Lotus Bloom in Astrakhan

On day 2 you will have breakfast very early (06:00-06:30). Then it’s time to depart to Saray Batu, which is located in Selitrennoe village. This place is in the steppe which is 140 km away from Astrakhan. Now it is hard to believe that in the 13th century there was one of the greatest capitals of the world, one of the largest centers of civilization with a population of about 75000 people. There you`ll have an opportunity to get into the atmosphere of that time because the city is well-reconstructed.

In the afternoon you`ll depart to the magnificent places – the Bogdo and salt lake Baskunchak. They are situated in the north-east of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain. These unique natural sites are part of the Bogdino-Baskunchak reserve. You will see the highest point of the Astrakhan region of Bogdo and take stunning shots.
After a walk around the city of Bogdo, you will visit one of the most beautiful and extraordinary lakes in the world – the saltiest lake Baskunchak, which is rich in medical clay. It is our Russian “Dead Sea”. You can bath in the lake (but remember that it is optionally) or have free time.

On day 3 you will visit the Astrakhan Biosphere Reserve which is located in the delta of the Volga, where one of the biggest rivers divides into hundreds of branches, ducts, and streams. Here come true connoisseurs of nature to see the flora and fauna of the region which is rich in rare species. Here you can see the unique landscapes of the river Volga, feel the fragrance of lotuses or tulips, and watch the birds that live here. Take a boat excursion around the reserve where you will continue to investigate many varieties of birds, animals, and insects, as well as the beauty and variety of the Astrakhan Delta. Tourists will be able to take a walk along the ecological path together with the local guide of the reserve.

Then, you have to depart to a sturgeon farm to continue your journey. This farm is one of the four largest sturgeon farming enterprises in the Astrakhan region. On the farm’s territory, there are 40 pools for growing sturgeon from eggs to fry and about 180 cages for growing fish in the river. On the sturgeon farm, you will see the whole process of reproduction and cultivation of sturgeon, sterlet, beluga, and bester, and also you can participate in the process of sturgeon feeding. At the farm’s shop, you can buy farm products at below-market rates such as sturgeon of hot and cold smoking, dried fish and black caviar, hot and cold smoked pork, dried vobla (Caspian roach), bream, Pike caviar, various canned fish, preserves, fresh fish; Souvenirs with symbols of the Astrakhan region and sturgeon farm.