Hot Air Balloon Safari in Cappadocia - Turkey

A hot-air balloon is an early morning activity (the first hour of sunlight is the safest time to balloon), so be prepared to wake up before the birds get there. This pre-dawn start is easier to handle as all balloon companies pick up passengers directly from the hotel. We will pick you up before sunrise (the exact time will be confirmed the day before and will depend on the time of day and the location of the hotel) and will be first taken to the balloon company's office.  

Once there, the balloon company will arrange a day flight, pick up all other passengers from various hotels, and serve breakfast while processing passenger payments. (The credit card number will be used at the time of booking, but payment will not be processed until the morning of the flight). Breakfast varies from company to company, but better companies offer excellent spreads. Once all the pre-flight preparations are complete, you can take a minibus or four-wheel drive vehicle to the balloon launch site and watch the balloon inflate at dawn. After that, everyone is in the basket and ready to take off. Passengers with poor mobility or poor dexterity are assisted by ground personnel. A fully inflated balloon takes off and you leave.

Why Cappadocia

Because of the lack of wildlife, hot air balloons are allowed to descend so low to the ground during flight, which is one of the reasons Cappadocia is so famous for hot air ballooning. This means you’ll get a full view of the region’s strange and bizarre landscape, both up close and from afar.During the flight, you’ll reach altitudes of up to 900 metres (3,000 feet), giving you spectacular bird’s-eye views of the valley networks.

You’ll occasionally soar over the orchard-filled plateaus and into the valleys themselves as you descend. If the wind is right, balloons can fly near the summits of Cappadocia’s “fairy chimney” rock formations, giving them a bird’s-eye view of these geological curiosities fashioned by millennia of wind and water action.During the flight, the flight captain will also serve as your tour guide, pointing out local topographical landmarks.

After getting off

After getting off the balloon, passengers enjoy light meals and drinks at the landing site, and the ground crew packs the balloon for transport. Most balloon companies also issue flight commemorative certificates to passengers during their stay. Once the balloons are packed, passengers will board the provided transportation (minibus or four-wheel drive) and be returned to the individual hotel. The entire door-to-door experience can take 3 to 4 hours (depending on where the hotel is in Cappadocia).

Types of hot air balloon

A normal hot-air balloon ride in Cappadocia takes 45 minutes to an hour. The baskets used are typically designed for 16, 20, or 24 passengers and captains. All experiences are included in the price (hotel transfer, breakfast in advance, subsequent drinks and meals). Most companies offer high-end options for riding hot air balloons. The only major difference is the size of the basket (usually 12-16 passengers) and the flight time (usually at least 75 minutes in the air). The most exclusive option is to book a private hot air balloon ride for your family or group. For private flights, the basket includes the number of people in the group and the flight time is typically 75 minutes.

Best time to visit Cappadocia

The best time to visit Cappadocia is arguably other than the hot and dry summer months of July and August. These months are also the busiest, as crowds flock inland from the coast to this iconic area for a day or two. Spring from April to May and autumn from September to October are the best seasons for trekking, especially in the valley, with good weather and low rainfall. However, keep in mind that early April tends to be windy and can affect the balloon's flight schedule. In winter, the continental climate of Cappadocia means that there is a high probability of snow, and the landscape is particularly calm and beautiful.

Staying in Cappadocia

Some travelers mistakenly believe that Cappadocia can be visited as a day trip from an Istanbul or coastal hot-air balloon destination, but that is not possible. Hot-air balloon rides occur at dawn, so if you want to fly in the air, you'll need to stay at least the night before your flight. Some visitors actually only stay one night, but most people planning this quick fire route for their trip will eventually want to spend more time here. increase.The rough triangle formed by the villages of Cappadocia in Goreme, Uchisar and Ortahisar and the area between the small towns of Urgup and Abanos is the tourist center of Cappadocia. The area is home to the valley of the area with the rock-hewn church of the fairy chimney where hot-air balloons fly, and the Rock-Hewn Church of Byzantine, which is the most famous in Cappadocia.

 All hot-air balloon companies pick up and drop passengers from hotels in the Cappadocia village area. Therefore, it doesn't matter which village or city you stay in. The hotel has the most choices and is also on the edge of the valley. Many hotels have terraces for taking pictures, and you can see balloons floating in the valley early in the morning. Uçhisar also offers spectacular views of the valley, centered around a rocky fortress. Ortahisar has a more traditional village atmosphere. For more convenience, both Urgup and Avanos have access to small town facilities such as banks, café scenes and large supermarkets.

Some instructions

Wear shoes with flat toes and closed. You need to get in and out of the basket. This is not a flip-flop activity and is definitely not a high heel area. Wear warm items such as jerseys and jackets over your shoulders even in the middle of summer. Cappadocia is cool early in the morning and stands outside for a while to watch the balloons inflate. Reputable companies do not bring children under the age of six. Balloon baskets have a high side for very obvious safety reasons. Passengers under 140 cm cannot see the sides of the basket.