There are few things in this world that warrant a 4:30am wake-up; usually some type of flight is involved. But chasing the sunrise above Cappadocia's spectacular landscape in a wicker basket is altogether different from boarding a 747: It's like riding on the back of a Harley with wings.
Cappadocia's climate is ideally suited to ballooning, with consistently clear summer skies and harmonious breezes. Several experienced outfitters organize hot-air balloon rides over Cappadocia. Kapadokya Balloons (tel. 0384/271-2442; in winter call tel. 33-3/8681-6715 in France; fax 0384/271-2586; www.kapadokyaballoons.com) is the oldest outfitter.
A day at Kapadokya Balloons begins well before sunrise, when the flame bursts that fill the balloon provide much-needed warmth. Flights last about an hour and a half, offering otherworldly close-ups and stunning panoramas. Your heart will undoubtedly skip a beat several times throughout, including when they hand you the 380YTL ($281) bill (ask for seasonal rates; reservations suggested).
Göreme Balloons (tel. 0384/341-5662; www.goremeballoons.com), the other game in town, has since managed to put a dent in the local market with, in addition to flights at the same price, a less expensive option of a 45-minute flight (that often stretches out to an hour) for 231YTL ($171). (Kids 6-12 fly for half price.)
Ancient Anatolian lore paints a picture of a lovelorn poet on horseback traveling through fields of irises, perpetuating the legend of Cappadocia as a "place of beautiful horses." It's still possible to replicate that equestrian journey through the region's verdant valleys and barren steppes. The new Akhal-Teke Riding Center (tel. 0384/511-5171; www.akhal-tekehorsecenter.com) has clean, professionally run stables on the outskirts of Avanos with horses and guides for all riding levels. The charge is 34YTL ($25) per hour, and they'll accommodate any length of ride you desire -- even if that ride lasts a week (prices per hour go down the longer you stay on horseback). Outdoor excursions include stays in people's homes and/or overnights in tents, with all luggage and equipment transported by van.
Kirkit Voyages (tel. 0384/511-3259; www.kirkit.com), with offices in Istanbul and Avanos, organizes activities in the area, thanks to their own horse farm in the village of Güzelyurt, near the Ihlara Valley. Horseback-riding tours for all levels of experience are available with full-day treks for 66YTL ($49). Kirkit also offers 2-hour panoramic horseback rides.
For active travelers wanting to explore the lesser-known valleys and churches, there's no substitute for a privately guided hiking or mountain bike tour. Argeus's exclusive contract with REI offers reliable assurance that you'll receive optimum guides and service. Cappadocia Tours can arrange expeditions up to Mount Erciyes, led by expert trekkers and accompanied by pack mules. And Kirkit Voyages organizes winter snowshoe treks of up to a week that begin in Güzelyurt, with overnights in village homes along the way.
