A hot-air balloon flight over Cappadocia is a truly magical experience. To the experience of rising up to the skies and hovering in the air in a wicker basket, you can add a fairytale panorama, a landscape carved by the natural elements down the centuries. It is a great offer, and many travellers come to this part of the country just to go on a hot-air balloon flight over Cappadocia and to see its incredible, dreamlike valleys.
The hot-air balloon flights are scheduled to start at sunrise, before the sun appears over the horizon as dawn approaches. At this time of day, the hot-air balloon crews are already working to check the wind speed and the pressure levels in the balloons. And while they wait for the technicians to confirm that everything is in order, the tourists have the chance to enjoy a hot coffee or a fruit juice and to watch the balloons inflating before they climb into the wicker baskets. The adventure has begun.
- Why go on a hot-air balloon flight over Cappadocia
- What types of balloon flights are there, and what can you see
- These also include a hot-air balloon flight
- Information and advice
Why go on a hot-air balloon flight over Cappadocia
Cappadocia offers a fairytale experience whether you’re on the ground or in the air. Both perspectives are fantastic, but it is definitely worth going on a hot-air balloon flight, because it offers a much wider perspective and visitors can get a better idea of what the valley is like with a 360° view from the sky. Moreover, there is no danger, as the safety measures are very strict, and if the weather conditions are not suitable, the scheduled flights do not take place, as safety always takes precedence over the experience.
A balloon flight over Cappadocia is a fantastic tourist activity. Suffice to say that almost 50 balloons take off every day over the town of Göreme. Normally, the flights travel over the wide valleys that stretch between Göreme and Çavusin, to show travellers views of the beautiful fruit plantations and vineyards, the fairy chimneys, and the stone mushrooms, with Mount Erciyes on the horizon. And each flies closely surrounded by other hot-air balloons that adorn the sky with their various colours and shapes.
What types of balloon flights are there, and what can you see
There are several types of balloon flights. Normally, balloon flights in Cappadocia go up between Göreme and Çavusin, depending on how the wind is blowing. The aerial crossing takes approximately 60 minutes, although the entire experience lasts nearly three hours for the traveller. After the flight, all the travellers receive a certificate or medal to show off later, before toasting the crew with champagne.
Without a doubt, this is one of the best experiences in Cappadocia, as you can also see from the air the attractive terraces of the town of Göreme, as well as the fairy chimneys and the fields of crops in this arid region of Turkey. You also have the chance to see close up the caves carved into the rock over time.
There are agencies that arrange excursions to Cappadocia with the balloon flight included. These are full-day excursions on which you can visit Uçhisar, Göreme’s open-air museum, and the underground city of Kaymakli. Other agencies prefer to tour the north of Cappadocia: Göreme, the Devrent valley, Uçhisar and Pasabag.
These also include a hot-air balloon flight
Normally, the tour operators who organise hot-air balloon flights in Cappadocia include transport from the hotel and back, as well as breakfast and the toast to the crew on landing. In the event that the flight is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, the agencies make a full refund, offering the traveller the chance to enjoy the experience at another time.
Information and advice
You need to know that to go on a balloon flight in Cappadocia, you will have to get up very early in the morning, as travellers are normally collected from their hotels at 4.00 a.m. so it does require something of an effort. This is a peaceful activity, as the balloon is gently propelled along by the wind.
Another thing to bear in mind is that balloon flights are not cheap. The cost varies between €150 and €200, depending on how many passengers go up in the basket. This price increases dramatically if, for example, you hire a private flight for your family or a group of friends.
It is worth taking a jacket or a jumper because at the time of day when this activity takes place, it is generally cool. Once inside the balloon basket, it doesn’t feel cold, thanks to the proximity of the burner and the effect of the adrenaline.
You need to know that the trip can be called off if the weather conditions are not suitable. In summer, there are normally no great problems, but during autumn and winter there can be. If the flight has to be cancelled, travellers are refunded the full cost, or they can rebook the experience.
