CAPPADOCIA EZ AIR BALLOONS
Ürgüp - Nevşehir - Turkey Ez-Air Balloons was established in 1991 with the aim of organizing top quality & the safest balloon tours and has been doing this with different sizes of balloons since then. We all do our best to provide the most memorable flights. We use up-to-date, modern equipment flown by experienced and Turkish Aviation licensed pilots. We accommodate the best pilot in Turkey: Hasan Ezel, who has been a hot air balloon pilot since 1984 and had operated advertisement flights in different provinces of Turkey until 1987. At the end of 1987 he started the passenger flights in Cappadocia with Camel Tour. He has also operated some passenger flights in Antalya and Pamukkale in different times. Our chief pilot Hasan, is one of the first 5 pilots of Turkey and is the first Turk pilot flew O310 balloon (whose basket has a capacity of 18 passengers). He has flown more than 3000 hours up to now. Cappadocia Ez-Air Balloons offers these wondrous adventures in a traditional Champagne Hot Air Balloon Flight above the beauty of Cappadocia. Imagine floating as gently as a cloud above the glorious vistas of beautiful valleys in Cappadocia! There is no better way to see the Cappadocia than by a gentle, free-floating balloon flight over the unique rock formations (called as fairy chimneys), valleys and vineyards. We schedule flights twice a day, every day, all year round. Instead of organizing short and long flights with different prices, we preferred to have a single flight which lasts minimum 1 hour. On the shorts flights, you just have the feeling of flying over Cappadocia but miss a lot on the other hand. Our pilots say that "Duration of ‘minimum one hour’ is an ideal time both to have the feeling of flying and to see ’a lot’ in this unique landscape". Cappadocia Ez Air Balloons, hot air balloon flight costs 160 EURO per adult. If the flying passenger is under the age of 12, we offer 50% discount on this price, so the price would be 80 EURO per child. Each flight is custom tailored to the weather conditions of the day by our experienced pilots. We schedule our flights just after sunrise seven days a week, year-round. We prefer to fly at daybreak because the morning winds are generally the calmest of the day, the wildlife is most often seen, and besides there is no better way to start the day! During the summer months and in early fall we’re often able to get an imprompt flight in a couples hours before sunset. Our flights average just over an hour in duration during which time we’ll travel anywhere from 5 to 20 miles depending on the wind speed and directions we encounter flying at various altitudes. During the flight the pilot will vary the balloons’ altitude from tree top level, a height that allows one to reach out and commune with nature, to heights of several thousand feet, where one may look out in a visual sweep, and see much of Cappadocia. Whatever the altitude, lighter-than-air-flight offers a truly unique flying experience. Pre-Flight: An informative pre-flight briefing by your FAA Certified Commercial Pilot. All of our pilots and balloons are fully certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. Inflation: You can actually participate in the exciting inflation process, or just watch the multi-colored balloon unfold a world of color around you. Before you realize it, the pilot stands the balloon up and you board the hand-crafted wicker basket. Takeoff: The lift-off and ascent is so gentle many people do not realize they have left the loving arms of mother earth. As you become one with the wind, you lose sensation of motion and perception of heights. You begin to feel the peacefulness and tranquillity of ballooning. Flight: The flight lasts about an hour, more or less and will be full of wonderful discoveries. The memory lasts for a lifetime. Never again will you think of flying in quite the same way. Landing: Your pilot will look for a spot near a farm, where there will be thrilled people to help you celebrate your arrival. After landing the pilot and crew will pack up the balloon and return to the launch site for the post flight celebration. The tradition of celebrating the flight began in the early 1700’s upon landing, the first balloons were feared as evil spirits, and attacked by the local villagers and farmers. A later balloonist presented a letter from the King and a bottle of champagne as evidence of their Earthly origins, and so continues today, the tradition of champagne as a gesture of friendliness and good times. Transfer: Our crew will transfer you back to your accommodation. The name "Cappadocia" dates back to Persian times, when the region was called as "Katpatukya" meaning "Land of beautiful horses". Since that time Cappadocia has seen the rise and fall of many different civilizations. It is a land of vast plains, rolling hills, rugged mountains and extinct volcanoes. It is a veritable treasury of historical relics from the Chalcolithic era to the Seljuk Turks period. The visitor may seldom travel more then a few miles without encountering some derelict reminders of Cappadocia’s colorful past. In recent times, Cappadocia is best known for its unique landscape of valleys and rock formations, known as fairy chimneys. The formation of the this strange landscape began during the third geological period, when three volcanoes on the edges of this region began erupting frequently. The deposits of volcanoes ash, lava and basalt laid the foundations for today’s landscape. Earthquakes and ongoing effects of erosion formed the valleys and fairy chimneys that can be seen today. As the rock below the top layer of basalt is extremely soft, it can be easily carved. Communities took advantage of this to make their home in the rock pillars and under the ground. Today, examples of homes, churches and whole cities abound in Cappadocia. "Fairy chimneys" were formed when lava covering the tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) gave way along preexisting cracks of sloping areas and became isolated pinnacles." Fairy chimneys," which can attain a height of up to forty meters, have conical shapes and consist of caps of harder rock resting on pillars of softer rock. A "fairy chimney" exists until the neck of the cone erodes and its protective cap falls off. The subsequent disintegration of the remaining pinnacle continues until it is completely leveled down. Göreme Open Air Museum The churches enclosed by the open air museum contain some very well preserved frescos. The Aristocratic churches are covered with impressive Byzantine art. Refectories, kitchens, storage rooms etc. Can also be visited in the museum. Üçhisar Castle & Pigeon’s Valley One of the most imposing landmarks of this region is the hilltop fortress at Ьзhisar. Out of this natural rock formation a wide variety of rooms and dwellings were carved. Communities lived in this fortress in order to protect themselves from the enemy attack. Nearby Pigeon’s valley contains numerous pigeon houses. In this valley pigeons were trainees to deliver messages to towns throughout Central Cappadocia and were essential aid to communication. Also people used the droppings of the pigeons as a guano. Underground Cities There are more than one hundred underground cities in Cappadocia. Due to the soft nature of the volcanic rock, early civilizations carved entire cities underground and would retreat to this refuge in times of siege. A huge rock was rolled across the entrance to seal it from the outside. The cities comprised living quarters, cooking areas, places for worship, storage areas and on the first floor below ground were the stables. Water, fresh air and sunlight were also provided. Ihlara Valley Ihlara Valley is a canyon, approximately 14 km length and up to 100 meters deep in places. The sheer walls of the canyon make it almost invisible until you are directly upon it. Ihlara, in ancient times, was the site of the first medical centre. Later, it became a refuge for the early Christians, and has many rock hewn churches. The frescos include scenes from the New Testament, a tableau of the forty martyrs and the portraits of local religious leaders. Monks Valley & Zelve Monks Valley (Paşabağ) contains imposing fairy chimneys, many of which have 3 or 4 caps. Hermitages were carved into these chimneys and used by the monks. St Simeon the Stylite, founder of an order of "Pillar Saints" lived in isolation in this valley. The ancient town of Zelve now an open air museum, was carved into a natural rock amphitheatre. There are three valleys, the first of which houses all of the official buildings. The second and third valleys are for dwellings. MORE INFO
Looking for adventure? Hot air ballooning is one of the most unique and popular attractions in Cappadocia. Experience the magic of a balloon flight and let the world below drift away. Feel the exhilaration of morning-fresh country air. 
Spring and summer flights are abound with a luscious green carpeting on the hills and in the valleys of Cappadocia. Imagine observing the vibrancy of autumn from aloft? Winter flights offer the uninhibited views of the landscape with snow. Every season offers a special uniqueness and beauty, which makes flying in a balloon a perfect year-round endeavor.
Göreme is one of the oldest towns in Central Anatolia. Primarily an agricultural town, it later became an important center for the early Christians. The valley houses numerous rock hewn churches with frescos.
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