Heirs of the great steppe. Volgograd – Astrakhan – Elista

07:00-09:00 Breakfast at the hotel.

Gathering of the group in the hotel lobby.

Departure for the "Legends and were of old Tsaritsyn" tour to the southern districts of Volgograd.

The city is so rich in age-old events, legends, traditions and beliefs associated with it. Our guide will tell you about the origin of the name of the Tsaritsa River, "Haunted Houses", about the life of Tsaritsyn merchants and patrons, about the story of "Tsaritsyn and Peter I", about the life of Tsaritsyn during the reign of Catherine II.

On the territory of the museum-reserve "Old Sarepta" you will learn about the European colonists in our city. The museum is unique for Russia and Europe, there are few similar architectural complexes in the world of the former Gerngut colony founded in 1765.

The museum-reserve includes: Freedom Square, the German church, the pastor's house, the house of the German colonist and the Goldbach House, which houses an exhibition of German crafts from Sarepta in the 18th and 19th centuries.

On the Krasnoarmeyskaya Embankment, our staff will reveal to you the secret of the construction of the Volga-Don Canal named after V. I. Lenin, the largest hydraulic engineering structure at the monument to V. I. Lenin, 57 meters high.

Optional, for an additional fee, lunch and dinner at the hotel.

14:00 The end of the excursion program.

Free time.

18:00 Gathering of the group in the city center at the Palace of Culture of Trade Unions, Lenin Ave., 4.

Immersive performance tour "Tomorrow begins yesterday".

This is a play about how in our modern metropolis, among high–rise buildings and glass shopping malls, the old city is hidden - ancient buildings that have gone several floors underground, streets that no longer exist, people we no longer even remember.

Free time.

Independent return to the hotel.

If desired, in your free time, for an additional fee, you can independently visit additional excursions.

07:00-08:00 Breakfast at the hotel. Room release.

08:00 Gathering of the group in the hotel lobby.

Departure to Bogdinsk-Baskunchak Reserve – Astrakhan.

When leaving Volgograd, do not forget to set the clock. The time difference in Astrakhan is + 1 hour by Moscow time.

Swimming trip in the salt lake Baskunchak.

The town of Bolshoe Bogdo and the salt lake Baskunchak are located northeast of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain.

These unique natural sites are part of the Bogdinsk-Baskunchak Nature Reserve.

Visit one of the most beautiful and unusual lakes in the world – salty lake. Baskunchak, which is famous for its salt, mud and waters of the "dead sea".

Attention! Swimming in the lake is impossible without rubber slippers. The entire bottom of the lake is covered with sharp salt crystals. Bring bathing accessories, a towel, rubber slippers, and a hat.

Sun loungers and umbrellas can be rented on the lake shore in some places for an additional fee. In the bus parking lot, it is possible to rinse after bathing (additional fee from 150 rubles / person). It is about 1 km on foot from the bus parking area to the lake. For an additional fee, you can use the service of local residents — transfer to the lake to new breaks, where it is possible to swim, from 600 rubles / person. when boarding 4-5 people in one car (round-trip UAZ rental starting from 3,000 rubles /car).

A comprehensive lunch in the cafe of the village.

Departure to Astrakhan.

20:00-20:30 Arrival in Astrakhan.

Accommodation in a hotel of the selected category.

The time difference in Astrakhan is + 1 hour by Moscow time.

07:00-10:00 Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 Group meeting in the hotel lobby.

Big sightseeing tour of Astrakhan.

The Astrakhan Kremlin, the most beautiful central streets, the Volga embankment, ancient mansions and the latest buildings – all this you will see during the tour.

The program also includes: Peter I Square, a tour of the mansions on Nikolskaya St., An. Sergeeva St., the Iranian and Armenian metochion, the Annunciation Monastery and the chapel of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Armenian cross – khachkar and the monument to the poet-songwriter Kurmangazi.

Visit to the Museum of Local Lore with one of the guided tours of the museum:

• "Ichthyafauna of the Caspian basin". Exploring the underwater world and the diversity of the Volga Delta;
• "The Gold of the Sarmatians." Gold jewelry of the Sarmatian leader from the famous burial site near the village of Kosika in the Enotaevsky district: a golden pectoral, a breast symbol of royal power, gold belt buckles with the image of a steppe eared hedgehog, falara, and a handlebar.

14:00 The end of the excursion program in the city center.

Free time.

Independent return to the hotels.

Optional for an additional fee:

Visit to a private brewery with beer tasting and a pleasant ride on the river tram.

We offer you an exciting visit to a private brewery in one of the restaurants. You will learn how beer is prepared in Astrakhan and taste the wheat, light and dark beers.

A delicious excursion on a river tram with beautiful views of the city, with fish delicacies and a mug of beer you like will end. Well, children are offered natural juice as a drink.

Cost: 3000 rubles for adults, 2800 rubles for children under 18 years old.

The tasting and river tram ride must be booked in advance and will take place with a group of 10 people or more.

08:00-09:00 Breakfast at the hotel.

Gathering of the group in the hotel lobby.

Departure to Kamyzyaksky district of Astrakhan region for an excursion "Sturgeon farm and lotus fields".

It is today that you will get to know Astrakhan's "Royal Fish" better, visit the largest water area covered with lotuses and be able to take unique photos.

On the way to the sturgeon farm, you will learn about the history of fishing and breeding of sturgeons in Astrakhan.

Arrival at the sturgeon farm.

Guided tour of the sturgeon farm.

This sturgeon farm is one of the four largest enterprises for the cultivation of sturgeon fish in the Astrakhan region.

You will see the whole process of reproduction and cultivation of sturgeon, sterlet, beluga and bester, and you can also participate in the process of feeding sturgeons.

You will be told about the process of obtaining caviar in the lifetime method, as well as about the subtleties of keeping juveniles in pools.

For gourmets, there is an opportunity to taste the freshest black caviar for an additional fee.

There is a company store on the farm's territory where you can buy farm products at below-market prices and souvenirs.

Gathering of the group and departure to the recreation center.

The base is located 70 kilometers from the city, on the picturesque bank of the Tabola River. It is truly a paradise with clear water and endless greenery.

This is a real godsend for those who prefer exciting boat trips along the famous Caspian ripples to a carefree vacation on the Black Sea coast.

A set lunch of sturgeon fish in the cafe of the recreation center.

After lunch, a boat trip along the Volga delta to the lotus fields (the time of the water tour to the lotuses and back is 1.5-2 hours).

You will discover the picturesque landscapes and inhabitants of the Volga delta (there are more than 300 species of birds, more than 100 of which are listed in the Red Books of various levels).

The most attentive will be able to see the white-tailed eagle, count the number of heron species and make a wish for splashing fish.

In July and August, the period of lotus blossoming begins on the Caspian ridges, and it is at this moment that the delta turns into one of the most unique corners of the world, because there is no such water area covered with lotuses anywhere else, and the lotus fields reach 5,000 hectares!

If possible, swimming is organized on one of the islands in the rolling part of the delta.

Free time on the territory of the recreation center.

A swimming pool and a recreation area are available for those who wish, as well as the opportunity to fish from the bridges and catch the coveted trophy.

Gathering of the group and departure to Astrakhan.

19:00-20:00 Arrival Astrakhan.

Transfer to the hotel.

Free time.

06:30-07:00 Early breakfast at the hotel.

Gathering of the group in the hotel lobby.

Departure for the "Elista – exploring the East" tour.

Today we are waiting for a unique Elista – the capital of Kalmykia, the capital of Buddhism in Russia!

Cultures, religions, and architectural styles have mixed here. Here you are in Russia, but everything around you is so unusual.

Kalmykia is a land of endless steppe expanses with magical islands of flowers and herbs. The land through which the Great Silk Road ran, where the Golden Horde built its cities, remains of them can still be found here.

There is also the largest Buddhist temple in Kalmykia in Elista. Looking at its outlines, one can unmistakably determine the influence of Tibetan architecture.

City Sightseeing Tour:

• The largest Buddhist temple in Europe is the Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha;
• The Seven Days Pagoda;
• fountain "Dragon and boy";
• Druzhba Park;
• "Altyn Bosch" is the Golden Gate, believed to purify the soul and thoughts;
• monument "Exodus and Return".

A visit to the private museum of nomadic peoples, located on the territory of the Chess Town, will leave a special impression, where you can learn more about the traditions of the peoples of Kalmykia, take pictures in national costume and shoot arrows.

A set lunch in a cafe with dishes of national Kalmyk cuisine.

Before leaving for the return trip, it is planned to visit local shops where you can buy groceries for the road, as well as souvenirs.

21:00 Arrival in Astrakhan.

Transfer to the hotel.

Free time.

08:00-10:00 Breakfast at the hotel.

Room release.

Free time.

12:00 Group meeting in the hotel lobby.

Organized group transfer to the railway station and airport. Seeing off tourists

On dates from the end of July to the middle of September, if desired, for an additional fee for those who leave after 17:00:

excursion to the watermelon melon with tasting of different varieties of watermelons.

The hospitable owners of the melon will tell you about the big watermelon berry in an exciting way and will be happy to offer you a taste of it. Juicy, ripe, sugary, red, yellow and amazingly delicious. You won't see such a variety anywhere else! Unique instances, some of which are still under development.

On the tour you will learn how watermelons, melons, pumpkins, zucchini grow, the secrets of crop care, what colors of pulp our breeders have bred and how they turn out. Which is healthier than melon or watermelon, pumpkin or carrot?

At the end of the tour, there will be an interesting tasting of watermelons and melons with exotic flesh colors in the bosom of the endless steppe expanses and the hot southern sun of the Astrakhan region.

A pleasant bonus will be the opportunity to buy delicious gifts for your friends and relatives directly from the melon – watermelon and melon!

The cost of the tour: 3,500 rubles / adult, 3,100 rubles / child under 16 years old.

The tour must be booked in advance and will take place with a group of 10 people or more. Paid on the spot.