Tsagan Sar: White Month Holiday in the heart of Kalmykia

In late autumn, winter, and early spring, due to the short daylight hours, visits to some of the tour sites listed in the program may occur at night.

The tour operator is not responsible for travel delays due to weather conditions, as well as traffic jams.

If the weather conditions on the route may threaten the safety of tourists (heavy snowfalls, low/high air temperatures, mudslides, heavy rains, floods, forest fires, smog, etc.), and in case of unforeseen circumstances (repairs of the facility, closed religious ceremonies, etc.), the tour operator reserves the right to unilaterally to change the tour program: to replace some objects with others, and if replacement is not possible, to exclude the tour objects from the program.

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

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, turn off your mobile phones.
3. According to the rules, when entering Buddhist temples (huruli), it is necessary to take off your shoes, 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 hurul.
5. The form of clothing is free, 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.
6. All rounds of stupas, pagodas, huruls are performed only clockwise. You can and should spin the reels.
7. One should not touch other people, especially monks.
8. After entering the hurul, you need to go around it, also 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 khuruli 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 prosperity. The colors symbolize: white — air, red — fire, yellow — earth, green — water, blue — sky / space. The five colors represent 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 displayed near stupas and temples. In a strong wind, the flags "flap", as if a magical horse galloped off to fulfill good dreams. The flags can be hung in any clean (!) the place. Inside and outside your 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 older ones) on the flags with the color corresponding to your year of birth. The info is online.
12. Photography is prohibited in khuruli.

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 that you should definitely try:

MAHAN SHELTYAGAN (hot mutton broth with potatoes, raw onion rings) is the main dish of Kalmyk cuisine, which is obligatory 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 lamb, potatoes and a generous amount of onions.

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

BERIGI (Kalmyk dumplings). Connoisseurs of delicious cuisine will appreciate Kalmyk berig, 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 butter, 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 energize you. 

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

KUR is a mutton's stomach baked in the ground, stuffed with lamb meat. There are a lot 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. 

BORTSOK (flour product) — national tortillas /donuts. A hearty substitute for bread, it can be of different shapes and sizes. They are prepared in different ways in each 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;
• "Wind Horse" flags;
• 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.