When you think of Cappadocia, you probably picture a sky full of hot air balloons. But did you ever think about taking a hot air balloon ride yourself? Here is all you need to know about booking and preparing for this unique experience.
When to book your hot air balloon ride
A hot air balloon ride is very weather dependent, so it is best to book your ride as early as possible during your stay in Cappadocia. That way, if your ride gets cancelled because of adverse weather conditions, you still have a few more days to reschedule.
Waking up to countless hot air balloons in Cappadocia every morning may make it look like a cultural tradition. However, I was told that the reason behind this phenomenon is that the hot air balloon needs cold air in order to rise up, so early morning is the only suitable time of the day. Β
Which flight operator to choose
Dangling in a basket underneath a hot air balloon at 70 metres up in the sky isnβt the right occasion to compromise safety for budget. So a few things to keep in mind when choosing your flight operator are:
- Maximum amount of people per hot air balloon / compartment
- Experience and professionalism of the staff (especially the pilots)
- Does the price include transfers to/from your hotel
After having checked online reviews and the websites of different tour operators, we decided to go for Butterfly Balloons. The main reasons for our decision are their maximum of 3 people per compartment (when you book the Butterfly Beyond flight) and the good reviews we read about the safety at Butterfly Balloons.
With the Butterfly Beyond flight, youβll be airborne for 1.5 β 2 hours, covering more distance than the regular flight. However, the Butterfly Beyond flight does not operate between 1 November and 31 March.
We absolutely loved the staff at Butterfly Balloons who went out of their way to make our hot air balloon ride an unforgettable experience. After the hot air balloon ride, they offered us champagne and Turkish cake while watching the sun rise over the valley. The staff even pulled a prank on Jordi:
What to wear for your hot air balloon ride
We just wanted to look good for the gram, so we didnβt give this question too much thought. That was until we entered the pick-up minibus and saw everyone else being wrapped up in scarfs and jumpers. When everyone at the breakfast room was also wearing warm clothes, we felt like we missed the dress code memo.
Β While the valley may be a bit chilly at sunrise, the fire of the hot air balloon kept us warm and comfortable throughout the flight. Your best bet is to dress in layers, so youβll be warm in the valley and comfortable during your flight.
The hot air balloon ride itself
Now that youβre fully prepared for your hot air balloon ride, itβs time to buckle up an enjoy the flight. Well, actually, the buckles are only used in case of emergencies. The rest of the flight, you can hold on to the railing or just enjoy the freedom of being 70 metres up in the air with nothing but a basket in between you and the ground. Sounds adventurous enough right?! π
The staff at Butterfly Balloons was brilliant, and they made it so easy for us to board the hot air balloon basket. They also made sure that couples had their own compartment inside the hot air balloon, to give everyone the best experience. Β Having our own compartment gave us all of the photo opportunities we had hoped for.
The pilot was definitely trained in making people feel comfortable up in the air, even if some of the passengers had a slight fear of heights. Our pilot Halil just pulled out a joke or two to make the passengers feel relaxed. He was also very knowledgeable of the Cappadocia landscapes and history.
I canβt find the words to explain how liberating it feels to be up in the air inside a balloon, watching the most amazing landscapes passing by. It is definitely something youβll have to experience for yourself. The flight had many highlights, but one of my favourite moments was when we flew in between the fairy chimneys of Love Valley:
Add to your bucket list:
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Check out Viator for hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia:Β
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