CAPPADOCIA: Hot air balloons and Martian landscapes…
Hello, friends!
I'm back from my autumn escape to Turkey and I'm thrilled to share my excitement. If you think the season ends in September, you're sorely mistaken! October in Kemer is perhaps the perfect time for a vacation. The sea is still warm (perfect for swimming), the sun is gentle, and the sweltering heat has subsided. You can sunbathe and swim all day, and stroll along the promenade in a light jacket in the evenings. But most importantly, it's the perfect base for excursions! And one of them completely changed my perception of Turkey.
I've long dreamed of Cappadocia. Those "Martian" landscapes from films and photos, mysterious cave cities, and, of course, magical hot air balloon rides at dawn. And now my dream has come true! From Kemer, we set off on a long bus journey. The journey, including lunch stops and short excursions along the way, took about nine hours. Yes, it's long, but the view outside the window changed dramatically: from the turquoise coastline to the rugged and majestic mountain ranges and, finally, to the surreal valleys of Cappadocia.
In the evening, we checked into a unique cave hotel in Goreme, the very heart of the region. Goreme is more than just a town; it's a living museum and the best base for exploring Cappadocia. The atmosphere here is incredible: stone houses carved into the same cliffs as the ancient dwellings, narrow streets, and the feeling of being transported to another reality.
Early in the morning, while it was still dark, we were driven to the launch site. What happened next felt like a ritual. Even in pitch darkness, the giant spheres began to come to life to the roar of gas burners, tearing the night with flashes of flame. It was powerful, grandiose, and a little surreal. Our platform was elevated, and we could see dozens of fireflies lighting up all over the valley.
When the balloon finally hovered in the air, we were invited into the gondola. Important lifehack #1: before landing, I asked the pilot which side would offer the best view for photos. He pointed me to a specific compartment. It saved my shots! Having found the right position, I got an unobstructed panorama. I advise everyone to consult with the pilots!
And so we lifted off. And all around... Magic. Dawn began to break, and over 200 multicolored balloons rose into the sky with us. It was an incredible sight—as if giant soap bubbles had been released into the sky among the Martian landscape. And then the sun came out, and the valley was illuminated with gold and pink light. I still have goosebumps!
What is Cappadocia and why is it like this?
These landscapes are millions of years old. It all began with the eruptions of ancient volcanoes (the most important of which is Mount Erciyes, almost 4,000 meters high and clearly visible from many points). Ash and lava formed a soft tuff layer. Then wind and water took over, carving this rock into bizarre shapes. Harder basalt caps protected the tuff columns from complete destruction, creating the famous "stone mushrooms" or "peribajalars" (fêe chimneys). Nature, the sculptor, worked for millennia, and the result is before us.
What did we fly over?
Our experienced pilots masterfully maneuvered, lowering the balloon into gorges and lifting it above plateaus. We flew over famous valleys:
· Love Valley: known for its... er... phallic rock formations. • Pigeon Valley: thousands of pigeon nests carved into the cliffs are visible.
· Imagination Valley (Devrent): Here, the rocks resemble camels, seals, and Santa Claus.
· Uchisar Castle: the highest rock formation-city. From the ground, it's a gigantic "stone fortress," riddled with windows and passages. From the air, it looks like a majestic beehive crowning the entire valley. This is the region's main observation deck!
We weren't alone in this celestial ballet. Below, on the observation decks, tourists were taking photos of us, safari jeeps were speeding past, and guests with cups of hot coffee peered out of the windows of cave hotels in Goreme. A complete symphony of travel!
Important lifehack #2: I didn't stop taking pictures. The phone was the first to give up, then the camera. Bring a power bank and spare batteries! And a neck pouch for your phone—it's so high, the adrenaline is pumping, you'd hate to drop it.
The flight lasted about an hour and culminated with a pinpoint landing right on the truck bed! It was truly aerobatics. On the ground, a traditional champagne ceremony and certificate presentation awaited us—a commemorative certificate for conquering the skies of Cappadocia.
And after the flight, it's time to discover earthly wonders! Be sure to visit the Goreme National Park and Open-Air Museum with its ancient cave churches and frescoes. And, of course, descend underground to the Cappadocia Underground Cities, such as Derinkuyu or Kaymakli. These are grandiose multi-level complexes where people hid from raiders, entire cities with ventilation shafts, churches, wine presses, and cattle pens. The scale is staggering and makes you wonder about the incredible ingenuity of the ancient inhabitants.
How to plan such a trip?
1. From Kemer/Antalya: The most popular option is a 1-2 day bus tour. The journey takes 8-10 hours. To save time, you can take a domestic flight from Antalya to Kayseri or Nevsehir (about 1 hour).
2. From Istanbul: definitely fly to Kayseri or Nevsehir (1.5 hours).
3. Independent vs. tour: A tour eliminates logistics and often includes a night in a cave hotel in Goreme or Uchisar. Traveling independently gives you more freedom.
4. Hot Air Balloon Ride: The price varies greatly depending on the season. High season (June-September, holidays) is more expensive (from 250-300 euros). Low season (winter, late autumn) is cheaper (from 150-180 euros). Book in advance!
5. The main rule: flights are entirely dependent on the weather. Strong winds or rain can cancel flights. In October, the weather is generally stable and there are many flights.
This trip proved that Turkey is more than just an all-inclusive seaside getaway. It's a country with incredible depth, history, and stunning natural wonders, such as the rock cities of Uchisar, the ancient monasteries of Goreme, and the labyrinthine underground cities. Cappadocia in October offers comfortable temperatures for excursions, warm sea water in Kemer upon your return, and the fulfillment of a childhood dream. I will definitely come back here again. Maybe in winter, to see these valleys covered with snow...
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P.S. If you have any questions about the organization, please ask in the comments; I'll be happy to share the details.