The hot air balloon ride at sunrise

This is the experience that made Cappadocia famous, and for most people it's worth every penny. Drifting silently over the fairy chimneys and valleys as the sun rises, surrounded by hundreds of other balloons, is genuinely unforgettable. It's the single biggest cost of a Cappadocia trip, so book online and in advance rather than through your hotel to save 20 to 30%, and build in a spare morning since flights are cancelled in poor weather. If the budget won't stretch, watch the balloons rise from a free viewpoint on your first morning, which is breathtaking in itself. We'll explain the flight options and how to book smartly.