Lotuses in Europe. Astrakhan – Elista

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In late summer and early autumn, the sacred Lotus blooms – we invite you to contemplate this incredible natural phenomenon!

Then you will see the holy places for every Buddhist — Hurul, personally consecrated by the Dalai Lama XIV, sacred Stupas and the largest Buddhist temple in Europe — the "Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni".

And also only in Kalmykia you will 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$ 545

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

Lotus fields

Let's inhale the delicate aroma of this delicate plant and swim in the Volga Delta

Fish pleasure

Let's try the most delicious fish soup from freshly caught fish

Burning source

Let's visit the springs with water that can be set on fire, and it will burn!

The endless steppe horizon

Let's get acquainted with the life of the nomadic Kalmyks, shoot arrows and see a stunning sunset

Singing dunes

We will visit a real desert, where in dry weather the sands of the dunes emit a sound similar to the melody of an organ

Immersion in Buddhism

We will explore the Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha together with an expert guide on Buddhism

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Astrakhan. Vacation at the campsite
09:00 Arrival in Astrakhan. Collection of guests (transfer from the railway station on request).
09:00-11:30 Transfer to the campsite.
11:00-13:30 Arrival at the campsite.
During your stay at the campsite, guests will be offered: meals (fish soup from freshly caught fish), swimming in the Volga delta, a long walk through the lotus fields, a coffee break, swimming in the pools of the campsite, walks in the protected area (included in the price).
13:30-14:30 Lunch (ear of freshly caught fish).
14:30-18:00 Rest at the campsite.
18:00-22:00 Dinner, free time, rest.

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Day 2 - Guided tour of the Mekletinsky Nature Reserve
07:30-08:30 Breakfast at the campsite.
08:30-09:00 Gathering at the campsite and departure to Kalmykia.
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, you can 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.
20:30 Arrival in Elista, check-in at the hotel.

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Day 3 - A lonely poplar tree. Hurul complex "Geden Sheddup Choi Korling" and hurul "Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha"
08:00- 09:00 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 significance that attracts the eyes of any person is the figure of Buddha Shakyamuni. The height of the statue is 9 meters.
16:30 Transfer to the hotel. Free time.

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Day 4 - The National Museum named after N. Palmov. "Khan's hunt". Gastronomic master class
08:00-09:00 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.
14:30-16:30 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 Stalinist repression, created by the outstanding sculptor of our time Ernst Neizvestny.
16:30 Transfer to the hotel. Free time.

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Day 5 - Departure
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 (not included in the price).
13:30 Transfer to Astrakhan airport (you can fly from Elista airport).

Difficulty

For any person

Accommodation

or

or

Hotel, Camp Site, Guest House

3 nights
Camp Site

1 night

Comfort

Midscale
Upscale
Premium

The tour provides accommodation at a campsite located on the banks of the Volga River (determined on the eve of the tour by availability) and at a hotel /guest house or glamping in Elista to choose from.

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*	64 000	77 200
Hotels "Nomad", "White Lotus", "Elista"	51 200	58 000
Guest House	48 000	53 200

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

Barnhouse (for 2 guests)	A-frame (for 3 guests)
64 000	59 500

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 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

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.

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

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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.