Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

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We invite you to take a tour to Kalmykia, a place where, according to the ancient epic "Dzhangar", the Country of Bumba once existed. This is a lost paradise, a blessed place with wonderful energy, where the most intimate desires are fulfilled. Everyone who is in search of happiness is simply obliged to visit magical Kalmykia.

The program of the route involves immersion in the unusual atmosphere of the "other world", finding life meanings and unconditional happiness, visiting places of power, rebooting, landmark meetings, bodily practices, rituals of attracting happiness associated with success, wealth, family well-being, creativity, and finding spiritual and bodily harmony.

Location

G. Elista

Sightseeing tours

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Tour highlights

Kalmyk cuisine

We are waiting for a master class on making traditional Kalmyk tea "Jomba"

Ethnic immersion

We will visit the caravan camp "The Land of Bumba", where we will get acquainted with the everyday objects of the Kalmyks, their entertainment and rituals.

Amazing Kalmykia

We will admire the only desert in the European part of Russia, pink lakes and a burning spring.

Itinerary

Day 1 - AZ (Wish for a happy fate). Ethno-hoton, Elista Center, Kalmyk dinner and songs from soloists of the Zulturgan amateur ensemble
14:50 Meeting with a guide at the airport of Elista.
15:30 Departure to the ethno-hoton "Ceren" (6 km).
Tour of the yurts:
Museum of the Kalmyk Cossacks.
Khan's yurt with an area of 120 sq.m.
The Oirat-Mongol yurt.
At the Ceren ethnochoton, you can:
do a photo shoot in national costumes, there are authentic photo zones;
climb the Cossack observation tower;
swing on a Mongolian swing;
to shoot an arrow;
to taste: koumiss, chigyan, milk arak, Kalmyk milk tea, bortsoki;
camel riding;
go horseback riding.
17:00 Guided tour of the center of Elista.
1) "Seven Days Pagoda" — it was built in 2005.
The name of the pagoda is associated with the seven Buddhas who came to our world. The pointed spire of the pagoda symbolizes the exit from samsara and the achievement of nirvana.
A prayer drum with a diameter of 1.2 meters and a height of 1.8 meters is located in the building of the pagoda.
The drum weighs 2 tons and has inscriptions of the mantra "Om mani padme hum" in Tibetan, Sanskrit and Kalmyk alphabet in Todo Bichig in gold letters and contains 75 million mantras.
2) Altn Bosch — The Golden Gate of Altn Bosch, made in the traditions of Buddhist architecture.
The Golden Gate was installed in 1998. The height of the building is 15 meters. It is a symbol of the sacred threshold, through which a person is spiritually cleansed, gains confidence and strength.
3) Alley of Heroes.
4) Monument to Elyan Ovala, the folk storyteller of the epic "Dzhangar".
5) Memorial complex of heroes of the Civil and Great Patriotic Wars.
18:00 Check-in at the hotel.
19:00 Welcome dinner at the Kalmyk cuisine cafe "Kalmyk cuisine No. 1" in the format of a gastronomic immersion in the culture and cuisine of Kalmykia (included in the price).
Here you can discover the multinational cuisine, including regional dishes of Kalmykia.
The restaurant offers a wide range of dishes from various cuisines that have been created using fresh ingredients and are prepared according to traditional recipes.
You will be able to fully enjoy the combination of flavors and aromas, and get an unforgettable culinary experience.
The format is a tasting of traditional national cuisine.
It offers the first introduction to the vibrant and rich cuisine of the region, which is famous for its fragrant and delicious dishes based on the freshest ingredients of local production.
The tasting also allows you to determine the taste preferences of a certain group of tourists, taking into account its results, a further menu is formed as part of the tour program.
Kalmyk songs from soloists of the Zulturgan amateur ensemble.

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Day 2 - Jirgal (happiness of spiritual renewal). The museums of Elista, the ritual of the opening of the "white road", the central Hurul and the Lonely Poplar
Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00 A visit to the N.N. Palmov National Museum of Local Lore with the museum's guide is an exciting introduction to the rich history and culture of the Kalmyk people, from ancient times to the present day with its tragic and happy events, bright moments and unexpected turns, as well as outstanding people of the republic.
11:30 a.m. White road opening ritual from a local Buddhist organization.
Wishing for a "white road" in Kalmykia means wishing for a clean, bright path without obstacles and difficulties.
Since ancient times, the color white has been considered sacred among the nomadic peoples of Central Asia. Our ancestors blessed every deed with milk and white food, sprinkling the most sacred things they had — their ancestral places, the sacred "corner" of the yurt, the earth and the sky.
The opening of the white road belongs to the rituals of well-being. In the tradition of the nomads, one of these was the sec-sec ritual.
Wishing for a white road, our old people asked not only for an unhindered and successful life path, but also reminded that the behavior of the person himself should be immaculately pure and holy! The person to whom this was desired had to live in accordance with the moral code of the Oirats.
12:30 p.m. Visit to the central hurul "Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha" — an external and internal tour of the temple with a guide.
The Golden Monastery of Shakyamuni Buddha is the largest Buddhist temple in the Republic of Kalmykia and one of the largest in Europe. The Hurula building is 63 meters high and houses the largest 9-meter Buddha statue in Russia and Europe.
Tour of khurul: dugan, museum (when walking around the altar, you can put coins on the altar).
13:45 Memorial "Exodus and Return".
The memorial complex "Exodus and Return" is located in the east of Elista. It is dedicated to the victims of the repression and deportation of the Kalmyk people from their places of permanent residence.
The memorial recalls the tragic fate of the people who suffered as a result of the decisions of the state leadership.
During the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet government declared all Kalmyks, from children to the elderly, "enemies of the people." The Kalmyk ASSR was liquidated. On December 28, 1943, Operation Uluses began. Early in the morning, without warning, NKVD armed units began dispatching thousands of Kalmyk families to the regions of the Urals, Siberia and Central Asia. One hour was given for packing, the reasons for the eviction were not explained.
14:30 Lunch at the cafe of Kalmyk cuisine "Seasons".
A master class on making traditional Kalmyk tea "Jomba", a master class on cooking berig, a traditional dish of Kalmykia, which is an analogue of Russian dumplings.
Included in the price of the tour.
16:00 Departure to the Lone Poplar natural monument (20 km).
A natural monument of Kalmykia of regional importance. It is believed that the poplar was planted by a Buddhist monk in the early 20th century.
Currently, poplar is a place of religious worship for Kalmyk Buddhists. In August 2013, the construction of a Buddhist sanctuary began near the poplar tree: a stupa and eight rectangular white stone pedestals were installed.
In October 2013, stupas were erected on the pedestals, after which the opening of the sanctuary took place.
In 2019, the Lonely Poplar became the winner of the National competition "Russian Tree of the Year" out of 12 applicants by open voting on the website of the All—Russian program "Trees - monuments of wildlife" and in 2020 received the third place in the competition "European Tree of the Year 2020".
18:30 Visit to the Museum of Nomadic Peoples.
The museum is located on the territory of the city of chess.
The Museum of Oirat-Mongolian Nomadic Culture is the first interactive museum in Elista.
In the Mongolian yurt, where the museum is located, guests will be able to get acquainted with the everyday objects of nomads, with the way of nomadic life, listen to a story about the empire of Genghis Khan, about the history of the Oirat Mongols, about the traditions and culture of the Mongolian nomadic peoples, and draw out the ancient Oirat instruction, which, as a rule, very accurately gives the right direction to everyone.
Presentation of Todo Bichg— an old Kalmyk script created in 1648 by the Oirat scholar and educator Zaya Pandita. The name of this script literally translates as "clear writing", because unlike other Mongolian writing systems, Todo bichg is the most understandable and easy to read.
20:00 Dinner at the meat restaurant "Legend" (self-paid).
Here you can enjoy tasting the best steaks, which were made from the legendary Kalmyk meat using special cooking technology.

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Day 3 - Kishg (family happiness, well-being and peace). Oirat camp, Chernye Zemly Nature Reserve, kibitochny camp
08:15 Breakfast at the hotel.
09:30 Departure to Yashkul village (100 km), federal highway R-216, paved.
11:00 Visit to the Oirat parking lot.
Acquaintance with the life of nomads, a visit to the camp of Kalmyk Bactrian double-humped camels, camel riding. Tasting of dishes with camel milk, Kalmyk milk vodka, bortsok.
12:30 Lunch at the cafe in Yashkul village, dishes of Caucasian and Russian cuisine from Kalmyk products (included in the price).
13:40 Departure from the village of Adyk (50 km), regional highway 85 K-2, paved.
14:30 Visit to the only desert in the European part of Russia with "singing dunes" that emit a sound similar to music in windy weather.
15:30 Mekletinsky pink lakes, in the water of which the microscopic crustacean Artemia Salina lives, which turns the water pink and participates in the formation of therapeutic mud, which is used in the treatment of skin diseases and the production of cosmetics.
The lake is a healing mud covered with a crust of medicinal salt.
16:30 Burning spring. If you hold a match to water, it flares up due to the methane that gets into the water. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kalmykia.
17:30 Visit to the caravan camp "Country of Bumba".
Acquaintance with the objects of Kalmyks' everyday life, their entertainment and rituals, meeting with four types of traditional Kalmyks animals: camels, horses, cows and sheep.
During the immersive tour, you can take photos in Kalmyk costumes and military armor, shoot arrows, practice lasso throwing and much more.
18:30 Return to Elista (150 km, 2 hours).
20:30 Dinner at a Kalmyk cuisine restaurant (self-paid).

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Day 4 - BAIN (happiness of prosperity and fulfillment of desires). Souvenir shops. Departure
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:30 Visit to the Todo store, knitwear from a young Kalmyk designer.
10:30 Visit to the jewelry store "Kalmykia Jewelry", silver jewelry and costume jewelry in the national style.
12:00 Check-out.
13:30 Transfer to Elista airport.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights

Comfort

Upscale
Premium

The tour provides accommodation in a hotel with all amenities (Elista, double occupancy).

The cost of the tour is 37,500 rubles for 1 person, with 2-bed accommodation in the 3* Elista hotel.

The surcharge for single occupancy is 1000 rubles. per day.

Under the placement request:

in hotels: Domino 2*, White Lotus 3*, Marco Polo 4*;
in glamping: "Arshan", "EcoPark Country Club", "Nomad", "Haughton Glamp".

Hotel "Elista" 3*

Elista Hotel is located in Elista, 600 m from the center of Elista. It offers a bar, private parking and a terrace. The hotel has a restaurant and a 24-hour front desk. Free Wi-Fi is available. Room service is available. Guests can enjoy drinks at the snack bar.

All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a desk, a refrigerator, a kettle, as well as a shower and free toiletries. Some rooms have a safety deposit box. Each room has a private bathroom and a wardrobe. All rooms at the Elista Hotel are equipped with towels and bed linen. There is no hairdryer in the rooms, but it can be requested at the reception.

A continental breakfast is served daily.

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Another option

The Marco Polo Hotel 4*

Marco Polo Hotel is located in Elista, 4.3 km from the center of Elista. It offers a restaurant, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. The hotel is 6.3 km from Shargadyk Farm and Magna Village, and 10 km from Gashun-Bulg Village. The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, airport shuttle service, room service and free Wi-Fi.

The rooms are equipped with air conditioning. They are equipped with a flat—screen TV with satellite channels, a wardrobe, a refrigerator, a kettle, a shower and bathrobes. Towels and bed linen are provided in all rooms.

The Marco Polo Hotel serves a buffet breakfast or a hearty English/Irish breakfast.

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Another option

Nomad Glamping

Glamping "Nomad" is located in the center of Elista. It offers a reception, free parking and Wi-Fi, and territory security.

The hotel provides 31 rooms with different categories. Each room has a bed, wardrobe, electric kettle, LCD TV, air conditioning.

The hotel has its own kitchen with various appliances for use. Grocery stores are located nearby.

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Another option

EcoPark Glamping

EcoPark is a modern rural village located to the south—east of Elista. 3 minutes from the Marco Polo Hotel and 10 minutes from the city center.

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Another option

The White Lotus Hotel

The hospitable White Lotus Hotel offers guests comfortable accommodation in the center of Elista. It offers on-site parking, sauna, billiards, swimming pool, tennis court, mini football field. You will get unlimited access to wireless Wi-Fi from the hotel.

You will be pleasantly surprised by the rooms, luxuriously decorated in antique style and furnished with classic furniture. There are safes for valuables and documents, a mini-bar in each room, a TV, air conditioning. In the bathroom you will find a hairdryer, comfortable and soft bathrobes, slippers and other pleasant things.

You can choose a breakfast from several options according to your preferences, which will be delivered directly to your room. The hotel has a restaurant with excellent cuisine and a varied menu.

The Altn Bosch Golden Gate will be located next to you, you can visit the Museum of Fine Arts, the Golden Abode of the Buddha and other attractions. The airport is 8.7 km away, the train station is 2.7 km away.

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Another option

Arshan Glamping

Glamping "Arshan" is located in the village of the same name, near the city of Elista in the Republic of Kalmykia.

Cozy houses of different categories of capacity are available for accommodation. The bright interiors are equipped with stylish furniture, comfortable sleeping places, and a private bathroom with a shower cabin. The equipment includes a TV, air conditioning, hairdryer. Towels, slippers, and hygiene products are provided. There are panoramic windows and access to the terrace, which has outdoor furniture.

The kitchen has the necessary household appliances for self-cooking: a hob, refrigerator, microwave, kettle, dishes.

Guests can relax in the picturesque glamping area or visit the sights nearby: the Stupa of Peace Monument, the Geden Sheddup Choi Korlin Hurul complex. Elista Train Station is 12 km away, and the airport is 19 km away.

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Another option

Hoton Glamping

Glamping "Haughton" is located in the city of Elista, Republic of Kalmykia.

Vacationers are offered cozy yurts with stylish and well-renovated interiors, including sleeping places, air conditioning and a TV. In addition, there is a bathroom with a shower and a hygiene kit, towels with bed linen and Internet access. Underfloor heating will add comfort in the cooler season.

A kitchen is provided so that you can cook your favorite dish yourself.

The houses have their own barbecue area, and if you want a cultural pastime, you can visit the N.N. Palmov National Museum 2 km away and learn a lot about Kalmyk culture, as well as walk along the streets and see the Golden Gate attraction. The distance to the airport is 6.7 km, to the railway station is 1 km.

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Another option

Domino Hotel

The two-star Domino Hotel is located in Elista.

This two-star hotel has a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi, as well as room service. Those who wish can book family rooms. They include a private bathroom, a desk and a flat-screen TV. Towels and bed linen are provided. Some rooms offer views of the city. All rooms have a kettle. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning and a wardrobe.

The hotel is 1.4 km from Magna Supermarket.