Do you remember watching National Geographic as a kid? That particular episode in which a travel host steps into a basket, and then a fire magically causes a balloon to inflate, followed by the host kissing us goodbye as the balloon takes off the ground and flies away to glory. That was the first time I’d experienced amazement and jealousy simultaneously. I was amazed by the sheer mechanism of how the whole thing worked. And I was jealous of the host, wondering if only I’d been in his place. At that moment, the idea of pushing him mid-air from the basket to take his place seemed completely acceptable. Fortunately, I got to experience the best hot air balloon tour in Cappadocia, Turkey without resorting to any such violence. Turkey is one of my favourite travel destinations. Now there’s a reason why I say that. Because after having explored my soul city Istanbul and the naturally stunning Pamukkale, I still had a bucket list destination called Cappadocia up my sleeve in the last leg of my vacation. And doing a hot air balloon tour of Cappadocia ranked right up there in my list of must-do activities. In this blog, I’ll be sharing my experience of doing the best Cappadocia hot air balloon tour through Royal Balloon Cappadocia.
Why Royal Balloon Is The Best Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Company
A hot air balloon tour in Cappadocia is an automatic inclusion in an ideal Turkey itinerary. However, there are hundreds of hot air balloon tour companies in Cappadocia. Why should you choose Royal Balloon Cappadocia among all of them?
Because Royal Balloon Cappadocia offers the best service as a hot air balloon company and is top-rated on TripAdvisor. There are several reasons why it’s the top choice of any traveller visiting Cappadocia, and they are as follows :
1. Firstly, the Royal Balloon takes off from an exclusive launch site. To experience the best sunrise views, the launch area, and timing make all the difference. And Royal Balloon nails both these criteria.
They take off from an isolated spot at a precise, well-planned time so when the sun rises, you get to see the most magical views of the Cappadocian landscape.
2. Secondly, the Royal Balloon pilots are masters at their craft. They take you close to the Fairy Chimneys, navigating through narrow gorges and snaggy peaks.
This way you get the best vantage point to see the unusually attractive landscape from close quarters. Besides, the pilots have a cheeky sense of humour that’ll keep you entertained throughout.
3. Thirdly, unlike other hot air balloon companies, they provide you with a full buffet breakfast before your flight.
4. Fourthly, their balloons are built by two premier hot air balloon manufacturers in the world – Cameron Balloons and Lindstrand Balloons (both are UK based). The balloons are made from new generation Hyperlife Silver Coating technology which ensures the highest safety of all passengers on-board.
5. And finally, naah, let me reveal this secret service of theirs at the end.
Enjoying The Best Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tour
The tour begins with the Royal Balloon shuttle picking you up from your hotel early morning. The company gives you a pick-up time, a day in advance of your flight, based on your hotel’s location. So keep in touch with them through email or your hotel’s reception.
The shuttle drops you at their “Royal Balloon Headquarters” where you are treated to a sumptuous breakfast buffet. After all, who’d want to die on an empty tummy! I’m kidding. They have the Eureko Insurance policy which offers the highest insurance rate among all companies in Cappadocia. Not that you’ll need it, but just saying.
You’ll be doing your check-in and completing your payment at the HQ’s reception. Subsequently, you’ll proceed to the take-off site along with other passengers in the company’s shuttle.
Preparing For The Royal Balloon Cappadocia Flight
Your experience begins even before the balloon takes flight as you get to see the pilot and his crew unload and assemble the balloon. Then the crew uses a powerful fire machine (that emits rousing flames) and fans to direct the flames and subsequent hot air into the balloon.
Two men stand at the opposite ends of the balloon holding it with all their strength as the balloon slowly inflates from the hot air pressure. You literally see a deflated balloon take shape and inflate right in front of your eyes. Then a batch of 12 people is made to enter the basket.
The pilot of the balloon announces safety instructions on a microphone as you pick your spot to sit/stand in the basket. After a playful self-countdown that you are made to do, a couple of powerful flame shots are given by the pilot, forcing the balloon to take off from the launch site.
Meanwhile, you get to see other balloons preparing to take off around you.
During The Flight
The flight begins as the pilot navigates the balloon close to the jagged peaks.
You are so perilously close to the volcanic rocks that you feel that you’ll almost crash into them. Royal Balloon pilots sure know how to give you a minor heart attack.
It’s their expert navigation skill that allows you to enjoy the natural beauty of the rocky terrain.
Gradually, the balloon rises at a comfortable height where you can see a cluster of volcanic rocks with other balloons in the background.
Soon you see the sun peeking through the clouds, with the sun rays faintly kissing the rock formations. You are left awestruck once the sun is out, as it’s rays illuminate the towers, filling the dead rocky terrain with life.
The magnificent Cappadocian geography is on full display as the balloon picks up some elevation.
The reason I told you that Royal Balloon is the best is that it takes off from a launch point where you get to see the terrain and all the balloons from a distance. Therefore, you aren’t a part of the hot air balloon crowd where you’re surrounded by balloons and your view of the landscape and the sunrise is blocked.
The expert pilots skillfully traverse the terrain, reducing the altitude a couple of times. This allows you to admire the caves, rocks, valleys, and colourful balloons filling the morning sky from a close distance.
At full elevation, the sight of several balloons filling the sky against the mesmerising backdrop of Cappadocia’s natural beauty is one to behold.
You also get to see the famous “Fairy Chimneys” in all their glory, some of them looking like mushrooms and some of them, well, like male genitals.
All you can do is absorb this phantasmagorical view, as the cold breeze kisses your face and the sun smiles at you. I can confidently say that the panoramic views of Cappadocia are amongst some of the best in Turkey.
It’s the stuff that dreams are made of, my friend. Breathtaking views of the valley fill your heart with joy and delight as you aimlessly float in the air, drifting over rock formations and flirting with clouds.
After a 60 minute flight, the pilot makes the balloon land expertly on the back of a truck.
Post The Flight
Now the post-landing tradition was a surprise for all of us. This is their secret service I told you I’ll mention at the end.
The staff served us champagne and chocolate-coated strawberries as treats to celebrate a successful flight.
They also awarded gold medals, as mementos to all passengers for surviving the journey. We were given a Royal baseball cap and a miniature hot air balloon as gifts to take back home. And thus, our Royal Hot Air Balloon tour of Cappadocia came to an end.
Note:
- They have different packages based on your preference and budget.
- I chose the Royal Queen package where the flight time is 60 minutes. It cost me 180 Euros but was well worth the experience. You can check out their packages and get in touch with them for bookings by clicking here.
Conclusion
Hot air ballooning is one activity that appeals to kids and adults alike. It transports us into a magical world where our wanderlust takes flight. I thoroughly enjoyed the hot air balloon experience with Royal Balloon and suggest you opt for them too as they offer the best Cappadocia hot air balloon tours.
At the end of the day, all you want from travel are unforgettable memories and Royal Balloon ensures that you have the time of your life!
SHARE this post “Best Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tour – Royal Balloon Cappadocia” with your friends, family, travel buddies, and frenemies to make them aware of this experience and help them plan their Turkey vacation better.
PIN the image below to share the post “Best Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tour – Royal Balloon Cappadocia” with your followers to help them plan this bucket list activity to perfection. Also, SUBSCRIBE to “The Wandering Vegetable” for more such travel inspiration. Cheers to wanderlust!
25 comments
I am far too afraid of heights to ever go up in a hot air balloon but I would love to watch something like this. So beautiful.
This looks absolutely amazing!
How cool! I love watching hot air balloons. I’m afraid of heights so I’d never want to go in one, but I love watching all the different designs.
THIS is my one regret when I was in Turkey – NOT going to Cappadocia!!!!!!!! But that just means – back to Turkey I go, which IS NOT a terrible thing! haha!
A win-win if you ask me. Turkey’s a fabulous country and Istanbul is one of my favourite cities in the world. You’ll love Cappadocia and it’s unique terrain!
I’ve been seeing so many posts about this on Instagram in recent years. Definitely the new thing to do!
This is so like an event that I attend every year. Our balloon fiesta starts this Friday.
The hot air balloons look so cool! Seems like you guys had a magical time 🙂
Oh this looks so fun! I love hot air balloons and I have always wanted to ride in one. This looks like a really cool experience.
Your post was glorious to read. I have never felt brave enough to take a flight but always wanted to go to a festival to see the balloons.
Hot air balloons amaze me too. Your post was very uplifting and has inspired me to look at taking this flight. I am excited to explore further.
Great post!
Do you believe that in my whole life i never went in a balloon? Yet i’ts an emotion that i would very much like to try, perphaps in such a scenario!
Taking a balloon ride in Cappadocia is one of those bucket list activities that you must do. The views from up there look so amazing! And what great service you have received from the company you flew with.
Oh wow this is awesome. They’re big into hot air balloons where I live and I was seeing them all summer, it was really fun!
This is on my bucket list to experience over the next couple of years and I cannot wait to see it all first hand. The scenery is just awe-inspiring.
Oh, my goodness. You got some amazing pictures! When my kids were little and our neighborhood was unfinished, balloons used to land in my backyard. It was magical.
What an amazing experience!! This is one of my things on my bucket list. It’s just beautiful and a whole different experience. I love that they provided full breakfast and champagne to celebrate. It sure looks like a perfect romantic date.
That’s one incredible experience! Wow! Hot air balloon, that too in a rocky terrain seems like a bucketlist item for me now.
The views are incredible! I love that you got your champagne and strawberries at the end too- what a great added bonus!
I’ve always been fascinated by hot air balloons. A hot air ballon festival looks fun.
Hot air ballooning always looks amazing, though a bit terrifying. I’d love to be floating above the ground enjoying beautiful views and some champagne.
A hot air balloon ride would be ideal. These are great things to keep in mind when you do.
I SO BADLY want to ride in a hot air balloon! This looks like an especially neat place to do it … AND during a balloon festival?! How magical!
What a gorgeous site and fun festival. I have always wanted to go to one of these. I use to see hot air balloons a lot growing up. Now, not so much. I miss them.
WOW! There s a long list of balloon tours you can take in Cappadocia, but this is THE ONE. Between the hotel pickup, substantial breakfast, courtesy of the pilots and staff, and the actual ride, this was an epic experience.
Wow! Such an incredible experience! It must just as great as anyone could have imagined. I hope to go up in a balloon someday. I enjoyed reading this so much, renewed my desire to take a ride. The pic’s are fantastic!