol
- Kunya-Ark — the khan’s fortress, with a view over the whole town from the watchtower
- Islam Khoja minaret — the tallest in Khiva, climbable
- Tosh-Hovli palace — tiled courtyards and harem quarters
- Juma Mosque — a flat roof held up by 200-plus carved wooden columns
How long to stay
One full day and a night. Stay inside the walls so you have Ichan-Kala to yourself early and late, when the day-trippers are gone.
Getting there
Khiva is the hardest of the three to reach: a 6-hour drive from Bukhara across the desert, or fly into Urgench (30 minutes away) from Tashkent. Most routes pair the flight in with the desert drive out, so you see the Kyzylkum once.
Where it fits in a route
Khiva is the far western end of the classic route — usually first or last, linked to Bukhara by the desert road.
Khiva tours
- Khiva Private Tour — Ichan-Kala walk — full-day, with a local guide
- Khiva in a day, from Tashkent — by air, round trip
- On a full route: 8-Day and 11-Day Classic Uzbekistan
Read more: Khiva — the fairytale city of the Silk Road. Back to Uzbekistan · Next: Tashkent.
What happens next
How we work — step by step
Our planning is hands-on, not automated. Here’s what to expect once you send your enquiry through.
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Send your enquiry
Form, email or WhatsApp — whichever feels easier. Free and no obligation.
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Get a reply within 24 hours
Often the same day. A real human — no bots, no call centre — with a few questions if we have any.
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Receive a tailored proposal
Route, accommodations, activities — with transparent, itemised pricing. No hidden mark-ups.
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Refine it together
Adjust the pace, swap hotels, change dates — whatever needs to fit. As many rounds as you like.
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Confirm and travel
We hold your reservations and stay on call throughout the trip — from arrival to the flight home.
Need Help?
Send us your request
Leave your contact details and message. We will get back to you with the next steps.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Why book with AroundCA instead of arranging it myself online?
Because a booking site gives you rooms; we give you a trip that actually works. We know which neighbourhood to stay in, which “great” hotel disappoints, how to sequence a route so you’re not backtracking, and who to call when a flight is cancelled at 11pm. You get a real person who lives in the region — not 40 open browser tabs and a gut feeling.
How much does your planning service cost?
Nothing. Our planning, proposals and revisions are free — we’re paid by the hotels and suppliers we book, at the same rates you’d pay them directly. Expert planning at no extra cost to you.
Is it more expensive than booking direct?
No. We pass through the rates our partners give us, and every proposal is itemised so you see exactly what you pay for. No hidden mark-ups, no fees buried at checkout.
Are you a licensed and insured company?
Yes — fully. We’re a licensed Uzbek tour operator (licence № 853484, registry L-41802557), issued by the Committee for Tourism of Tashkent and valid for domestic, inbound and outbound tourism. Our tour-operator civil liability is insured with APEX INSURANCE (policy EAPD № 1016716). Both documents are available on request.
How do I pay, and is it secure?
Everything is official and transparent. You can pay by bank transfer to our Uzbek company account, or through a secure payment link from our website — official internet acquiring protected by end-to-end encryption. If you prefer, you can also pay via our single company QR code. No cash-in-hand, no grey schemes.
Which destinations do you cover?
We operate across Central Asia — Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan — plus the Caucasus on request, in combination with a Central Asia route. If you don’t see your destination, ask anyway.
Do you also handle flights, visas and insurance?
Yes. We cover all air tickets, visas and travel insurance within our region — your whole trip arranged in one place.
What kind of trips do you plan?
All of them, as long as they’re tailored — honeymoons and romantic getaways, family holidays, luxury and premium escapes, and organised groups, incentives and corporate/MICE programmes.
Can I change the proposal after I receive it?
Yes — that’s the point. Adjust the pace, swap hotels, move dates, tweak the budget. We refine it together over as many rounds as you need, then you confirm.
What’s your cancellation and refund policy?
It depends on your specific booking. Cancellation terms usually follow the hotels’ penalty rules, and air tickets follow the official airlines’ fare conditions. We always show you the exact terms for your trip before you confirm — no surprises.
How do we stay in touch during the trip?
You have us on call throughout — by WhatsApp, phone or email. If a reservation slips or plans change on the ground, one message and we sort it.
Still have a question? Send your enquiry →
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