Cappadocia Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Expedition

There is no visual spectacle on Earth quite like watching the dawn break over Cappadocia from the wicker basket of a hot air balloon. Every morning, weather permitting, up to 150 giant hot air balloons inflate under the pre-dawn stars in the valleys surrounding Göreme, Çavuşin, and Uçhisar, creating a celestial festival of color and light as roaring propane burners ignite against the dark sky. As the sun crests Mount Erciyes, balloons ascend gracefully to altitudes between 300 and 1,000 meters above ground level. Pilots utilize microcurrents in the canyons to skim mere feet above bizarre geological formations: slender minaret-like fairy chimneys, pigeon lofts carved into cliff faces, white volcanic ash wave valleys (Love Valley), and the ancient rock citadel of Uçhisar glowing in shades of pastel pink and amber. The flight culminates with a traditional post-landing non-alcoholic champagne toast and personalized flight certificate.