Ayaz-Kala
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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LaNyonsaise
West Midlands, UK1,041 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
This was a detour on our group journey from Nukus to Khiva. We parked at the yurt camp while we hiked up to the fortress. In fact we were meant to have lunch at the camp but the tour operators had poor reports about that and made alternative arrangements. The guide may have paid for parking and there were basic toilets with an honesty box. A camel was tethered and didn’t seem too happy about it.
Access is initially across sand dunes then a scramble up the mud brick walls and into the fortress so you are aware that you are contributing to the erosion of the heritage you have come to appreciate.
There’s not a lot to see inside the walls except some doorways and ramps but the view is well worth the walk, especially of the second fort. The desert vegetation is interesting.
Access is initially across sand dunes then a scramble up the mud brick walls and into the fortress so you are aware that you are contributing to the erosion of the heritage you have come to appreciate.
There’s not a lot to see inside the walls except some doorways and ramps but the view is well worth the walk, especially of the second fort. The desert vegetation is interesting.
Written May 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bunty8
United Kingdom644 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Visited travelling between Nukus and Khiva with our guide.
We had lunch at the Yurt Camp, which was good, plenty of food, actually too much, they were very generous portions.
After lunch we walked up to the fortress, there is an easier, safer way if you leave camp head to left of fortress and approach from other side, rather than trying to scramble up face opposite camp.
Having a guide helps in understanding history and importance of the site.
There are good views from top, but be aware of sheer drops in places and wear sensible footwear, dont forget to carry water too.
We had lunch at the Yurt Camp, which was good, plenty of food, actually too much, they were very generous portions.
After lunch we walked up to the fortress, there is an easier, safer way if you leave camp head to left of fortress and approach from other side, rather than trying to scramble up face opposite camp.
Having a guide helps in understanding history and importance of the site.
There are good views from top, but be aware of sheer drops in places and wear sensible footwear, dont forget to carry water too.
Written June 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Globetrotter008
London, UK1,610 contributions
Apr 2022
The site is located about two hours drive from Khiva. Once there you have three-in-one monuments lying quite close to each other.
We climbed only to Ayaz Kala 1 which towers over the other two on the hill. We had a great view over Ayaz Kala 2 and largely outline of Ayaz Kala 3.
The side was of a huge rectangular shape and, dating from 3rd century BC, largely ruins and piles of mud where walls once stood. There were some remaining shapes of tunnels and towers.
The entry was free on the day and we could wander all around unimpeded. Some information boards inside the fortress would be useful, otherwise use your imagination.
The fortresses look the best from the outside.
We climbed only to Ayaz Kala 1 which towers over the other two on the hill. We had a great view over Ayaz Kala 2 and largely outline of Ayaz Kala 3.
The side was of a huge rectangular shape and, dating from 3rd century BC, largely ruins and piles of mud where walls once stood. There were some remaining shapes of tunnels and towers.
The entry was free on the day and we could wander all around unimpeded. Some information boards inside the fortress would be useful, otherwise use your imagination.
The fortresses look the best from the outside.
Written May 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gulbazar A
3 contributions
Oct 2021 • Friends
After visiting Toprak kala we continued our trip to Ayaz kala. We paid 10,000 soums for entering the kala. Because we had little time we could see only one part of the Ayaz kala, and it was said to be one of three hills. It was difficult to reach the top of the Ayaz kala because there were no stairs as the previous ones and we had already been tired from walking. There were a lot of stones and sand that made our walk much more tiring. However, we got to the top of the kala and had the chance to view the sunset. It was the most beautiful scene I have ever seen.
Written January 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reslysten54
Vienna, VA2,704 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
Some 2200 years ago people with simple tools labored to construct this impressively large fortress as protection against raiding nomads. The effort that must have required is mind-boggling.
The site has very little interpretation apart from a modest sign at the entrance with some textd in English. Our guide added a lot to the experience, so go with one if you can.
The site has very little interpretation apart from a modest sign at the entrance with some textd in English. Our guide added a lot to the experience, so go with one if you can.
Written May 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beatriz M
Düsseldorf, Germany5,677 contributions
Dec 2022
Visited this place on a tour from Khiva. Be prepared for lots of going downhill and uphill, necessary to wear good shoes and do not bring any heavy backpack with you. The place is really "wild" and there is just the fortressess there and the yurt camp nearby which offers you a turkish toilet and maybe some water/tea. You will walk on the sand to go there, it really feels like a desert like in movies. Very special place. I could see camels roaming around the other smaller fortress. Very interesting.
Written January 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benaga V
Singapore, Singapore32 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
Reason 1 - Yurt compound is just 200m from Ayaz Qala fort. If you're like us - had never stayed in a yurt in the middle of real sandy desert before, it might be the highlight and the most remarkable activity in your trip!!
Contrary to popular belief, staying overnight in a yurt is actually so comfortable. This might have got to do with the carpets they use - real soft and smooth. And the food provided, was one of the best during our trip - the potato and beef stew was exceptionally good!
Reason 2 - The fort itself, except looking really out of place and ancient, was empty so there's actually nothing much to see there. However, Ayaz qala fort is built on a hill-like ground, it's much higher than the plain so you can enjoy the other smaller & shorter fort and a great "plateau" view from there. It is also very quiet so, if you are the zen kinda guy, you can relax your thoughts and meditate deeply.
Reason 3 - Bizarre salt lake (an hour hike away) and amazing stars. Enough said.
Contrary to popular belief, staying overnight in a yurt is actually so comfortable. This might have got to do with the carpets they use - real soft and smooth. And the food provided, was one of the best during our trip - the potato and beef stew was exceptionally good!
Reason 2 - The fort itself, except looking really out of place and ancient, was empty so there's actually nothing much to see there. However, Ayaz qala fort is built on a hill-like ground, it's much higher than the plain so you can enjoy the other smaller & shorter fort and a great "plateau" view from there. It is also very quiet so, if you are the zen kinda guy, you can relax your thoughts and meditate deeply.
Reason 3 - Bizarre salt lake (an hour hike away) and amazing stars. Enough said.
Written July 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TimFP
Singapore899 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
Fortress 1 is pretty impressive in terms of scale and the view you get of fortress no. 2 and the surroundings is grand. You really need to read up on the history (free information is available from the Unesco nomination documents) or have an English speaking guide in order to make sense of the layout and the purpose of the buildings which were part of a settlement situated in much less harsh conditions back centuries ago. It is difficult to imagine this now but the land surrounding the fortress was once lush and green. I would suggest going earlier in the morning or later in the evening as the temperatures can be searing in June-August. Beware of a potential scam if your driver drops you in the yurt camp nearby for a break or refreshments. A lady there asked whether we wanted to buy any drinks and when we politely declined, she then claimed there is an admission fee for accessing the fortress (which we had already visited) and for using the swings at the yurt camp which I barely used for less than a minute (!) We refused to pay as nowhere is it mentioned that there are admission fees (unlike Toprak Qala), no receipt/admission ticket was issued and she was obviously just trying to get some money from us.
Written June 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joanne H
London, UK955 contributions
Sep 2014 • Friends
We did a 'half-day' trip to Ayaz-Kala as well as Kyzyl-Kala and Toprak-Kala, booking via the very helpful English-speaking tourist information office in Khiva. The car and slightly manic Uzbek driver cost us $50 for about six hours. It was well worth it and good to get out of the towns and see something a bit different. Ayaz-Kala was the last stop and probably the most spectacular of the three, although the others were also pretty impressive. Toprak-Kala had the most complete interior with a series of visible rooms. We were amazed that something so solid could have been built so long ago and survived so well.
We weren't charged anything above our car hire to see the kalas although our driver said if we'd driven up to the yurt camp at Ayaz we would have been. Probably leaving Khiva early (we left at 8.30am) to beat the tour groups.
We weren't charged anything above our car hire to see the kalas although our driver said if we'd driven up to the yurt camp at Ayaz we would have been. Probably leaving Khiva early (we left at 8.30am) to beat the tour groups.
Written September 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pete
Bangkok, Thailand159 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
This place is the main reason I visited Uzbekistan and it hasnt disappointed me one bit. We booked a driver named “Ali” through our fabulous hotel Meros B&B cost 70 USD as we wanted to go very far away to exotic Janpik Kala as well which is a reasonable price for us(The standard fortress tour one should cost not more than 50 usd) Everything was perfect for this trip. When we visited Ayaz-Kala, even though it was a summer time, I didnt feel that much hot at all as it was windy there. The place just gave you the vibe of feeling conquering the world especially when you go up to the higher fortress and look down to see a lower one.
My personal recommendation is to go to Janpik Kala as well as it is an unseen fortress yet very beautiful. Our driver mentioned that some of locals dont even know this place exists!
PS. Bring lots of water if you go during summer. You wont feel that much heat but you will feel dehydrated very often.
My personal recommendation is to go to Janpik Kala as well as it is an unseen fortress yet very beautiful. Our driver mentioned that some of locals dont even know this place exists!
PS. Bring lots of water if you go during summer. You wont feel that much heat but you will feel dehydrated very often.
Written July 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
-sarà la tappa estrema del mio viaggio in moto in Asia Centrale, il soggiorno è prenotabile in qualche modo da Bukara o Shiva, se si come?
Written May 17, 2019
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