The other-worldly central region of Cappadocia in Central Turkey is one of the most mesmerizing in the world. The landscapes are full of national formations and archeological treasures that dazzle one's mind. It is a wonderland just perfect for hiking, but before hiking, get up bright and early for a hot air balloon ride over the many cave cities and unique natural formations.
Cappadocia is one of those places that must be explored from above, from the surface, and from beneath. Underneath this region is a labyrinth of cities where the Christian inhabitants would hide from waves of Islamic persecution until the population was expelled in 1923. One of the best places to go hot air ballooning in America is in Colorado over the Rockies.
Why Cappadocia is So Special
On the ground walking around one can find troves of cave cities - and one can explore them. There are even cave hotels here! One can hike picturesque trails and see natural rock formations that resemble reproductive organs that make young adults laugh and parents blush.
Storing over it all one can get a true feeling of the untold beauty of this remarkable region. There are some views that one can only get from a hot air balloon flight.
Tip: Dress Warmingly Even If it Is Hot During The Day
It isn't just all the cave cities and dwellings, it isn't just the unique land formations, and it isn't just the dazzling majestic sunrises. It's a perfect combination of all of them.
"Even the most stunning Instagrams fail to capture the true beauty of Cappadocia. It is a landscape like no other in the world."
Booking And Flying
If one is planning to go hot air ballooning in Cappadocia (and everyone really should), then one has the choice of booking online or at one's hotel the night before. Assuming that it isn't peak season and they are booked out, there shouldn't be any issues with booking the night before.
- Book: Online or At The Hotel
Balloons are unpowered and are easily blown in the wind. So going ballooning is always contingent on having good weather. And they only fly first thing in the morning before the wind picks up.
One will be picked up in the early hours of the morning from one's hotel and will be brought to the balloon launching site (all before sunrise). There are breakfast, tea, and coffee at the take-off area. If it's too early to have an appetite, then enjoy a coffee.
Take this time to see the other guests from all over the world come for this unique experience. See those bright-eyed-and-busy-tailed early birds in this ungodly hour of the morning. And then there are those dreary-eyed souls still running on one cylinder and getting annoyed at others for having so much energy in the early morning. One should not approach them until they have had had at least one cup of coffee.
- Fun Fact: The First Man To Fly Was Not The Wight Brothers, It The French In A Hot Air Balloon On November 21, 1783
The flight is both overwhelming and underwhelming. It is overwhelming as the sunrise over this world-famous region quite simply cannot be told. That and the sensation of floating around in the sky in a basket is majestical.
It's underwhelming because hot air balloons are gentle. One doesn't feel the inertia and acceleration of an airplane or other form of transport.
Cappodocia Balloon Bookings
One of the main hot air balloon companies is Cappadocia Balloon Bookings. They offer three types of balloon flights. Note that pickup and drop-off in the Cappadocia area hotels are included in all of their packages and that kids aged 0-4 are not allowed on the flight.
Standard Balloon Flight:
- Duration: Flight Duration 1 Hour (Plus Pick up, Champagne Toast, etc)
- Food: Breakfast, Hot Drinks, Juice
- Basket Capacity: 28 People
- Bonus: Celebration Champagne Toast (non-alcoholic)
- Other: Includes Insurances, Souveniour Flight Certificate
- Standard Price: 140 Euros
- Special Offer: 70 Euros
Comfort Balloon Flight:
- Duration: Flight Duration 1 Hour (Plus Pick up, Champagne Toast, etc)
- Food: Breakfast, Hot Drinks, Juice
- Basket Capacity: 20 People
- Bonus: Celebration Champagne Toast (non-alcoholic)
- Other: Includes Insurances, Souveniour Flight Certificate
- Standard Price: 150 Euros
- Special Offer: 75 Euros
Ultra Comfort Balloon Flight:
- Duration: Flight Duration 1 Hour (Plus Pick up, Champagne Toast, etc)
- Food: Breakfast, Hot Drinks, Juice
- Basket Capacity: 12 People
- Bonus: Celebration Champagne Toast (non-alcoholic)
- Other: Includes Insurances, Souveniour Flight Certificate
- Standard Price: 300 Euros
- Special Offer: 150 Euros
There are several other hot air balloon companies in the region like Royal Balloon Cappadocia, Hot Air Balloon Cappadocia, and Cappadocia Voyager Balloons. Check these out but most tours are quite similar to each other.