Kalmykia is 100%%

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Traveling through Kalmykia is an unusual landscape for the European eye. There is only an endless steppe around, where real desert dunes sing, an unusual pink lake with medicinal mud and rare steppe antelopes.

Only in Kalmykia will you be able to appreciate the taste of real mutton, which is served at the tables of Arab sheikhs, and taste other unusual dishes of nomadic cuisine.

Location

Astrakhan

Sightseeing tours

from

US$ 424

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

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Tour highlights

Ancient antelopes

Look for steppe saigas, which are considered to be the same age as mammoths

The Musical Desert

You will hear how the sands of the dunes emit a sound similar to the melody of an organ

"Khan's Hunt"

Take part in a game hunt with a bow and try to hit life-size 3D animal targets

City Tour

You will hear the music of the wind as you walk under the Golden Gate decorated with 28 paintings by local artists

An exciting master class

Get acquainted with Kalmyk puzzles

Culinary arts

Learn how to cook nomad food on a campfire

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Astrakhan. Guided tour of the Mekletinsky Nature Reserve
11:00 Arrival in Astrakhan, meeting, boarding the transfer (transfer from the railway station on request).
13:45-14:45 Lunch on the way (on your own).
15:30-19:00 Guided tour of the Mekletinsky Nature Reserve.
Excursion to the Pink Lake – microscopic crustaceans Artemia salina live in the water of this lake, which give the lake such an unusual color.
The mud of the Pink Lake is used in the treatment of skin diseases and the production of cosmetics.
A tour of the "Singing dunes".
Kalmykia has a real desert with typical flora and fauna – lizards, snakes, exotic birds.
In dry weather, the sands of the dunes emit a sound similar to the melody of an organ. In ancient times, there were camps of various nomadic peoples here.
Ancient artifacts of the Sarmatian, Yamskaya and Scythian cultures can still be found on the blown-out hillsides.
Excursion to the "Burning Spring".
Not far from the singing dunes there are springs with water that can be set on fire, and it will burn! Along the way, it is possible to meet ancient antelopes, the same age as mammoths – steppe saigas.
The tourist complex "Bumba Country" – acquaintance with the life of nomadic Kalmyks, master classes in Kalmyk puzzles, lasso throwing, photographing in national costumes. Dinner with national dishes.
20:30 Arrival in Elista, check-in at the hotel.

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Day 2 - A lonely poplar tree. Khuruli of Kalmykia. Elista City Tour
07:30-09:30 Breakfast.
09:30-12:00 Excursion to the steppe to the place of power – a lonely poplar with a cascade of springs.
This relict tree is a place of worship and a natural monument.
It is a sacred place where various Buddhist rituals and prayer services are performed.
8 Buddhist stupas have been erected around the poplar.
Nearby there is an open source with medicinal properties, which were first described by the doctor S.R. Zalkind.
12:00-13:30 Guided tour of the Geden Sheddup Choi Korling Resort.
Hurul "Shakyusn-Xume" is a Buddhist temple of the hurul complex "Geden Sheddup Choi Korling", located in the suburb 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, with the aim of holding the radne ceremony, after which hurul rightfully became a real abode of deities.
13:30-15:00 Lunch.
15:00-16:30 Excursion to the Hurule "Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha" with an expert guide 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.
16:30-19:30 City tour of the city 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.
19:30 Dinner (on your own), free time.

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Day 3 - City Chess, visit to the Stupa of Enlightenment. Galleries of artists of Kalmykia and the National Museum of Local Lore. "Khan's hunt". Horseback riding and gastronomic master class
07:30-09:30 Breakfast
09:30-10:00 Walk through the City Chess, visit the Stupa of Enlightenment.
10:00-11:00 Visit to the gallery of artists of Kalmykia.
11:00-13:00 Visit to the N.N. Palmov National Museum of Local Lore.
13:00-14:30 Lunch.
14:30-16:00 Guided tour “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.
16:00-22:00 Departure to the ethno-parking lot.
There is an authentic vacation spot in the open steppe near the city.
You will find a stunning landscape of the endless steppe horizon, the spring smell of the steppe and the singing of steppe larks, acquaintance with the life of nomadic Kalmyks.
Khan's Hunt is a master class in archery on 3D targets.
Photographing in national costumes.
Horseback riding.
Gastronomic master class on cooking national dishes.
At the master class, guests have the opportunity to cook nomad food over a campfire, which is characterized by the simplicity of ingredients and richness of flavors.
Picnic dinner in nature with a view of the endless steppe with a unique sunset.
22:00 Transfer to the hotel.

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Day 4 - Walking around the city, visiting souvenir shops
07:30-09:30 Breakfast.
09:30-11:30 Walk around the city, visit souvenir shops.
11:30-12:00 Departure from the hotel.
12:00-13:30 Lunch.
13:30 Transfer to the airport (Elista, Volgograd or Astrakhan) is paid additionally.

Difficulty

For any person

Accommodation

or

Hotel, Camp Site

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)	1-local standard
Marco Polo Hotel 4*	53 300	64 200
Hotels Nomad, White Lotus, Elista	40 500	45 000
Guest House	37 300	40 200

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

Barnhouse (for 2 guests)	A-frame (for 3 guests)	A-frame (4 guests)
53 300	48 800	43 700

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 Nomad Hotel

New hotel, launch year 2022.

It is located in the immediate vicinity of the Central Hurul "Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni".

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

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.

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. There is no hairdryer in the rooms, but it can be requested at the reception.

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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Tour conditions

Group

up to 16 tourists

Minimum age

6 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Astrakhan

Included in price

transfers (according to the program);
meals (breakfast);
accommodation in the specified accommodation facilities;
guide/escort services;
participation in all events of the program (entrance fees);
program activities.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Astrakhan and back, tickets from Volgograd;
transfer to Elista airport;
Elista – Volgograd transfer (1500 rubles/person, 5 hours) and Elista – Astrakhan transfer;
camel and horse riding (optional);
meals (lunches, dinners);
offerings in temples.

It's important to know

passport, insurance policy;
clothing and shoes according to the season;
personal medicines;
mosquito repellents, repellents.

Dates and Prices

from US$ 424

11 – 14 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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from US$ 424

18 – 21 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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from US$ 424

25 – 28 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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from US$ 424

1 – 4 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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from US$ 424

15 – 18 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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from US$ 424

22 – 25 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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Kalmykia is 100%%

Location

Tour highlights

Itinerary

Accommodation

Tour conditions

Included in price

Paid extra

It's important to know

Dates and Prices

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