Middle East

Hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia. An experience to remember.

The uniqueness of the landscape and cuteness of the colorful balloons create a dreamy and breathtaking picture. Have  you seen on Instagram hundreds of perfectly captured photos of cute hot air balloons over Cappadocia? I guess, you have. This popular activity in Turkey got its fame not only because of such a dreamy adventurous experience, but mostly because of the possibility to take such incredibly beautiful photos. All the social media fever might at times over-shade the experience itself. Let me tell you something, guys: a hot air balloon flight is a truly incredible experience that makes you feel like floating.

The sun is getting ready to rise and shine again over Cappadocia. It is accompanied almost every morning by 150 colorful balloons creating a picturesque and iconic image that many people all over the world crave to see. Planning the trip to Turkey, Cappadocia was on top of the list. I wanted to see with my own eyes this unique place and, of course, fulfill my forever dream of flying in a hot air balloon.  There is something magical about it and ever since I watched “Up”. I have been dreaming about being lifted by a colorful bunch of balloons…but as this is rather a risky (and not very likely) business, one giant balloon had to do the trick.  Have you seen the film?

 

Dreams are for making them come true, right?

The day of making this dream finally arrived when we were invited by Voyager Balloons to experience the flight with them. We arrived to Cappadocia welcomed by beautiful landscape around and a sunny weather. As you can suspect, we left the hotel as soon as possible and went exploring the town. Then, to my surprise, the weather rapidly changed and it started raining and got quite cold. Very soon we learnt that our flight next morning had been cancelled due to weather, well…all the flights were annulled. We were offered a flight the next day that was good for us and since we only had one extra day available, we really hoped the weather would get better. This is the biggest advice I would give you, if you want to experience a hot air balloon flight: stay in Cappadocia for at least two nights (or longer of course even better), just in case your flight does not happen. The following day we were picked up from the hotel and happily waited for the flight. Soon we were told that it might not happen again, but as the wind calmed down we got permission to fly.

The pilots started inflating the balloons, which grew big and round high above the ground. They were much bigger than I ever imagined. We jumped into the baskets and slowly rose up in the air. It was very quiet and peaceful. The day was starting and the whole world was waking up. We could see the cars and people little like ants. Many early risers were posing on the ground for photos with the balloons in the background, including newly wedded couples. It seemed to be a trend these days to have a wedding photo session with Cappadocian balloons. The silence was only broken by laughs of the group and jokes of our pilot, Halis. I could see that he loved his job and this tiny land of Cappadocia and he wanted us to fall in love with it, too. He maneuvered our balloon calmly staying close enough to other balloons (so we could admire the beauty of over 100 colorful balloons floating above the ground), yet with enough space to observe the scene. Slightly terrifying, mainly exhilarating experience reminded me that we were totally at the mercy of nature. Halis took us on a ride by eroded rocks that looked like giant Swiss cheese, fairy chimneys and pigeon houses.

See also: From Tuskany to Cannes in two weeks. Plan a perfect road trip.

hot air balloon Cappadocia, Turkey

Mindful moment

Instagram and other social media are such a power over people’s behaviour and choices. I stumbled upon so many blog posts “most Instagrammable places in…”. It made me think that many of the incredibly beautiful photos cost time. Of course it’s nice to see them and so many talented people are out there taking amazing photographs and are able to edit them to even more highlight the perfection. But that time, especially to take the photos and make all the preparations, cannot be reversed. During my flight over Cappadocia I wanted to take hundreds of photos of this unique place and experience. Then it hit me: unique place and experience and I am taking photos instead of just be, look and remember. The moment I put the camera away, I realized how freeing the moment was.

See also: Make your flights easier. Mindfulness exercises for stressful flights.

hot air balloon Cappadocia, Turkey

hot air balloon Cappadocia, Turkey

What my experience looked like with Voyager Balloons

  • The balloon flight is even more incredible with the colours of sunrise, that’s why the tours start early in the morning. The Voyager Balloons driver picked us up from the hotel at 3:30am (the tour operators will normally pick you up between 3:20 and 3:50).
  • We were taken to the Voyager office, where we had some time for a quick breakfast and were given the numbers of vans that were going to take us to the take off place, which might be different every day.
  • The excitement grew during the trip to the take off place, but when we finally arrived and saw the place full of balloons ready to be inflated, I could not stop my happiness. We waited a while as it was too windy and we did not get permission to fly (this can happen and all the flights might be cancelled either a night before or the very morning), but after 30 minutes of impatient waiting, we got the permission and started boarding the basket. We missed the sunrise, that can be normally seen when you are already up in the sky, but the view of Cappadocia was still breathtaking. I could even say that the light was much better to take pretty pictures.
  • The flight lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes. Normally the flight lasts one hour, however due to the previous waiting, our lovely pilot Halis decided to give us a little compensation of extra time. Of course, we all were very grateful.
  • After landing we all got certificates and a glass of fizzy wine. To a surprise to all of us, we were witnesses of a marriage proposal of an Argentinean couple and a little surprise that Voyager Balloons prepared for the future bride (not a bad idea of a proposal, so if any of you are planning dropping a question, you might as well steal this idea and let Voyager know, so they can take care of the rest). You can only imagine the face of surprise!
  • When all the emotions settled and we all had enough, we were taken back to our hotels. And the best thing yet…there was still time for one of the best breakfast we had during the trip in Ansia Hotel.

See also: A guide to Copenhagen, a city of happy people.

hot air balloon Cappadocia, Turkey

hot air balloon Cappadocia, Turkey, Voyager Balloons

Tips for a hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia

  • Wear layers. I flew in summer, but Cappadocian weather might be capricious, although up in the air it was much warmer than on the ground. I was glad to have a light jacket with me during the whole time waiting and after landing.
  • Wear flat shoes and comfortable clothes to be able to jump over the edge of the basket to board and unboard (just please do not it up in the air). I wore a dress and it was a bit tricky for me.
  • Have a camera fully charged and a sim card with lots of space. I promise you, you will take lots of pictures and videos.
  • Bring GoPro or a selfie stick to be able to take photos of yourself. We did not take any of these and asked others a few times to take photos. Whatever you bring, make sure is comfortable to hold to avoid it slipping off your hand.
  • Bring sunglasses.
  • Board the basket first or last to have an unobstructed view.
  • Stay in Cappadocia for at least two nights and book your flight for the first morning you are there. Flights are at times cancelled due to weather conditions, so b y staying more time you will have a better chance to be able to fly. Besides, there is so much to see around that you won’t be bored.

See also: Pierogi, kings and dragons. See the beauty of Kraków.

hot air balloon Cappadocia, Turkey

Questions to ask before booking a hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia

  • Size of the basket and number of people in it matters. Ask the provider about it.
  • How skilled are the pilots?
  • Will the pilot fly low and high or only high?
  • What is the breakfast like?
  • Will you be able to see the chimneys up close?
  • Will your flight take off with other balloons?

See also: Indoor skydiving: fulfill a dream of flying.

hot air balloon Cappadocia, Turkey




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hot air balloon Cappadocia, Turkey

hot air balloon Cappadocia, Turkey

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