About Cappadocia

As if plucked from a whimsical fairy tale and set down upon the stark Anatolian plains, Cappadocia is a geological oddity of honeycombed hills and towering boulders of otherworldly beauty.

The fantastical topography is matched by human history here. People have long utilized the region's soft stone, seeking shelter underground and leaving the countryside scattered with fascinating troglodyte-style architecture.

The fresco-adorned rock-cut churches of Göreme Open-Air Museum and the subterranean refuges of Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are the most famous sights, while only bedding down in one of Cappadocia's cave hotels is an experience in 21st-century cavern dwelling.

Whether you're wooed here by the hiking potential, the history or the bragging rights of unique accommodation, it's the lunarscape panoramas that you'll remember. This region's accordion-ridged valleys, shaded in a palette of dusky orange and cream, are an epiphany of a landscape – the stuff of psychedelic daydreams.

ACTIVITIES

Hot-Air Ballooning Cappadocia

Most of us have seen the magnificent photos of balloons flying over Cappadocia's fantastic landscape! And many of us dreamt flying with one of those balloons and see the world from up above!

Now it is the time to experience this like "Fogg" and "Passepartout" in the movie "Around the world in 80 days"!

The flight will be approximately 60 minutes.

Our Hot-Air Ballooning Cappadocia experience begins with us being transferred to have a light breakfast early in the morning.

Then after our breakfast, our check-in will be made while the pilots are choosing a good launch site according to the wind directions. Once the launch site is selected, we will proceed to the launch site where we will witness how the crew and the pilot unload, assemble, and inflate the balloon.

Following an introduction to the safety factors of ballooning with our pilot, our amazing experience will begin.

The balloon will climb 300 meters (1000 feet) during the flight. A panoramic and marvelous view will greet us while drifting above the valleys and between rock formations just the moment when the sun will start rising.

Balloons move by the wind, and we will float wherever the wind takes us.

Each passenger has to dress according to the temperature which means flat shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and of course, a camera is a must. The flight presents many photo opportunities and lifetime memories to cherish.

In keeping with hot air ballooning Cappadocia tradition, we are delighted to have a champagne ceremony upon landing by our crew.

We will also receive a memento Silver Medal.

After the flight, our minibusses will take us back to our hotel.

Horseback riding

Horseback riding is an excellent activity in Cappadocia. You can ride your horse through the valleys, looking at all the unusual rock formations and gardens, vineyards, orchards on horseback - much easier than walking.

Cappadocia was known as "Katpatuka", the land of beautiful horses. Here's your opportunity to explore all these beautiful wonders on horseback with a 2-hour ride. All levels of riding capacity can be organized. Please let us know yours! And enjoy!

Turkish Bath (Hammam)

The Turkish hammam or Turkish Bath is the direct successor to the Roman bath and has had a special place in Turkish tradition for hundreds of years. Traditionally the Hammam has a domed roof with full bottle-glass lights set into the dome that concentrate the sunlight. Lying on the hot marble slabs, it is easy to imagine yourself transported back to the time of the Saracens.

It is a place where you can rejuvenate both body and mind. After changing into the traditional 'Pestemal' a type of sarong, and wooden shoes called Takunya, your body is acclimatized with warm water, then scrubbed with 'loaf,' to remove the top layers of dead skin cells and ingrained dirt.
The soap massage that follows is a pure melting pleasure, leaving your skin refreshed, tingling and your whole body rejuvenated. A warm dry towel, a place to relax, and a taste of Turkish delight end the session unless, of course, you want to go the whole way and take a sauna or Turkish massage.
No vacation in Turkey is complete without a visit to the Turkish Bath!

PS: Everything you would need will be given in the hammam. The only thing you would better have is your swimming suit if you like to use the swimming pool. The Turkish Bath includes a sauna, peeling, and soap massage! The other massages such as oil massage, relaxing massage, foot massage, and medical massages are available for an extra cost.

Turkish night!

Turkish night is one of the nicest evening excursions in Cappadocia.

The show is around 20:30 pm. The program starts with a demonstration of whirling dervishes and after the fabulous presentation, drinks and dinner are served. While you have your meal, the folk dance group makes their preparations for their traditional show.

They present all kinds of folk dance motives from all over Turkey. Then the dance show doesn't stop. The belly dancer comes out to the scene. The night goes on with the fire and the knife shows. Finally, it is time for you to be on the stage and dance with traditional Turkish music. The night ends at about 11.30 pm when we will be transferred back to our hotel.

Whirling Dervish in Saruhan Caravanserai

What is Caravanserai?

These buildings are set on a day's camel's ride distance and are all on the ancient Silk Road trading route.

Weary travelers could stay for up to 3 days free of charge and have new shoes or shoes mended, and their animals tended, in the safety of a building that looks like a fortress.

The old Saruhan Caravanserai, built-in 1249 and restored, is the place for the holy ceremony of the whirling dervishes in Cappadocia. The ceremony, inspired by the great Mevlânâ (1207-1273), is part of Turkish history, tradition, culture, and beliefs. Performed only by religious men, while whirling endlessly, they have their arms open, their right hands directed to the sky and the left ones turned toward the earth. They turn from the right to the left, pivoting around the heart, conveying God's spiritual gifts to the people - to us. The Caravanserai is a fascinating one and watching this ceremony, carried over for hundreds of years, is an experience that a visitor in Turkey should not miss. Enjoy!

The Caravanserai is a fascinating one and watching this ceremony, carried over for hundreds of years, is an experience that a visitor in Turkey should not miss. Enjoy!

Derinkuyu Underground City

Can you picture the conversation?

Go back 1400 years. A man and his son are digging yet another tunnel in one of Cappadocia’s underground cities. The boy is tired and ready to quit…

BOY: “Dad, why do we have to dig this tunnel? Don’t we have enough space already?”

DAD: “I already told you. In 1300 years Turkey will be dependent on tourism for a healthy economy. People are not going to come from around the world to visit an extensive cellar. We have to get down at least 100 meters to make it a “Wow” experience.

BOY: “Oh yeah, I forgot.”

Maybe not!

But their blood, sweat, and tears are still helping the residents. Only this time they are greeting the “invaders” and welcoming them into their underground cities.

We will have a guided tour in Derinkuyu & Kaymakli. Derinkuyu is the deepest underground city going down 100 meters!

Sightseeing & Hiking

We will hike part of Ihlara Valley, see the Selime Monastery and also visit some of the other valleys like Love, Imagination, Rose/Red, or Pigeon Valleys. 

According to our available time, there are plenty of other sites to see and enjoy like Fairy chimneys, beautiful towns in Cappadocia, wineries, panoramic views, and much more!

Participation

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Dates: 14 April- 19 April

Participation:  1240 euro per person

The total amount has to be settled prior to our arrival in Cappadocia according to the hotel policy.

The “Hot-Air Ballooning in Cappadocia" package includes:

• Spiritual seminar with Alexander Northern Deer
• Five nights accommodation, including breakfast, in beautiful “Elegance Cave Suites” Hotel featuring private bathrooms.
• Hot-Air Ballooning
• Horseback riding
• Hamam experience
• Turkish Night -Dervish ceremony
• Rented cars
• Gas expenses

• Not included:

• Trip Insurance
• International flights

.