Tulips of Kalmykia: an ethnotour

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
from
US$ 471
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
4 Days
3 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • 13 – 16 Apr, 2025
    • 17 – 20 Apr, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    3 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale
Difficulty
Easy
For any person
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)
Or text us in messengers

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.

    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
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

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" or Hotel "6 squares" 3 nights
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.

2 more photos
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.

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;
  • 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

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

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification
  • US$ 471
    13 – 16 Apr, 2025 4 days 3 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • US$ 471
    17 – 20 Apr, 2025 4 days 3 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now