Kalmykia, the land of deserts, Buddhism and nomads

When to go there

The best time to go to Kalmykia is mid-April – early May, when wild tulips, irises and poppies bloom in the steppes. For several weeks the steppes of Kalmykia become a place of pilgrimage for keen photographers and bloggers who are on the hunt for vivid landscapes. On the third weekend of April, a tulip festival is traditionally held in the village of Priyutnoye, an hour's drive fr om Elista. 

Fr om mid-May it starts to warm up in Kalmykia, flowers stop blooming, but other wonders come to replace them. In Kalmykia you can meet the most ancient animals, the same age as mammoths — saigas. Water sources in the republic are dwindling, and saigas are drawn to several lakes for a drink. Locals will be able to tell you wh ere and how to meet other interesting animals.

What’s worth seeing

The sea of blooming tulips is definitely worth seeing. To catch a glimpse of this wonderful sight head west to Lake Manych-Gudilo, wh ere children fr om local villages can take you on a boat across the lake to the islands drowning in flowers. It's a full day off the road ride, but definitely worth it.

To immerse yourself in the real life of nomads, you need to go to the hinterland, wh ere people are still engaged in cattle, sheep and horse breeding, and sometimes even live in yurts. In the village you can try real Kalmyk cuisine, including kur — a whole ram stewed on coals for several hours under the ground. It is enough to feed 10-15 people at once. In the village such dinner can be more affordable, starting fr om 15 000 rubles, while in the city it will be around 20 000 rubles.

Nature reserves in Kalmykia

935 $

You should definitely visit the Mekleti State Wildlife Refuge and the salty pink lake, see huge flocks of giant sheep and much more. Another reserve, Black Lands, gives you an opportunity to walk along the Saiga Trail. It is a 4-hour trekking route wh ere you will meet many animals of the Red Book of the steppe and, most importantly, saigas.

The surroundings of Lake Manych are an ideal place for birdwatching. Birds live here in a natural environment that has not yet been spoiled by humans. If you have never tried or even thought about birdwatching, Kalmykia is the right place to give it a try. Once you start, you risk getting a real taste for it.

Top 10 things to see and do in Kalmykia

1. Ride a camel across the sand dunes

Why go to the Sahara desert when you can do the same in Russia? A camel ride is something you’ll remember for many years to come.

2. Walk along the bottom of the Caspian Sea, surrounded by Martian landscapes

The bottom of the Caspian Sea always looks otherworldly. Come here to appreciate the scenery, it will not disappoint.

3. Have a photoshoot on the Pink Lake

We always want to have beautiful pictures to remind us of our travels. In Kalmykia you’ll have a chance to fill up your memory cards with gigabytes of stunning photos. One of the most suitable places for a cool photoshoot is the Pink Lake.

4. Birdwatching 

Kalmykia is a birdwatcher’s dream. It is home to many rare birds, such as steppe eagles, eagle owls, baleen tits and many, many others! 

5. Savor the national dish — kur 

We talked about kur already. And this is a dish that is definitely worth trying in Kalmykia, just like pasta in Italy or tom yam in Thailand. Here's another recommendation: in Elista, you can try local dishes cheaply in the Kalmyk Cuisine cafe. For a cozy lunch or dinner, go to Tatlers restaurant, and for a special occasion, pick Gourmet restaurant.

6. Make a wish by the magic tree 

There is a cosmic "lonely tree" in the desert, with nothing else around. Locals say that this tree has special magic powers and a direct connection with the energy of space. Therefore, everyone who makes a wish by this tree, can be sure it will come true. But only if it's a good one, of course. 

7. Find out who will solve the Kalmyk puzzle faster 

Traditionally, the father of the bride comes up with very difficult puzzles to test the wit of his potential son-in-law. If the groom is not a fool, he can solve the puzzle and earn the right to marry his beautiful daughter. If you solve the puzzle, you can expect to get a local girl for a bride.

8. Rub the White Elder's fur coat for good luck in Elista 

In Kalmykia he is considered the master of the land. The White Elder is the patron saint of long life, wealth, happiness, family well-being, fertility, he is the lord of wild and domestic animals, spirits of the earth, water and mountains. So you can imagine why people rub his coat. 

9. Find zen in the golden temple of Shakyamuni Buddha 

The main religion in Kalmykia is Buddhism, which has been practiced there for over 400 years. So no wonder one of the main centers of Buddhism is located there. It was even blessed by the main spiritual leader of Buddhists, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. The rite that you need to go through for your prayers to be heard is the following: you need to go around the khurul once, rotating the prayer drums and reciting OM MANI PADME HUM or another mantra. 

10. Find a unique black tulip fr om Kalmyk legends 

It is a rare success to come across a black tulip in the fields of Kalmykia, because according to legends, it appears once every 9 years. But if you see it at least once in your lifetime, you will definitely be happy. But there are two conditions: you cannot pick the black tulip or tell anyone wh ere you saw it.

Kalmykia still is a relatively unknown region of Russia, mysterious and full of amazing sights that have not yet been flooded by crowds of tourists. Traveling around these lands will give you unique experiences and allow you to know more about the life and customs of nomads. 

To learn more about Kalmykia, its various itineraries and go on a guided tour led by our travel experts Yuri and Milena, visit our website.