Traveling to Turkey and visiting its famous cities, such as Istanbul, Antalya, and Izmir, is pleasant and exciting. One pleasure in Turkey that many people do not know about is riding balloons.
Cappadocia is one of the most fascinating regions in Turkey. This ancient area was built about four thousand years ago. Cappadocia is famous not only for its stone facades but also for its hot-air balloon rides. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss balloon rides in Cappadocia.
An Introduction to Balloon Ride in Cappadocia
Cappadocia is famous for two things: old cliff houses and balloon rides.
You can visit the strangest houses in the beautiful valley of Cappadocia. Balloon rides over Cappadocia attract every tourist to this area. One of the entertainment and, of course, the factors that have impressed tourists is its balloon festival, which is why this region is known as the city of balloons. Since the 1990s, when the first balloon flew in this area, the number of Cappadocia enthusiasts has increased yearly. Balloons are ready to fly about 250 days a year and are active most days compared to other countries. April to November is the best time for hot air ballooning in Cappadocia. Because the air temperature is pleasant and the wind speed is suitable. 100 balloons take more than 2 thousand tourists into the sky daily. Balloons will take you up to 900 meters above the ground to see the best rock scenery. The speed of the balloons is between 2 and 22 km, depending on the wind speed.
Where is Cappadocia?
Cappadocia is a beautiful region in the center of Turkey (Nevşehir province). It is famous and popular for its legendary landscapes, cave houses, impressive cliffs, and hundreds of balloons that rise in the sky every morning at sunrise. Also, walking in this area is a desirable pastime that allows exploring all the different routes.
The Cappadocia region of Central Anatolia may be found smack dab in the heart of a very volcanically active area. Active volcanoes formerly stood atop the three mountains now known as Erciyes, Hasanda, and Güllüda. These mountains date back millions of years. In reality, the Neolithic era had this kind of activity, and the volcanic eruptions were so powerful that, in certain areas, the lava was as thick as 150 meters. Over millions of years, volcanoes, wind, and rain have created sculptures in this area. These remaining basalt stones have become cone-shaped structures, some reaching 45 meters in height. In the 4th century, people dug tunnels inside the rocks. These tunnels connect the parts of the shelter, residence, warehouse, and temple. The city is based on a series of tunnels, making it the world’s largest residential tunnel complex.
It may be interesting to know that Cappadocia’s old name (katpatuka) is derived from the ancient Persian language, which means the land of beautiful horses.
Conditions of Balloon Ride in Cappadocia
Due to the existence of different companies providing riding balloon services, there are different rules and conditions as follows:
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- Balloon rides in Cappadocia start early in the morning, and tourists can watch the sunrise from inside the balloons and from a height.
- Flight time is usually one hour.
- Before the flight, passengers benefit from insurance services.
- The number of available capacity is between 14 and 25 people.
- Participants and passengers are welcomed along the route.
- When filling out the balloon flight form, the name of the person who placed it will be written as the group leader, and any changes in the flight will be notified to him.
- Passengers who intend to cancel their flight tickets can inform the relevant company a few days in advance for a refund.
- Sometimes, flights are canceled due to bad weather conditions. However, there is no need to worry; the flight will be done soon.
- Passengers who are unsatisfied with their service and flight can complain to the balloons’ central office.
The best time for Balloon ride in Cappadocia
Since the most critical factor for a Balloon ride is the weather, it is better to have complete information about the weather in this area before buying a Cappadocia tour.
In winter, the temperature in Turkey decreases, so the weather in Cappadocia will be freezing. At this time of the year, balloon rides are less frequent but have not stopped. Likewise, if you travel to Cappadocia this season, you will save money.
This region has delightful spring weather with a high chance of rain. In the summer, Cappadocia’s temperature increases, attracting many travelers worldwide.
So, the summer is the best time for hot air ballooning in Cappadocia. Early autumn can also be suitable for balloon rides in this area. But as winter approaches, the temperature decreases, and the wind blows more, so it is better to travel to Cappadocia in October.
Balloon safety
All companies that organize balloon rides are certified, and operators must complete an entire training course and be healthy. Balloon rides in this city are a safe pastime, but they have their risks, which can happen to the best company in the best weather and with the best equipment.
When you are on a balloon and away from the ground, as the height increases, you will see unique views, usually taking an hour to an hour and a half. It isn’t easy to describe the beauty you will see during the flight. On this trip, you can see the Taurus Mountains above the river during the sunrise. The view of the old city of Aspendos, which you will see from a height of 700 meters below your feet, will fascinate you.
Types of flights and cost of balloon rides in Cappadocia
When you want to book a balloon flight, you may have questions about the many types available and what type suits you: standard, luxury, or personal.
Standard flight
- In each standard flight, between 14 and 20 people ride in a balloon for one hour and fly among Cappadocia’s beautiful and strange rocks. The starting price of this type of flight is 110 euros per person.
Luxury flight
- In this type of flight, you will spend more time with fewer companions. Your balloon ride will be 1.5 hours, and your traveling companion will be between 10 and 14 people. The price of this flight starts from 200 euros per person.
Personal flight
- The best type of balloon ride in Cappadocia is a private or solo flight. This flight can be booked for special occasions such as birthdays or wedding anniversaries.
You will determine the flight time and your fellow passengers; this is the best way to experience the feeling of flying. (The maximum flight time will be 2 hours.) The price starts from 1,500 euros per person.
Tourist attractions in Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a tourist area that has other attractions besides balloon rides. The following are among the attractions of Cappadocia, or the city of balloons:
Gormeh village in Cappadocia
- Gormeh is a village with the most beautiful panoramic view of sunset and sunrise. That’s why it gets very crowded in the mornings and evenings. Despite the crowd, the place where you can capture the best balloon photos at the same time as sunrise and sunset is in Gormeh village.
Rose Valley
- The Rose Valley in Cappadocia, Turkey, is widely regarded as one of the region’s most distinctive tourist destinations. This place turns pink when the sun sets, and many Turkish tourists go to Rose Valley to see this sight. One of the characteristics of this valley is that one side of it is exposed to the sun almost all day as a ridge, and the other is entirely in the shade.
The Subterranean City of Kaymakli
- Kaymakli is recognized as one of Turkey’s most fascinating subterranean towns, and the Cappadocia Museum includes extraordinary stone churches. 19 km from the city of Nevşehir, in the Kaymakli citadel, Christians created shelters to avoid Arab operations. Kaymakli Underground City has 8 floors, 4 currently open to the public. You can even live in groups in this underground city.
Staying in Cappadocia
Cappadocia has three hotels in Gorme village. If you plan to stay in this area and visit all its attractions, it is better to stay in one of the Hiba, Sultan, or Kalbek hotels.
The architecture of Cappadocia hotels is cave-shaped, considering the houses in this area. The hotels in question have excellent facilities for their guests.