Road trip to Kalmykia
steppes, tulips, buddhism…

Elista - Priyutnoye

We will start the day with a visit to the National Museum of the Republic of Kalmykia, where we will get acquainted with the history and nature of the republic, as well as the cultural heritage of the Kalmyk people.

After a tour of the museum, we will visit the Khurul complex "Geden Sheddup Choy Korling" ("Holy Abode of the Theory and Practice of the Gelug School"). This is a monastery, the location and name of which was chosen by the Dalai Lama XIV himself during his first visit to Kalmykia in 1991. After visiting the khurul complex, we will go to the Kalmyk steppe to another sacred place - a lonely poplar, according to legend planted by Lama Purdash-bagshi in 1849 from seeds he brought from Tibet. Despite the fact that the tree, which is no less than 170 years old, recently had its trunk broken, the root system is still alive, which means there is hope for its revival. Around the holy place there are Buddhist stupas, a prayer drum, gates, and a cascade of springs. After visiting the sacred place, we will continue our journey to the village of Priyutnoye, where we will stay at a hotel and from where the next day we will go to get acquainted with the nature of Kalmykia. Transfer 80 km.

Lake Manych-Gudilo (eastern shore) - Big Yashaltinskoye Lake

We are going to get acquainted with the amazing nature of Kalmykia to the shores of Lake Manych-Gudilo, we will go along ecological routes, during which we will admire the blooming tulips and observe the life of birds, of which there are a great many here. On Lake Manych-Gudilo there is the largest colony of pink pelicans in Russia, as well as places of migration stopovers for many species of birds, including such rare ones as the red-breasted goose, the lesser white-fronted goose, and the white-headed duck. On the part of the route that passes through pastures and hayfields, you can see hares, foxes, hedgehogs, five species of larks, corn buntings, wagtails, wheatears, little bustards, demoiselle cranes, as well as birds of prey - white-tailed eagles, red-footed falcons, kestrels, etc. Along the coastline on open beaches you can meet up to 18 species of anseriformes and more than 30 species of waders.

After visiting the protected shores of Manych, we will move to another lake - Bolshoye Yashaltinskoye. This large salt lake, spread out among the endless steppe, is unique in its healing properties, which can only be rivaled by the waters of the Dead Sea. According to scientists, the mud of this large salt lake is recognized as healing and highly mineralized. We will spend the night in a hotel near Yashaltinskoye Lake or Manych-Gudilo.

Transfer about 250 km.

Lake Manych-Gudilo (western shore, mustang island) - Elista

Today we will visit the western shore of Lake Manych - Gudilo, and another island - Vodny, it is unique in that a free herd of wild horses - mustangs, with whom we will get to know quite closely, lives on it. In the evening we return to Elista, where we spend the night in a hotel.

Transfer about 350 km.

Elista - Yashkul - Adyk - "Black Lands" Nature Reserve

We head towards the village of Yashkul. A striking landmark of the village is the Buddhist khurul. The wooden khurul was built here in the 1870s, in 1938 it was closed and reopened after reconstruction in the 1990s. Very bright on the outside, the interior has many ancient Buddhist icons on fabric. In a place of honor is the throne of His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV, made by the Mandzhiev family of artists, as well as a statue of Buddha - the work of the Honored Artist of Kalmykia V.S. Vaskina.

Then we go to the village of Adyk, where the ethnocenter "Country of Bumba" is located. During the excursion to the ethnocenter, we will visit the museum, hear throat singing, get acquainted with the national life and crafts of the Kalmyks, ride a camel, dine on national dishes, after which we will see the unique natural attractions located on the territory of the Black Lands Nature Reserve. We will see a burning spring - an artesian well with water that burns if you bring a burning match to it (the effect is explained by the fact that the water is saturated with methane). Then we will find ourselves in a desert, which is called Martian because of the red color of the sand. The next item on the program will be the pink Mekletinskoye Lake, this color is given to it by a microscopic crustacean living in the water. In addition to the exotic color, this salt lake is notable for its healing mud. Driving further, we will see picturesque sand dunes, which make sounds in windy weather, for which they received the name singing. After the excursion, we will visit the visitor center of the Black Lands Nature Reserve in the village of Komsomolsky.

We will spend the night in a hotel in Yashkul or Komsomolsky.

Transfer 250 km.

Komsomolsky - Utta - Elista

Many have heard about the pole of cold in our country, but not everyone knows where the pole of heat is. Meanwhile, the status of the hottest settlement in Russia belongs to the Kalmyk settlement of Utta, as indicated by a stele located at the entrance to the settlement. In 2010, a record temperature in the country was recorded here - +45.4 ° C in the shade. We will go to see how they live in the hottest settlement in the country, looking at the desert landscapes along the way. In the afternoon, we will return to Elista, where we will visit the studio of artists Alexander and Khalga Povaev, where you can watch how artists work and buy souvenirs. If desired, you can also visit the gallery of artists of Kamykia.

Overnight at a hotel in Elista.

Transfer 350 km.

Elista - Volgograd

Transfer to the airport of Volgograd or Elista and flight home.

Transfer 300 km. Buy tickets from Volgograd after 16:00, so as not to be late, departure from Elista is possible at any time.

Kalmykia is a warm southern region, so during the day in the second half of April the weather is almost summer, the temperature can reach 20°C and above, in the evening and at night the temperature can drop to 10°C and even 5°C, so for walks in the evening it is still worth taking a jacket. Since part of the program includes visiting natural attractions, take care of comfortable shoes for walks in nature and protection from the rain.

The tour is quite active and eventful, therefore it requires discipline and personal involvement in the process from the participants.

During the trip by car, delays and unforeseen circumstances are possible - car breakdowns, river floods, road and bridge repairs and, as a result, the route may be adjusted depending on the current situation. Changes are discussed with the participants, but the final decision is up to the tour organizer, since he is responsible for the program and safety of the group.

Meals are provided by the participants at their own expense in cafes along the route and / or in stores where you can buy something for a snack. Breakfasts in most cases (but perhaps not everywhere) will be included in the cost of accommodation in hotels, i.e. will be free.

Air tickets (or train tickets) to Volgograd and back are purchased by the participants themselves. It is better to do this in advance, since at the last moment there may not be any seats, or the price will increase significantly.

Arrival to Volgograd and departure from it earlier or later than the dates specified in the program is paid for by the participants themselves, including transfer to/from the airport, as well as accommodation in hotels/hostels on days outside the tour dates.

1. If you are interested in this tour, leave a request through the registration form on this page or write to us at WhatsApp, Telegram or by email, we will contact you and answer all your questions.
2. To reserve a place, you must make an advance payment of 30% of the tour cost. The advance payment is made through the website (section Payment) and is refundable 45 days or more before the start of the tour and non-refundable, unfortunately, less than 45 days before the start, if the refund is related to your refusal to participate (for any reason). If the tour does not take place due to our fault, due to the group not being formed, or due to force majeure, the advance payment will be guaranteed to be returned to you in any case.
3. The final payment is made on the first day of the tour. You can pay using the QR code that the tour organizer will provide you, in cash, or through the website.