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View all Nukus toursKhiva to Aral Sea: 2-Day Private Muynak & Ustyurt Expedition in Nukus
2-day trip from Nukus visiting Discover the Savitsky Museum in Nukus, Explore Muynak and the Ship Cemetery and Journey Across the Ustyurt Plateau. Operated by Zukhra_Tours.
Highlights
- Spend a night in a traditional yurt beneath the desert sky environment.
Khiva to Aral Sea: 2-Day Private Muynak & Ustyurt Expedition: Key Facts
| Price | From $735 per person |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 days |
| Languages | English |
| Tour type | Guided Tour |
| Booking | Direct with the local operator — no OTA markup |
Choose from 1 available option
Khiva to Aral Sea: 2-Day Private Muynak & Ustyurt Expedition
Full description
A 2-day trip out of Nukus taking in Discover the Savitsky Museum in Nukus, Explore Muynak and the Ship Cemetery, Journey Across the Ustyurt Plateau and Overnight at the Aral Sea Yurt Camp. There are 10 stops in all.
The running order is Discover the Savitsky Museum in Nukus, then Explore Muynak and the Ship Cemetery, then Journey Across the Ustyurt Plateau, then Overnight at the Aral Sea Yurt Camp, then Sunrise at the Aral Sea, and on from there.
The price covers private transportation from your selected pickup location within Khiva City, Return drop-off at your chosen destination within Khiva city, English-speaking driver and comfortable private air-conditioned transportation throughout the tour and Luggage transportation throughout the journey. It does not cover entrance fees to museums, archaeological sites, fortresses, and other attractions, Lunches during the journey and Personal expenses, so budget for those separately. Two travellers pay $735 together rather than $735 each, because this is priced per party and not per head.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Early Morning Departure from Khiva
Start your private expedition with pickup from your accommodation in Khiva between 06:00 and 06:30. Meet your English-speaking driver and guide before beginning the journey toward Nukus and the Aral Sea region.
Discover the Savitsky Museum in Nukus
Visit the famous State Museum of Arts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, known as the Savitsky Museum. Explore its remarkable collection of Russian avant-garde paintings, Karakalpak art, archaeological discoveries, and cultural treasures from the region.
Explore Muynak and the Ship Cemetery
Continue to Muynak, a former fishing town dramatically affected by the retreat of the Aral Sea. Visit the iconic Ship Cemetery and see abandoned vessels resting in what was once the seabed. You can also explore the local History Museum to learn about Muynak's fishing traditions and changing way of life.
Journey Across the Ustyurt Plateau
Leave Muynak and travel into the remote Ustyurt Plateau. Enjoy vast desert landscapes, dramatic cliffs, canyons, and isolated scenery while travelling through one of western Uzbekistan's most unusual natural environments.
Overnight at the Aral Sea Yurt Camp
Arrive at the yurt camp near the Aral Sea in the evening. If you choose the optional overnight package, stay in a traditional yurt and enjoy a locally prepared dinner beneath the open desert sky.
Sunrise at the Aral Sea
Begin the morning at the Aral Sea shore. Enjoy the quiet desert surroundings, walk along the shoreline, take photographs, and experience the unique landscape created where desert and water meet.
Explore Kurgancha Kala
Visit the remains of Kurgancha Kala, an ancient fortified settlement connected with the historic routes crossing the Ustyurt region. Explore the ruins and surrounding desert landscape while learning about the area's ancient past.
Discover Kubla Ustyurt
Continue to Kubla Ustyurt, a remote former Soviet settlement and airfield. See the remains of this isolated community and experience a striking contrast between the ancient archaeological sites and the region's more recent Soviet history.
Lunch Stop in Muynak
Return to Muynak for a lunch break before beginning the journey back toward Khiva. Lunch is not included in the tour price and is paid separately by travelers.
Visit Mizdakhan Necropolis
Explore the historic Mizdakhan Necropolis, one of the region's most important archaeological and sacred landscapes. Discover traces of ancient Khorezmian culture alongside Zoroastrian and later Islamic heritage.
Stop at Chilpik Kala
On the way back toward Khiva, visit Chilpik Kala, an impressive ancient structure rising above the desert. The site is traditionally associated with Zoroastrian funerary practices and offers a memorable final historical stop on the expedition.
Return to Khiva
After completing the final stops, continue the journey back to Khiva with private transportation and your English-speaking driver and guide, concluding your two-day expedition through the Aral Sea region.
Includes
- Private transportation from your selected pickup location within Khiva City.
- Return drop-off at your chosen destination within Khiva city.
- English-speaking driver and comfortable private air-conditioned transportation throughout the tour.
- Luggage transportation throughout the journey.
Excludes
- Entrance fees to museums, archaeological sites, fortresses, and other attractions.
- Lunches during the journey.
- Personal expenses.
- Snacks, additional food, and drinks.
- Souvenirs and gifts.
- Overnight accommodation at the Aral Sea yurt camp.
- Professional local guide certified by Uzbekistan's tourism authorities (the language of the tour guide depends on travelers' preference)
Important information
Meeting point
The operator confirms the exact meeting point and time once your booking is confirmed, and you will have it well before the day. If you would rather know before you book, message us on WhatsApp and we will ask them for you.
Know before you go
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts