The valley of lotuses in Akhtanizovsky estuary does not need descriptions: it is enough to see the photos. It may be added that in reality the diameter of the flowers reaches 10-15 cm, and the area of the lotus thicket exceeds one hectare!
Lotuses were “forced” to the Krasnodar Territory by the efforts of biologists and enthusiasts. The exotic flowers in Taman naturalized only in Akhtanizovsky estuary, and in1970s the plantations of Indian pink lotuses became one of the main attractions of the Taman peninsula.
Lotuses in Russia are grown only in four places. The newest of them is Volgo-Akhtubinskaya floodplain in Volgograd Oblast, a lake of lotuses has been found there recently.
And the most famous and “classic” places are the Far East, the Astrakhan Reserve (the shore of the Caspian Sea in the Volga delta) and Taman. At that, Taman lotuses are, perhaps, the most affordable.
Excursions to the valley of lotuses are sold in all resort villages of Taman. The villages closest to the estuary are Golubitskaya, Peresyp, Akhtanizovskaya, Starotitarovskaya. You cannot get to the lotuses on your own, one way or another you will have to hire one of the many small vessels: the shores of Akhtanizovsky estuary are swamped, and you can float between the lotuses only in a boat or a cutter.
Author: Anna Dorozhkina