In this vast world, there are a few truly unique places. Created by nature and then “enhanced” by humans. Cappadocia is one of them. And if the main attraction is the sunrise hot air balloon flight, probably the second attraction is a Jeep Safari in the area where the balloons fly.
There are many tours in Cappadocia offered by agencies in Romania, but we were taken by Karpaten Turism. You can see their experience and connections they have created in the area with the locals. Because everything unfolds exactly as it should. Punctual, correct, with smiles on their faces, and joy in offering unforgettable experiences to tourists.
Cappadocia is a vast area, full of valleys and bordered by tall mountains. The towns are close to each other, and at every step, you find a place worth visiting. The area from where the balloons rise is not a hill or a plain; it’s a huge area from where sometimes over 200 hot air balloons rise. Each balloon is brought early in the morning, in the dark, with a jeep with a platform, and then lifted by hot air into the sky. They don’t all leave at once; there’s no 3, 2, 1 start, but each at its own pace, but generally, depending on how they move, how tourists arrive, within an interval of 20-30 minutes, they’re all in the air. At sunrise! Because that’s when they fly.
The experiencein the air is sensational, but from above, you miss all the interesting things happening below. Because below, there’s a frenzy of activities! From those who, after the balloon is in the air, drive their car to reach and recover it, to those taking pictures, to the dozens of convertible cars in the area, to the jeeps going from one place to another just to capture the most beautiful photography spots. If above is beautiful, below is also beautiful and interesting.
You leave in the morning with the jeep. Maybe not as early as for the flight, but still in the morning. A column of 4-6-8, maybe more, jeeps rush to one of the areas where the balloons rise, regardless of the fact that the terrain is rough or high. You get so close that if you stretch out your hand, you can almost greet those in the balloon. And the giant flame lifting the balloon is impressive.
You arrive on that rough terrain, sometimes higher, sometimes on a small plateau, and you have time to admire both the hundreds of balloons and the crazy activity below. Because beyond the almost unreal landscape of dozens of balloons, the ground offers you the opportunity to see both the close-up and faraway balloons.
It’s an explosion of energy, with everything contributing to it. People taking pictures from above, those taking pictures from below, ATVs, American convertible cars, jeep columns, the jeeps of those who inflate the balloons and have to reach the place where the balloon will land due to the wind. Everything happens at a brisk pace for about an hour and a bit. You don’t even manage to take it all in because something else catches your attention. Joy and enthusiasm are the most common feelings. And the photos you take or the ones the guides teach you how to take rival (not really, it would be hard, but it’s nice to believe that) with the professional ones taken by the ladies dressed in red dresses.
The roads are dirt, not so bad but not so good that you’re not afraid, and the end, after 2-3 stops in various places, catches you on a hill from where you can see (almost) all the balloons in the air. Here, I saw the most beautiful way to receive a tip from someone who guides. The drivers took out a lot of champagne glasses, put them on the hood of a jeep, and opened two bottles for us. At the same time, they put out empty glasses for those who want attention for the journey with them.
Jeep Safari in Cappadocia is an optional activity in the circuit organized by Karpaten Turism. It’s paid separately and lasts about two hours in total. It’s one of the most interesting experiences in the area, and it would be a shame to miss it.