Cappadocia is otherworldly, with unique landscapes and rock formations. It is also one of the best places on earth to go on a hot air balloon ride! Couple the two experiences together and you have pure magic. This post is a photo diary of pictures I took while in Cappadocia that I hope will inspire you to go on a hot air balloon ride while you are there!
My Experience
One thing that really surprised me was hot big the baskets were. Somehow, I thought it was 1 square basket but these balloons were huge and the baskets were rectangular and were divided into 2 and then into 4 again. So essentially there were 8 sections and each section had 3- 4 people in it.
I later did a hot air balloon ride in Egypt and it was not as impressive as the hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia. The main reason was this was the sheer volume of balloons that dot the sky in Cappadocia! It is truly a sight to behold!
We had to wake up early but you are dropped off at your hotel for a quick nap before breakfast! Trust me it is worth the early morning wake up call!
We booked our hot air balloon ride with a company called Butterfly and they were really great! Check them out HERE
Tips for Hot Air Balloon Rides in Cappadocia
Have at least 2 days in the region
Balloons don’t fly if the wind is over 10 kmph. This is why it’s important to have at least 2 nights in Cappadocia. If you don’t get to do it the first morning you are there then you can try again the next morning. Pick up from you hotel will be between 4:30- 5AM but you should be dropped off by 7AM the latest.
See the balloons from your hotel
In addition to being inside the balloon, witnessing the myriad of balloon from either your hotel or a high point in Cappadocia is also an amazing sight. The balloons come very close to civilization and it’s really fascinating to see. We had 2 mornings in Cappadocia. Our plan was to go on hot air balloon ride the first morning and then see the balloons from our hotel the next but unfortunately the wind was too strong the next day and the balloon didn’t fly.
Dress in layers
If you are traveling during the colder months, dress in layers as it can get pretty hot inside the balloon. Especially if you are close to the flames.
Don’t worry about the color of your balloon
It doesn’t matter if your balloon is not colorful, what matters is that the balloons around you are colorful!
Photos from My Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia
The start is always exciting! It can take a while to get the balloon inflated but it’s fascinating to watch.
All balloons more or less start at the same place. It’s the first time you begin to realize how massive they are.
Up, up and away! It was still twilight when we took off.
The landscapes are really unique and seeing it from top gives you a different perspective.
The first glimpse of the sun!
This is probably one of my favorite pictures. Love all the colors and the vastness of the landscape.
From the otherworldly landscapes to civilization! You can see in the pictures below how close the balloons come near the buildings.
Flying over love valley!
Another one of my favorite pictures of a balloon, landing.
The basket lands exactly on the trailer.
There is so much to see in Cappadocia! Check out my detailed post HERE
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3 comments
Your photographs are fabulous. I have visited Cappadocia, but the weather was not in my favour for ballooning. Seeing it from above in your photos has provided a new perspective on what I saw on the ground.
Thank you so much! Sorry to hear the weather was not favorable 🙁 It’s always dicey in that area.
I was just there with my partner two months ago. I proposed to her on top of a hill with all the balloons in the background. She said yes haha Cappadocia is really a magical place, awesome photos btw!