Marvel at Cappadocia, Turkey, From Above
Lift off on a once-in-a-lifetime hot-air balloon experience above the heartland of Turkey.
The ancient Cappadocia region in central Turkey's Anatolian plains is characterized by captivating rock formations and a network of underground cities carved into the region's honeycombed hills. It was here that Alexander the Great made his conquest of the Persian Empire and later, where Christians escaped from the extending powers of the Eastern Roman Empire.
Now, it's an incredible destination for exploration. It's possible to hike the sandstone ridges, with trails that loop through the hidden cities made up of ancient cathedrals and intricate cave dwellings. Just make sure you time it right and end up on one of the higher ridges to watch the incredible sunset.
After exploring the region from the ground level, the most spectacular way to round out an experience in Cappadocia is with a hot air balloon ride. Wake up early in the morning before the sun rises and watch as pilots fire up more than a hundred hot air balloons, lighting up the darkness around you like paper lanterns.
After boarding your hot air balloon, you'll slowly rise up out of the valley to a scene of the unending Cappadocian landscape. It's as if time stands still as you rise through the chilly morning air over this sweeping countryside, admiring the natural colors below you, illuminated by the rising sun.
Contact our travel curators today and they'll put together a vacation to remember, including a stay at one of Cappadocia's iconic cave hotels.
Christian Gibney
A Travel Creator on Origin's curator team, Christian is based in Austin, Texas. Coming from the biomedical engineering field, he brings a keen eye for detail and innovation to trip planning. Besides scouting out destinations for himself and his clients, he's often researching what cuisine to enjoy next – Cantonese, Caribbean, and American BBQ are a few of his favorites.
Images copyright of Argos in Cappadocia