Modern trends in the development of tourism in Kalmykia. Analysis of the opportunities for the development of non-traditional types of tourism in the territory of the Republic of Kalmykia
You can get to the Republic of Kalmykia both on the ground and in the sky. Kalmykia is connected with other cities of Russia by several highways - for example, the route from Volgograd, Stavropol, Mineralnye Vody, etc. The section of the Elista-Divnoye railway is connected to the network of the rest railways, but, most likely, you will have to go by train through Stavropol or by bus or plane.
The bus from Moscow to Elista takes about a day, the fare one way is 1200 RUB. Prices on the page are for November 2019.
The Ruslan airline operates flights from Moscow to Elista, but it is very difficult to catch them, so you may also have to fly through Stavropol, and from there - to Kalmykia by train or bus. There is only one airport in Kalmykia - in Elista, flights are made to it from Moscow, Mineralnye Vody and Rostov-on-Don.
Search for flights to Republic of Kalmykia
Weather in the Republic of Kalmykia
The climate in Kalmykia is far from being a resort and is characterized as sharply continental. Summers are hot and dry here, and winters are snowy and often frosty. The average January temperature in Kalmykia is about -7...9 degrees in the south of the republic and about -10...12 degrees in the southwest. In the northern regions, colds occur in winter with a frost of thirty-five degrees. But sunny days in a year there are quite a few here - 280. The average July temperature in Kalmykia is +23 ... 25 degrees. The maximum heat is about +40...44 degrees.
Attractions, entertainment and excursions in Kalmykia
It must be admitted that the nature of Kalmykia is not very diverse - basically these are the famous "Kalmyk steppes", but this does not mean that there are no sights here. Nevertheless, it is better to start acquaintance with this steppe country from its capital - a small but beautiful city with the poetic name Elista. The city was founded at the end of the 19th century, and today only about 100 thousand people live in it. 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 seven-level Buddhist temple in Europe, the Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha, with the largest Buddha statue on the continent, 12 meters high!
The Golden Abode contains many relics, such as the clothes of the 14th Dalai Lama and the hair of Lama Tsongkhapa. On the first level there is a museum, a conference hall and a library, on the second level there is a Buddha statue covered with gold leaf and inlaid with diamonds, above are rooms individual reception, the residence of the head of the Buddhists, the residence of the Dalai Lama XI and utility rooms, and on the very top floor there is a meditation room, where only monks have access.
Elista - Kalmyk Khurul
Big Yashalta Lake
Among the natural attractions of Kalmykia, it is impossible not to mention the unique Big Yashalta Lake. In terms of healing properties, it can only be surpassed, probably, by the Dead Sea. And despite the fact that there are not resort towns around the lake, but steppe and feather grass, a large number of Russians come to him to improve their health - from the treatment of respiratory diseases to diseases of the reproductive function and for the purpose 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 healing properties, Yashalta Lake can only surpass, probably, the Dead Sea.
Reserve "Chernye zemli"
Between the Volga and Kuma is the Kalmyk nature reserve "Chernye Zemli" with an area of 121,000 hectares.
Since 1990, these lands have been considered a state biosphere reserve in order to preserve the unique nature of these lands from an ecological disaster, for example, to save the saiga population.
Here, on the territory of the reserve, there is Lake Manych-Gudilo, where wintering grounds and nesting sites of swans, pelicans, bustards and other rare birds are protected. On the territory of the lake there are 12 islands, traveling on which you can admire the birds of the reserve and beautiful landscapes of wildlife.
City Chess
If you are a fan of modern attractions, then you should definitely visit the City Chess area. The prototype of this unique district is the project of New Vasyuki by 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" to this day pleases residents and guests of the city. In the center of the complex 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 creates the impression that you are not in the capital of Kalmykia, but in a European town with cute houses and well-groomed 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 fits perfectly 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, Polovtsy and other peoples who inhabited these lands, and was called the "White Gate". There is also a beautiful temple here - the Tsagan-Aman khurul, installed in the early 90s next to the house where Lama Tugmyud-gavji once lived and served. This temple is a beautiful example of Buddhist architecture with an elegant pagoda with a golden roof, decorated with wooden carvings. Icons depicting the protector goddess Green Tara, who bestows health on Buddha Manla and other Buddhist deities, brought from Mongolia and Tibet, as well as bronze sculptures made by craftsmen from Nepal, hang on the walls of the temple.
The Republic of Kalmykia is a beautiful and interesting region, unlike most Russian cities and areas, which makes it even more interesting to travel.
Do you really want to come to these steppes and how to make it pleasant to return. Cultural features and economic prospects of inbound tourism in Kalmykia in the material "FederalPress".
An average Muscovite or a resident of another large Russian city the question "where is Kalmykia" can still be confusing. However, the number of those answering correctly, and also telling what is interesting in the republic, is becoming more literally every month. Visiting the steppe republic has actually become a must for the cultural baggage of a self-respecting lover of domestic Russian travel.
The intensification of economic activity, which has been undertaken in the republic in the last year, has made Kalmykia a place where well-known professionals in various industries began to visit regularly. 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 look at the curiosity themselves.
And they have already seen that Kalmykia is not just some sparsely populated territory between the Volga and the Caucasus, but a special land that goes beyond any framework. The Republic is unique in many respects, and these words are no exaggeration at all.
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.
About everything in order.
What to watch
Ties with China, by the way, are not at all accidental. The closest relatives of the Kalmyks, the Oirats, live in the Sinjiang Uighur autonomous region and also in Mongolia. Most 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 Kalmykia does not place its main stake in the development of tourism on foreigners, whom, of course, the exotic eastern republic between Europe and the Caucasus attracts. The main discovery of Kalmykia is internal - the republic wants to become popular for tourists from Russian regions.
There is progress - every year, recently literally every month, the number of tourists discovering the republic is growing. This was facilitated by the traditional Tulip Festivals and the above-mentioned world festival of Oirats "Oirat tumen".
The hallmark of Kalmykia is not so much its nature, although, contrary to the initial impression, it is also unique, but its cultural and religious component. There are no more Buddhist regions in the European part of the country, such an unusual history and culture is still to be looked for, while up to mineral waters less than three hours by car from here, and two hours from Moscow, but by plane.
In Kalmykia New Year meet 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. Khurul with a height of 64 meters is the largest in Europe. In addition to its size, it impresses with the grace of architecture and interior decoration. The complex also includes the monastery "Enlightened monastery of monks", a statue of Buddha, the Golden Gate, the Pagoda of seven days.
The construction site of the Central Khurul was blessed by the 14th 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 in all of Russia and the CIS countries.
Imagine..
You wake up early in the morning from the fragrance of the blooming May steppe that hits all your organs. Leave the room, which from the outside looks like a real nomadic wagon. Somewhere on the horizon, the dome of a Buddhist khurul gleams. Right next to your "kibitka" is another one. This is a restaurant where traditional salty milk tea and delicious sweet bortsogs are already prepared. After breakfast, not just horseback riding, but a real equestrian expedition - along an interesting route and in compliance with 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. Along 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 dishes for tasting and the obligatory steak from local marbled beef. Restaurant experts say that it often surpasses the New Zealand one, although it costs significantly less. To accustom to it is also a positioning task - the meat of the Kalmyk breed is darkish, out of ignorance, another buyer may consider it not of very high quality.
And the next day, master classes in the preparation of koumiss and felt weaving, then a visit to a service in the Central Khurul.
After that, you can give up on fishing - at least on the Caspian Sea, on the way where you can see, however, only on certain days of the summer, lotus blossoms, even on the Volga, even on 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 live, is quite real. But while on this way there are a lot of obstacles and inconveniences.
Kalmykia, although it has been talking about a possible tourist boom for a long time, turned out to be not quite ready for it. In the republic during the same tulip festival, there are no longer enough places for accommodation. There are questions about their quality, it is necessary to modernize and build new not only hotels, but also restaurants, to train qualified guides.
Namjen Utnasunova has been engaged in inbound tourism to Kalmykia for 10 years. She recalls that she got excited about the idea, because she herself is an active traveler and wanted Kalmykia to be seen by as many guests as possible. At the beginning of the activity, it was difficult, the experience of colleagues from other regions helped - they went on tours, watched webinars. “Tourism, it seems to me, is not easy. Each stage of our activity has its own characteristics, now we are creating routes, studying places of accommodation, working with guides,” the businesswoman said.
The main inhibitory factor, in her opinion, is logistical. “Tourists have a lot of difficulties with how to get to us. Azimuth Airlines recently launched a flight, only 2 times a week, and today all cheap tickets are over. Now, if a railway line from Volgograd to the Caucasus was laid through Elista and cheap flights were launched at least every other day, this would dramatically increase the attendance of our republic. There are many who want it."
“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 amounts of grants in tourism are 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 cannot be reproached for not supporting tourism.
The obstacle to the rapid growth of the industry is not a 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 essential. Under the regional program, restaurants and certain other institutions included in the tourism development program receive 50% compensation for electricity costs. The mentioned system also works, albeit not yet very large grants.
Head of the Economic Department Institute for Comprehensive Research of Arid Territories, member of the Kalmyk branch Russian Society political scientists Tatyana Delikova states: “We need a strategy. And general, and in different areas of tourism - confessional, natural, health. And each area should have its own clearly defined action plan.” The current dynamics of tourist growth, according to Delikova, is insufficient. Growth, by the way, is difficult to even calculate - the system for collecting relevant statistics is not well-established
But it seems that the republican authorities understand all this as well as experts. Deciding 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. At the same time, 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 a long-term period. This will be accepted in 2019, the director told FederalPress budget institution"Republican Tourist Information Center" Lyubov Ushanova.
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 points of growth. The results of this scientific work and 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 stimulation of entrepreneurial activity, the objectives of the new strategy will also be to promote the republic's tourism products and raise awareness about them, as well as to develop a system for training and advanced training of tourism industry specialists.
The basis of tourism growth, Ushanova explained, will be small and even micro-enterprises.
Tatyana Delikova also believes that no major investors will come to the industry. “Rather, you need to pay attention to your resources and available opportunities. It is now possible to attract additional investments 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, and 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 generally believes very much 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 have no industry, wages are low, and electricity tariffs are high,” Namjen Utnasunova believes.
“Come to us, see for yourself how calm, beautiful and with what hospitality you will be met,” they say in the republic.
It's worth a try.
UDC.311. (075.8)
Development of tourism in the Republic of Kalmykia: statistical analysis
Chonaeva Giliana Vladimirovna, Candidate of Economics, Associate Professor of the Department of Accounting and Taxation, FGOUHPE "Russian State University tourism and service,
Moscow city, [email protected]
Kuskeeva Baya 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. Review underway legislative 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.
Key Words: tourism, tourism activities, tourism industry
Key words: tourism, tourist activity, tourism industry
Tourism is one of the leading and most dynamic sectors of the world economy. Due to its rapid growth, it is recognized as the economic phenomenon of the century. The Republic of Kalmykia has a tourism potential, which has not yet been fully demanded. The 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, religious, educational, ecological, equestrian, sports and others.
Kalmykia has unique natural monuments, protected areas, rich vegetation and rare birds. The Great Silk Road ran here, the Khazars lived, the Golden Horde built cities, there are the remains of Sarai-Berke, the second capital of the Golden Horde.
The development of tourism in Kalmykia is facilitated by the advantageous geographical position of the republic. The republic borders in the north and northwest on Volgograd, in the east on Astrakhan, in the west - on the Stavropol Territory, in the south - on the Republic of Dagestan, in the southeast 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 reservoirs, the swimming season begins in May. The most significant object on the lands of specially protected territories of the republic is the Black Lands biosphere reserve, located on the territory of the Chernozemel and Yashkul regions. In addition to the reserve, 14 reserves operate on the territory of Kalmykia. The largest sanctuaries 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 monuments of nature and culture, 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 Republic, especially its capital. 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 airport of Elista was given the status of an international one. 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, an innovative dynamic in design and construction is developing. City-Chess is one of the directions in this area, it is the only chess town on the planet where men's and women's championships of Russia and the World are regularly held. With an integrated approach, the territorial unit of City-Chess 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 characteristic features Kalmyk tourism product is an exotic character associated with unique natural complexes, the specifics of ethnography and the historical and cultural environment of the republic. In the context of increasing problems of conservation environment the development of ecotourism as an environmentally safe form of recreation and travel will become widespread in the Republic.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kalmykia is the executive authority in the field of tourism development. From 1997 to 2002
the ministry was delegated the authority to carry out licensing of international tourism activities. As a result, more than 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 on 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 tourism activities in the Republic of Kalmykia". The law aims to create favorable conditions for development in the Republic of Kalmykia, providing republican guarantees of the level of qualification of specialists in tourism 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 tourism activities in the Republic of Kalmykia" 2001 was declared the Year of Tourism Development in the republic, the Republican target program "Development of tourism activities in the Republic of Kalmykia for 2001-2006" was developed and approved.
Within the framework of this program, in addition to organizational measures, capital construction of tourism industry facilities, including the national tourist complex "Dzhangarland", as well as supplying communications to them (gasification, water supply, electrification, construction and reconstruction of roads) is envisaged.
Investment projects for the construction of objects of the tourist industry of 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 preliminary designs for tourism industry facilities, which were sent for consideration to the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of February 11, 2002 No. 95 approved the Regulations “On Licensing Tour Operator Activities”, “On Licensing Travel Agency Activities”. In order to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Russian citizens, the legality in the licensing of travel agency activities, based on the need to delegate authority and responsibility in licensing travel agency activities, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed an Agreement "On the delegation of powers to license travel agency activities » of 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 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.
In order to attract extrabudgetary sources of funding 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 "Jangarland".
Decree of the Head of the Government of the Republic of Kalmykia "On the establishment of the National Tourist Complex "Dzhangarland" dated February 5, 2002 No. 20 approved the Concept, as the managing company for the implementation of program activities and the construction of the national tourist complex "Dzhangarland" the open joint-stock company "Directorate of Tourism Development Programs" was appointed Republic of Kalmykia”, which is assigned to the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kalmykia. However, due to funding cuts in last years, the Jangarland program is temporarily suspended.
One of the ways to integrate the tourism product of the Republic of Kalmykia into the structure of the tourism industry of the Southern Federal District can be the development of the "Steppe Ring - Silk Road" route, which will combine tourist routes of the region's subjects. Of no small importance in the formation of tourist routes are the results of the International scientific expedition"In the footsteps of the Great Silk Road" by Fedor Konyukhov.
Considering the tourism activity in the Republic of Kalmykia for 2000-2006, it is necessary to note the growth trend in the volume of tourism 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, tourism activity is not the main source of budget revenues, in this regard, this can be noted as a favorable trend.
Dynamics of tourism 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 and excursion expenses 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 the per capita accounted for 5.7 rubles, then in 2007 there were already 115.6 rubles per capita. 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 of the socio-economic situation of our country and the republic as well.
However, there are still a number of issues that require solutions and financial support. First, the tourism infrastructure is very poorly developed in the region. This applies in particular to the infrastructure in the Caspian Sea area. The natural landscapes in this place are very picturesque, but completely unsuitable for tourists. This issue was repeatedly raised at meetings of the government of the Republic of Kalmykia, but due to a lack of funding, it remains unresolved.
Secondly, local authorities do not quite correctly assess the prospective attractiveness of this region. The tourism potential of the Republic of Kalmykia has not yet been adequately assessed. 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 areas 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 central Russia in another and not notice much difference. But if you get from Moscow to Elista, 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 exotic holidays in Russia.
In the expenditure part of the budget, there are practically no articles for financing tourist facilities. However, 1.5 billion rubles will be allocated for the development of tourism in 2009. This amount is included in the budget for the implementation of the draft 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 directed from extrabudgetary sources. The purpose of the program is to ensure the functioning 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 the field of 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 grew in 2009 by 130%, then there will be a noticeable drop (to 7% in 2011). According to the forecasts of experts from the Ministry of Territorial Development of Kalmykia, the republic's budget revenues from tourist and recreational activities will grow slightly 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 the highways and move around the republic depending on the demand. Health-improving activities will be carried out here, including with the use of hippotherapy (treatment by horseback riding). Those who wish will be given the opportunity to shoot a bow and throw a lasso.
Literature
1. Eliseeva I.I., Yuzbashev M.M. General theory Statistics: Textbook / Ed. I.I. Eliseeva. 5th ed., revised and additional. M.: Finance and statistics, 2005.
2. The course of socio-economic statistics: textbook for university students studying in the specialty "Statistics" / Ed. M.G. Nazarov. 6th ed., Rev. and add. Moscow: 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.A. Elista: Dzhangar, 2003.
5. Economic statistics: Journal / Ed. prof. A.N. Ivanova. Moscow: INFRA-M,
Day 1 Astrakhan, Sarai-Batu and Khosheutovsky Khurul
After meeting in Astrakhan, you will have lunch in a cafe, then drive to Sarai-Bata, the capital of the Golden Horde. The medieval city of Sarai was reconstructed near the village of Selitrennoye and is located on the Akhtuba River, 80 km from Astrakhan.
Founded in 1250 by Batu Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, ancient city grew out of a headquarters for nomads. 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, a museum was supposed to be at the site of the excavations, but in 2010 Sarai-Batu was reconstructed for the filming of the film "Horde".
From the capital of the Golden Horde, you will go to the village of Rechnoye to 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 traditional Russian religious architecture, resulting in unique “Buddhist churches”.
For the night you will stay at a tourist base near the village of Zavolzhskoye.
The length of the route is 190 km by car.
Day 2 Bergin Village and Desert Journey
After breakfast, after crossing on a ferry crossing 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 "boorg", 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 hide on rainy days.
After a warm welcome and a delicious national dinner in a private house in the village of Bergin, you will go to the only desert in Europe, where you will see the real dunes. The largest among them reaches a height of 8 meters. The Russian series "Personal Number" was filmed in these places.
After visiting the desert, you will return to the village of Bergin, have dinner and rest. In the evening you can go to the bath.
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, a caravan procession along the Great Silk Road on camels and horses awaits you. You will visit the Baimash tract - a dune that rises among the expanses of the steppe. It has its own desert flora and fauna. On the sands blown by the steppe winds, the eared roundhead and the sandy boa live.
You will have lunch in the steppe, and in the evening dinner and overnight in the national yurt.
The length of the route is 45 km by car, 20 km by camels.
Day 4 Acquaintance with Elista
After breakfast, you will pack your things and go to the capital of Kalmykia - Elista. Check in to the hotel, followed by a city tour.
Elista is largest center Buddhism in Russia. There are many religious buildings in the city. You will see the temples of Syakyusn-sume, the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni, the Seven Days Pagoda. Visit Old Khurul, take a walk around the outskirts of the city. You will be told how and why the Lonely Poplar became a Buddhist shrine.
After the tour, you will have free time to walk around and visit the souvenir 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 strategist 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.
