Kalmyk New Year

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Did you know that the Oirat Kalmyks are the first to celebrate the New Year?

Embark on a New Year's gastronomic journey with us! Taste the real nomad cuisine, experience the pleasure of delicious mutton, marbled veal and many more different dishes of the Kalmyks' New Year's table.

Walk through the streets of the capital of Kalmykia, take a look at the most interesting museums of the republic and get acquainted with the hospitable and original people!

Location

Republic of Kalmykia, Elista

Sightseeing tours

from

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Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

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Tour highlights

Gastronomic master class

We will acquire the skills of cooking basic Kalmyk dishes and have a delicious dinner

Kalmyk Theatre

Let's join the Kalmyk art and get a lot of positive emotions from the performance

The life of nomads

Let's learn how to shoot a bow and take a picture in national costumes

Itinerary

Day 1 - A walk through Elista. Dinner at one of the best meat restaurants
15:00 – 15:30 Check-in at the hotel.
15:30 – 16:20 Lunch.
16:30 – 18:30 City tour of Elista.
We are going for a walk around the city.
We will walk through the city center, through the Seven Days Pagoda, which is the hallmark of our capital.
It symbolizes the exit from samsara and the achievement of nirvana.
The largest prayer drum in Europe, the Kurde, is installed in the Pagoda, which is filled with 75 million mantras.
Make a wish, walk around it three times, and it will definitely come true!
You will hear the music of the wind as you walk under the Golden Gate decorated with 28 paintings by local artists.
The Kalmyk people have a tragic page in their lives – the deportation of 1943 – 1957.
We will visit the monument "Exodus and Return", dedicated to the victims of Stalin's repressions, created by the outstanding sculptor of our time Ernst Neizvestny.
Visiting souvenir shops.
19:00 – 22:00 Dinner at one of the best meat restaurants "Gourmet", where you can taste delicious grilled meat: veal, lamb, camel meat, pork.
A variety of combo sets of national dishes will delight true connoisseurs of authentic tastes.
Alcoholic beverages are not included in the price.
Free time.

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Day 2 - Hurul "The Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha". Museum of Nomadic Peoples. A master class. City Chess
07:30- 08:30 Breakfast.
09:00 – 13:00 Hurul "Golden abode of Shakyamuni Buddha".
Participation in a large morning prayer service.
Guided tour with an expert on Buddhism.
The Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha" (kalm. Burkhn Bagshin Altn Syume) is the largest Buddhist temple in Europe.
The entire architectural plan of the temple has the shape of a mandala.
The hurula building is surrounded by 17 pagodas with statues of the great Buddhist teachers of Nalanda Monastery.
In the prayer hall of the Central Hurul "Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni", the first, the main object in size and importance that attracts the eyes of any person is the figure of Buddha Shakyamuni.
The height of the statue is 9 meters.
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch at the national restaurant.
14:00 – 16:00 Excursion to the Museum of Nomadic Peoples – the history of the life of nomadic Kalmyks, archery, photographing in national costumes.
A master class on writing the old Kalmyk vertical script "Todo-Bichg.
A clear letter.
The precious heritage of the ancestors, the history of its creation, as a gift, writing the name of the participant on the Todo Beach.
16:00 - 17:00 City Chess walk.
17:00 Return to the hotel, free time. independent dinner

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Day 3 - The Geden Sheddup Choi Korling Khurul complex. Workshop of the Kalmyk folk artist. Gastronomic master class
07:30- 09:30 Breakfast.
Check–out from the hotel 09:30 - 12:30.
Guided tour of the Geden Sheddup Choi Korling Khurul Complex.
Hurul "Shakyusn-Xume" is a Buddhist temple of the hurul complex "Geden Sheddup Choi Korling", located in the suburbs of Elista.
This place was consecrated in 1992 by the Dalai Lama XIV himself during his second visit to Kalmykia, and four years later the "Shakyusn-Syume" hurul was erected on this site.
In 2004, the Dalai Lama visited Kalmykia and Elista for the third time, in order to hold the radne ceremony, after which hurul rightfully became a real abode of deities.
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch.
14:00 - 15:30 Excursion "Acquaintance with Buddhist painting".
Meeting in the workshop of the Kalmyk national artist, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Arts, art critic Alexander Povaev.
16:00 - 19:00 Gastronomic master class in which you will acquire the skills of cooking basic Kalmyk dishes, we will have dinner with the same dishes.
19:30 Return to the hotel, free time.

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Day 4 - The rite of “Prolonging life". Visit to the performance of the National Drama Theater named after B. Basangov
07:30 – 08:30 Breakfast.
09:00 – 12:00 The rite of “Prolongation of life” by a Buddhist monk.
This ceremony requires a certain internal preparation of the participant himself, but do not be afraid – there is no need to remember sins.
The main thing is to focus on those important goals for you that you would like to achieve in the coming year.
12:00 – 13:00 Visit to souvenir shops.
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch at the national restaurant.
18:00 – 20:00 Visit to the National Drama Theater named after B. Basangov.
Theater is not just an exciting and human–developing art form, but also an excellent antidepressant – a source of feelings, emotions and knowledge.
By visiting the performance of the Kalmyk theater, the guest will not only understand some of the features of the cultural code of the republic, but also receive a large charge of positive emotions that give rise to a feeling of joy, lightness and good mood for a long time!
20:30 Return to the hotel, free time. independent dinner.

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Day 5 - The National Museum named after N. Palmov. Departure
08:30 – 09:30 Breakfast.
09:30 – 10:30 Free time to prepare for departure from the hotel.
Check out of the hotel.
11:00 - 12:30 Excursion to the N. Palmov National Museum (except for the date 31.12), which is the only museum where the history, culture and art of the Kalmyk people are most fully represented.
You will be able to get acquainted with the nature of Kalmykia, Buddhist art, see historical artifacts of the Oirats, take a look at modern exhibits of painting, graphics and sculpture.
There is a hall where the collection of gifts of the first President of the Republic of Kalmykia, FIDE President K.N. Ilyumzhinov is located.
12:30 The end of the tour.
Gifts to the guests from the organizer.
Farewell.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

or

or

Hotel, Camp Site, Guest House

3 nights

Comfort

Midscale
Upscale
Premium

The tour includes accommodation in a hotel/guest house or glamping.

The cost per 1 person, depending on the accommodation, RUB.:

Living conditions	2-bed standard (adults and children from 6 years old)
Marco Polo Hotel 4*	60 000
Hotels Nomad, White Lotus, Elista	45 000
Guest House	43 500

The cost for 1 person in the glamping "Arshan", rub.:

Barnhouse (for double occupancy)	A-frame (for triple occupancy)	A-frame (for quadruple occupancy)
57 000	53 000	49 000

The Marco Polo Hotel

Marco Polo Hotel features a shared lounge and a terrace. It offers a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi. Room service is available. Free private parking is available on site. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a refrigerator, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. Breakfast is a buffet.

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Another option

The White Lotus Hotel

The White Lotus Hotel. It offers a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi, free gated parking. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, TV, mini fridge. The facilities are separate in each room.

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Another option

The Elista Hotel

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.

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Another option

Glamping "Arshan"

Glamping is located near a pine forest, not far from the city. It consists of stylish comfortable houses A-frame (4+2 guests), Barnhouse (for 2 guests). Each house has a kitchenette with the necessary set of dishes, refrigerator, air conditioning, bathroom, TV.

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Another option

The Nomad Hotel

New hotel, launch year 2022.

It is located in close proximity to the Central Hurul "Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha".

Accommodation in a standard 2-bed room, continental breakfast, WiFi, the hotel is equipped with everything.

There is a possibility of accommodation in eco-houses of the camping type (one-room! A frame type house) if desired.

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Another option

Guest house "Tsentralny"

Top location, 3 minutes walk from the central historical part of the city, the guest house is new.

The bathroom is shared by 4 rooms, two showers and a sauna will soon appear in the neighboring building.

Excellent breakfasts, up to excellent pancakes with veal, berigs (Kalmyk dumplings) for breakfast, the owners are meat producers (they grow heifers and sheep), hence all the delights of breakfasts.

Very clean, comfortable and close to all shops, restaurants.

There are 2-bed and 3-bed rooms.

In addition, there is a veranda with a barbecue, you can arrange cozy gatherings in the courtyard of the house for your company, or for two.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 16 tourists

Minimum age

9 years old

Duration

5 days 4 nights

Group meets at

Republic of Kalmykia, Elista

Included in price

transfers (according to the program);
meals according to the program:
- Day 1: lunch, dinner;
- Day 2: breakfast, lunch;
- Day 3: breakfast, lunch, dinner;
- Day 4: breakfast, lunch;
- Day 5: Breakfast;
accommodation in the specified accommodation facilities;
guide/escort services;
participation in all events of the program (entrance fees);
program activities;
master classes (according to the program).

Paid extra

air / railway tickets, transfer to/from Elista;
horseback riding (optional);
offerings in temples;
alcoholic beverages.

It's important to know

passport, insurance policy;
seasonal clothing and shoes;
personal medicines.

Dates and Prices

from
$459

3 – 7 Jan, 2025 5 days 4 nights

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Kalmyk New Year

Location

Tour highlights

Itinerary

Accommodation

Tour conditions

Included in price

Paid extra

It's important to know

Dates and Prices

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