There are 25 hot air balloon companies in Goreme. Each is allowed to send up 4 balloons at first light. They all charge, least on paper, 175 Euros/person for an hour long flight. Butterfly Balloons is rated highest by both TripAdvisor and Lonely Planet so I thought I'd go with them. Being ranked #1 means a) they can always charge full rate and b) they are booked solid weeks in advance. So much for that plan. Instead I bought a last minute sell-off from a somewhat questionable sales person standing on a street corner for 100 Euros. My flight was perfect in all respects.
 |
| With the basket on it's side, the air in the balloon is heated up... |
 |
| ... ready for pre-sunrise takeoff. |
 |
| Me, basket, and our green balloon. |
 |
| All the balloons skimmed low over vinyards and orchards ... |
 |
| ... and dipped into canyons coming within feet of rock formations. |
 |
| Then flew up to 600 m to look down over the countryside ... |
 |
| ... and see other balloons below. |
 |
| Just like this one, our pilot landed us perfectly on the trailer... |
 |
| ... then popped the top to deflate the balloon. |
 |
| It might have been a relaxing and tranquil flight if we'd not all been so excited (and continually taking a gazillion photos!) |
