Cappadocia is one of the most interesting and visited regions in Turkey, stretches between Asia Minor and Mesopotamia, from the heart of Turkey to the borders of Armenia and Iran. Bordered on the north by the Antitaurus mountain range and bounded on the east by the Euphrates River, its most important city is ancient Caesarea, now Kayseri. For all intents and purposes it is a Turkish region, but the original language is derived from Greek, while local traditions and culture are influenced by Greek, Roman , Christian and Persian, as well as Turkish influences, having been a very important crossroads between the Western world and Asia for centuries. In short, it is a mysterious and very special territory that has always piqued the curiosity of countless tourists and travelers from all over the world.
Evidence of a thousand-year history
Cappadocia’s historical and artistic heritage is diverse. ASsirians, Hittites, Persians, Hellenic peoples, Romans, Christians, Byzantines and Seljuk Turks dominated these lands overlapping the different cultures and leaving behind numerous evidences of a thousand-year history, such as tombs, religious monuments, churches and fortresses that are still well preserved and visited by tourists today.
Cappadocia’s magical landscapes: the Fairy Chimneys
Cappadocia is’ a magical land famous, for its Moonscapes forged by weathering, volcanic eruptions and by wind and river erosion, which have transformed this plateau into numerous adjoining valleys full of caves, hollows dug into the earth and mounds from which lava and smoke from the continuous underground volcanic eruptions flow: the so-called Fairy chimneys that are the distinguishing feature of Cappadocia.
Visiting Cappadocia by hot air balloon: 3 breathtaking itineraries
The well-developed tourism sector is the driving force behind this region’s economy; it is estimated that more than one million Turkish tourists and about twice as many foreigners come to Cappadocia on vacation each year to admire the natural and artistic beauty of this beautiful and mysterious land. The flourishing of the phenomenon of deBed & Breakfasts and of hospitality in the homes of hospitable residents, in addition to the steadily increasing number of accommodations make in this region unveil Cappadocia’s tourism vocation, making it in fact one of the most important destinations in Turkey.
The most interesting way to visit the wonderful region of Cappadocia is through a hot air balloon excursion. In recent years, this type of activity has gained momentum to the point where it has become a real must for tourists coming to Cappadocia. Looking down on these lands rich in history and flying over fairy chimneys from above is the best option to appreciate their beauty.
What are the best routes to view Cappadocia from above by flying in a hot air balloon? You are spoiled for choice!
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1) Flying over the Fairy Chimneys of Zelve.
The Fairy Chimneys have now become one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions, flying over these incredible works of nature’s art aboard a hot air balloon is an unforgettable experience. The Fairy Chimneys are wind-carved tuffaceous rock formations, have a typical chimney-like, or mushroom-like shape, up to 40 meters high. The valley of Zelve in Cappadocia is the place where Fairy Chimneys are present in the greatest number.
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2) Hot air balloon excursion to Uçhisar: the city carved into the rock.
Wanting to simplify, the village of Uçhisar, which has a population of about 4,000, is very similar to our Matera in Basilicata: a truly impressive village carved entirely out of rock. The hot air balloon excursion over Uçhisar is an essential experience for those visiting Cappadocia. The famous Fairy Chimneys are also present here, but they are not the only attraction to be observed from above. Uçhisar is a very ancient site frequented by the Assyrians and Hittites who left numerous artistic testimonies in the thousands of tunnels dug in the tuff.It is overlooked by an immense rock and a castle that make hot air ballooning particularly impressive
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3) Panoramic hot air balloon flight over Devrent Valley and Pasabag Valley.
The Devrent and Pasabag valleys are UNESCO World Heritage Sites; this special feature should give you an idea of how important these ancient sites are. Hot air balloon rides over the Devrent and Pasabag valleys are Cappadocia’s main tourist attraction, the breathtaking view of flying over the Fairy Chimneys that reach 40 meters high here. The Devrent Valley is famous for the rock formations here, shaped by the Anatolian winds., have taken the form of exotic animals such as camels, snakes, seals and dolphins. Flying over Devrent in a hot air balloon is very exciting, the terrain below bare of vegetation resembles the surface of the moon, this excursion is also definitely worth trying.
How to organize a hot air balloon excursion in the skies of Cappadocia
Hot air balloon rides are the most popular attraction in Cappadocia, which is why it is universally regarded as the Land of Balloons. The increase in tourism in this region of Turkey has provided considerable impetus for the emergence of numerous tourist agencies specializing in organizing this type of excursion. Booking a hot air balloon flight lasting one or more hours in the skies over Cappadocia flying over its most famous sites is simple and safe, either through the Internet or once you get there.
