Tulips of Kalmykia

Embark on a journey through the unknown and full of wonders of Kalmykia! 

You will walk along the shore of the incredible Pink Lake, meet the sunset at the "Lonely Poplar", get acquainted with the traditions of the former nomadic people, their difficult history and unusual, but hearty and delicious cuisine. And you can even light water — create a burning artesian well with your own hands. But the most important highlight of this tour is the flowering of tulips – once a year, the hospitable Kalmyk land is covered with bright, colorful buds. Don't miss the opportunity to take amazing photos in the sea of tulips.

Location

Russia, Volgograd
from
$591
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
4 Days
3 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 17 – 20 April, 2025
    • 24 – 27 April, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Premium
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 12 people
Minimum age
6 years old
Group meet at
Russia, Volgograd
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
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Tour highlights

A sea of flowers
Let's have a mini picnic among blooming wild tulips and take fantastic pictures
Culture of nomadic peoples
Let's get acquainted with the way of life and traditions of Kalmyk nomads and learn the basics of making Kalmyk tea
Singing dunes
You will be able to hear this natural phenomenon for yourself – in dry weather, the sands emit a sound similar to the sound of an organ
Monument "Lonely Poplar"
We will be told the legend of this place and we will find out why it became a Buddhist shrine
The "burning" spring
You will take part in the ritual of igniting the "burning spring", a special kind of springs Kalmykia, which can be set on fire by holding a lighted match correctly.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Getting to know Elista

    The tour starts in Elista, where you will get our transfer from Volgograd.

    We recommend a flight arriving in Volgograd at 08:40.

    14:00 – 14:30 Check-in at the Marco Polo Hotel.

    15:00 Lunch at the Kalmykka cafe.

    16:00 Excursion to the Museum of Nomadic Peoples.

    You will learn the history of the Kalmyks' nomadism to the territory of modern Kalmykia, all about the life of the nomadic people, who occupied what place in the yurt and how they lived in it with large families.

    A master class on making Kalmyk tea will be organized for you, you will get acquainted with the old Kalmyk Mongolian script "Todo bichig" and learn the basics of knitting a Kalmyk knot.

    17:00 Transfer to the Lonely Poplar.

    We will go to the steppe to the border of two geomorphological zones: the Kumo-Manych depression and the Ergeninsky hills, where we will visit the natural monument and the Buddhist shrine "Lonely Poplar" with healing springs.

    A place that will not leave anyone indifferent.

    An excursion, a walk through the place of power and watching the sunset.

    18:30 Transfer to the city of Elista.

    Dinner at the Kalmyk Cuisine restaurant.

    The total length of the route is 350 km.

    1 more photo
  • Day 2 - Steppe tulips
  • Day 3 - Singing dunes, a pink lake and a "burning" spring
  • Day 4 - Returning home
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Premium

The tour provides double accommodation at the Marco Polo Hotel in Elista.

The cost of the tour for 1 person:.

  • From April 18 to April 21 – 56,000 rubles.
  • From April 25 to April 28 – 58,000 rubles. because there will be accommodation in superior rooms.

The surcharge for single occupancy is 10,000 rubles/person.

Children under 12 years old receive a discount of 2000 rubles.

Marco Polo 4* Hotel in Elista 3 nights

During the tour, you will stay at the Marco Polo Hotel in Elista. It offers a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi. Your room will have one double or two single beds, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a refrigerator, a kettle, and a bathroom with a shower cabin, a hairdryer and toiletries.

5 more photos

Tour conditions

Group
up to 12 tourists
Minimum age
6 years old
Duration
4 days 3 nights
Group meets at
Russia, Volgograd

Included in price

  • accommodation according to the program;
  • breakfast, lunch and dinner (except lunch on the 4th day on the way to the airport);
  • transfer from Volgograd airport to Elista and back;
  • transportation services according to the program;
  • guide services;
  • camel riding (optional);
  • guided tours according to the program;
  • entrance tickets to sightseeing sites and eco-collections in protected areas;
  • the ethnic program.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Volgograd and back;
  • single accommodation along the route (+10,000 rubles/person);
  • personal expenses.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour
  • wind and moisture proof trousers and a hooded jacket;
  • rubber shoes for walking on the pink lake (summer time);
  • A long sleeve T-shirt;
  • light boots or sneakers;
  • an individual first aid kit;
  • repellents;
  • personal hygiene products.
What kind of transport is used to travel along the route?
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Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification
  • from
    $591
    17 – 20 Apr, 2025 4 days 3 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • from
    $612
    24 – 27 Apr, 2025 4 days 3 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now