It is situated near the sea, right behind Mihajlovskoye fortification on the way to the center if to go along the Pogranichnaya Street. This organization works here more than 30 years and it is necessary to tell, that it works very qualitative: the excursion list is updated regularly; all the excursions are notable for a high degree of self-descriptiveness, new routes open up annually. The standard of speech and the appearance of guides meet all the requirements. It is never boring at the excursions.
First of all it is necessary to recommend these excursions: to the park of the Health Centre, a walking tour of Arhipo-Osipovka and, certainly, to Bigiusskie waterfalls; the last one we should describe in more details.
In 10 minutes the excursion bus will deliver tourists to the border of Gelendzhik area - the route begins here. You will have to walk along the footpath running beside a mountain rivulet, and rise on the 400 meters height. The route is extremely picturesque, and the cool and twilight reign here during a midday heat. Hornbeams, beeches, lindens, cornels, wild grapes and lianes hang over the footpath. The purpose of the hike - Bigiussky waterfall, consists of three cascades. The height of the first cascade is 12 meters. The second - 6-meter cascade impresses greatly. At first it is necessary to climb up the metal ladder fixed to the almost steep rock near the 12 meter water stream, then walk a little up the stream, and fantastic picture will open before you eyes: water, laying the way through the rocks, has formed freakish grottoes, the fabulous moss-grown figures. During a thousand years the stream has formed a hollow filled with transparent, bluish, cleanest water. You can even take a bath here Б?to tell the truth the water is very cold, but the surroundings and singularity of a pond will be remembered for a long time. The third cascade is also beautiful and original, but it is rather difficult to reach it; only dexterous and trained tourists can get there.
Excursion to dolmens, called "The Legends and True Stories of grey Caucasus" produces pleasant impressions too. On this excursion tourists get acquainted with the history of settling of Caucasus, the story alternates with fairy tales and parables. During these conversations you will given a very tasty water to drink from the spring called "Natasha" and will be driven to dolmens. Now, after the publication of series of books called "Anastasia" by V.Megre, the theme of dolmens became very actual and fashionable. The branch of "Anastasia" society was created in Gelendzhik, and you can communicate with it if needed.
Dolmens have a lot of riddles. The scientists studying dolmens disagree concerning age and applicability of these megalith constructions. Some people consider them as patrimonial sanctuaries; others refer them to religious funeral constructions. Their age is defined in 4-6 thousand years. The opinion of the scientists coincides only in one issue: dolmens possess unusual energy. Poets of our region wrote a lot about dolmens and one of them, a poet from Krasnodar Ivan Varavva has written that dolmens keep secrets and mysteries of all times even before the times of Roman Empire and Troy.
Gelendzhik is one of the distant excursions that can be recommended; it is a small, very cozy and quiet town located in 50 km distance from Arhipo-Osipovka, on the coast of Gelendzhik bay. Visiting delphinarium with a group of well trained dolphins and seals is a highlight of this excursion. If you arrive here in the beginning of June you will see the well-known carnival celebrating the opening of a season.
Do not ignore the excursion to Abrau-Durso. It is a little wine-makers settlement well-known all over Russia. Our best sparkling wines are produced here under ancient recipes. Abrau-Durso is located on the lakeside of the biggest lake at the Black Sea coast, Lake Abrau. Tasting is included into excursion.
If you want to see Sochi, you have to wake up very early Б?it is about 200 km to go along the picturesque road. During this excursion you can visit a famous Dendrarium, a tree of Friendship, a stereo-cinema; the sightseeing tour of the city is also planned. By the evening you understand, that you get tired quickly of the big resorts and that it is better to have a rest in a small and cozy Arhipka.
It is not the full list of excursions given by the Excursion Office of Arhipo-Osipovka, and all of them are original and interesting.