Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about
Things to know before you go on a hot air balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey
Many people make the long journey to Cappadocia just for the opportunity to feel weightless in a basket and soar high up in the air. Now that we’ve been privileged to experience it, I can see why it is described as a “once-in-a-lifetime” trip – here’s what you need to know about hot air ballooning in this incredible region in Turkey!
1. The first commercial balloon flight was only three decades ago
The first commercial passenger balloon in Turkey was operated by Lars-Eric Möre and Kaili Kidner in 1991. Since then, more than 25 companies and 200 hot air balloons have been registered to operate Cappadocia balloon tours.
The hot air balloon industry in Cappadocia has only truly blossomed in recent years thanks to the extremely favourable conditions in the region, the proliferation of instant media like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok and increased accessibility of travel and flights.
2. The hot air balloon season in Cappadocia is year-round
Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia is incredible not only because of the unique and rugged landscape, but also because the hundreds of balloons fly approximately 250 days of the year, compared to about 60 days elsewhere in Europe. Not only can you soar above the terrain in summer and spring, you can explore the winter wonderland covered in a blanket of snow from above – truly ethereal!
The best time of year to go hot air ballooning in Cappadocia is from April to November as the most favorable weather conditions are during these months; because of strong winds most of the flight cancellations typically take place from December to March.
3. More than 100 balloons fly every morning
Cappadocia might be the only place in the world where hundreds of balloons fly nearly every single morning, giving over 2000 people a day the experience of a lifetime.
Up to 100 balloons are allowed to take off before sunrise, and another 50 are granted permission to take off half an hour after sunrise.
4. You need to book early
Hot air ballooning is THE most popular thing to do in Cappadocia, so you absolutely must book as early as possible and plan ahead, because balloons fill up months in advance. Just because 100-or so balloons fly every morning does not mean that you are guaranteed a spot. One of my biggest tips for traveling to Cappadocia is to stay at least two to three nights to maximize your chances of getting on a flight, just in case your flight is cancelled due to poor weather conditions.
You should also know that there are usually age and height restrictions for joining a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia: young children under the age of 6 may not be able to join, and you must be over a certain height (approximately 4’6″ or 140 cm) in order to be able to adopt the landing position and look over the edge of the basket.
5. Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia is not “cheap“
Depending on which company you go with and how many people are in the basket, a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia costs anywhere between 160-260 Euros (US$190-280) per person. You might even be able to book the entire balloon to yourself for the “bargain” price of 2500 Euros! Prices tend to be fixed since demand is so high, so don’t expect any discounts. Think of it this way – you are paying for the incredible behind-the-scenes logistics required to make sure that your Cappadocia hot air ballooning experience goes off without a hitch, not to mention the extensive decades-long training and experience of the balloon pilots as well as insurance.
And as always have a chilled day from the Viking
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