Kalmykia is a land of deserts and steppes, where Buddhism and the heritage of nomads are wonderfully intertwined.
Here they drink salted tea and cook meat in an earthen pit, and there is so much methane in the "burning" spring gushing right in the middle of the steppe that if you bring a flame to the water, it catches fire. And once a year, the Kalmyk lands are covered with a bright flowering carpet - a truly unforgettable sight!
Reboot and get inspired in a short but vivid ethnography tour of a real treasure trove of wonders.
We will visit Mamaev Kurgan in Volgograd, where we will see the famous monument "Motherland is calling!"
Bird watching
Let's watch the birds on Lake Manych-Gudilo, where many of their Red Book representatives live
Buddhism in Europe
We will get acquainted with the only region in Russia that professes Buddhism, and visit the main Buddhist temple.
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
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 place and time of the group: at 09:00 in the center of Volgograd in a cafe (Alley of Heroes, 4).
After breakfast, we will have a guided tour of the hero city of Volgograd.
We will visit Mamayev 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, have dinner together 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 guided tour of the main attractions of the city of Elista.
After breakfast, we go out into nature, to the natural monument "Tulip Steppe", where the largest variety of wild tulips of all possible colors can be found on 1 square meter of the field.
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 Chernye Zemly 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 geese, and beauty 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 kurde prayer drum 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 Monastery of Shakyamuni Buddha", 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 "Chernye Zemly". An ecological route awaits us.: "Singing dunes", a stretch of desert in the middle of the steppe.
A unique pink Mekletinskoe salt lake with healing hydrogen sulfide mud. And finally, a burning spring with burning sulfur water.
We will visit the tourist complex "Adyk — strana Bumba", where there will be a diverse cultural program with a tour in a yurt, archery, lasso throwing, camel riding.
In the evening, if we have the strength and time, we will watch the cultural program of the annual "Tulip Festival".
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 will take part in a tea ceremony where we will learn about various types of Kalmyk tea, including such exotic ones as tea on lamb ribs.
We will also have time to buy national souvenirs at local shops.
After lunch we drive to Volgograd.
We recommend that you plan your flight from Volgograd after 23:00.
Or stay in the hero city for one more day to take a leisurely stroll through its spring streets.
You can also consider departure from Elista after 14:00, or earlier if you are ready to skip the tea ceremony.
Bus: 310 km.
Walking distance: up to 10 km.
Accommodation: hotel.
Meals: breakfast.
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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 the Nomad 3* hotel in Elista in 2 and 3 bed rooms with breakfast.
The cost of the tour for 1 person with double occupancy is 69,000 rubles.
Attention! The hotel is indicated approximately, it can be replaced with a hotel of the same class.
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 offers 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 Buddha Monastery, parks.
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Tour conditions
Group
From 8 to 15 tourists
Minimum age
7 years old
Duration
4 days 3 nights
Group meets at
Volgograd
Included in price
all crossings on the territory of Kalmykia;
accommodation for 3 nights in a hotel in Elista;
3 breakfasts;
participation in the Kalmyk tea ceremony;
registration of the group in the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
instructor support (1 guide per group of 10 people);
guided tours by local guides from the first to the third day inclusive;
entrance tickets to all attractions according to the program;
payment for stay in the reserve "Mekletinsky";
group first aid kit;
advice on ticket purchase, equipment, insurance (on request);
the company's buff.
Paid extra
air and railway tickets to Volgograd and back;
transfers from/to Volgograd airport;
meals not included 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 (gratuity 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;
warm jacket;
windbreaker;
blouse;
1-2 T-shirts;
raincoat;
trousers / jeans;
shorts;
bandana / baseball cap / cap;
a cap;
socks 2-3 pairs;
bright dress for beautiful photos for girls.
What else to take:
first–aid kit for personal use, in case of chronic diseases (a public first–aid kit with a standard set of medications will be provided by the instructor) + elastic bandage, sterile bandage - 2 pcs., hydrogen peroxide, patch, motion sickness pills - 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?
Air and railway tickets are not included in the price of the tour.
You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
Insurance is not included in the tour program.
You can purchase additional travel insurance on the website of a Large Country without commission directly from insurance companies.
Dates and Prices
The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification
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