A question about Khiva. Could you recommend where one can go here on an excursion, apart from the fortress? We have 3 days here, but we walked through the entire fortress inside and out in a single day.
We visited three fortresses. The host arranged a transfer for $40, there are no guided tours available on-site. At the farthest one, Ayaz Kala, entry is free; there’s also a yurt camp there (for those who want to stay overnight) and camels — it’s a real desert setting.
At the other two, the entrance fee is 20,000 UZS.
After that, we grabbed a bite at a café by the lake. All in all, it takes about 5–6–7 hours, depending on your pace.
We also stopped by a 15-minute tightrope walkers’ show.
You could also go to Nukus, Khodjeyli / Mizdakhan.
In Nukus, visit the Savitsky Museum; the town of Khodjeyli is 20 km away, with the Mizdakhan necropolis and one of the fortresses opposite it. If you choose the trip to the fortresses (the map was shared above), that route is about 330 km — just desert and three fortresses. But if you add Nukus, you’ll also see the museum, a large necropolis, the desert, and a fortress as well, while the total distance increases by only 20–25 km.