Gelendzhik is comfortably located at the foot of the Markotkhsky ridge, which belongs to the mountain system between the Black and Caspian seas called the Greater Caucasus. The maximum height of the ridge in the Gelendzhik region is about 600 meters. Two cable cars lead from the city to its top, one of which bears the proud name “Olympus”.
- Length
– 1150 meters. - The height difference
is 420 meters. - Travel time by cable car
is 15 minutes. - 2 stations:
lower and upper stations. - Cabins:
60 open cabins, each accommodating 2 passengers. - Capacity:
750 people per hour.
Ticket prices
Children under 5 years old can ride the cable car for free. The cost of a child ticket (from 5 to 11 years old) is 500 rubles. For adults, travel will cost 900 rubles.
The ticket price includes not only a ride on the cable car, but also a visit to the petting zoo, exotarium, dolmens and a Ferris wheel.
The diameter of the attraction is 25 m. This Ferris wheel, which is located on the top of the Markotkhsky ridge, is the only one in Russia located at an altitude of 640 meters above sea level.
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!!!
How to get there
The lower cable car station is located just 600 meters from the central (upper) bus station of the city. You can even walk to the entrance to the ski lift. This walk will not take even ten minutes. During the tourist season, free buses run from the city center, and you can ride them from 10:00 to 20:00. On the map, the stop of these buses is marked with an orange mark from No. 1. A passenger's pass to the vehicle is a ticket for a ride on the cable car, which can be purchased at a special kiosk near the stop.
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...
Safety regulations
Cable car employees have the right to refuse to sell tickets to visitors if they violate one of the rules for using the lift:
- Are in a state of alcoholic intoxication.
- They violate public order.
- They try to ride in a swimsuit, dirty clothes or half naked.
- Carry weapons, drugs, explosives, food or alcoholic drinks with them. The exception is water, soda, tea in plastic containers.
Children under 12 years old are not allowed on the cable car unless accompanied by an adult. Those who take hand luggage with them or try to disembark without permission in places that are not intended for this will also not be able to ride. Although the Austrian equipment works like a charm, on a cable car it is better not to rock the cabin during the ride. You should also not smoke while driving, or throw garbage or flammable objects down.
The upper and lower stations are fenced for safety reasons. Boarding and disembarking can only be done in the presence of funicular employees who are on duty at the foot and top of the ridge. Before the trip, every tourist is required to undergo a short safety briefing. After landing, you need to lower the protective bracket, which is located above the passenger’s head, fix the safety belt and rest your feet on the stand.
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.
History of construction
Tourists are attracted to the cable car primarily by its sonorous name. The name of the object was not given by chance. Olympus is a legendary mountain range in Greece. According to legend, the gods themselves chose it as their abode. The park's name alludes to the similarities between the Greek mountain range and the peak of the Markotkh Range, which offers equally stunning views.
The cable car was opened back in 2005. Initially, the complex included only a small amusement park on the upper platform and the ski lift itself, but in recent years the park has grown greatly. Every year new entertainment appears here for tourists and residents of Gelendzhik. The list of events currently taking place in Olympus Park can be found on the cable car’s official website.
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
Useful lifehacks
- It is better to visit the cable car twice. During the day, you will have an excellent opportunity to take luxurious panoramic photographs of local beauty, but at night the picture changes, and travelers will see a city buried in thousands of lights, which from a bird’s eye view will merge into a bright web under the starry sky.
- Passengers should take into account that the temperature at the top of the Markotkh ridge is lower than at its foot. Changes can reach 10 degrees, so you should take warm clothes with you just in case.
- When it’s cloudy outside and clouds are gathering, it makes sense to take raincoats with you so as not to get wet on the way. Don't forget that the cabins are open, so passengers will experience all the delights of capricious weather.
- To protect themselves from the scorching rays of the sun, tourists wear hats, but along the way a strong wind can arise, so all hats must be securely fixed with special elastic bands.
- When choosing between two cable cars in Gelendzhik, it is better to choose the “Olympus”, which has two advantages - close proximity to the 44-meter Orthodox Cross and the 110-meter inscription “Gelendzhik”. From the top station of the park you can reach them on foot.
- On the vast territory of the park there are several observation platforms, a concert hall, cafes, restaurants, a bowling club, tasting rooms, a children's playground, a planetarium, and a paleontological museum. It will easily take all day to see all the sights. In the park you can go fishing and ride jeeps, ATVs, and horses. There is also entertainment for romantics here. According to a beautiful legend, a stone of love, which is saturated with solar energy, was brought here from the Valley of Silence. According to legend, it is enough for lovers to touch it from the sunny side for the couple’s cherished wish to come true.
- At the foot of the ridge there is Lake Aya, into which two springs flow. In one, water is considered “living.” There is a special bowl from which you can scoop up water. In another source flows “dead” water, which, according to legend, heals people. There is a special font here where you can wash yourself.
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.
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.
