Ballooning in Turkey

Balloon Rides in Cappadocia Turkey

In the last 15 years it can be reasonably said that this region of Turkey has become home to the largest concentration of passenger balloon rides operators in the world.

The reasons for this are its stable weather with over 300 flyable mornings a year (afternoon flights are rarely made) and its eye catching geological features with "fairy chimmneys and houses caved in its rocks. These are the end result of rocks formed in lakes and streams from the eruption of ancient volcanoes approximately 9 to 3 million years ago. The rocks of Cappadocia near Göreme eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars and minaret-like forms. People of the villages at the heart of the Cappadocia Region carved out houses, churches and monasteries from the soft rocks of volcanic deposits.

For the modern day balloon flights tourist the setting is ideal and in addition to the geological views there is the spectacle of flying with perhaps as many as 120 other balloons on some mornings as they all launch from one area within a 3 kilometre strip and within 30 minutes of each other. Pilots always aim to land the balloon basket on the balloon trailer in the light wind landings which are the norm.

Access to the area is easy from Kyseri Airport and the majority of balloon ride passengers come into the area on tour groups. However direct booking with balloon flight operators is possible and there are plenty to choose from. Here are just a few who provide balloon flights in Cappadocia to choose from
Goreme Balloons, Royal Balloons, Kapadokya Kaya Balloonsand Butterfly Balloons