Tulips of Kalmykia: an ethnotour

Did you know that Kalmykia is known as the only entity in Europe with the official religion of Buddhism?

Here they drink salted tea and cook meat in an earthen pit, and there is so much methane in the "burning" spring, which beats right in the middle of the steppe, that if you bring a flame to the water, it catches fire.

Kalmykia is a real treasure trove of wonders, and you will see many of them on this tour.

Location

Volgograd
from
$565
$526
+ 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
    • 12 – 15 April, 2025
    • 16 – 19 April, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 16 people
Minimum age
7 years old
Group meet at
Volgograd
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
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Tour highlights

An impressive monument
We will visit Mamaev Kurgan in Volgograd, see the famous monument "Motherland is calling!"
Tulip Steppe
Let's enjoy the beauty of the steppes of Kalmykia, dotted with wild tulips of various colors
The life of a nomadic people
We will visit the Kalmyk yurt, learn archery and ride camels
Bird watching
Let's watch the birds on Lake Manych-Gudilo, where many of their Red Book representatives live
Buddhism in Europe
Let's get acquainted with the only region in Russia professing Buddhism, visit the main Buddhist temple of Kalmykia
The natural wonders of Kalmykia
You will travel to the "singing" dunes, a salt lake and a burning spring

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arrival, tour of Volgograd, transfer to Elista

    Meeting the group at the Volgograd airport or in the city center in a cafe for breakfast. 

    After breakfast, we will have a tour of the hero city of Volgograd with a local guide.

    We will visit Mamaev Kurgan, the embankment, Pavlov's house and other historical sites. 

    After the tour, lunch and transfer to the capital of Kalmykia, Elista, where we will check into a hotel for the next 3 days of our journey through this amazing and still unfamiliar republic. 

    After check-in, a joint dinner at the national cafe.

    Bus: 330 km.

    Walking distance: up to 10 km.

    Accommodation: hotel.

    Power supply: not included.

    3 more photos
  • Day 2 - Elista tour, Tulip steppe, Lonely poplar
  • Day 3 - Mekletinsky nature Reserve, "Bumba Country"
  • Day 4 - Departure, transfer to Volgograd
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone
Tour organizer's comments

The route does not require special physical training and will be possible even for children over 7 years old and beginners in tourism. 

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale

The tour includes accommodation in a hotel in Elista in 2-, 3-, 4-bed rooms with breakfast.

Attention! The hotel is indicated approximately, replacement is possible.

The Nomad Hotel 3 nights

The Nomad Hotel is located in the center of Elista. It offers a reception, free parking and Wi-Fi, and territory security.

The hotel provides 31 rooms with different categories. Each room has a bed, wardrobe, electric kettle, LCD TV, air conditioning.

The hotel has its own kitchen with various appliances for use. Grocery stores are located nearby.

The distance to the railway station is 1.8 km, to the airport — 7.4 km. Within walking distance of the Golden Abode of the Buddha, parks

2 more photos

Tour conditions

Group
up to 16 tourists
Minimum age
7 years old
Duration
4 days 3 nights
Group meets at
Volgograd

Included in price

  • transfer Volgograd – Elista – Volgograd;
  • all crossings on the territory of Kalmykia;
  • accommodation for 3 nights in a hotel in Elista;
  • breakfast;
  • payment for stay in the Mekletinsky Nature Reserve;
  • registration of the group in the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
  • instructor support (1 guide per group of 10 people);
  • accompanied by local guides from the first to the third days inclusive;
  • group first aid kit;
  • entrance tickets to all the attractions planned by the program (Central Hurul "Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha", Mekletinsky Nature Reserve);
  • tour support;
  • branded T-shirt;
  • a signature buff.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Volgograd and back; 
  • meals not specified in the program: lunches and dinners (approximately 500-1000 rubles per meal), meals on the road;
  • additional excursions not included in the program;
  • accident insurance;
  • tips (remuneration for guides on a voluntary basis).

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour

Equipment:

  • a small backpack of 20-25 liters for walking.

Clothing and shoes:

  • sneakers;
  • a warm jacket;
  • windbreaker;
  • blouse;
  • 1-2 T-shirts;
  • raincoat;
  • trousers / jeans;
  • shorts;
  • bandana / baseball cap / cap;
  • a cap;
  • socks 2-3 pairs;
  • a bright dress for beautiful photos for girls.

 What else to take:

  • personal first aid kit, in case of chronic diseases (the instructor will have a public first aid kit with a standard set of medicines) + elastic bandage, sterile bandage – 2 pcs., hydrogen peroxide, patch, pills for motion sickness – if necessary;
  • personal hygiene products (toothpaste, brush, soap, lipstick, toilet paper, accessories for girls, etc.);
  • sunscreen cream;
  • sunglasses;
  • a light towel.

Documents:

  • money for personal expenses (meals, souvenirs);
  • medical insurance is optional.

Additionally:

  • a camera (video camera).
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?

Dates and Prices

  • $526
    12 – 15 Apr, 2025 4 days 3 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $526
    16 – 19 Apr, 2025 4 days 3 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

Reviews

    L
    Larisa
    6 May, 2022
    about provider
    Comfortable accommodation, convenient transfer, delicious food, attentive attitude.
    6 May, 2022
    N
    Natalia
    10 Jan, 2022
    about provider
    We are very satisfied with the host party. The organization of the tour is at the highest level, before the trip we answered all the questions that helped to prepare properly, the tour program is diverse and very interesting. And all the everyday nuances of living and eating without any complaints!
    10 Jan, 2022
    ZT
    Zueva Tatiana
    10 Jan, 2022
    about provider
    The organization of the tour at the highest level!
    10 Jan, 2022