The breath of the steppe. Relax tour to Kalmykia

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A full-fledged vacation without city worries and fuss awaits you in beautiful Kalmykia. You will breathe in the pure steppe air, feel the spirit of Buddhism, feel the serenity of being and calmly spend the sunset in the open steppe.

During the tour, you will be able to enjoy traditional Kalmyk dishes, learn more about local culture and history, visit Buddhist temples and monasteries and take part in exciting excursions that introduce you to the unique world around you.

Location

Republic of Kalmykia, Elista

Sightseeing tours

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

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Tour highlights

Bird watching

Explore the bird island, favored by 170 species of birds, on Lake Manych-Gudilo

Active morning

You will start every day with morning exercises and be charged with positive emotions for the whole day

Getting to know Elista

Take a walk through the city center and see the main locations

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Elista, city tour of the city
14:00-15:00 Arrival. Check-in at the hotel.
15:20-16:20 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.
19:00 Dinner at the cafe/restaurant of national cuisine.
Free time.

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Day 2 - Birds of Lake Manych, a lonely poplar, the Geden Sheddup Choy Korling tour complex, a trip to the ethno-parking lot, a gastronomic master class
07:00-07:30 Morning gymnastics.
07.30-08:00 Breakfast.
08:10-09:00 Transfer to the village of Priyutnoye.
09:00-11:00 Excursion "Birds of Lake Manych".
Explore the bird island, favored by 170 species of birds and located within the boundaries of the protected area of the mystical lake Manych-Gudilo.
The Salt Lake and its surroundings look like another world, and the mysterious hum that gave the lake its name evokes associations with ancient legends.
11:30-12:15 Excursion to the steppe to the place of power — a lonely poplar with a cascade of springs. It is a relict place of worship and a natural monument. A sacred place where rituals and prayer services are performed.
8 Buddhist stupas have been erected around the poplar. Just below the poplar is an open source with medicinal properties, which were first described by the doctor S.R. Zalkind.
13:30-14:30 Lunch.
14:30-16:00 Guided tour of the Geden Sheddup Choi Korling Resort.
The Hurul "Shakyusn-Xume" is a Buddhist temple of the hurul complex located in the suburb of Elista. The site of the Khurul was consecrated in 1992 by the Dalai Lama XIV himself during his second visit to Kalmykia, and four years later the Khurul "Syakyusn-Syume" was erected on this site.
In 2004, the Dalai Lama XIV 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.
On the territory of Khurul, you will admire the temple wall paintings, the grandeur of the 3-meter Buddha statue, and enjoy the silence and energy of this holy place.
16:00-18:00 Rest in glamping.
18:00-22:00 Trip to the ethno-parking lot.
Getting to know the way of life of nomadic Kalmyks in an authentic steppe camp.
Archery (optional).
Photographing in national costumes.
Horseback riding (optional).
Gastronomic master class on cooking national dishes. Dinner of dishes prepared at the master class.
22:30 Return to the hotel. Free time.

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Day 3 - A walk through the pine forest, hurul "Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha", camel riding, dinner with a concert program
08:00-09:00 Morning gymnastics.
09:00-10:00 Breakfast.
10:00-11:00 Walk through the pine forest.
11:00-13:00 Hurul "Golden abode of Shakyamuni Buddha".
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.
14:00-15:30 Visit to the "Camel Island". Camel ride.
15:30-18:30 Free time.
18:30-21:00 Dinner with a concert program.
21:00 Return to glamping.

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Day 4 - Art gallery, departure
07:00-08:00 Morning gymnastics.
08:00-09:00 Breakfast.
09:00-10:00 Departure from glamping.
10:00-11:30 Visit to the Kalmyk painters art gallery. Visiting souvenir shops.
11:30-12:30 Lunch.
12:30 The end of the tour.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Camp Site

3 nights

Comfort

Upscale

The tour includes accommodation in glamping.

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

Glamping "Arshan"	Barnhouse (2 guests)	A-frame (4-6 guests)	Barnhouse (for 1 guest)
Full package with services	61 700	57 200	87 400

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

Republic of Kalmykia, Elista

Included in price

transfers (according to the program);
meals (breakfasts on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th days, lunches on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th days, dinners on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd days);
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 and railway tickets to Astrakhan and back;
transfers from and to Elista airport;
meals not specified in the program;
camel and horse riding (optional);
offerings in temples;
organization of a group / individual transfer from nearby cities.

It's important to know

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

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification

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27 – 30 Mar, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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8 – 11 May, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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29 May – 1 Jun, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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12 – 15 Jun, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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26 – 29 Jun, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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10 – 13 Jul, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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24 – 27 Jul, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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7 – 10 Aug, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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21 – 24 Aug, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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4 – 7 Sep, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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18 – 21 Sep, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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2 – 5 Oct, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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9 – 12 Oct, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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