Tulips of Kalmykia: an ethnotour

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Kalmykia is a land of deserts and steppes, where Buddhism and the heritage of nomads are surprisingly intertwined. And once a year, the Kalmyk lands are covered with a bright flowering carpet!

This colorful republic with its amazing Buddhist temples-huruli, here they drink salty tea and cook meat in an earthen pit, and right in the middle of the steppe there is a pink salt lake and a burning spring.

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

Location

Volgograd

Sightseeing tours

from

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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 April steppes of Kalmykia, dotted with wild tulips of various colors, and breathe in the fresh steppe air

The life of a nomad

We will visit the Kalmyk yurt, learn archery and ride camels

Bird watching

Let's watch the birds on Lake Manych-Gudilo, where many red-book birds live: curly-haired and pink pelicans, red-throated cossacks, beautiful cranes

Buddhism in Europe

We will get acquainted with the only region in Russia professing Buddhism, visit the main Buddhist temple of Kalmykia — the Central Hurul "Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni"

The natural wonders of Kalmykia

You will have a trip to the "Singing Dunes", a pink salt lake and a burning spring

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival, tour of Volgograd, transfer to Elista
Place and time of the meeting of the group: at 10.00 at the airport in Volgograd 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.

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Day 2 - Elista tour, Tulip steppe, Lonely poplar
Today we will have a trip to the blooming fields of wild tulips, as well as a tour of the main attractions of the city of Elista with a local guide.
After breakfast, we go out into nature, to the natural monument "Tulip Steppe", where the largest variety of wild tulips of all possible colors is found on 1 sq. m. of the field.
Let's look at the cultural program of the annual "Tulip Festival". Let's breathe in the fresh steppe air filled with the scent of wormwood.
Birdwatching (bird watching) awaits us on the territory adjacent to the Black Lands Nature Reserve. Every year, the ancient relict lake Manych-Gudilo becomes a habitat for many red-book birds: curly-haired and pink pelicans, red-throated kazarka, beautiful cranes.
Next, we will visit the universally recognized place of power in Russia and Europe "Lone Poplar" with a cascade of springs, including a healing spring with unique alum water that cures many diseases.
We will make a detour around all 8 Buddhist shrines — stupas. Let's spin the prayer drum-kurde in the extraordinary Kalachakra Stupa, of which there are no more than 10 in the whole world.
In the afternoon, we will visit the main Buddhist temple of Kalmykia — the "Central Hurula "Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni", a sightseeing tour of the capital of the region — the city of Elista — with many attractions!
Bus: 80 km.
Walking distance: up to 15 km.
Accommodation: hotel.
Meals: breakfast.

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Day 3 - Mekletinsky nature Reserve, "Bumba Country"
This morning we are going to get acquainted and, if desired, ride two-humped Bactrian camels, "ships of the desert".
Then — departure to the reserve "Mekletinsky" of the reserve "Black lands". An ecological route awaits us: "Singing dunes", a stretch of desert in the middle of the steppe.
A unique pink Mekletian salt lake with healing hydrogen sulfide mud. And finally, a burning spring with burning sulfur water.
We will visit the tourist complex "Adyk — Bumba country", where there will be a diverse cultural program with a tour in a yurt, archery, lasso throwing, camel riding.
Bus: 350 km.
Walking distance: up to 10 km.
Accommodation: hotel.
Meals: breakfast.

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Day 4 - Departure, transfer to Volgograd
Today we are resting before returning to Volgograd, or, if desired, you can get up early and buy national souvenirs at local shops.
After a late breakfast we are going to Volgograd.
We recommend watching the flight after 20.00.
You can also stay in the hero city for another day to take a leisurely walk through its spring streets.
Bus: 310 km.
Walking distance: up to 10 km.
Accommodation: hotel.
Meals: breakfast.

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Difficulty

For any person

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

Hotel

3 nights

Comfort

Midscale

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

Hotel for check–in on April 14-17 - “6 squares".

Hotel for check–in on April 18-21 - "Bike Post".

The hotel "Bike Post"

The hotel "Bike Post" is located in the Republic of Kalmykia, in Elista.

To accommodate guests, there are 12 comfortable rooms on the central street of the city, which are equipped with upholstered furniture, interior items, and a private shower room.

A barbecue area is prepared for guests, as well as breakfast in the room. There is a grocery store nearby.

Nearby there is the Buddhist temple "Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha", the golden gate-Altyn Bosch, the Museum of Fine Arts, the monument to Alexander Pushkin, the architectural monument "City of Chess". The distance to the train station is 1.8 km, to the airport — 7.4 km.

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Another option

Hotel "6 squares"

The mini-hotel is located in Elista, 1 km from the center and a 15-minute drive from the airport. There is free parking on site, WI-FI is available everywhere. The staff speaks Russian and English.

The room stock is represented by standard double rooms. All rooms have carpeted floors, double beds, air conditioning, flat–screen TV, electric kettle, tea/coffee making facilities. Daily cleaning is provided.

It is possible to order breakfast and food in the room, in the evening there is a bar where there are light snacks and drinks and you can relax with friends.

Nearby there is a traffic light store, a Green market, the parish of St. Francis of Assisi, the largest Buddhist temple in Europe "Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni", at a distance of 1 km there is a supermarket Magnet, the Museum of the History of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Pushkin Square. The airport is 7 km away.

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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;
hotel accommodation in Elista (3 nights);
meals according to the program: breakfast;
entrance tickets to all the attractions planned by the program;
payment for stay in the Mekletinsky Nature Reserve;
accompanied by an instructor;
accompanied by local tour guides from the first to the third day of the tour;
group first aid kit;
consultation on the purchase of tickets (on request);
a signature buff.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Volgograd and back;
meals not included in the program: lunches and dinners;
additional excursions and entertainment not planned by the program;
accident insurance;
tips (reward for guides on a voluntary basis).

It's important to know

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).

Dates and Prices

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

$486

13 – 16 Apr, 2025 4 days 3 nights

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No need to pay now
$486

17 – 20 Apr, 2025 4 days 3 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now