Astrakhan is a protected area

Important! A trip to the lotus fields/Volga Delta is available only to citizens of the Russian Federation — this is a border zone. It is mandatory to have a passport on the trip (original, paper copy or photo in your phone).

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:30-09:00 Gathering of the group from the hotels.

09:00 Start of an incredible journey to the Volga River delta. The landscapes of the Astrakhan region and the largest delta of Europe will appear in all their glory before you.

Upon arrival at the recreation center located in the rolling part of the delta, the water tour begins. You will have the opportunity to get to know the nature of the Astrakhan region, see the picturesque landscapes, as well as the inhabitants of the Volga delta.

There are more than 300 species of birds here alone, and more than 100 of them are listed in the Red Books of various levels!

The most attentive will be able to see the white-tailed eagle, count the number of heron species and make a wish for splashing fish.

In July and August, the lotus blossom season begins on the Caspian ridges. It is at this moment that the delta turns into one of the most unique corners of the world — there is no such water area covered with lotuses anywhere else in the world, and the area of lotus fields reaches 5,000 hectares!

After returning to the recreation center, you will have a set lunch with elements of traditional Astrakhan cuisine.

In their free time, a swimming pool and a recreation area are available on the territory of the recreation center.

17:00-18:30 Arrival in Astrakhan.

The end of the excursion program. Transfer to the hotel.

Free time.

07:00-08:00 Early breakfast at the hotel.

Things that you will not need during the trip can be left in the hotel's luggage room.

08:00 Start of an exciting trip to the Bogdinsk-Baskunchak Nature Reserve with a visit to the Sacred mountain Bolshoe Bogdo and the "Astrakhan Dead Sea" — Lake Baskunchak.

The journey to the reserve takes 4.5-5.5 hours, but thanks to the interesting travel information from the guide, time flies by unnoticeably.

Bolshoe Bogdo Mountain is a landscape wonder and the highest point of the Caspian lowland. You will be able to take photos against the background of Martian landscapes, hear the melodies of singing rocks and recharge your batteries from the Buddhist place of power.

A set lunch in a cafe in the village.

The next stop is the salt lake Baskunchak.

In addition to the fact that the lake is the "All-Russian salt shaker", its waters, mud and brine have healing properties. Therefore, swimming in the lake will not only bring a lot of pleasure, but also bring benefits to the body.

A transfer to the bathing areas is arranged for an additional fee (medium and long breaks — from 500 rubles/person).

Absolutely! Bring bathing accessories, a hat, water, and rubber shoes (slippers, flip-flops, etc.) so that you can walk around the lake and swim.

The order of the inspection is determined by the guide on site.

Important! In case of bad weather (rains), a transfer to Bolshoe Bogdo Mountain is provided by PAZ buses and is paid on site (from 300 rubles/person).

During the tour service, a set dinner is provided in the cafe of the village.

19:00 Transfer to the hotel in the village. Nizhny Baskunchak.

Accommodation in rooms. Free time.

Breakfast at the hotel. Room release.

09:00 Departure for an excursion to the protected areas — you will have a unique opportunity to visit the place where Lake Baskunchak originates.

The acquaintance with the nature of the Bogdinsk-Baskunchak Nature Reserve continues with a visit to the spring gully, along which many salty springs carry their waters to Lake Baskunchak.

Here, highly sulfide-saturated salt-saturated mud comes to the surface, which allows you to take mud baths and swim in brine without using the natural springs themselves for these purposes.

There is also a gazebo nearby where you can hide from the Astrakhan sun, and shower stalls where it is convenient to wash off brine and healing mud.

A set lunch in a cafe in the village.

On the way back, we stop at the Sarai Batu.

During an exciting journey, you will visit the place where the capital of the Golden Horde and one of the most progressive cities of its time, Sarai Batu, was located many centuries ago. Today, the village of Saltpetre is located here, in the vicinity of which archaeological excavations of the ruins of the city are conducted annually.

It is here that ancient artifacts have been found, revealing the secrets of the life of the great Golden Horde tribe.

On the way, you will have the opportunity to see with your own eyes the site of the archaeological site "Saltpeter hillfort" and a memorial sign.

The excursion program continues in the Sarai-Batu Cultural and Historical Complex, which is a set built for the filming of the feature film The Horde.

Here you can stroll along the stylized streets, explore residential buildings and other buildings recreated using IV century technologies, as well as see with your own eyes a medieval plumbing system.

Not far from the scenery there is a playground with sand sculptures "Dreams of the Dunes" and the historical museum "Yurt Khan" for self-guided visits.

For an additional fee, those who wish can ride a camel, take pictures in historical costumes and shoot arrows, as well as fly a two-seater light aircraft over the scenery.

Return to Astrakhan.

Accommodation at the hotel. Free time.

Breakfast at the hotel. Room release.

09:00 Departure to Astrakhan Biosphere Reserve. The trip to the reserve takes 1.5-2 hours, taking into account the ferry crossing, but thanks to the interesting travel information from the guide, time flies by unnoticeably.

Astrakhan Biosphere Reserve is one of the unique corners of nature, where the habitats of rare animals, birds and plants have been preserved untouched by man.

A real paradise for scientists, ornithologists and just lovers of nature, silence and harmony. It is also the largest water area for the distribution of lotuses on our planet.

After arriving at the reserve, you will go on an excursion along the ecological trail "Newfound Delta + Avandelta, a 30—minute drive along the channels to the boat hiking trail, then 1 hour along the hiking route of the ecological trail "Newfound Delta".

The first part of the route passes through reed thickets and gallery willow forests. Closer to the water, herons, croakers and kingfishers usually sit on tree branches and driftwood, and the white—tailed eagle, the owner of the delta, sits proudly on the tops of tall trees.

Birds of prey often soar high in the sky, but an experienced guide will always be able to see them aloft and tell you interesting facts about the life of eagles, kobchik, cheglok and osprey.

The guide will tell you many interesting facts about the life of animals, insects, amphibians and

You will also be able to climb the observation decks and the observation tower.

The tour continues with a boat trip to Avandelta. Excursions along the water routes take place on boats or comfortable trimarans.

You will visit the place where the Volga flows into the Caspian Sea and find out what "rumblings" are, and there you can easily reach the place where the Volga flows into the Caspian Sea!

If you look carefully ahead, to the sides and deep into the coastal thickets, you can see a lot of interesting things.

The Volga's avandelt is a gentle underwater slope adjacent to the delta and extending its surface part.

The Volga River avandelt includes a system of sea gulfs (kultuks) and islands, borders the Volga Delta, and is characterized by high variability in the habitat of fish and other aquatic organisms from the effects of overburden winds and other factors. The duration of which is 5 hours: 1 hour – by boat and 1 hour – hiking along the trail.

The route passes through two sections of the trail on wooden platforms and ends at a two-tiered observation deck located near picturesque lotus thickets.

During the tour service, a set lunch is provided on the territory of the reserve.

19:00-20:00 Arrival in Astrakhan. Organized transfers to the airport and railway station.

The travel time is approximate, depending on the operation and workload of the ferries!

After the tour, the guests who refused the organized transfers return to the hotel and then independently get to the airport and railway station.