Gorgeous Turkey Tours offers two hot air balloon flight options over Cappadocia: the Sunrise Flight and the Daylight Flight. Both cover the same landscape, last approximately one hour, and offer the same inclusions. The differences relate to departure timing and the number of balloons in the air.
Sunrise Flight
Pick-up and Departure
Hotel pick-up takes place approximately 1.5 hours before sunrise. After registration at the balloon company office and a light breakfast, the pilot team checks weather conditions and the Turkish Civil Aviation Authority confirms clearance. The Sunrise Flight departs approximately 30 minutes before sunrise.
This is the earlier of the two flights. The exact pick-up time varies throughout the year in line with the sunrise. Check the sunrise times for Göreme for the dates of your visit to get a guide to when pick-up is likely to be scheduled.
What to Expect
The balloon lifts off while it is still dark or in the early stages of dawn, depending on the time of year and conditions on the day. As the flight progresses, the sun rises over the horizon. On clear days with good conditions, it is possible to watch the sunrise from the air during the flight.
Please note: flight clearance can be delayed on some days due to wind conditions. Even with the Sunrise Flight option, seeing the sunrise from the air cannot be guaranteed on every flight.
At the Sunrise Flight time, the majority of Cappadocia’s balloon fleet is in the air simultaneously – up to 100 balloons. On a clear morning it is possible to see many other balloons sharing the sky above the valleys.
Inclusions
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Light breakfast at the balloon company office
- Approximately 1 hour flight (can vary by 5-10 minutes according to wind conditions)
- Maximum 28-32 passengers per basket
- Champagne celebration and flight certificate after landing
- Personal insurance to the value of 25 million euros
Daylight Flight
Pick-up and Departure
Hotel pick-up takes place approximately 1 hour before sunrise. After registration and a light breakfast, the Daylight Flight departs at sunrise – approximately 25-30 minutes after the Sunrise Flight has taken off.
This is a later departure than the Sunrise Flight, though the pick-up time is still early in the morning. Check sunrise times for Göreme for the dates of your visit.
What to Expect
The Daylight Flight departs at sunrise. The sky is brightening at the point of take-off, and the flight takes place as full daylight establishes over the landscape.
If seeing the sunrise from the air is your specific objective, the Sunrise Flight is the more suitable option. The Daylight Flight departs at sunrise rather than before it, and operational delays can occur, so an in-air sunrise experience cannot be relied upon with this option.
The Daylight Flight has fewer balloons in the air at the same time – up to 65 – as it operates after the main fleet has already launched.
Inclusions
Identical to the Sunrise Flight:
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Light breakfast at the balloon company office
- Approximately 1 hour flight (can vary by 5-10 minutes according to wind conditions)
- Maximum 28-32 passengers per basket
- Champagne celebration and flight certificate after landing
- Personal insurance to the value of 25 million euros
Key Differences at a Glance
| Sunrise Flight | Daylight Flight | |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel pick-up | Approx. 1.5 hours before sunrise | Approx. 1 hour before sunrise |
| Departure | Approx. 30 minutes before sunrise | At sunrise (approx. 25-30 min after Sunrise Flight) |
| Balloons in the air (max) | Up to 100 | Up to 65 |
| Price | Seasonal | Generally lower than Sunrise Flight |
Notes Applicable to Both Flights
Weather cancellations. All balloon flights in Cappadocia are subject to clearance from the Turkish Civil Aviation Authority on the morning of the flight. If the flight does not operate due to weather, a full refund is issued. No operator can guarantee that a flight will proceed on any given day.
Children. Children under 6 years of age are not permitted to fly on either flight, for safety reasons.
Flight duration. Both flights last approximately 1 hour. Duration can vary by 5-10 minutes depending on wind conditions and landing point. The balloon may land in a different location from where it launched.
View the full details and book the Cappadocia Sunrise Flight or the Cappadocia Daylight Flight on the Gorgeous Turkey Tours website. Contact us if you have any questions about which option suits your visit.
