Cappadocia is a region in central Turkey known for its unique landscape of "fairy chimneys" formed by erosion of soft volcanic rock. Hot air ballooning is a major tourist activity, with hundreds of flights launched daily among the scenic valleys. While balloon tours are generally safe, some risk remains as the industry has grown rapidly in popularity. Regulations require balloons have GPS and permit a maximum number per flight window to reduce crowding risks.

2. Hot Air Ballooning
Cappadocia
True highlight of Turkey
Cappadocia has unreal amazing
landscape which makes Balloon
flights one of worlds the top 3.
The spectacular surrealistic
landscapes combined with
excellent flying conditions allow
the balloons to gently drift over
and between fairy chimneys,
pigeon houses hewn into the
unique rock formations, orchards
and vineyards through impressive
valleys, each with distinctive rock
formations, colors and features
and then float up over rippled
ravines for breathtaking views
over the region.

3. THE FIRST FLIGHT OF A DANCE IN TURKEY
Raks are Kapadokya balloons, advertising and presentation purposes, Hot Air
Balloon with Turkey since 1984, in 1987 and numerous advertising and promotion
until All Turkey flights, record trial and record flights.
in 1987, as determined by us, Cappadocia balloon Tourism, in 1987, the first
Balloon flight in Cappadocia at the time of the evening on the side of a Wise EZEL
"night flight" and withdraw the interest and started with the flight sensation.
in 1988, SHAW and Wise Amuge as brothers; EZEL AVIATION Company with
CAMEL TOUR (Camel Aviation) company to partner with Cappadocia balloon
tourism.
in 1988, Ezel aviation and Tourism company and our efforts to partner with the
world personal Camel Aviation in all countries by inviting them to a free
documentary channels, making flights in Cappadocia, Cappadocia, with aerial
shots of the introductory flights, documentaries crafted Cappadocia being
introduced was a different world in balloon tourism mecradan.

5. FIRST GIANT BALLOONS
in 1996, Bilge EZEL and Hasan EZEL as
brothers 4 with balloon continued to be in
Cappadocia balloon flights while still in
Turkey and Cappadocia Region Tourism
THE FIRST 18 1 passenger capacity, hot air
balloon brought this balloon to serve with
continued.
In 1996, THK, Cappadocia games in preparation for the World Air
Balloon attended two days of 15-20 have a balloon Meeting.
Cappadocia which took place in 1997 after the World Air Games in
1998, officially entered into THK Tourism Balloon in Cappadocia. ... " *
2000 - 2002 and then a lot of other companies in the balloon in
Cappadocia began to be involved in tourism. "

6. Hot air balloons in Turkeyare licensed, regulated aircraft.Pilots must meet
certain standards of training, experience, age and health to be licensed. Hot
air balloon companies must carryinsurance coverage.
In Turkey, the Ministry of Transportation, Directorate-General of Civil Aviation,
is the licensing authority for hot air ballooning companies, just as it is for
airlines.
Of course, every balloon company wants to operatesafely. No one wants an
accident or injury.
However, the system is not perfect. I receive reports of occasional accidents,
of pilots' licenses not being renewed (but the pilots' flying anyway),
of insurancecoverage lapsing or being revoked and not being renewed, of pilot
error, of equipment failure.
Hot-Air Balloon Safety in
Turkey

7. In other words, safe as it is, with thousands of flights being completed safely
every month, hot air ballooning in Cappadocia still involves some risk.
Even with the best equipment, the most experienced ground crews and
pilots, the most thorough safety procedures, accidents can happen, just as
they do with commercial airlines.
The risk is increasing as hot-air balloon flights in Cappadocia become ever
more popular. More and more balloons launch at the same time, and try to
crowd into the same picturesque valleys at the same time.
The danger is not that these aircraft may collide horizontally but, rather,
vertically: if a balloon rises into the basket of another balloon, its fabric
envelope (the "balloon" part filled with hot air) may be damaged, causing
loss of hot air and a too-rapid descent to the ground.
At this point I must re-emphasize that Cappadocian balloon
companies launch literally hundreds of flights every day (90 balloons, some
doing two flights daily), and accidents are extremely rare.

10. There are several different
types of hot air balloon rides
you can take. You can choose
a Standard Flight and be in the
air for about an hour with up
to 24 people riding with you
or you can choose a Deluxe
Flight and be up in the air
close to 2 hours with up to 14
people. There is a cost
difference between the two so
you can choose what fits your
budget.

11. Hot air ballons tours will take place twice a day, according to the circular. The first
session will start 30 minutes before sunrise and end at 11 a.m. and a maximum of
100 balloons will be permitted to fly at the same time. The second session will
begin at 2.30 p.m. and will go until half an hour after sunset and maximum 50
ballons will be permitted.

12. Balloons without Global Positioning System (GPS) will not be given permit to fly as
of September 15, 2013. The GPs data of all balloon trips will be transferred to
servers where they will be kept for two years.
Number of passengers will be determined by balloon capacity according to the
standard set by the circular.
A certified English speaking personnel will also need to be on board during trips.

13. How does the hot air ballon work?

16. About Cappadocia
The ancient region of Cappadocia lies in central Anatolia, between the cities of Nevsehir, Kayseri and Nigde. Here,
the traveller finds one of the most fantastic landscapes in the world. Three million years ago, violent eruptions of the
volcanoes Mt. Erciyes (3891m) and Mt. Hasan (3250m) covered the surrounding plateau with tuff. Wind and weather
have eroded the soft volcanic rock into hundreds of strangely shaped pillars, cones and "fairy chimneys", often very
tall, and in every shade from pink through yellow to russet browns.
Since the most ancient of times, men have hollowed out troglodyte dwellings in this soft rock, and here, at the dawn
of Christianity, the early Christians made countless cave churches, chapels and monasteries. There are over 600
churches scattered through the valleys. The art style of the churches falles into two categories: the 8th and 9th
centuries are the iconoclastic years, with decorations in red earth tones and symbolism in simple geometric motifs;
the 10th to the 13th centuries saw decorations on a plaster base and show the lives of Christ and various saints.
Interestingly, in some of the churches the frescoes of the later period have fallen off, revealing earlier decorations
underneath. The architectural plan of the churches is uncomplicated.
Also in this region are a number of underground cities which were used by Christians as places to retreat to and live
in until danger from their enemies had passed. These cities were well-hidden and safe. There were rooms for grain
storage, stables, sleeping chambers, kitchens and air shafts. Today they are well-lit and would be an interesting part
of your tour.
Goreme is an important area for shopping with its wonderful carpets and kilims, onyx souvenirs, and very fine local
wines. It is also a wonderful region for trekking and for photo-safaris. The scenery is breathtaking in all four seasons:
miniature poppies in the springtime, the touring hot-air balloons and flowers of summertime, autumn's grapes and
blaze of gold, and the winter blanket of snow.