The festival of Dunes. Ethnotour to Kalmykia

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Kalmykia, where the largest territory of Russian deserts is located, will host the Dune Festival in June. He will demonstrate to the guests of the region the unique recreational beauty of the republic, draw attention to the problem of desertification.

The combination of the drive of off-road racing, sports loads, a dance party with the opportunity to immerse yourself in nirvana thanks to relaxing music, yoga will not leave anyone indifferent.

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

Hearty local cuisine

Let's try great meat dishes and be surprised by the taste of salty Kalmyk tea

The teachings of the Buddha

We will visit the sacred Golden monastery, where they will tell us about the traditions of Buddhism

Camel riding

Let's feel like nomads – ride on huge and wayward animals

The Russian Desert

We will find ourselves among the sand dunes and take cool photos

Fire show

We will see an incendiary performance by local artists

Itinerary

Day 1 - Walking in Elista
You can arrive in Volgograd before 09:45.
10:00 Transfer from Volgograd to Elista by transport of the transport company (300 km, 4.5 hours, not included in the price, paid separately).
14:20 Arrival in Elista, check-in at the hotel.
Meeting at the airport of Elista is included in the price of the tour.
15:00 Lunch at the ethno cafe (included in the price).
Menu: Kalmyk cuisine, European cuisine on request.
16:00 Visit to the Central Hurul "Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha" – 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.
Tour of Khurul: Buddhist library, museum.
On the territory of khurul there are statues of 17 great Buddhist scholars, pagodas with prayer drums "kurde", a staircase with a fountain, a khurul garden with walking alleys and flower beds.
You can also visit the Museum of the History of Buddhism with unique exhibits.
There is a souvenir shop at Hurul, where you can buy amulets and souvenirs.
17:30 Excursion program “Walking in Elista".
There are a huge number of parks, squares and lawns in Elista.
Walking tour of the city center with a tour of the rotunda “Pagoda of Seven Days”, where the largest prayer drum in Europe is installed – kurde, sculptural compositions, statues of Shakyamuni Buddha, Altn Bosch – Altn Bosch Golden Gate, made in the traditions of Buddhist architecture: airy structures, the presence of gold, red, white colors, curved roofs buildings.
The life story of the Kalmyk people stretches along the Altn Bosch, which the artist Nikolai Borisov put into 28 paintings.
18:30 The memorial complex "Exodus and Return" is one of the most interesting monuments in Elista.
It was created by Ernst the Unknown.
The monument is dedicated to the deportation and subsequent return of the Kalmyks.
It's a difficult place, but we recommend visiting it.
19:30 Welcome dinner – included in the price.
Good wishes from the soloists of the Zulturgan ensemble.

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Day 2 - The Dune Festival
07:00 Breakfast at the hotel, check-out with your belongings.
Those who wish may not check out and return to the hotel after visiting (the number of nights in the hotel is negotiated at the time of booking).
08:00 Departure to the village of Adyk – 150 km.
Participation in the events of the festival (a detailed program will be approved closer to the date of the festival) – competitions are planned in the steppe on SUVs, ATVs and buggies, a chillout zone and a food court will work, a rave show with local and invited musicians and a fire show will be held in the evening.
Overnight in a tent camp, meals at the Festival are paid for independently.
03:00 For those guests who did not check out, return to Elista.

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Day 3 - Continuation of the festival or an excursion program (optional, when buying a tour)
For those who stayed at the festival – participation in the events of the festival – guests will be offered to participate in a marathon around the hottest point of the country.
Meals at the Festival are paid for independently.
18:00 Return to the city of Elista, check-in at the hotel.
For guests who did not stay on the second day of the festival and returned to Elista, after a rest at the hotel we offer:
13:00 Lunch – self-payment.
14:00 National Museum of Local Lore named after N. Palmov.
The collection of the National Museum of Kalmykia has more than eighty-five thousand exhibits, some of which are presented in nine exhibition halls.
A narrative unfolds on the permanent exhibition grounds, tracing the ethnic history of the people from ancient times to the present day with its tragic and happy events, bright moments and unexpected turns.
Temporary exhibitions introduce the work of Kalmyk artists and exchange exhibition projects from other regions.
15:00 Hurul Syakyusn-Syume is an old Hurul Buddhist temple in the Republic of Kalmykia.
Khurul is located six kilometers from the capital of Kalmykia, near the village of Arshan.
15:30 Ethno-haughton "Ceren".
A solemn meeting of the guests according to Kalmyk customs with a long song and horsemen "Holiday in the Kalmyk hoton".
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;
At the ethnohoton "Ceren" you can:
make a photo shoot in national costumes, there are authentic photo zones;
climb the Cossack observation tower;
swing on a Mongolian swing;
to shoot an arrow;
taste koumiss, national fermented milk product-chigyan, araka- milk vodka, Kalmyk milk tea, borzok;
camel riding;
go horseback riding.
17:00 Departure to the natural monument "Lonely Poplar" - 20 km.
Currently, poplar is a place of religious worship of Kalmyk Buddhists.
In 2019, the Lonely poplar became the winner of the National competition "Russian Tree of the Year" out of 12 applicants by open voting on the website of the All—Russian program "Trees - monuments of wildlife" and in 2020 received the third place in the competition "European Tree of the Year 2020
19:00 Return to Elista, free evening.
On request, upon request, a master class in felting, a master class in making dolls - charms (the service is booked in advance when booking a tour).

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Day 4 - Departure
08:00 Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Check-out.
09:30 Visit to souvenir shops and markets.
11:00 Transfer to Elista airport (included in the price).
Transfer to Volgograd is not included in the price, it is paid separately.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

2 nights
or

Hotel, Tent

1 night

Comfort

Basic
Upscale

The tour provides two accommodation options to choose from:

3 nights in a hotel in Elista, double occupancy (in the program 1 day at the Barkhanov festival) – 32,700 rubles/person;
2 nights in a hotel in Elista, double occupancy (2 days at the Barkhanov festival in the program, overnight in a tent at the festival is not included in the price) – 26,800 rubles/person.

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.

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.

A continental breakfast is served daily.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 12 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Republic of Kalmykia, Elista

Included in price

transfer along the route;
accommodation (the number of nights is negotiated at the time of booking, depending on the selected tour option);
transfers from and to Elista airport;
meals: breakfast at the hotel (depending on the selected number of nights), 1 lunch and 1 dinner on the day of arrival;
guide services according to the program (on excursions).

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Elista/ Volgograd and back;
transfer from Volgograd to Elista and back – from 1200 to 1500 rubles/person in one direction;
meals: lunches and dinners from the 2nd day of arrival and at the Barkhanov festival (from 500 rubles/serving);
accommodation at the Barkhanov festival is free of charge according to the quota of places or a place for a tent, if there is a tent of its own;
participation in events at the Dune Festival.

It's important to know

Air and railway tickets are not included in the price of the tour. You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.

Dates and Prices

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

from
$283

13 – 16 Jun, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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