The trails of the nomads. Sightseeing tour to Kalmykia

1. "National Museum of the Republic of Kalmykia named after N. N. Palmov"

It 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.

2. The State Natural Biosphere Reserve "Black Lands"

It is located in the south of the European part of the Russian Federation, the territory of:
– steppe area: in the northwestern part of the Caspian lowland, an area of 943 sq. km.
– the ornithological site of Manych Gudilo: in the Kumo-Manych depression, an area of 276 sq. km.

The reserve is located at the junction of two types of the world's main ecosystems, "temperate grassland communities" and "deserts and semi-deserts (continental) with cold winters." The region is characterized by relatively high biological diversity under harsh living conditions and insufficient rainfall. It is subject to anthropogenic desertification as a result of overgrazing of livestock and abandonment of traditional nomadic livestock farming.

3. Burkhn Bagshin Altn Suyume Temple, or the Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha

The largest Buddhist temple in Russia and Europe was inaugurated in the capital of the Republic of Kalmykia on December 27, 2005 after the visit of the spiritual leader of Buddhists, His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV, to Elista at the end of November 2004. In the early morning of December 1, before flying to India, His Holiness the Dalai Lama held a brief ceremony to consecrate the site of the future temple in the very center of Elista. With the blessing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV, the Central Kalmyk Khurul "Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni" is becoming one of the most important centers for the development of Buddhism in the world.

5. Stupa of Enlightenment (1999, height 11 m)

It is worth noting that such structures as stupas have existed for several thousand years, having spread not only in Asia, but also in European countries (France, Hungary, etc.). In Buddhist symbolism, it is a symbol of the nature of the mind, which has a beneficial effect on the force field of the universe.

Over time, several varieties of stupas have appeared, which were built at different periods of the Buddha's life and differ from each other in shape and meaning: The Lotus Stupa symbolizes the birth of the Buddha; the Stupa of Enlightenment is a symbol of victory over difficulties and obstacles; The Stupa of perfect Victory was built after the Buddha extended his life for several months at the request of students. There are eight forms of stupas in total.

However, the main thing remains the Stupa of Enlightenment, which is the goal of the Buddhist path – the knowledge of one's own thoughts, complete enlightenment, which means the liberation of the human mind from hindrances and obstacles, the disclosure of the abilities of one's own mind.

6. Monument to E. Neizvestny "Exodus and return"

The monument was unveiled in December 2006. At first glance, you don't quite understand what the author depicted in his creation: different and seemingly distant objects and things are connected together – a horse's head and a lotus, a bird and a crying sheep, human footprints and details of the mechanism.

However, each of these elements carries its own thought, without departing from the general idea of the structure – the unity of the past and the present. The metaphorical approach with which the author approached the creation of the memorial "Exodus and Return" makes the viewer see more and more new images in the sculpture: here you can see violence and grief personified by swords, bayonets and a bird wrapped in metal.

The elements of rebirth and victoriousness of life in the memorial "Exodus and Return" are the lotus, in which the embryo of a child is hidden, and human traces, as an image of rebirth. The blooming lotus seems to speak about the cycle of things in the world, and the lion and snake crowning the sculpture are symbols of victory.

You have come to the world of Nature, consider yourself her guest. Try to express your love and respect to her with your exemplary behavior, for this, please follow some rules of behavior that will help nature remain as beautiful, and you – healthy and happy.

1. Do not litter your place of stay and take all the garbage (your own and someone else's) to the storage areas.
2. Do not break branches of trees and shrubs, even if they seem dry to you.
3. Do not throw anything and do not drain into natural reservoirs, their own life develops there; do not destroy its inhabitants.
4. Don't make bonfires, even if someone did it here before you. By doing this, you inflict a wound on the earth, it hurts.
5. Do not make inscriptions on trees, stones, stands, signs – nature does not need such a memory for many years.
6. Respect the animals. Do not scare them by shouting, whistling, especially chasing or catching them.
7. Do not bring pets with you; wild and domestic animals are unlikely to understand each other.
8. When meeting a wild animal, do not go near it – it is dangerous for you. Don't try to feed them – it's dangerous for them.
9. Keep quiet. If you keep quiet, you will see and hear more.
10. Do not tear up plants, even for a herbarium. Let them grow up and make us and our children happy.
11. Do not approach the camel and horse from behind.
12. You can not swim for more than 20 minutes at a time on the Healing Salt Lake — there have already been cases of burns by "savage" tourists. 

Let you have photos and memories for the memory of nature. This is the most valuable thing that Nature can give you.

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.

1. 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.
2. Before entering a Buddhist temple, you need to turn off your mobile phones.
3. According to the rules, it is necessary to take off your shoes when entering Buddhist temples (huruli), so it is advisable to wear clean socks or take them with you — your companions and companions will appreciate it.
4. Hats must also be removed in khurul.
5. The uniform is loose, but within the rules of decency. You can not walk in khurul in shorts and short dresses (skirts), if you are already in such clothes, then at the entrance to the khurul you need to take a stole and make a skirt out of it or cover your shoulders.
6. You make all rounds of stupas, pagodas, huruls only clockwise. You can and should spin the drums.
7. One should not touch other people, especially monks.
8. 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).
9. You can sit in huruls on benches for visitors and on the floor.
10. You can light a candle, leave offerings and donations (put money). The money goes to the improvement and restoration of churches.
11. 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.
12. Photography is prohibited in khuruli

On the first day of the tour, the recommended arrival time is before 09:45 in Volgograd, the transfer from Volgograd departs at 10:00.

On the day of the end of the tour, departure from Elista at 11:00-12:00, travel time is 4 hours, taking into account the time for arrival at the airport, we recommend buying a flight after 17:30.

Transfer from/to Volgograd is charged separately.

Safety rules for the tour:

1. Follow generally accepted rules of conduct and personal hygiene.
2. To observe discipline, strictly follow all the instructions of the guide and the head of the group.
3. Observe the established and announced schedule of the tour, as well as the time allowed for the inspection of a particular object of visit.
4. To leave the group only with the permission of the guide and the head of the group.
5. Clothes in the steppe: long trousers, tuck into socks, put sneakers on your feet or any closed shoes without heels.
6. In spring and summer, conduct a personal visual inspection for the detection of ticks.
7. 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:

1. Tourists are obliged to carefully handle the available equipment of the bus cabin.
2. 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.
3. 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).
4. It is forbidden to get up from your seats and walk around the cabin while the bus is moving.
5. It is forbidden to distract drivers while driving. All your questions will be solved by the guide or the senior of the group.
6. It is forbidden to expose any body parts, as well as to throw garbage into the open windows of the bus.
7. It is forbidden to drink any drinks and eat while the bus is moving.
8. In case of signs of motion sickness or nausea, it is necessary to immediately inform the accompanying person or the guide.
9. 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.
10. You get on a clean bus. You have to get out of a clean bus.
11. NO SMOKING ON BUSES!
12. During emergency braking, it is necessary to rest your feet and hands on the seat in front of you.

During the walking tour:

1. While driving along the street, it is necessary to walk in a compact group without disturbing other pedestrians.
2. 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:

1. It is advisable to keep the passport separate from the money.
2. Do not leave valuables, handbags, photo and video equipment in plain sight.
3. Do not leave things unattended while visiting sightseeing sites
4. Use hats and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.
5. If you feel unwell, you must immediately inform the group leader or the tour guide.
6. 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.