Cappadocia: The Balloon Experience
“Would you like to fly in my beautiful balloon?”
The 5th Dimension “Up, Up, and Away”
Have you ever dreamt of flying in a hot air balloon, but had no idea what it would be like? Since we were in Turkey, we decided to go to the world capital of hot air ballooning. Every morning, weather permitting, more than 150 balloons float above Cappadocia’s stunning landscape. The result is one of the most memorable experiences you can have, both in the air and on the ground.
Strict Weather Rules
We stayed a week in Cappadocia in case they had to postpone our flight, and thank goodness we did. We were told that the Turkish government has strict rules on flying conditions, and cancellations come straight from them. Our pilot sniped that Turkey cares about its tourists, unlike Egypt, where they care more about your money than your safety.
Even though the weather seemed fine, our flight got postponed five days in a row until the next-to-last day of our stay. The upper winds were over 10 mph, which is above the regulated limit. We overheard a lot of disappointed visitors at our hotel who were only there for a few nights.
Offseason Pluses and Minuses
We were there in February, which was a strange time of year to visit. We arrived in the middle of both Ramadan and Chinese Lunar New Year. The hotel was mostly empty, except for a daily busload of Chinese tourists. While they were out touring, we had the entire hotel to ourselves.
The hotel and the balloon ride were less than half price at that time of year. We paid about $165 for both of us to fly. In season, it’s that much or more per person, and you’re not guaranteed a flight if you don’t book early enough.
The worst part of the experience was the cold. On the day of our flight, it was 0 degrees Celsius on the ground. We have no idea how cold it was when we were aloft, but it was easily the coldest we’d ever been. When we got back to our hotel, we raced into the sauna fully dressed, and we still couldn’t get warm. It took about three hours before we felt mostly normal.
They’re Big
I’d never seen a hot air balloon up close and had no idea how huge they were. The baskets fit 24 passengers, a guide, and a pilot. The long rectangular baskets are divided into separate compartments fitting either three or four passengers.
The balloon itself is about as tall as a ten-story building. On the ground, uninflated, it's unimpressive, but once they start to inflate it, you start to realize the scale.
After that, they fire up the burners to heat the air inside, and soon the balloon is ready to go.
Sunrise
Flights take off just before sunrise, when the wind is calm. Everywhere you look, balloons are being inflated, glowing from the bright flames.
As the sun peeks over the mountaintops, you’re treated to a bird’s-eye view of the valley as it’s painted by the morning light.
Takeoff
I was worried about how I’d handle takeoff. I braced myself for a rapid ascent, but it was slow and gentle. A ground crew ensured that our balloon lifted off smoothly without sliding or rising too quickly. My fear of heights barely registered, and after a few minutes, I felt comfortable enough to enjoy the view.
The View
A view from a hot air balloon is unique. A view from a hot air balloon in Cappadocia is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I told my wife I was blown away, but she suggested I use a different term while we were still in the air.
There’s no other way to get such a slow-moving, panoramic view from that height. We had time to study the landscape in every direction. In Cappadocia, it doesn’t matter which way the basket is facing. There’s always something amazing to see. And with all the balloons in the sky, the view above is just as stunning as the one below.
The view from the ground is just as exciting. The next day, we took a tour and watched the balloons take off. People on the ground and in the air are constantly waving at each other and taking pictures.
Controlling the Flight
I always thought that once you take off, you’re at the mercy of the wind. Technically, you are, but these pilots know how to use it to their advantage. The balloonists were constantly adjusting altitude to catch winds moving in different directions. We’d be drifting one way while a higher balloon moved in the opposite direction.
At one point, we dipped very low, and it looked like we were going to hit a canyon wall. The balloon got close enough that I felt like I could have jumped out safely if needed. Then we shot up quickly and brushed the tops of some trees with the bottom of the basket. I later learned this is a technique used to slow the balloon.
Throughout the ride, we were above, beside, or below other balloons, but never close enough to feel unsafe.
For almost an hour, we floated over the landscape, which was more than enough time. We were freezing.
Landing
Before takeoff, we were instructed on how to brace for landing. We practiced grabbing handles inside the basket and crouching down with our backs against the wall of our compartment. I joked that it was our “crash position.” It turns out, that’s exactly what it was. In the rare case of a rough landing, this position helps keep you safe if the basket tips.
Fortunately, that almost never happens. Our landing was surprisingly smooth. Instead of touching down on the ground, a crew of four guided us onto a trailer using ropes. It was so gentle that I wasn’t even sure we had landed.
We weren’t allowed to get out of the basket right away. First, they secured it, and then came the sales pitch for a video of the ride. Cameras mounted on long poles captured social media ready panoramic footage of the passengers and scenery throughout the flight.
I might have bought one of the balloon-shaped thumb drives with the video, but I couldn’t feel my fingers, and all we wanted was to get back to the transport van and warm up.
After the long sales pitch, we had to climb out of the basket. There’s no graceful way to do it, and we needed a little help. The ground crew was clearly used to that.
But we still weren’t finished. Next came a small “champagne ceremony,” where they shook bottles of bubbly and sprayed it into the air, then poured the now-flat champagne into glasses mostly filled with pomegranate juice.
Then the guide made a big show of praising the pilot and “generously” tipping him, clearly suggesting that we should do the same. We were ready for this, so we quickly handed over our tip and bolted for the van.
Packing Up and Finishing
While sitting in the slightly warmer van, we watched the ground crew pack up the balloon. First, they released the air through side flaps. As it deflated, they pulled it down in a specific direction.
Once flattened, they folded it lengthwise into a long, narrow strip, then kept folding until it was compact enough to fit into a surprisingly small bundle. It was loaded onto a trailer and hauled away until the next morning.
We enjoyed watching that process more than what was happening with the rest of the group. Apparently, we missed the part where they handed out certificates to commemorate the experience. But who needs a piece of paper when you have the pictures and the memories?
Next Week: Back to Istanbul - A Deeper Dive
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Interesting Side Note
One of the traditions in my high school graduating class was a “class prophecy,” which imagined what our reunion would be like decades later. In it, I arrived in a hot air balloon, fitting my quirky personality.
With my fear of heights, I always thought that would never happen. I’m glad I was wrong, but how did they predict that more than 40 years ago?
Sounds like an adventure!! I loved your description and the pics.