Balloon ride in Cappadocia: a fairytale flight

Balloon ride in Cappadocia: a fairytale flight

A balloon ride in Cappadocia offers passengers an unparalleled perspective of the region's unique landscape of fairy chimneys, towering boulders and rugged valleys dotted with caves

We had already spent three days exploring the lunar-like environment of Cappadocia. We had hiked, driven, “tumbled,” and ridden in Goreme National Park (the modern enclosure of the historic region of Cappadocia) and were soon ready for a full, unobstructed view from above.

A hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is one of the most popular activities in the area, so it's important to book in advance. We pre-booked with Voyager Balloons, one of the most experienced companies in the area with over 18 years of flying experience.

A hot air balloon flies better in cooler weather because there is less wind and the hot air “rises” better. For this reason, balloonists typically fly just after sunrise or before sunset.

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We had to get up early to be picked up at 4am (!) to the Voyager offices in the center of Göreme, where we had a buffet breakfast and lots of coffee.

Then it was a matter of waiting while the pilots examined the weather report. If the wind is too strong or other unfavorable weather conditions, the balloon rides cannot take place.

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We had to wait quite nervously for a little over an hour as the indicator on the map gradually changed from red to yellow to green. Many cups of coffee later we got the green light and were ready to get started!

We drove to the launch site where dozens of balloons were being inflated in preparation for the flight. After a short safety briefing from the pilot, we were helped into the basket.

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The basket is divided into five compartments: four outer and one central for the pilot. Each compartment holds four to six passengers, meaning there are usually 20 to 24 passengers in total.

We recommend holding back and getting in last so you get the corner area of ​​the basket that offers the best view. However, it is good manners to offer your basket passengers to swap positions so that they can also enjoy the view.

We had taken a balloon ride over Luxor in Egypt, so we knew what to expect in terms of takeoff, flight and landing, but we were unprepared for the amazing views. Maybe it's best if we let the optics do the talking.

During the hour-long flight, the friendly pilot told us a lot about what we saw and was happy to answer questions about the landscape, history and technology of balloon flight.

The pilot can control the altitude of the balloon by using a gas burner to change the temperature of the air inside the balloon for ascent. The pilot can also open a vent to allow hot air to escape and allow the aircraft to descend.

It is also possible to rotate the balloon using the rotation ports to get a full panoramic view as it glides through the sky.

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We flew as high as 1,000 m (3,000 ft) and as low as tree level, where the pilot carefully maneuvered the balloon along the contoured ground below. At times I felt like we were scraping the peaks but the pilot, always confident, would always prove his worth.

Upon landing (a surprisingly smooth affair), we were greeted with champagne (with a non-alcoholic option available) and a commemorative flight certificate - the perfect end to an unforgettable balloon ride in Cappadocia.

Then we headed back to our hotel for some breakfast before spending another day exploring this land of fairy tales.

Balloon ride in Cappadocia: the essentials

What: A balloon ride in Cappadocia over Göreme National Park.

Where: We stayed at Hotel Esbelli Evi in ​​Urgüp. The hotel has been beautifully restored since owner Suha Ersoz purchased the abandoned cave house in 1987. It opened in 1990 with five cave guest rooms, a vaulted stone living room and a breakfast room.

Today, Esbelli Evi has 10 spacious suites and four standard cave rooms that utilize the original caves along with traditional carved stone vaulted rooms.

There are several stone terraces with expansive views of the Cappadocian countryside and the city of Ürgüp – perfect for a late afternoon drink after a day of exploring.

The hotel has a relaxed yet luxurious atmosphere that ensures a relaxed, authentic experience. The hotel also offers many modern touches (laptops for guests and free WiFi throughout the hotel) as well as free fresh coffee, snacks and cold drinks throughout your stay. Needless to say, we fell madly in love with each other.

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The small town of Ürgüp is quieter and more charming than the more popular and touristy Göreme. Ürgüp has a handful of restaurants as well as hammams and a number of souvenir and craft shops. Our favorite restaurant was the delightful Dimrit Café and Restaurant.

When: The best time to travel to Cappadocia is spring (April to mid-June). Summer can be unbearably hot, while winter can cause snow! Autumn (mid-September to October) is also a good option, but the days are shorter and the chance of rain is higher.

How: We booked our Cappadocia balloon ride with Voyager Balloons and would highly recommend them. We opted for the standard flight, which includes the champagne breakfast. A promotion is currently running for €130 ($150) per person for the rest of the year.

We arrived in Göreme by an overnight bus from Denizli after visiting Pamukkale. Minibuses run between Göreme and Ürgüp, but since we were tired and it was very early, we grabbed a taxi for 25 TL (9 USD).

Since we were traveling independently, it made sense to rent a car ($35 per day) for the duration of our stay as we wanted the freedom to explore all the different sights in Cappadocia.

The hotel arranged everything for us and the car was delivered to us on our first morning. We returned the car to the local airport (Nevşehir Kapadokya) on departure, which was perfect as we were flying back to Istanbul before catching our flight back to the UK. The airport is a 45-minute drive from Urgüp.

To get to Cappadocia, high-speed trains and buses are available. High-speed trains connect Istanbul with Ankara and Konya via Eskişehir. From Konya you can continue to Cappadocia by bus or rental car (232 km; 4 hours). Further information and booking options can be found on the Turkish State Railways website.

An overnight bus from Istanbul is the cheapest way to get to Cappadocia for around 85 TL (30 USD), but it is a long journey of 730 km (454 miles) that takes 10-12 hours. Several companies operate night buses, including Metro Turizm and Nevşehir Seyahat.

There are domestic flights between Istanbul and Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV). We paid $50 for a one-way flight back to Istanbul. Ataturk Airport in Istanbul is international and has connections to a number of domestic destinations throughout Turkey. Book through Skyscanner to get the best prices on international and domestic flights.

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Lonely Planet Turkey is a comprehensive travel guide to the country, ideal for those who want to both explore the top attractions and take the road less traveled.

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