Do you really want to come to these steppes and how to do that it was pleasant to return. Cultural features and economic prospects of inbound tourism in Kalmykia in the material "FederalPress".

For an average Muscovite or a resident of another large Russian city, the question “where is Kalmykia” can still be confused. However, the number of those who answer correctly, and who also tell what is interesting in the republic, is becoming more literally every month. A visit to the steppe republic has actually become a must for the cultural baggage of a self-respecting lover of domestic Russian travel.

The revitalization of economic activity, which has been undertaken in the republic in the last year, has made Kalmykia a place where famous professionals in various industries began to regularly visit. They talked about their impressions not only in a narrow circle, but also on social networks, where many of the Kalmyk guests, of course, have long been opinion leaders. More and more Muscovites, Petersburgers and residents of other megacities wanted to see the curiosity themselves.

And they have already seen that Kalmykia is not just some kind of sparsely populated territory between the Volga and the Caucasus, but a special land that stands out from any framework. In many ways, the republic is unique, and there is no exaggeration in these words.

For example, in recent weeks, several applications have been submitted for a collective visit to the republic by tourists from China who plan to receive services in Kalmykia, you will not believe, oriental medicine.

Everything in order.

What to watch

Ties with China, by the way, are by no means accidental. The closest relatives of the Kalmyks, the Oirats, live in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Okrug, as well as in Mongolia. Quite recently, Kalmykia successfully hosted the world festival of Oirat culture - thousands of Oirats from all over the world visited the Russian republic for the first time and received many good impressions.

But the main stake in the development of tourism Kalmykia is still not on foreigners, who, of course, are attracted by the exotic eastern republic between Europe and the Caucasus. The main discovery of Kalmykia is internal - the republic wants to become popular for tourists from Russian regions.

There is some progress - every year, recently literally every month, the number of tourists discovering the republic for themselves is growing. This was facilitated by the traditional Tulip Festivals and the aforementioned world festival of the Oirats "Oirat Tumen".

The visiting card of Kalmykia is not so much its nature, although it, contrary to the initial impression, is also unique, but its cultural and religious component. There are no more Buddhist regions in the European part of the country, it is also unusual to look for such an unusual history and culture, while it is less than three hours from here to Mineralnye Vody by car, and to Moscow it is two hours altogether, but by plane.

In Kalmykia, New Year is celebrated at least three times a year. This is not counting the one that is "old".

In the capital of the republic Elista, it is impossible not to notice the "Golden abode of Buddha Shakyamuni." The khurul, 64 meters high, is the largest in Europe. In addition to its size, it amazes with the elegance of architecture and interior decoration. The complex also includes the monastery "The Enlightened Abode of Monks", the statue of Buddha, the Golden Gate, the Pagoda of Seven Days.

The construction site of the Central Khurul was blessed by the XIV Dalai Lama, who visited Kalmykia several times. By the way, the head of the Buddhists of the republic, Telo Tulku Rinpoche, is the official representative of His Holiness throughout Russia and the CIS countries.

Imagine..

You wake up early in the morning from the fragrance of the blooming May steppe beating in all your organs. Exit the room, which from the outside looks like a real nomadic wagon. Somewhere on the horizon, the dome of a Buddhist khurul gleams. There is another one right next to your "kibitka". This is a restaurant where traditional salty milk tea and delicious sweet wrestlers are already ready. After breakfast, not just horseback riding, but a real horse expedition - along an interesting route and observing ancient traditions. It will end at a lake with healing water, where you will be met by a doctor of Tibetan traditional medicine. Then a concert of absolutely amazing musicians and the way back, but already comfortable, by car. On the way, you drive up to the Lonely Poplar - a stunning "place of power" in the endless steppe. Near this sacred tree one thinks very well - both about the world order and about one's place in it.

For dinner, several national tasting dishes and the obligatory local marbled beef steak. Restaurant experts say that it is often superior to New Zealand, although it costs significantly less. To accustom to it is also the task of positioning - the meat of the Kalmyk breed is darkish, unknowingly, another buyer may consider it not very high quality.

And the next day, master classes on cooking kumis and felt weaving, then attending a service in the Central Khurul.

Then you can go fishing - even to the Caspian Sea, on the way where you can see, however, only on certain days of summer, lotus bloom, even to the Volga, even to Lake Manych-Gudilo.

How to use

All this and much more, for example, excursions to the reserve, where wild saigas and many other rare animals are found, is quite real. But so far there are a lot of obstacles and inconveniences on this path.

Kalmykia, although it has long been talking about a possible tourist boom, was not quite ready for it. In the republic during the same tulip festival, there are already not enough accommodations. There are questions about their quality, it is necessary to modernize and build new not only hotels, but also the same restaurants, to train qualified guides.

Namjen Utnasunova has been engaged in inbound tourism to Kalmykia for 10 years. She recalls that she caught fire with the idea, because she was an active traveler herself and wanted as many guests as possible to see Kalmykia. At the beginning of the activity it was difficult, the experience of colleagues from other regions helped - we went on tours, watched webinars. “In tourism, it seems to me, it is never easy. Each stage of our activity has its own peculiarities, now we are creating routes, studying accommodation places, working with guides, ”said the businesswoman.

The main inhibiting factor, in her opinion, is logistical. “Tourists face a lot of difficulties with how to get to us. Recently, Azimut Airlines launched a flight, only 2 times a week, and today all cheap tickets have run out. Now, if a railway line from Volgograd to the Caucasus was laid through Elista and cheap flights were launched at least in a day, this would dramatically increase the attendance of our republic. There are many who wish. "

“To stimulate any business, real help is needed - tax incentives, money. So I want to make a guest house, and there is a land plot, there is an unfinished building, and the amount of grants in tourism is scanty - from 100 to 400 thousand rubles. You can't build anything with this money, and you also need equipment and furniture, ”Utnasunova said. At the same time, according to her, the leadership of the republic can in no way be reproached for the fact that it does not support tourism.

The obstacle to the rapid growth of the industry is not in the lack of assistance to specific tour operators, hoteliers and restaurateurs, but somewhat deeper. The industry has lived almost spontaneously for many years. There was no comprehensive understanding of how to develop it.

Help from the authorities, by the way, is substantial. Under the regional program, restaurants and some other institutions that are included in the tourism development assistance program receive 50% reimbursement of electricity costs. The aforementioned system also works, albeit not very large grants so far.

Tatyana Delikova, head of the economic department of the Institute for Comprehensive Research of Arid Territories, a member of the Kalmyk branch of the Russian Society of Political Scientists, states: “We need a strategy. Both general, and in different directions of tourism - confessional, natural, health. And for each area there should be its own clearly well-developed action plan ”. The current dynamics of the growth of tourists, according to Delikova, is insufficient. Growth, by the way, is difficult even to calculate - the system for collecting relevant statistics is not well-tuned enough

But it seems that the republican authorities understand all this no worse than the experts. Having solved the priority social problems and having established timid economic successes, the Kalmyk authorities, headed by Alexei Orlov, began to form a fundamentally new approach to the development of tourism. However, they have not yet abandoned the previously adopted incentive measures.

In May, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic, on behalf of Orlov, developed a Unified Concept for the Development of Domestic and Inbound Tourism in Kalmykia for 2019-2025. The draft concept was discussed and approved by municipalities, educational institutions and participants in the tourism market.

The concept will be the basis for the development of the Strategy for the development of tourism in the republic for the long term. This will be adopted in 2019, Lyubov Ushanova, director of the budgetary institution Republican Tourist Information Center, told FederalPress.

The Ministry of Culture will order its development on the basis of research and development work to assess the potential of the region's municipalities and possible growth points. The results of this scientific work will form the basis of the future strategy.

A tourist cluster will be created in the republic, Lyubov Ushanova explained. In addition to the development of infrastructure, partly, possibly through inclusion in federal programs, and the stimulation of entrepreneurial activity, the tasks of the new strategy will also be to promote the republic's tourism products and raise awareness about them, as well as develop a system for training and advanced training of tourism industry specialists.

The basis for the growth of tourism, Ushanova explained, will be small and even micro-enterprises.

Tatyana Delikova also believes that no large investors will come to the industry. “Rather, you need to pay attention to your resources and available capabilities. It is now possible to attract additional investment by participating in federal tourism development programs. In addition, we have a generation of young people who are ready to take risks and understand how to transform work, intelligence, creativity into goods and services. Now they really lack practical experience, that is, they need institutions for the transfer of this knowledge, ”she concluded.

Kalmykia in general very much believes in its youth.

“Our republic has a great future, we have children who are very educated and enterprising. Look how many beautiful cafes in our city, how many shops and how many travel agencies have opened. But we do not have industry, wages are low, high tariffs for electricity, ”Namjen Utnasunova said.

“Come to us, see for yourself how calmly, beautifully and with what hospitality you will be welcomed here,” they say in the republic.

It's worth a try.

UDC.311. (075.8)

Tourism development in the Republic of Kalmykia: statistical analysis

Chonaeva G ilyana Vladimirovna, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Accounting and Taxation, FGOUVPO Russian State University of Tourism and Service,

Moscow city, [email protected]

Kuskeeva Bayya Nikolaevna, student, Russian State University of Tourism and Service, Moscow, [email protected]

The authors discuss the development of tourism infrastructure and tourist potential in the Republic of Kalmykia, favorable geographical position for tourism infrastructure, and ways to integrate tourism products of the Republic into the industry of the Southern Federal District. The study reviews legislation, implementation of state policy in the management of tourist activities, and development programs for tourist activities in the region.

The tourism potential of the Republic of Kalmykia, ways of integrating the tourism product of the Republic of Kalmykia into the structure of the tourism industry of the Southern Federal District are considered. A review of the legal framework on this issue, the implementation of the state policy in the field of tourism management in the Republic of Kalmykia and the program for the development of tourism activities in the region is being carried out.

Key Words: tourism, tourist activities, tourist industry

Keywords: tourism, tourism activities, tourism industry

Tourism is one of the leading and most dynamic industries in the world economy. Due to its rapid growth, it is recognized as the economic phenomenon of the century. The Republic of Kalmykia has a tourist potential, which until now has not been fully demanded. Historical, cultural and natural heritage of the Kalmyk people, ancient national traditions, folk crafts - all this contributes to the development of such types of tourism as business, cultural, educational, confessional, ecological, equestrian, sports and others.

Kalmykia has unique natural monuments, nature reserves, rich vegetation and rare birds. The Great Silk Road ran here, the Khazars lived, the Golden Horde built cities, there are the remains of Saray-Berke - the second capital of the Golden Horde.

The development of tourism in Kalmykia is facilitated by the favorable geographical position of the republic. The republic borders in the north and north-west with the Volgograd region, in the east with the Astrakhan region, in the west with the Stavrapol region, in the south with the Republic of Dagestan, in the south-east it is washed by the Caspian Sea.

The climate in the Republic of Kalmykia is steppe, sharply continental, with moderately cold winters with little snow and hot summers. In many bodies of water, the swimming season begins in May. The most significant object on the lands of specially protected territories of the republic is the Chernye Zemli biosphere reserve, located on the territory of the Chernozemelsky and Yashkul districts. In addition to the reserve, there are 14 reserves on the territory of Kalmykia. The largest reserves of federal significance - Sarpinsky, Khabinsky and Mekletinsky - are mainly focused on the protection of saigas. In the Tselinny district of the Republic there is a national natural park "Bamb-Tsetsg", there are 22 natural and cultural monuments, including the city of Elista (the capital of the Republic of Kalmykia). Over the past decade, many khuruls and churches have been created, the appearance of the Republic, especially its capital, has significantly improved. Following the traditions of national color, new buildings, leisure, trade and catering facilities have been built and continue to be built. In November 2001, the Elista airport was given international status. Now Kalmykia has one of the best air complexes in the South of Russia. In parallel with the preservation of the traditional images of Buddhist architecture, innovative dynamics in design and construction are developing. City Chess is one of the directions in this area, it is the only chess town on the planet where the men's and women's championships of Russia and the World are regularly held. With an integrated approach, the City-Chess territorial unit is able to act not only as an object of compact residence, but also as a place of the historical and cultural environment of the republic.

One of the characteristic features of the Kalmyk tourist product is its exotic character associated with unique natural complexes, the specifics of ethnography and the historical and cultural environment of the republic. In conditions of aggravation of the problems of preserving the environment, ecotourism will be widely developed in the Republic as an ecologically safe form of recreation and travel.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kalmykia is the executive authority in the field of tourism development. 1997 to 2002

the ministry was delegated the authority to carry out licensing of international tourism activities. As a result, over thirty travel agencies from the Republic of Kalmykia and other regions of Russia that received licenses were exercised supervisory and control powers. In April 2000, the second stage in the implementation of the state policy in the field of tourism management in the territory of the Republic of Kalmykia was completed. This stage provided for the creation of a regulatory framework, the basis of which is the Law of the Republic of Kalmykia dated April 13, 2000 No. 57-P-Z “On tourist activities in the Republic of Kalmykia”. The law is aimed at creating favorable conditions for development in the Republic of Kalmykia, ensuring republican guarantees of the level of qualifications of tourism specialists and the safety of citizens when traveling.

In connection with the fact that by the Decree of the Head of the Government of the Republic of Kalmykia "On the development of tourist activities in the Republic of Kalmykia" 2001 was declared the Year of Tourism Development in the republic, the Republican target program "Development of tourist activities in the Republic of Kalmykia for 2001-2006" was developed and approved.

Within the framework of this program, in addition to organizational measures, it is planned to capitalize the objects of the tourism industry, including the national tourist complex "Jangarland", as well as bring communications to them (gasification, water supply, electrification, construction and reconstruction of roads).

Investment projects for the construction of tourist industry facilities in the Republic of Kalmykia are included in the federal target program "South of Russia". The amount of funding for the Republic of Kalmykia from the federal budget of the program will amount to 120.7 million rubles. (for the period of the program implementation). To date, the Design Institute of Kalmykia has already prepared draft designs for objects of the tourism industry, which were sent for consideration to the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 95 dated February 11, 2002 approved the Regulations "On licensing of tour operator activities", "On licensing of travel agency activities". In order to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Russian citizens, legality in the implementation of licensing travel agency activities, based on the need to delegate authority and responsibility in matters of licensing travel agency activities between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, an Agreement “On Delegation of Powers for Licensing Travel Agency Activities "Dated February 14, 2002 No. SV - 84/44, on the basis of which the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Tourism and Sports of the Republic

Kalmykia is entrusted with carrying out procedures related to the implementation of licensing of travel agency activities. The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kalmykia issued 18 licenses for travel agency activities.

To attract non-budgetary funding sources in 2002 and for subsequent years, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kalmykia initiated the development of the Concept for the creation of the national tourist complex "Dzhangarland" and the subsequent creation of a legal entity as a management company for the implementation of program activities in the field of development tourism and, in particular, the construction of Jungarland.

By the decree of the Head of the Government of the Republic of Kalmykia "On the creation of the National tourist complex" Dzhangarland "dated February 5, 2002 No. 20, the named Concept was approved, and the open joint-stock company" Directorate of tourism development programs Republic of Kalmykia ", which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kalmykia. However, due to funding cuts in recent years, the Jungarland program has been temporarily suspended.

One of the ways to integrate the tourism products of the Republic of Kalmykia into the structure of the tourism industry of the Southern Federal District can be the development of the route "Steppe Ring - Silk Road", which will combine the tourist routes of the regions. The results of the International Scientific Expedition "In the Footsteps of the Great Silk Road" by Fyodor Konyukhov are of no small importance in the formation of tourist routes.

Considering the tourist activity in the Republic of Kalmykia in 2000-2006, it is necessary to note the growth trend in the volume of tourist services (Fig. 1). If in 2000 the volume of tourist and excursion services was 0.5% of the total volume of services, then in 2007 it was already 1.0%. For the republic, tourist activity is not the main source of budget revenues, in this regard, this can be noted as a favorable trend.

Dynamics of tourist and excursion services per capita

20- 0- a "■ gz GZ GZ 1

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Rice. 1. Dynamics of tourist excursion per capita in the Republic of Kalmykia

In the dynamics of the volume of paid tourist and excursion services per capita, there is also a tendency for the growth of such services per capita (Fig. 2). If in 2000 there were 5.7 rubles per capita, then in 2007 there were already 115.6 rubles per person. In this regard, it should be noted that tourism is becoming popular among the population.

However, such a favorable picture is also determined by the improvement in the socio-economic situation of our country and the republic as well.

However, a number of issues remain that require solution and financial support. Firstly, the tourism infrastructure is very poorly developed in the region. This applies in particular to the infrastructure in the Caspian Sea region. The natural landscapes in this place are very picturesque, but completely unsuitable for tourists. At the meetings of the government of the Republic of Kalmykia, this issue was repeatedly raised, but due to the lack of funding, it remains unresolved.

Secondly, local authorities do not quite correctly assess the promising attractiveness of this region. The tourist potential of the Republic of Kalmykia has not yet been sufficiently estimated. The historical and cultural heritage of the Kalmyk people, ancient national traditions, folk crafts, large areas of protected lands contribute to the development of various directions of tourism. Tourism can become one of the main sources of income for the republican budget. Religious tourism can become a promising direction in the economy of the republic. You can move from one city of central Russia to another and not notice much of the difference. But if you get to Elista from Moscow, the difference will be striking. First of all, because Kalmykia is a Buddhist republic. This is the only territorial entity in Europe where Buddhism is the official religion. Even the roofs of houses and other structures (including kiosks) in the local cities and towns are curved, like those of Buddhist pagodas. This amazing place is suitable for an exotic vacation in Russia.

In the expenditure part of the budget, there is practically no provision for financing tourist facilities. However, in 2009, 1.5 billion rubles will be allocated for the development of tourism. This amount is included in the budget for the implementation of the project of the republican target program "Development of territorial and inter-territorial tourism in the Republic of Kalmykia for 2007-2011", adopted at a meeting of the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The main source of funding for the program should be the federal budget (746 million rubles). 300.3 million rubles will come from the republican budget, 109.6 million rubles from the local budget. Another 433.7 million rubles. will be sent from extrabudgetary sources. The purpose of the program is to ensure the functioning in the republic of a highly efficient and competitive

tourism market, ample opportunities to meet the needs of the population of the region, Russian and foreign citizens in tourism services, to contribute to the development of the region's economy, including through tax revenues to the budget.

The program, according to local authorities, will stimulate the development of small and medium-sized businesses in tourism, as well as in industries that are economically and technologically related to tourism. The plans look very optimistic. It is expected that in 2011 the number of tourists will reach 140 thousand people. The volume of paid services increased by 130% in 2009, then there will be a noticeable drop (to 7% in 2011). According to the forecasts of specialists from the Ministry of Territorial Development of Kalmykia, the republic's budget revenues from tourist and recreational activities will grow insignificantly for the first two years, but by 2011 they will grow by 9%. The implementation of the program will create a total of 2,600 additional jobs. In addition to the stationary complex of buildings made in the form of Buddhist pagodas, it is planned to build mobile yurts for tourists, which will be located along highways and move around the republic depending on the demand situation. It will host recreational activities, including the use of hippotherapy (horse riding treatment). Those who wish will be given the opportunity to shoot from a bow and throw a lasso.

Literature

1. Eliseeva I.I., Yuzbashev M.M. General theory of statistics: Textbook / Ed. I.I. Eliseeva. 5th ed., Revised and enlarged. Moscow: Finance and Statistics, 2005.

2. Course of socio-economic statistics: textbook for university students studying in the specialty "Statistics" / Ed. M.G. Nazarov. 6th ed., Revised and supplemented. M .: Omega-L, 2007.

3. Salin V.N., Churilova E.Yu. Statistics (in the STATISTICA system) M .: Izd. House "Social Relations", "Perspective", 2002.

4. Statistics: Textbook / Badmaev V.А. Elista: Jangar, 2003.

5. Economic statistics: Journal / Ed. prof. A.N. Ivanov. M .: INFRA-M,

Day 1 Astrakhan, Saray-Batu and Khosheutovsky khurul

After meeting in Astrakhan, you will have lunch at a cafe, then drive to Saray-Batu - the capital of the Golden Horde. The medieval city of Saray was reconstructed near the village of Selitrennoye and is located on the Akhtuba River, 80 km from Astrakhan.

Founded in 1250 by Khan Batu, the grandson of Genghis Khan, the ancient city grew out of a nomad headquarters. By the end of the 15th century, enemy raids, natural disasters and time destroyed the capital of the Golden Horde. Brick from the ruins of the city was used in the construction of the Astrakhan Kremlin. Initially, the site was supposed to be a museum, but in 2010 Saray-Batu was reconstructed for filming the film "Horde".

From the capital of the Golden Horde, you will go to the village of Rechnoye in the Khosheutovsky khurul - the oldest Buddhist temple in Europe and the first stone temple in Kalmykia. Kalmyk khuruls are amazing: they combined the features of Buddhist and traditionally Russian religious architecture, resulting in unique “Buddhist churches”.

For the night you will stay at a tourist base near the village of Zavolzhskoe.

The length of the route is 190 km by car.

Day 2 Bergin Village and Desert Journey

After breakfast, crossing the ferry near the village of Zamyany, you will go to the village of Bergin - a small settlement surrounded by deserts.

The village got its name from the Kalmyk word "burg", which translates as "hilly area". Medieval nomads chose this place with fresh water, because in the lowlands and in the calm it was possible to take refuge on rainy days.

After a warm welcome and a delicious national lunch in a private house in the village of Bergin, you will go to the only desert in Europe, where you will see the most real dunes. The largest among them reaches a height of 8 meters. The Russian TV series "Personal number" was filmed in these places.

After visiting the desert, you will return to the Bergin village for dinner and rest. In the evening you can go to the bathhouse.

The length of the route is 120 km by car.

Day 3 Caravan along the Great Silk Road

After breakfast, early in the morning you will leave the village of Bergin and go to the camp with a wagon. Here you will meet the owner of Ulyumji, who will already prepare two-humped camels for you.

On this day, you will see a caravan procession along the Great Silk Road on camels and horses. You will visit the Baimash tract - a dune, which rises among the steppe expanses. It has its own desert flora and fauna. On the sands blown by the steppe winds, the eared roundhead and the sandy boa live.

Lunch in the steppe awaits you, and in the evening dinner and overnight in a national yurt.

The length of the route is 45 km by car, 20 km by camel.

Day 4 Acquaintance with Elista

After breakfast you will pack your things and go to the capital of Kalmykia - Elista. Check in at the hotel for a city tour.

Elista is the largest center of Buddhism in Russia. There are many religious buildings in the city. You will see the Syakusn-syume temples, the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni, the Seven Days Pagoda. Visit Old Khurul, walk around the city's outskirts. They will tell you how and why the "Lonely Poplar" became a Buddhist shrine.

After the tour, you will have free time to walk and visit the gift shop. You will spend the night in comfortable hotel rooms.

The length of the route is 230 km by car.

Day 5 Homecoming

In the morning after breakfast you will check out from the hotel and continue your city tour in a comfortable minibus. You will visit the City of Chess, built in 1998 and until recently called "New Vasyuki".

Get acquainted with the exposition of the Mikhail Tal Chess Museum and the Museum of Oirat-Mongolian nomadic culture. Visit the monument to the great industrialist Ostap Bender and the Buddhist stupa of Enlightenment.

After the tour, you will be taken to the airport of Elista or Volgograd, from where you will go home.

You can get to the Republic of Kalmykia both by land and by sky. Kalmykia is connected with other cities of Russia by several highways - for example, the highway from Volgograd, Stavropol, Mineralnye Vody, etc. by plane.

A bus from Moscow to Elista takes about a day, the cost of a one-way ticket is 1200 RUB. Prices on the page are for November 2019.

Ruslan Airlines operates flights from Moscow to Elista, but it is very difficult to catch them, so it may also be necessary to fly through Stavropol, and from there - to Kalmykia by train or bus. There is only one airport in Kalmykia - in Elista, where flights are made from Moscow, Mineralnye Vody and Rostov-on-Don.

Search for flights to the Republic of Kalmykia

Weather in the Republic of Kalmykia

The climate in Kalmykia is far from being a resort climate and is characterized as sharply continental. Summers are hot and dry here, and winters with little snow and often frosty. On average, January temperature in Kalmykia is about -7 ... 9 degrees in the south of the republic and about -10 ... 12 degrees in the south-west. In the northern regions in winter there are cold weather with a frost of thirty-five degrees. But there are quite a lot of sunny days a year - 280. The average July temperature in Kalmykia is +23 ... 25 degrees. The maximum heat is about +40 ... 44 degrees.

Sights, entertainment and excursions in Kalmykia

It must be admitted that the nature of Kalmykia is not very diverse - these are mainly the famous "Kalmyk steppes", but this does not mean that there are no sights here. Nevertheless, it is better to start your acquaintance with this steppe country from its capital - a small but beautiful city with a poetic name Elista. The city was founded at the end of the 19th century, and today it is home to only about 100 thousand people. The city itself is a unique phenomenon, towering in the steppe.

Elista is a city with a Buddhist flavor, clean and cozy streets and incredible buildings. For example, here is the largest Buddhist seven-level temple in Europe, the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni with the largest statue of Buddha on the continent, 12 meters high!

Many relics are kept in the Golden Abode, for example, the clothes of the 14th Dalai Lama and the hair of Lama Tsongkhapa. On the first level there is a museum, a conference room and a library, on the second there is a statue of Buddha, covered with gold leaf and inlaid with diamonds, above there are individual reception rooms, the residence of the head of Buddhists, the residence of the XI Dalai Lama and utility rooms, and on the very last floor there is a meditation room with access only to monks.

Elista - Kalmyk khurul

Big Yashaltinskoe lake

Among the natural attractions of Kalmykia, one cannot fail to mention the unique Big Yashalta Lake. In terms of its medicinal properties, only the Dead Sea can surpass it. And despite the fact that there are no resort towns around the lake, but steppe and feather grass, a large number of Russians come to it to improve their health - from the treatment of respiratory diseases to reproductive diseases and with the aim of rejuvenation. Moreover, a modern medical center was recently built here, today it is one of the best in the list of Russian health resorts.

In terms of its medicinal properties, the Yashaltinskoye Lake can only surpass, probably, the Dead Sea.

Reserve "Black Lands"

Between the Volga and the Kuma there is a Kalmyk nature reserve "Black Lands" with an area of ​​121 thousand hectares.

Since 1990, these lands have been considered a state biosphere reserve in order to preserve the unique nature of these lands from environmental disaster, for example, to save the saiga population.

Here, on the territory of the reserve, there is a lake Manych-Gudilo, where the wintering and nesting grounds of swans, pelicans, bustards and other rare birds are protected. On the territory of the lake there are 12 islands, traveling through which you can admire the birds of the reserve and beautiful landscapes of wild nature.

City Chess

If you are a fan of modern sightseeing, then be sure to visit the City Chess area. The prototype of this unique area is the project of New-Vasyuki Ostap Bender, the hero of the novel "The Twelve Chairs". It was built in 1998 as a complex for the XXXIII World Chess Olympiad. The Olympiad has passed, and the "City of Chess" still pleases residents and guests of the city. In the center of the complex there is a huge Chess Palace, where, in fact, the Olympiad was held. Today it houses gyms, offices and cafeterias. The area of ​​the complex is built up with small cottages, which gives the impression that you are not in the capital of Kalmykia, but in a European town with lovely houses and manicured lawns. The territory of the district is decorated with interesting sculptures, and there is even a small Orthodox church of St. George the Victorious, which ideally fits into the architectural mood of the complex.

Tsagan Aman

Almost 300 km from Elista there is an amazing place called Tsagan Aman. In ancient times, it served as a traditional outpost for crossing the Volga for the Scythians, Pechenegs, Polovtsians and other peoples who inhabited these lands, and was named "White Gate". There is also a beautiful temple - Tsagan-Aman khurul, installed in the early 90s next to the house in which Lama Tugmyud-gavji once lived and served. This temple is a fine example of Buddhist architecture with a graceful pagoda with a golden roof, decorated with wooden carvings. On the walls of the temple there are icons depicting the protector goddess Green Tara, the health-giving Buddha Manla and other Buddhist deities, brought from Mongolia and Tibet, as well as bronze sculptures made by masters from Nepal.

The Republic of Kalmykia is a beautiful and interesting land, unlike most of the Russian cities and regions, which makes it even more interesting to travel.

• 1 day Astrakhan

  At 07:00, the group gathers at the Astrakhan railway station near the electronic clock. Guide with a sign "Luxury of the Lower Volga". Transfer from the railway station to the hotel. Delivery of things to the luggage room or early placement for extra. fee (standard check-in time - 12.00). We recommend taking tickets for train number 005 Moscow-Astrakhan. Departure from Moscow at 23:59, arrival at 06:43). Ticket price - from 4,100 rubles / reserved seat, from 4,600 rubles / compartment.

  08:00 Breakfast.

  10:00 Big sightseeing tour of Astrakhan. The Astrakhan Kremlin, the most beautiful central streets, the Volga embankment, old mansions and newest buildings (for example, the Opera and Ballet Theater) - all this can be seen during the tour. In the program: Peter I square, inspection of mansions on the street. Nikolskaya, st. An. Sergeev, the Iranian and Armenian courtyard, the Annunciation monastery and the chapel of Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Armenian cross - khachkar and the monument to the songwriter Kurmangazy. Optional visit to the famous fish market.

  Lunch at the city cafe.

  Visiting two expositions of the Museum of Local Lore:
  "The Living Past of the Earth". Acquaintance with ancient animals that lived on the territory of the Astrakhan region more than 300 thousand years ago. In those distant times, the south of Russia was inhabited by mammoths, bison, hairy rhinos, giant deer, as well as cave hyenas, lemmings, etc. A large place is occupied by the collection of teeth of ancient animals. The exhibition presents dummies of some representatives of the Quaternary fauna. Caspian basin.
  "Gold of the Sarmatians". Gold jewelry of the Sarmatian leader from the famous burial near the village of Kosika, Enotaevsky region: a gold pectoral - a breastplate of the royal power, gold belt buckles with an image of a steppe eared hedgehog, a falara, a handbag.

  16:00 Accommodation at the Azimut Hotel 3 *. Free time.

  Day 2 Lotus fields

  Breakfast.

  Amazing excursion to the lotus fields. You will be surprised: this is the world's largest lotus field, and it is located in Russia, in the Astrakhan region. And today you will see this miracle with your own eyes! And how many gorgeous photos you can take today! Well, in addition to the actual lotus fields, you will find a boat trip among the magnificent landscapes and a relaxing vacation in a truly paradise corner and swimming!

  Lunch: fish soup, fried fish with garnish, vegetable cuts, cold drink, tea, pastries.

  At about 19:00 return to Astrakhan to the hotel. Free time.

  Day 3 Elista

  Breakfast.

  Departure to Elista - the capital of Kalmykia (~ 310 km). Kalmykia is a land of endless, like an ocean, steppe expanses with magical tulip islands. The land on which the Great Silk Road ran, where the Golden Horde built their cities, here and now you can find their remains.
  Sightseeing tour of Elista. The "Stupa of Enlightenment" is a traditional place of pilgrimage for Buddhists all over the world, a place of strength and inspiration, a place where desires come true. Visit to the new Central Buddhist Khurul of Kalmykia with a 9 m high Buddha statue. You can see the venue of the 33rd World Chess Olympiad, the official name of which is City-Chess, and the unofficial New Vasyuki. Memorial to the victims of political repression "Exodus and Return" by the Nobel Prize winner Ernst Neizvestny.

  Lunch at the city cafe.

  Walking tour of the city center: Golden Gate, inspection of the sculptural compositions "The Great Silk Road" and "Man and Nature through the Eyes of the East", created at the international biennial of sculptors.

  At about 22:30 return to Astrakhan to the hotel. Free time.

  Day 4 Saray-Batu

  Breakfast. A trip to the former capital of the Golden Horde and acquaintance with life in the steppe.

  Departure to Saray-Batu (~ 140 km). Among the wide steppe 140 km above Astrakhan, tens of centuries ago, there was one of the world capitals. On the site of the modern village of Selitrennoye, the Golden Horde settled, founding the city of Saray-Batu. The ruins of the richest capital of one of the greatest empires are called the Selitrenny settlement. Since the second half of the 20th century, scientists have been constantly exploring this richest archaeological monument. The unique finds of the Volga archaeological expedition lift the veil of the past and reveal the secrets of the life of the formidable conquerors.

  Visit to the pottery furnaces of the Golden Horde era. Examination of the excavations in the village. Selitrennoe.

  Lunch at a cafe.

  Continuation of the excursion. In 2010, in the immediate vicinity of the excavations of the ancient city, the film "St. Alexis" was filmed. On the picturesque bank of the Akhtuba River, the decorations of the khan's palace were erected - exact copies of ancient buildings. Narrow eastern streets, hut houses - after filming, all the scenery was preserved, and you will definitely see them.

  At about 19:30 return to Astrakhan to the hotel. Free time.

  Day 5 Lake Baskunchak *

  Breakfast. Free day or additional excursion to the salt lake Baskunchak * (1800 rubles / person - reservation and payment on the tour). To the north-east of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain there is the town of Bolshoye Bogdo and the salt lake Baskunchak. These unique natural objects are part of the Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky reserve. To the east of Bogdo there are many caves of karst origin.

  Lunch at a cafe.

  Full day excursion around the Reserve: Singing Rocks, Bogdo, Lake. Baskunchak, the museum of the reserve and much more. These are incredible beauty that you need to see with your own eyes.

  At about 22:00 return to Astrakhan to the hotel. Free time.

  6th day Astrakhan biosphere reserve

  Breakfast. Vacation of numbers.

  Departure to the Astrakhan Biosphere Reserve. True connoisseurs of nature around the world strive to the Astrakhan Biosphere Reserve. The landscapes of these places are unique. The reserve is located in the Volga delta, where the mighty river branches into hundreds of branches and channels. The beauty of nature can be enjoyed endlessly, admiring the magnificent landscapes or watching the many birds that live in this region or stop to rest during migration.

  Tour of the Reserve. By boats, the group travels to the Volga delta to inspect the flora and fauna of the Caspian Delta, where there are many species of birds, animals and insects, as well as all the beauty and diversity of the Astrakhan Delta.

  Return to Astrakhan at the railway station at about 14:00. Independent departure to Moscow by train. Attention! The timetable for trains from Astrakhan was changed in the summer of 2017. Due to the fact that now train No. 005 Astrakhan-Moscow leaves Astrakhan at 10:30, we offer the following options:
  1. Refund for the last day of the tour in the amount of 1370 rubles / person - when departing from Astrakhan by train No. 005 at 10:30 on the 6th day of the tour.
  2. surcharge of 500 rubles / person for extending the stay at the Azimut hotel in Astrakhan on the 6th day until 23:59, transfer to the Astrakhan railway station by 01:00 (actually on the 7th day of the tour) - when departing from Astrakhan by train # 085 at 01:45 (actually on the 7th day of the tour)
  3. surcharge 1400 rubles / person (for double occupancy) and 1800 rubles / person (for single occupancy) for extending the stay at the Azimut hotel in Astrakhan until 09:00 (actually on the 7th day of the tour), transfer to the railway station of Astrakhan by 09:45 - when departing from Astrakhan by train number 005 (actually on the 7th day of the tour)