Steppe breeze. Volgograd – Astrakhan – Elista

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

After breakfast, you will go on an excursion "Legends and were of old Tsaritsyn" to see another, pre-revolutionary life of the city.

You will learn the stories of merchant dynasties, the secrets of ancient mansions and the legends of the Tsaritsa River.

Next, the way lies to the museum-reserve "Staraya Sarepta", a unique enclave of European culture in the Volga steppes.

You will walk along the square of the German colony of the XVIII century, enter the church and find out how the Hernguters lived and what they produced.

The historical part of the day will end with a walk along the Krasnoarmeyskaya embankment, which overlooks the grandiose hydraulic engineering structure — the Volga-Don Shipping Canal.

In the evening, you will have a unique experience — an immersive performance walk "Tomorrow begins yesterday" (included in the price).

This is not just an excursion, but a dialogue with the city, where the past comes to life in old courtyards and stories told by artists right on the streets.

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

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

Check-out from the hotel.

Today is the day of natural contrasts: you will go to Lake Baskunchak, the largest salt deposit in Russia.

You will have the opportunity to swim in its saturated salty waters, experiencing incredible buoyancy, comparable to the Dead Sea.

Salt, healing mud and unearthly landscapes of the snow-white shores will create the impression of a trip to another planet.

Important details for comfort when swimming in Lake Baskunchak. Swimming in salt water itself is a unique and very pleasant sensation, similar to the Dead Sea.

To make your impressions only positive, consider a few points:

1. Shoes are required! The bottom of the lake is covered with sharp salt crystals, so rubber slippers or aqua shoes are not a recommendation, but a necessity for your safety.
2. What to bring: swimsuit/swimming trunks, towel, hat, sunscreen.
3. For complete relaxation on the beach, we recommend taking a blanket or towel with you to stay comfortably.

Rental and services (for an additional fee):

• deck chairs by the lake are in limited quantity and are not always available.;
• to wash off the salt: next to the bus parking there is an opportunity to rinse under the shower (the service is paid, starting from 150 rubles / person).;
• The road to the water: from the parking lot to a convenient place for swimming, walk about 1 km along the steppe trail. This is a good opportunity to warm up and take beautiful shots. Or for more comfort, you can order a transfer by UAZ from the locals directly to the water (from 600 rubles /person). when the machine is fully loaded). This is especially true if you don't want to walk with your belongings.

By following these simple rules, you will get the most out of this natural wonder!

After a lake and lunch at a cafe, a long but comfortable transfer to Astrakhan.

Don't forget to change your watch on the way: in the Astrakhan region, time is 1 hour ahead of Moscow time.

In the evening, check into a hotel in Astrakhan, where four nights of rest await you.

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

To get to know Astrakhan means to understand how destinies and cultures intertwined on the great Volga way.

After breakfast, you will enjoy a large sightseeing tour.

You will see the Astrakhan Kremlin, a powerful fortress of the XVI century on the island where the city began.

You will walk along the ancient merchant streets with elegant mansions, see the Armenian and Persian farmsteads, testifying to the rich trade history.

Then visit the Astrakhan Museum of Local Lore, one of the oldest in Russia.

You will be offered a choice of two excursions.:

• "Gold of the Sarmatians" with authentic masterpieces of ancient nomads;

or

• "Ichthyofauna of the Caspian basin", revealing the secrets of the underwater world of the Volga Delta.

14:00 Free time for independent walks along the Volga embankment.

If desired, for an additional fee, you can book a gastronomic tour with a tasting of local beer and a walk on the river tram.

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

This day is dedicated to the main riches of the Astrakhan region — fish and the unique nature of the delta.

You will go to Kamyzyaksky district to visit a modern sturgeon farm.

During the tour, you will see the entire cycle of sturgeon cultivation, from fry to adult fish, learn about the modern bloodless method of obtaining black caviar and, of course, you will be able to taste (for an additional fee) this legendary delicacy and purchase fresh fish at the company store.

After the farm, you will be transferred to a cozy recreation center in the Volga Delta, where you will be fed a lunch of sturgeon fish.

The main event of the day will be a boat trip through the labyrinth of the Volga creeks.

In the period from July to August, you will find yourself in a fairy tale — fields of blooming lotus stretching to the horizon. It is a sight of unearthly beauty that will remain in the memory forever.

19:00 Return to Astrakhan.

07:30 Early in the morning, after breakfast, you will leave for Kalmykia— the only Buddhist republic in Europe.

The road will pass through endless steppes, giving a feeling of freedom and spaciousness.

In Elista, you will encounter a completely different culture.

You will visit the "Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha", the largest Buddhist temple in Europe, and feel its peaceful atmosphere.

You will see the symbols of the city: the Golden Gate "Altyn Bosch", the pagoda of Seven Days, the monument "Exodus and Return".

And in the Museum of Nomadic Peoples you will find a lively immersion in the life of steppe inhabitants.: You can try on a Kalmyk costume, try your hand at traditional archery, and drink Kalmyk tea.

The day will end with a lunch with dishes of national cuisine (allow yourself to try poses or bergs).

Return to Astrakhan in the late evening.

After breakfast and check-out, you will have free time for last-minute souvenir shopping or a leisurely stroll.

At 12:00 p.m., a group transfer to the Astrakhan railway station and airport will be arranged for the entire group.

For guests with a late check-out (after 17:00), it is possible to book a final accord excursion to the watermelon melon with tasting of different varieties of Astrakhan watermelons and melons (optional, for an additional fee, the tour is available from mid-July to early September).