Tom Hot Air Balloon Flight in Cappadocia is arguably the hottest attraction and things to do in Turkey! On the second day of 2015, we managed finally fly over Cappadocia with Royal Balloon!
Hot Air Balloon Flight in Cappadocia with Royal Balloon!
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In general, Cappadocia refers to the amazing monolith formations (fairy chimneys) of Turkey. However, more specifically, Cappadocia actually refers to a region that is enclosed by 3 towns, namely Uchisar, Urgup and Avanos.
We initially wanted to fly on the first of January. However, due to bad weather conditions, we were unable to fly. According to our guide Enis, if there’s high wind speeds, no winds, rains or low visibility, the hot air balloons won’t fly. We were also pretty surprised when he said “no winds”. Turns out that hot air balloons can only alter its altitude and axis of spin. The altitude control allows the pilot to catch the wind or avoid it. The spin about its axis allows passengers to have different views during the flight.
This also means that the hot air balloon essentially have no control over the direction of travel. Wherever the wind takes, it will go!
During our day of flight, a van from Royal Balloon picked us up at our hotel lobby at 615 and we arrived for breakfast at the HQ of Royal Balloon at 630. Breakfast was buffet styled while we awaited for flight updates on the monitor screens. Yellow flags indicate “no flights” while Green flags indicate “Yay! Fly!”
You may also wonder how they can afford the buffet spread (before payment) if the day’s flight is not confirmed…one of the reasons why flying with Royal Balloon is more expensive at USD220 per person. Of course, it also boasts the best safety records and reputation 😛
While the first group flown, we were fortunate enough to see these beautiful scenes…
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Video of our Hot Air Balloon taking flight over Cappadocia
There were 4 compartments on the hot air balloon with each compartment taking up to 6 people. There were also handles inside the balloon for brace positions. As soon as we boarded the flight, our pilot taught us the brace position and to be ready for these positions during landing and take-off, when necessary. Fortunately, both landing and take off of the hot air balloon were very smooth – no need for us to take the brace positions at all 🙂
Our pilot was also very humourous. When we were about to take off, this conversation took place
Pilot : Is this your first time flying?
Unsuspecting passenger : Yes! (Excitedly)
Pilot : Mine as well!
Of course, during our flight, we were able to tell he was very experienced…take a look at this video as we barely cleared the top of this formation…
Barely clearing the top of a formation in Cappadocia!
The hot air balloon experience in Cappadocia was definitely one of the best experiences in our years of travel! You will really really really have to experience it to believe it! Nope, the following video also does not do justice to the views we’ve enjoyed…
Hot Air Balloon Flight over Cappadocia
Our top experiences during our hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia includes
– Majestic views of the fair chimneys, pigeon holes and monoliths of Cappadocia
– Flying amidst the clouds…heavenly…
– Flying deep in the valleys and getting really really close to the formations
– Experiencing all this with your loved ones (in this case – Kate my love! :P)
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The entire flight took about 45 minutes while we alternated between flying high with the clouds and low between the valleys during this time. Since the pilot was unable to control the direction of flight, there was a team of people on the ground that monitored the balloon throughout the flight. As soon as we flown over a good spot for landing, the pilot lowered the balloon while the “balloon chasers” ran and jumped to hold on to the ropes lowered by the pilot. They would then pull the balloon such that the basket landed squarely on the back of the truck. As the balloon deflated, we also started to (sadly) alight the flight…
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After a smooth and successful landing, the ground team even set up a table nearby with champagne and chocolates for “landing celebrations”. The pilot also presented every passenger with his or her medal from Royal Balloon as a memory and token for the completion of the hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia. Of course, Kate took the opportunity to take photos with the handsome pilot as well 😉
Itinerary of Turkey Travel Day 6: Hot Air Balloon Flight in Cappadocia
0615 : Depart from Dinler Hotel Nevsehir to Royal Balloon HQ for Breakfast
0815 : Commencement of Hot Air Balloon Flight in Cappadocia
0900 : Hot air balloon lands / Landing Celebrations with Champagne and Chocolates
0935 : Arrival back at Dinler Hotel
1030 : Departure from Dinler Hotel to Ankara (Capital of Turkey)
1245 : Lunch
1345 : Departure from Lunch to Ankara
1515 : Arrival at Ataturk Museum in Ankara
1630 : Departure from Ataturk Museum to Hotel in Bolu
1845 : Arrival at Koru Hotel in Bolu
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If you opt not to take the hot air balloon flight, you will have more time to sleep in and have a leisurely morning at breakfast before the group returns from the hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia. Subsequently, we headed towards Ankara for a stopover at the Ataturk Museum (the founder of modern Turkey) before ending our day at Bolu. The drive from Cappadocia to Ankara is approximately 400km. Enroute, we passed by Salt Lake, which produces 80% of salt production in Turkey (can you believe it?!).
Along the way, we made a stopover at the capital city of Turkey – Ankara. Here, we visited the Ataturk Mausoleum which commemorates the founder of modern Turkey – Mustafa Kamal Ataturk. We also saw the change of guards at the Ataturk Mausoleum…
Change of guards at Ataturk Mausoleum
Related posts
This post is part of our 10 Days 7 Nights Turkey travel with Chan Brothers. Below, you can find other relevant posts covered during this trip.
Turkey Trip Day 1 : Singapore to Istanbul and Ferry to Canakkale
Turkey Travel Day 2 : Visiting the Trojan Horse of Troy and Ancient City of Pergamon
Turkey Travel Day 3 : Visit to Ephesus / Turkish Bath and Hot Springs of Lycus River Hotel Pamukkale
Turkey Trip Day 4 : Pamukkale Cotton Castle and Journey to Cappadocia!
Hot Air Balloon Flight in Cappadocia with Royal Balloon : Turkey Travel Day 6!
Mall of Istanbul (MOI) : Shopping Eating and Relaxing on Day 8 of Turkey Trip!
The hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia is definitely the highlight of our Turkey trip! Find out more as we travel back to Istanbul on day 7 of our Chan Brothers Turkey Travel!
Hi.. Was just browsing through your blog and it was awesome! When was your travelling date? I plan to go in early December as i love the cold season.. But was wondering if i could experience some snow by that time?
Hi Sabrina,
Glad you enjoyed our post.
We went in end Dec to early Jan. It was the last week of the travel season before it “closes”.
We only managed to see snow when we were in Bolu 🙁
The snow was kinda like playing hide-and-seek with us….it snowed in Istanbul the day after we left to make our way to Canakkale. And when we returned to Istanbul, it only rained heavily and did not snow 🙁
We would love to return to Turkey in summer for a different experience! 🙂
Happy travels!