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Wind-rippled sand in the Kyzylkum desert

Travel styles

Desert journeys

Yurt camps, camel rides, fortresses and the burning crater.

The Kyzylkum and Karakum deserts cover much of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. They hold clay fortresses older than the Silk Road cities, yurt camps under brilliant stars and the strange glow of the Darvaza crater.

Our home in Khiva is on the edge of the desert, so this is familiar ground: a night at Ayaz Kala or Aydarkul fits easily into most Uzbekistan journeys.

Tours in this style
9
Best season
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
Where
Desert fortresses of Khorezm, Nurata & Lake Aydarkul, Darvaza gas crater, Muynak & the Aral Sea

Tours

Desert journeys itineraries

9 daysKazakhstan

Mangystau expedition in 9 days: canyons, salt flats and the Caspian

A week by 4x4 and tent across Kazakhstan’s wild west: the underground mosque of Shakpak Ata, the stone spheres of Torysh, Sherkala, the Valley of Castles, Tuzbair, Bozzhyra, the Tiramisu hills and the Caspian shore.

Price on requestView tour

Where to go

Best places for this style

UzbekistanDesert fortresses of KhorezmClay castles in the Kyzylkum, and a yurt camp below Ayaz Kala. 1 day from Khiva; optional night in the yurt camp UzbekistanNurata & Lake AydarkulA night in a desert yurt camp between Bukhara and Samarkand. 1 night The burning Darvaza gas crater at night TurkmenistanDarvaza gas craterA fire in the Karakum desert, best seen after dark. 1 night UzbekistanMuynak & the Aral SeaA ship cemetery in the desert, and the long road to the Aral’s new shore. 1 day from Nukus; 2–3 days to reach the shore KazakhstanAltyn-EmelA dune that hums in the wind, and mountains striped like a painter’s palette. 1–2 days Banded cliffs of the Yangykala canyon, Turkmenistan TurkmenistanYangykala CanyonStriped canyon walls in pink, red and white near the Caspian. 1–2 days

Experiences

Add an experience

Full day, or overnight · Desert fortresses of KhorezmDesert fortresses and a yurt campClay castles of ancient Khorezm, and lunch or a night in a yurt below Ayaz Kala.

Other travel styles

Tour to Uzbekistan · Koshona street 75/1, Khiva, Uzbekistan · WhatsApp +998 91 920 94 20 · tours.uzbekistan@gmail.com · tourtouzbekistan.com/travel-styles/desert/

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