Pliakho

Plyakho is a picturesque village located in the Tuapse district of the Krasnodar Territory. The small Black Sea resort is considered a remote microdistrict of Novomikhailovsky. These places are famous for their excellent ecology, well-equipped beach area, pine groves and silence. The village got its name from the mountain Pliaho located 5 km away. In translation from Adyghe language it means “to look from the top.”

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Video: Pliaho

Contents

Highlights

The village of Pliakho was founded by the Armenians-Abshenians who moved to this part of the Black Sea coast from Turkey in 1864. Initially, the new settlement was called Monud. In 1960 the children’s camp “Orlyonok” was opened on the seashore. Together with the rapidly growing camp, the tourist infrastructure around Novomikhailovka developed, and Pliaho became widely known among tourists. Many travelers choose the resort village for its convenient location. It is located near the highway A-147 “Dzhubga – Sochi”, so secluded rest and swimming in the Black Sea can easily be combined with trips to entertainment centers of Tuapse, Dzhubga and Gelendzhik.

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By cab or shuttle buses from Pliaho is not difficult to get to water parks in Novomikhailovskoye, Olginka or Nebug. From here it is also convenient to go on excursions to the sights of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus – to the ancient megaliths-dolmens, steep cliff Kiseleva, green cape Kadosh and picturesque Tenginsky waterfalls.

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Despite its small size and lack of large hotel complexes, Pliaho has a good infrastructure for recreation. In summer, when the village rests a lot of tourists, near the coastal zone open small markets, souvenir stores, bars, cafes and stores selling resort goods. Here you can always buy fresh milk in cans and fish caught from the Black Sea. In summer and early fall in the village sell inexpensive fruits, berries, vegetables and herbs. Any other products are always available in the supermarket “Magnet”.

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Nature and climate

The resort village is spread out in a green valley formed by the Maloye Pliaho River. Above it are peach, cherry and plum orchards, and along the slopes grows a beautiful pine forest. The river takes its source on the slopes of Mount Pliaho, which is 5 kilometers away from the resort village.

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The climate in this part of Greater Tuapse is close to the subtropics. During the high tourist season, which lasts from May to October, monthly at least 20 days above Pliaho shines sunshine. The weather is warm and sometimes hot, and occasionally there are short showers over the coast. From the northern winds of the village reliably close the spurs of the Caucasus Mountains.

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The swimming season in Pliaho begins in late May and lasts until the end of September. In the summer months shallow water near the shore warms up so much that the water in the Black Sea resembles steamed milk.

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Pliaho beaches

The coastal strip is 0.6-2.5 km away from the village buildings. It is up to 40 meters wide and covered with the purest quartz sand. During the summer tourist season the shore is cleaned twice a day and even sifted sand. The entrance to the water here is gentle, and on the seabed there are no large rocks and pits, which is why the local beaches are considered one of the best on the entire Black Sea coast.

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North of the mouth of the river Maloe Pliaho spread paid beach children’s center “Orlyonok”. For tourists it is open from 8.00 to 20.00, but for entry here you have to pay 150 rubles. Children under 6 years old are allowed on the beach for free. It should be borne in mind that the ticket office stops working at 19.00.

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On the beach you can rent chairs and sun umbrellas, use changing rooms, toilets and showers. To ensure the safety of vacationers every day at the sea are on duty medical workers and lifeguards. In summer, resort guests are offered a lot of water entertainment – riding on a “banana” and “vatrushki”, parachute flights behind the boat and renting water scooters.

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From the south from the mouth of the river Maloe Pliaho spreads closed beach children’s center “Orlyonok”. If there is a desire to spend time on free beaches, you need to go to Novomikhailovskoye, towards Lermontovo on the beach “Golden Coast” or numerous wild beaches.

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Beach vacation in the resort village has a few minuses. The road to the sea from Pliaho is too long for daily walks with small children. True, if you use a stroller, children are not very tired on the way to the sea and back. In front of the beach there is a steep staircase to the shore. When descending and climbing these stairs toddlers and elderly resort residents always have difficulties.

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Where to stay

About 1200 people live permanently in the village, and 60% of the population are Armenians. Everyone who has at least once vacationed in Pliaho, note the friendliness of the locals and the warm welcome they give to tourists.

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Here you can rent a room in a private house, a separate cottage, apartments or a hotel room. More expensive housing is offered in a comfortable club village “Residence of the Sun”. Budget accommodation is guaranteed in guest houses, mini-hotels and private sector owners. In terms of quality housing in Pliaho is not inferior to the larger Black Sea resorts, but the cost of accommodation here is much lower than in Gelendzhik, Tuapse and Sochi.

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Many hosts are ready to offer guests full board. This is very convenient, as you do not have to worry about food, and all vacation time can be devoted to rest. Some guest houses have equipped kitchens, where guests cook their own food. The main contingent of vacationers in Pliaho consists of parents with children, so the owners try to do in the yards playgrounds and small pools, which come in very handy when the sea is stormy.

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Camp “Orlyonok”

Pliaho is located directly behind the territory of a huge children’s camp. Residents of the resort village either work in “Orlenok” or serve tourists. The territory of the children’s center is closed to outsiders, but you can visit there as part of a sightseeing tour.

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Every day from 10.00 to 18.00 organized paid tours are led around the camp. Guests are shown the buildings in which the children live, beautiful eagle beaches, as well as acquainted with the traditions and history of the camp. Tours usually include a visit to two museums – space and fire science.

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Recreation and entertainment in Pliaho

In summer, from the coast near the mouth of the river Maloye Pliaho organize interesting boat trips. During them you can admire the beautiful views of the coast and swim in the open sea. From here on the same boats tourists go on sea fishing and diving.

Those who are interested in hiking, can climb the mountain Pliaho (618 m). The best route to it is laid out from the village of Tenginka. The distance of 6.5 km can be overcome on foot or by jeep. From the top you can enjoy beautiful views of the forested foothills of the Caucasus and the Black Sea panorama. When planning such a trip, you should wear sports shoes and don’t forget to take a supply of drinking water with you.

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A modern motorcycle racing track has been built to the west of Pliaho. Here are regularly held Russian and international competitions in motorcycling. The motorcycle track also rents quad bikes and organizes exciting trips through the foothills.

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What to see around the resort

Near the large resort village of Lermontovo there is a base “Eagle Rock”, where tourists can ride horses. Local guides offer horseback rides on the sights of the surrounding mountains. Travel routes pass by clear mountain rivers, picturesque waterfalls, rocky gorges, alpine meadows and dolmens. If there is little experience, it is worth limiting yourself to a two-hour tour, while experienced riders can safely go on a trip for several days.

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Vacationing in Pliaho, many tourists are chosen for independent excursions. On shuttle buses for half a day is not difficult to go to Kadoshsky forest park, located on the western outskirts of Tuapse. The forest massif covers 300 hectares and falls off steep ledges towards the sea. The air here is amazing, and the reason for this is in the plants that grow on the Kadoshsky cape – pizundskaya pine, relict berry yew, yatryshniki and evergreen lianas. Right under the green thickets rises the expressive Kiseleva Rock.

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How to get there

Pliaho is located 46 km from Tuapse and 5 km from the village of Novomikhailovsky. The nearest airports are located in Krasnodar (135 km), Gelendzhik (95 km) and Sochi (160 km).

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Most travelers come to the Black Sea coast by train. From the railway station “Tuapse” in 30-40 minutes to Pliaho can be reached by shuttle bus, shuttle bus or cab.

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On the highway A-147, near the southern end of the resort village there is a bus stop “Plyakho, turn”. Every day, about once an hour from 6 am to 8 pm, buses that connect Dzhubga and Tuapse stop there. In addition, intercity buses to Sochi pass through Pliakho.

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