Tulips of Kalmykia: an ethnotour

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Did you know that Kalmykia is known as the only European region with an official religion, Buddhism?

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.

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

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 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 place and time of the group: at 09:00 in the center of Volgograd in a cafe.
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 energy 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 are resting before returning to Volgograd, or, if desired, we can get up early and buy national souvenirs at local shops.
After a late breakfast we drive to Volgograd.
We recommend watching the departure from Volgograd after 20.00.
You can also stay in the hero city for one more day to take a leisurely stroll through its spring streets.
You can also watch the departure from Elista.
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

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 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

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Tour conditions

Group

From 8 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 included in the program: lunches and dinners (approximately 500-1000 rubles per meal), meals on the road;
transfers from/to Volgograd airport;
additional excursions not included in the program;
accident insurance;
tips (gratuity 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;
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).

Dates and Prices

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

$604

11 – 14 Apr, 2026 4 days 3 nights

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No need to pay now
$604

15 – 18 Apr, 2026 4 days 3 nights

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No need to pay now