Spring Tsagan Sar: White Month Holiday in the heart of Kalmykia

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Tsagan Cap — "white month", is a Kalmyk calendar holiday dedicated to the end of the winter and the beginning of the spring season. The date of the holiday is calculated annually according to the lunar calendar.

The holiday dates back to the religious traditions of the Mongolian peoples.

On this tour you will plunge into the festive atmosphere of Kalmykia, visit the most important Buddhist temples of the republic and interesting museums. And also enjoy the traditional Kalmyk cuisine.

In 2011, the Tsagan Sar holiday was included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Location

G. Elista

Sightseeing tours

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

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Tour highlights

Kalmyk cuisine Master class

Try to cook Kalmyk wrestlers and the nomads' favorite tea — jomba

The Old Kalmyk script

You will attend the presentation of the Old Kalmyk script, where a master calligrapher will write individual well-wishes for you in vertical ancient writing

Festive city

You will take part in concerts and events in Elista dedicated to the Tsagan Sar

Itinerary

Day 1 - Tour of Elista, Kalmyk tea ceremony, acquaintance with the artists of Kalmykia
14:00 Check-in at the hotel on your own.
14:50 Meeting with the guide in the hotel lobby.
15:00 Lunch at the cafe "Kalmyk cuisine No. 1".
The format is a tasting of traditional national cuisine.
It offers a 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.
Tasting also allows you to determine the taste preferences of the group, taking into account its results, a further menu is formed within the framework of the tour program.
Benevolence from the soloists of the ensemble "Zulturgan" — Kalmyk songs.
16:00 Guided tour of Elista with an external tour of the Seven Days Pagoda and the Golden Gate "Altn Bosch".
The "Pagoda of Seven Days" 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 placed in the body 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 75 million mantras are embedded in it.
Altn Bosch is the Golden Gate of Altn Bosch, made in the traditions of Buddhist architecture. The Golden Gate was installed in 1998. The height of the structure is 15 meters. It is a symbol of the sacred threshold, crossing which a person is spiritually cleansed, gains confidence and strength.
Exodus and Return is a memorial dedicated to the deportation of the Kalmyk people.
The Stupa of Enlightenment, the Wish-fulfilling Stupa, is the only Stupa in Kalmykia that can be entered.
17:30 Visit to the Tea Club — Kalmyk tea ceremony.
18:00 Visit to the Gallery of Kalmyk artists and masters of the National Art Museum, Visit to the workshop of artists Alexander and Khalga Povaev.
A master class in painting for an additional fee upon reservation when booking the tour.
Free evening.
The dinner is independent.

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Day 2 - National Museum of Local Lore, chess town "City Chess", Museum of Nomadic Peoples, culinary workshops
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:40 Meeting with the guide in the hotel lobby.
10:00 a.m. National Museum of Local Lore named after N. Palmov.
The National Museum of the Republic of Kalmykia named after N.N. Palmov was founded on March 25, 1921 and is the only museum where the history, culture and art of the Kalmyk people are most fully represented.
Outstanding professors N.N. Palmov and P.S. Rykov were at the origins of its creation. Through their efforts, the richest archaeological and ethnographic materials were collected, which formed the basis of the first collections of the Kalmyk Museum.
11:15 Excursion to the chess town "City Chess".
The unique chess city was built in 1998 to host the World Chess Olympiad and the FIDE Congress.
The central object is the Chess Palace, reminiscent of the Kalmyk kibitka, which hosted the Chess Olympiad and the 69th FIDE Congress.
The territory of the complex is decorated with dozens of artistic sculptural compositions made by participants of the international symposium of sculptors "Planet Kaissa" in 1998.
11:45 Visit to the interactive Museum of the nomadic Peoples of the Republic of Kalmykia (1.5 hours).
Acquaintance with the traditional nomadic dwelling, life, traditions and rituals of the Kalmyk people.
In the interactive museum, you can do a photo shoot in national costumes (about 60 costumes), shoot arrows, learn how to solve unique Kalmyk puzzles, learn how to tie a Kalmyk knot.
Acquaintance with Kalmyk and Mongolian musical culture. Tourists will hear the sound of folk musical instruments and popular Kalmyk folk songs performed by a professional musician and singer.
The museum also hosts workshops on Kalmyk dance.
The program also includes a tea party. Tourists are expected to taste traditional Kalmyk tea with borzok, national fermented milk drinks Chigyan and Koumiss.
Presentation of Todo Bichg — the old Kalmyk script.
The Museum of Nomadic Peoples in g Elista is the only place in Russia where you can order a personalized amulet in the Old Kalmyk vertical letter.
You can make a reservation. By your arrival, the master will prepare and hand you your personal amulet.
14:00 Lunch at the Vremena Goda cafe with a master class on cooking Kalmyk dishes:
A master class on the preparation of Kalmyk tea "Jomba" - a favorite drink of nomads.
Kalmyk tea has been known since ancient times.
It warms in the cold and quenches thirst in the heat, saturates and nourishes the body. It has an original taste, so it has long "crossed the borders" of the steppes, and people around the world drink it with pleasure.
2. A master class on cooking Kalmyk wrestlers.
There are dishes that have a much deeper meaning than it might seem at first glance. An example of this is the ancient Kalmyk recipes. Borzoki is an amazing dish that is easy to cook, but it has an amazing history.
The peoples of Kalmykia started making wrestlers a long time ago. The tradition goes back to ancient times, when people made sacrifices on the main holidays. Instead of sacrificial animals, modern Kalmyks prepare sweets for celebrations.
Tourists can take self-prepared wrestlers with them and take them as an offering to the Central Hurul on the day of the celebration of Tsagan Sar.
Free time.
18:00 Visit to the B. Basangov National Drama Theater or the Republican Russian Drama and Comedy Theater of the Republic of Kalmykia on request (for an additional fee).
The dinner is independent.

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Day 3 - The holiday of Tsagan Sar
Breakfast at the hotel.
We put on new outfits (some of the clothes must be new and white).
07:20 Meeting with the guide in the hotel lobby.
07:30 Departure to the ethno-haughton "Ceren" (6 km, in the suburb of Elista)
08:00 Rite of the opening of the white road and well-being in life and business on the territory of the ethnohoton "Tseren"
The ritual attracts beneficial energies, making it a place of spiritual power, purifies and protects it, and harmonizes forces and energies. During the ritual, a connection is established with places of power, as sources of spiritual energies attracted to the consecrated space.
The ritual uses divine names and words of power, repeated as mantras, as well as a symbol of connection with places of power.
Blessings on the beginning and opening of roads.
You can present additional offerings to the shaman yourself on the spot.
10:00 Tour of the yurts:
Museum of the Kalmyk Cossacks;
Khan's yurt with an area of 120 sq.m.;
the yurt of the Oirat Mongols.
In the ethnohoton "Tseren" you can do a photo shoot in national costumes, there are authentic photo zones, climb the observation tower of the Cossack, swing on the Mongolian swing, shoot arrows, taste Koumiss and Chigyan, milk araka, Kalmyk milk tea, wrestlers, ride camels, ride horses.
11:15 Visit to the "Syakyusn Syume" Hurul.
The temple is a twenty-meter two-story building with a superstructure in the form of a two-tiered pagoda. The building stretched twenty meters long, nineteen meters wide.
The central place of the ground floor of the Shakyusn-Xume is occupied by an altar and an almost four-meter statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, covered with gold.
Khurul is located on the outskirts of the city beyond its borders, on the way to the village of Arshan. The construction site was consecrated by the Dalai Lama XIV during his second visit to Kalmykia in 1992, and the temple itself was built in 1996.
There is steppe, winds around the Syakyusn-Syume, and only a few houses where monks live nearby.
12:15 Tour of the Central Hurul "Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha".
External and internal inspection of the temple with a guide, dugan, museum.
Hurul "Golden Abode 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.
In front of the temple there is a statue of the White Elder Tsagan Aav, the lord, the defender of the Earth, the embodiment of wisdom, justice and spiritual purity.
When going around the altar, you can put coins. It will be considered an offering.
13:30 A festive lunch in the cafe of the city, Kalmyk cuisine, is included in the price.
14:30 Participation in the festive events of the city of Elista dedicated to the Tsagan Sar.
Concerts, events with immersion in the celebration of Tsagan Sar
A walk through the festive city.
The dinner is independent.

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Day 4 - Departure
Breakfast at the hotel.
Room release.
Free time to visit souvenir shops, meat and sausage markets.
11:30 Transfer to the airport of the city of departure is paid for independently.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights

Comfort

Midscale
Upscale
Premium

The tour provides accommodation in a hotel with all amenities.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation, RUB:

Hotel	Double occupancy
Asia 3*	31 000
Elista 3*	33 500
Marco Polo 4*	40 500

Group rate, a group of 6 to 10 people.

Individual groups and groups of up to 6 people. on request.

Hotel "Asia" 3*

Located in the central part of the city of Elista, the Asia Hotel is considered one of the most comfortable in the region. Each of his guests receives conditions as close to home as possible.

All rooms are non-smoking. The design has a classic style, but each of them has its own design personality. For convenience, there is a large bed, a plasma TV, and a separate bathroom.

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Another option

Elista Hotel 3*

Featuring a bar, Elista Hotel is located in Elista. It offers a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk, an ATM and free Wi-Fi. Private parking is available at an additional cost.

All rooms at the hotel are equipped with air conditioning and a TV.

A continental breakfast is served daily at the Elista Hotel.

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Another option

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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Tour conditions

Group

up to 10 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

G. Elista

Included in price

accommodation in a hotel in the city of Elista, 3 nights;
guided tours according to the program;
meals according to the program: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches;
entrance tickets to museums, huruli;
master classes: on the preparation of Kalmyk tea, on the preparation of wrestlers;
conducting the ceremony;
group transfers according to the program;
guide services;
accident insurance.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to and from Elista;
meals not included in the tour program: dinners;
transfer from and to the airport;
personal expenses.

It's important to know

The winds are always blowing in the steppes, so be sure to bring windproof clothes with you.

During the travel period, it is necessary to have:

documents;
things in case of bad weather (trousers, sweater, jacket, hat, scarf);
comfortable sports shoes;
sunglasses;
money for additional payments on the tour (according to the program), for meals and souvenirs.

Do not forget to take sunscreen, the minimum protection is SPF 20-30, and possibly SPF 50, it all depends on your phototype.

Kalmykia is a region of contrasts. Eastern and European cultures are vividly intertwined here.

Buddhism is mainly practiced in the republic, which makes it attractive to pilgrims from all over the world.

In a Buddhist temple, there are no obligatory (!) religious activities. Everyone does everything voluntarily. On the territory of khurul, they bow to the White Elder and the great teachers.
Before entering a Buddhist temple, you need to turn off your mobile phones.
According to the rules, it is necessary to take off your shoes when entering Buddhist temples (huruli), so it is advisable to put on clean socks or take them with you — your companions and companions will appreciate it.
Hats must also be removed in khurul.
The uniform is loose, but within the rules of decency. You can not walk around the hurul in shorts and short dresses (skirts), if you are already in such clothes, then at the entrance to the hurul you need to take a stole and make a skirt out of it or cover your shoulders.
You make all rounds of stupas, pagodas, huruls only clockwise. You can and should spin the drums.
One should not touch other people, especially monks.
After entering the hurul, you need to go around it, just clockwise. There is no need to walk in the central part of the place for monks and in the central part (directly from the entrance).
You can sit in huruls on benches for visitors and on the floor.
You can light a candle, leave offerings and donations (put money). The money goes to the improvement and restoration of churches.
Colorful Buddhist Lung ta flags. The wind horse or lung ta (tib. rlung rta) is designed to protect against evil forces and to attract well-being. The colors symbolize: white - air, red - fire, yellow - earth, green - water, blue - sky/space. Five colors are the harmony of the five elements. The effect of colors is enhanced by the applied texts and symbols. Lung ta is a "wind horse" carrying a wish-fulfilling jewel. Lung-ta is hung horizontally. It is believed that the wind picks up the information on the flags and spreads it, filling the world with kindness. Flags are hung near stupas and temples. In a strong wind, the flags "pop", as if a magic horse galloped to fulfill good dreams. The flags can be hung in any clean (!) the place. Inside and outside their home, on trees and rocks - they will increase happiness everywhere. Lung ta is the easiest way to attract success to yourself and your loved ones. To do this, when hanging flags, you need to write your name and the names of your loved ones (starting with the elders) on the flags with the color corresponding to your year of birth. The info is online.
Photography is prohibited in khuruli.

Safety rules for the tour:

Follow generally accepted rules of conduct and personal hygiene.
To observe discipline, strictly follow all the instructions of the guide and the head of the group.
Observe the established and announced schedule of the tour, as well as the time allowed for the inspection of a particular object of visit.
To leave the group only with the permission of the guide and the head of the group.
Clothes in the steppe: long trousers, tuck into socks, put sneakers on your feet or any closed shoes without heels.
In spring and summer, conduct a personal visual inspection for the detection of ticks.
In the steppe part of the Republic of Kalmykia, the tourist infrastructure is not developed: toilets are a rustic version – a house with a hole in the floor! We must be prepared for such a sanitary zone!

During the bus tour:

Tourists are obliged to carefully handle the available equipment of the bus cabin.
Tourists' hand luggage is located in a specially designated place (under the seat, on the top shelf, etc.). It is forbidden to place bags or other things of tourists in the aisles. For security reasons, the passage must be free.
Before starting the bus, the tourist undertakes to fasten his seat belts and not unbutton them until the bus stops completely or the permission of the accompanying person (guide).
It is forbidden to get up from your seats and walk around the cabin while the bus is moving.
It is forbidden to distract drivers while driving. All your questions will be solved by the guide or the senior of the group.
It is forbidden to expose any body parts, as well as to throw garbage into the open windows of the bus.
It is forbidden to drink any drinks and eat while the bus is moving.
In case of signs of motion sickness or nausea, it is necessary to immediately inform the accompanying person or the guide.
During the bus stop, do not get up from your seats until the bus stops completely and the group leader gives a special order. You can get off the bus only after the guide and the group leader.
You get on a clean bus. You have to get out of a clean bus.
NO SMOKING ON BUSES!
During emergency braking, it is necessary to rest your feet and hands on the seat in front of you.

During the walking tour:

While driving along the street, it is necessary to walk in a compact group without disturbing other pedestrians.
The roadway of the street must be crossed only in accordance with the traffic regulations established for these places and at the command of the group leader or tour guide.

General precautions:

It is advisable to keep the passport separate from the money.
Do not leave valuables, handbags, photo and video equipment in plain sight.
Do not leave things unattended while visiting sightseeing sites
Use hats and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.
If you feel unwell, you must immediately inform the group leader or the tour guide.
If you fall behind the group, contact the group leader or another participant of the event immediately. If you cannot get in touch, contact a government agency: a museum, the police, the nearest educational institution

Local cuisine dishes that you definitely need to try:

MAHAN SHELTYAGAN (hot mutton broth with potatoes, raw onion rings) is the main dish of Kalmyk cuisine, which is a must for all holidays of the Kalmyk family. You will enjoy not only the taste of meat, but also the fragrant broth. For its preparation, environmentally friendly mutton is used, which was grown in the Kalmyk steppes and this unique taste is provided by the many grasses of the native land. It is made from large pieces of mutton, potatoes and a generous amount of onions.

KHURSN MAHN GUIRTYAGAN (homemade noodles with meat). Expertly cooked lamb meat, complemented by thinly sliced freshly cooked homemade noodles, will leave an indelible impression of exploring Kalmyk cuisine.

BERIGI (Kalmyk dumplings). Connoisseurs of delicious cuisine will appreciate Kalmyk berigs, combining juicy meat and thin dough of traditional molding. This dish is a combination of tender juicy meat and thin dough of traditional molding. Interestingly, this dish is loved by Buddhist monks. On holidays, they prepare berigs on their own and treat parishioners.

JOMBA (KALMYK TEA) is a milk tea with the addition of oil, salt, nutmeg. This drink not only quenches thirst in hot summers, warms up in the cold season, but also has healing properties. There are more than a hundred recipes for making jomba. A fragrant, tart, hot milk drink will warm and fill you with strength.

DOTUR (sheep's giblets). The dish "dotur" is unusual for many guests, it will be appreciated by extreme gourmets. Dotur is a soup made from lamb giblets with the addition of milk and lard. It may sound off-putting, but it's worth a try! It is prepared according to a secret recipe, which can be found only in Kalmykia! You don't have to try other dishes, but it's definitely worth a try. Dotour is served with rings of fresh onions. Dotur perfectly demonstrates the culinary traditions of the nomads.

KUR is a mutton stomach baked in the ground, stuffed with lamb meat. There are a huge number of cooking features, ranging from the location and size of the pit being dug, to the cooking time, which can be up to 20 hours.

BORZOK (flour product) — national tortillas / donuts. A hearty substitute for bread, it can be of different shapes and sizes. They are cooked differently in every house, but they are always delicious and that's their trick! Without a doubt. You will get an unforgettable gastronomic pleasure.

What to bring from Kalmykia:

Buddhist-style souvenirs;
flags "Wind Horse";
musical instruments;
handmade products;
collectible dolls in Kalmyk clothes;
all kinds of chess;
ceramic products;
knitted and felt products;
jewelry and jewelry;
attributes of nomadic steppe life;
Kalmyk tea.

Dates and Prices

from
$327

8 – 11 Feb, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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