UP, UP & AWAY

Floating above Cappadocia’s surreal, lunar-like landscape is a pinch-me moment

WORDS BY EMILY HUMPHREY

Cappadocia is famous for its unique landforms: deep valleys, swirling volcanic-rock landscapes, fairy chimneys that change colour with the sunset, hotels and houses carved into rock. It’s an enchanting, peculiar land, also known for its labyrinthine underground cities.

Of course this area, although spectacular at any angle, is renowned for its hot air balloon flights. Early birds can take to the sky over the otherworldly Cappadocian landscape as the sun rises, over the fairy chimneys and down to the canyons dotted around Göreme. The variety of altitudes makes for fascinating perspectives of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, from a bird’s eye view of the valley networks to low-level ballooning that sees you gliding just metres from the walls and ground.

Watching balloons at sunrise

Taking off with the sun makes for brilliant photo opportunities during golden hour; rock-hewn beauties bathed in a surreal glow. You’ll drift silently above these formations for a couple of hours in the stillness. The silence (bar the gas jets firing) only adds to the experience.

Although a year-round activity, balloon rides are weather dependent as the skies need to be clear and still. Basket sizes vary but there is plenty of room for everyone to get a spectacular view – an ‘edge of the basket’ experience.

MAIN IMAGE: Balloons before launch in Göreme National Park