I learned that there is a cable car in the sunny city of Gelendzhik from friends who once vacationed in those parts. According to their stories, it was one of the most interesting attractions in the vicinity of this city. Being partial to this kind of entertainment, I decided that when I was in the Krasnodar Territory, I would need to go and personally ride this attraction. I didn’t specifically read anything online about the cable car, and I didn’t ask my friends for details, so as not to spoil the impression and see everything for myself. And then in the summer of 2015 such an opportunity arose. While in the village of Blagoveshchenskaya, near Anapa, we took the cable car to Gelendzhik.
The road itself did not take much time and I will not describe it in detail here. I will only note that the entire journey took about 2 hours (during rush hour).
About the cable car
As it turned out, “Olympus” is a whole entertainment complex that includes a cable car.
The road turned out to be not such a large-scale structure as I expected. But this did not spoil the overall impression. A few words about the technical side:
- The length of the cable car is 1150 meters, the ascent time is about 20 minutes
- 120 “booths” move at a speed of approximately 1 m/s
- Hourly passenger flow 750 people
- The number of seats is 240. The seats are simple double chairs, almost like on a regular funicular. Feet can be placed on supports, in front of the roll bar
- The distance between the “booths” is about 10 meters, clearly visible to those sitting in front
- The final point of the ascent is the top of the Markhot ridge
- The height of the cable car above ground level is approximately 5-7 meters
- There are no proposties
Prices
So, before you go on the cable car, you should know that you won’t be able to purchase a separate ticket for the ride. It is mandatory to purchase a ticket to the Safari Park, the price of which is 1070-1250 rubles. When you have a ticket to the park in hand, then you can already purchase an additional ticket for the cable car, the approximate cost of which will be 510-600 rubles. It is also possible to purchase a general ticket, which gives you the opportunity to visit the park and ride the cable car.
And on the road again
Our next stop is the Olympus cable car (Gelendzhik). We will now look at how to get there. There is a free bus from the city. You can also use personal transport, then your route will be along the bypass road. Follow the signs and you won't get lost. The Olympus Park begins just near the bypass road. You can park your car right next to the entrance. If you are interested in “Safari Park”, then go to the pedestrian crossing with the corresponding sign.
Intriguing title
As we all remember from mythology, this is the mountain on which the gods lived. The Olympus cable car in Gelendzhik is a half-hour flight above the clouds and stunning views, after which tourists find themselves in an unforgettable amusement park. What is described immediately echoes in the mind the picture of paradise, and the name becomes quite understandable. The cable car is just the first stage of the adventure. An unforgettable day awaits you. Plan more free time in advance; you can stay here until the evening and you definitely won’t get bored.
Reviews from tourists
It's impossible not to fall in love with the cable car at first sight. Despite the fact that the first trip tickles your nerves, the impressions from it, based on the reviews of tourists, are so amazing that you want to come here again and again. It's impossible to forget the magnificent views that unfold before you as you soar in your chair above the mountain peaks. It's practically a flight, completely safe and infinitely beautiful. Even better than a camera, a video camera can capture the entire trip. Although no shooting can replace your own impressions that you will experience from the trip. If you are planning a vacation in Gelendzhik, do not deny yourself the pleasure. A day spent at the top of the Caucasus Mountains will remain in your memory for a lifetime.
Gelendzhik cable car
The tourist entertainment complex "Olympus" was opened in 2005 in the city of Gelendzhik. It is located on the slope of the Markhot ridge. It consists of two platforms for varied recreation, which are connected by a suspended steam chairlift.
The beginning of the Gelendzhik cable car is located next to the new bus station. Exact address: Kupriyanova Shchel, building 1 . The length of the cable car is 1150 meters, and the lifting height is 420 meters, and if you want to climb to the top, you need to spend 15 minutes.
But this time will pass very quickly, as you will have a magnificent view of the Caucasus Mountains, Gelendzhik Bay and its surroundings. The cable car operates until two in the morning and is a great place for a romantic walk, as in the evening an incredible panorama of the city at night opens up.
Terrarium and butterfly exhibition in Gelendzhik Safari Park
In the same building as the cafe there is a terrarium and a butterfly exhibition.
The terrarium is home to snakes, crocodiles, frogs, chameleons, mollusks, turtles, lizards, scorpions and other arachnids.
In the hall with a collection of butterflies, various types of insects are presented: butterflies, beetles, and various arachnids. All of them are collected from all continents of the world. It’s just a pity that they’re not alive...
There is no bad weather
But the cable car is quite sensitive to it. Gelendzhik (reviews from tourists emphasize this advantage of the resort every time) is located in a very mild climate. There are no sudden temperature changes here; precipitation occurs quite rarely in the summer. However, if it is going to rain, it is better to postpone your trip. The view of the mountain slopes itself will not be so bright, and riding in the rain in an open seat may not be so attractive. A thunderstorm with thunder and lightning at such a height looks threatening. And gusts of wind will scare even the bravest tourist. However, in extreme heat, the trip can also be deprived of its charm, so if it is hot outside, it is better to choose the evening or morning time, or stock up on hats and sunscreen.
And, of course, don’t forget to take a picture of yourself so that the magnificent cable car (Gelendzhik) will forever remain in your album. Photos may seem difficult to take if you are traveling for the first time, so leave this mission to more experienced travelers who will go with you. Even if you don't like taking pictures, the views captured from such a height will definitely decorate your album.
Olympus /
Having climbed to the top of Olympus by cable car, you will see firsthand how beautiful the panorama of the Black Sea coast is in the daytime and at night. And looking at the twinkling stars that seem so close from the top of the mountain, you will feel the presence of the gods of Olympus themselves. And if, standing on the top of a mountain, you want to climb even higher and experience incredible freedom, then the Ferris Wheel is just for you! Where from a bird's eye view you can admire the dense thickets of oak trees, closely intertwined with healing Caucasian juniper, which hide hundreds of animal trails and bird nests in their depths. This area is rich in flora and fauna, many of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Being at the foot of Olympus, you will learn how, according to the laws of antiquity, civilization flourished and collapsed: take interesting excursions to the “Museum of Fossils”, walk along the Scythian path to dolmens (ancient burial grounds), taste living water from the sacred spring that forms in the mountain Lake Aya gorge. You can drink “living” water in a equipped bowl, and wash yourself in a font with “dead” water for healing. Local residents even during WWII. used this water for wounded soldiers in hospitals, building a water intake in the gorge. And they were guarded by the Kupriyan family, after whom this gorge was named - Kupriyanovo. In the depths of the gorge you can see the ruins of the “Old Fortress” (traces of the Caucasian War). On the shore of the lake and pools with trout, the Golden Fish cafe is cozy, where you can not only hold a Barbecue-party, but also relax, and rent fishing rods and go fishing. At the foot of the mountain you will be met by giant people, three meters tall, in shiny flowing clothes; professional guides will tell you the whole history of the creation of our park and show you its main attractions. And the evening will prepare a new surprise. Here, on the upper cozy platforms, you will get to know a completely different Olympus, get a unique opportunity to take part in the most favorite holiday of all Olympus visitors - the “Beer Party”, with the participation of show ballets, fire shows, life-size puppets and parody animators. Taking advantage of your free time, you can take a walk through the marvelous surroundings, where you will enjoy the coolness of the mountain greenery, the view of the picturesque thickets of juniper and oak forest, dizzying gorges, the mysterious beauty of the Aderba River flowing below... Those who come to this wonderful world for the first time are amazed by the fact that all these beauties are located among green forests and beautiful mountains, above which the endless blue sky stretches. This trip will reward you with wonderful pictures of nature that you can remember in your photographs.
Climbing and sights
Not every tourist and vacationer decides to ride the cable car, and not because it is unsafe or there are any risks, it’s all because of the appearance. The fact is that the booths are completely open booths, which are similar to ordinary benches. Not everyone can sit motionless for 20 minutes when there is an abyss underfoot, at a great height in open cabins.
In addition, due to the fact that the cabins are completely open, and temperature changes at altitude can be quite impressive, this is another test. We must not forget about precipitation, which sometimes cannot be foreseen. When there is strong wind, the cable car stops operating. If you decide to go for a ride, but the weather suddenly changes, it’s not a problem at all. For an additional fee, depending on the weather, you may be given a blanket or raincoat.
But despite all the difficulties and fear, it is definitely worth it, because from here you can see a stunning view of the city, the sea, and the park. At the top there are must-see attractions. For example, a zoo, a terrarium, an arboretum, a maritime museum, Medieval Towers, Jurassic Park, and many others. It will be interesting for both adults and children.
Regarding how to get down from the top, you can use the cable car; a ticket is not required for this trip. In cases where a person cannot or does not want to descend using a cable car, a dirt road can be used. It is worth saying that this is also extreme and time consuming.
How to find this attraction
In fact, it is impossible not to find such a large attraction as the cable car (Gelendzhik). His address is quite conventional: Gelendzhik, Don highway, 1511 km. You can get to it by any type of transport, but you need to keep in mind that a free regular bus leaves from the stop at the intersection of Kirov and Ostrovsky streets. Information about the departure is available at the stop, so if you don’t arrive quite on time, you’ll just have to wait a little.
Animals of Gelendzhik Safari Park
Wildlife in the park includes Ussuri tigers, lions, leopards, pumas, chimpanzees, wolves, bears, wild boar, foxes, raccoons, lemurs, and parrots.
In the photo there is a leopard
Bear
Maritime Museum of Safari Park Gelendzhik
The Maritime Museum is an exhibition complex called “From the depths of centuries and waters.” Today, this is the only object in the south of Russia where you can get acquainted with the Ocean in various manifestations, from the life of its inhabitants to the history of navigation.
The entrance to the museum is designed in the style of the seabed. You can feel like a diver and plunge into the depths of the sea
The museum presents collections of sea fish, strange shells, corals and, of course, ships of the Black Sea Fleet
There is also a pirate section. This is what attracts children so much.
The museum has a hall designed as Captain Nemo's salon on the Nautilus submarine. This hall attracts almost all tourists. Here, at the helm of a ship, you can find yourself in a fairy tale and feel like the brave Captain Nemo, plowing the sea.
When visiting the Safari Park, we did not find any significant disadvantages. Of course, all this would still be a little refined, expanded and brought as close as possible to living conditions in the natural environment of animal enclosures. And so, in general, it was nothing at all; we really enjoyed visiting the park.
How else to entertain yourself in Gelendzhik? You can go off-road jeeping in the Caucasus Mountains, visit the largest freshwater lake in the Krasnodar Territory and the champagne wine factory in Abrau-Dyurso, or go to the largest water park in Russia, Golden Bay. With children, a great idea would be to visit a show program with marine life at the Utrish Dolphinarium.
Specifications
The cable car (city of Gelendzhik) is aimed at a large flow of visitors. Its capacity is 750 people per hour. The number of seats is 120. That is, simple mathematics allows us to conclude that the trip does not take more than 20 minutes. However, for those who are very afraid of heights, this time can drag on endlessly. However, do not be discouraged, in the Olympus park there is another cable car, a complete analogue of the first, with the only difference that it lifts tourists to a lower height. But it is open until 02:00. It is in the evening and at night that this road receives the greatest attention from tourists. The views of the sun setting over the sea and the city illuminated by lights at night are so stunning that they simply take your breath away. The lights come on in the city, the light from ships and steamers is visible on the sea, the moonlit path crosses the bay - this is the best time to declare your love. It should be borne in mind that this entertainment is not the cheapest: an adult ticket costs 600 rubles, and a child ticket costs 300, so a family trip is quite expensive. Delivery of tourists to Olympus Park from anywhere in the city is carried out by free express trains. In addition to the cable car, this park includes a huge number of entertainment options. This includes a bowling alley and a network of cafes, a Ferris wheel, a walking park area with a trout lake, a disco and attractions.
Dolmen in Safari Park Gelendzhik
Walking further from the observation deck, deeper into the park, we are greeted by sculptures of dinosaurs and animals
Here, walking along the path, there is a Dolmen. They say that if you touch this dolmen and at the same time make a wish, your wish will definitely come true. Let's check, check!!!
