Expedition across the endless land of the Sub-Aral area and the Ancient Khorezm
Extreme tour to Ustyurt plateau

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Tour duration: 7 days, 6 nights
Type of vehicle: motor vehicles
Season: from March till November
Accommodation: Single / Double hotels / guest houses and tents

Description: travel and tourism in Karakalpakistan - the Autonomous Republic of the western part of Uzbekistan - one of the most ancient centers of civilizations of the region, which is called "Archeological reserve". Tourpackage are consisted of a combination of historical, architectural, cultural, ethnographical and natural components.

The Khorezm oasis is located in the lower reaches of the Amu-Darya River; a blossoming area of the oasis is surrounded by desert of Karakums and Kysylkums as well as by unlimited expense of the Aral and Caspian Sea. In remote antiquity the civilization of the ancient Khoresm was born and expanded on this grateful land, currently divided between Karakalpakistan, the Khorezm Province of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Dashkhovuzskiy Viloyat of Turkmenistan.

Territory of Karakalpakistan, occupying a third part of Uzbekistan, accumulates a lot of interesting sightseeing which is attractive for travelers, archeological monuments and natural sanctuary as well as museums, reserves, landscape, a rich cultural heritage of the Karakalpaks and others. Particular interest for admirers of extreme tourism is presented by the Ustyurt plateau and coast of the Aral Sea coast. The properties that define the plateau are concluded in its unique features and canyon beddings once being witnesses of geological history, as well as the coast - a cliff of the Ustyurt, retaining strongest wave impacts of the Aral Sea during the centuries. The beauty of the plateau, relief of the site and peculiar color softness of morning and evening light rays give the opportunity to see uniqueness and beauty of this area and present particular interest for photography admirers of wildlife and landscape.

Travelers will understand and clearly observe with their own eyes the evident tragedy of the Aral Sea which could shake the whole world with its catastrophic history. Meanwhile visiting the Ustyurt plateau you can reach the sea shore. A far distance from the settlements and modern civilization made possible conservation of natural beauty of the steppe and the sea shore.

Territory of the Southern Sub-Aral, which the final part of the expedition will pass through, dissimulates in its depths a lot of outstanding art monuments belonging to this unordinary in many respects and mysterious civilization. Archeologists could not discover this civilization only but also returned the fascinating samples of ancient culture of the Khorezm region to the world; its exploration gives us the chance to restore lost extracts of history of ancient Khorezm step by step, explore its material culture and penetrate the holy of holiest of the ancient Khorezm civilization - a spiritual world of people living here thousand years ago.

The tour is designed for admirers of extreme tourism, adventurers and fans of exotic photography. Passing this itinerary, you have to be patient as the tour includes a lot of long transportation, particularly, on impassable roads. A qualified guide will accompany you, show and tell the rich story of this region, natural particularities and the tragedy of the Aral Sea.

Day 1. Arrival to Nukus by morning flight and check-in a hotel. Visiting the famous art museum of Savitsky I.V. with its amazing and rarest collection of paintings and graphics of the Russian avant-guard of the 20-30's of the XX century, archeology, ethnography and natural applied arts. Various souvenirs and literature on the art and history can be bought in the museum. Lunch. Departure to the archeological complex Mizdakhan to continue the tour (settlement Khodjeyli, 30 km from the hotel), visiting of the medieval mausoleum Nazlimkhan Sulu, Shamun Nabi, Madrassas Khalfa Erejep, Caravanserai "White Hanaka" and antique fortress Gyaur Qala. Return to Nukus. Dinner (if desired: dinner at the hotel or in the restaurant is available).

Day 2. After breakfast departure to the Ustyurt plateau by main road across Kungrad. Visiting of frozen lake "Barsa Kelmes" (200 km by asphalt road). Lunch. Trip to the lake. The lake is presented by an enormous plateau with natural white salt on the cliff of the Ustyurt plateau which is a picturesque place with fascinating relief. Salt is mined for food and chemical industry from here. Dinner and overnight stop in tents.

Day 3. Breakfast. Walk and crossing the Ustyurt plateau towards the Aral Sea coast (160 km by impassable road). Lunch. Walk on the Aral Sea coast. While walking an observance of the picturesque canyons on the cliff of the Ustyurt plateau and antique depositions of nomad Sarmatia tribes, wandering between the Aral and Caspian Sea in the VI-II cc. B.C. Dinner at bonfire and overnight stop in tents.

Day 4. Breakfast. Departure to the abandoned fishing village Urga. Walk and observance of lake Sudoch'e. Lunch. Meeting with fishermen. Dinner. Overnight stop in a fisher's hut.

Day 5. Breakfast. Crossing the previously existed bottom of the Aral sea and arrival to Muynak (180 km). Excursion to the Ship cemetery. Lunch. Delta of Amudarya River. Visiting of a museum of the Aral Sea in Muynak. Accommodation in a guest house. Dinner.

Day 6. Early breakfast. Leaving Muynak for Nukus (220 km). Lunch. After changing a vehicle trip to the South and visiting archeological monuments of the III centuary Chilpik (Zoroastrian dakhma) and site Toprak Qala (residence of Khorezm tsars' dynasty). Arrival to the archeological complex "Ayaz Qala" 1 and 2. Overnight stop and dinner in the nomads tent camping "Ayaz Qala" (180 km from Nukus).

Day 7. Early breakfast. Departure to Khiva (Khorezm Province). On arrival to Khiva - visit of the complex Ichan Qala (museums, mosques, madrassas etc.). Lunch. It is possible to leave the airport of Urgench for Tashkent by evening flight or to stay for flop in the hotel of Urgench or Khiva.

Requisite things. Travelers have to bring with them sportive shoes or trekking boots, clothes, head-dress, sunscreen, sunglasses and necessary medicines. If requested an individual sleeping bag should be brought also.

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