Cappadocia Turkey Guided Tour & Vlog: Hot Air Balloon Flight and Tourist Hot Spots (4K Travel Video)

Cappadocia Turkey Guided Tour & Vlog: Hot Air Balloon Flight and Tourist Hot Spots (4K Travel Video)

Today we are joining a guided tour of Cappadocia, Turkey. The tour will include a hot air balloon flight and a tour of popular tourist spots. Please enjoy. First, we will experience a hot air balloon flight. At 5:00am in the morning, we were picked up at the hotel where we were staying. We will travel by car to the hot air balloon takeoff point. Bread, water, and snacks are provided on this tour. The hot air balloon takeoff point is Goreme Historical National Park. This Goreme Historical National Park was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. We arrived at Goreme Historical National Park around 5:30am. Preparations are being made for the hot air balloon flight. This hot air balloon can carry 28 people. We took off after 6:00am. Many companies offer hot air balloon flights, but we chose one that has many reviews and a good reputation. Immediately after takeoff, we can see other hot air balloons up close. There are various designs of hot air balloons. There are also hot air balloons with Chinese writing on them. One of the highlights of the hot air balloon tour is flying near the fairy chimneys. We can see the impressive rock formations. There are mushroom-shaped rock pillars, and it is also one of the popular tourist spots. The flight is low near the fairy chimneys, and then the altitude increases. Each hot air balloon flies scattered . The next highlight is watching the sunrise from the hot air balloon. The hot air balloon increases in altitude, and after watching the sunrise, it decreases in altitude. There is a note about the hot air balloon tour in Cappadocia, and there is a possibility that it will be canceled due to weather conditions. From December to March, it may snow, and the weather is unstable, so the probability of the hot air balloon being canceled increases. The best season for hot air ballooning is said to be from April to October. The probability of a hot air balloon flying is about 80%, about 280 to 300 days a year. Considering the possibility of cancellation of the hot air balloon tour, it is recommended to stay in a hotel for more than two nights. Also, the temperature is low in the early morning, so warm clothes are required. The flight time for the hot air balloon is about an hour. The hot air balloon gradually gains altitude and lands. It was a gentle landing. After the landing… We celebrated with non-alcoholic champagne. The hot air balloon tour, including the round trip, lasts for three hours. I booked the hot air balloon tour myself through GetYourGuide. The price varies depending on the season, and ranges from 90 euros (105.5 US dollars) to 300 euros (351.7 US dollars) per person. Hot air balloon tours are popular, so the price is high. It takes about an hour to return to the hotel where I am staying. I stayed at the Museum Hotel in Uchisar (a different area from Goreme). This is a video taken from the terrace of the hotel on another day. From the hotel terrace, the hot air balloons flying over Goreme can only be seen from a distance. If you want to see the hot air balloons from a hotel, it may be better to stay at a hotel in Goreme. I recommend researching the hotels in advance and staying at a hotel where you can see the hot air balloons. After the hot air balloon tour, we will join a tour that I booked separately. We will board the tour bus. This tour will take us to the popular tourist spots of Goreme and Uchisar. First, let’s go to Uchisar Castle near the hotel. Uchisar means “outer citadel” in Turkish, and there is a huge rock mountain in the center. In Uchisar, a 60-meter high “castle” stands (actually a rock mountain). You can climb that castle (rock mountain) and enjoy an open view from the top. There is an entrance fee to enter the castle (rock mountain), and the inside is like an underground city. There are many amulets with blue eyes. It is called Nazar Boncug, and it is said that when disaster strikes, this blue eye will break in place of the victim. Small items are sold for tourists. Uchisar Castle is a popular tourist spot with 28,000 reviews on Google. Camel rides are available. You can also take a commemorative photo with a camel. You can take a commemorative photo with the balloon there. Drive from Uchisar to Goreme. Goreme town. There are balloon tour agencies, cafes, beauty salons. There are pharmacies, bazaars, restaurants, and hotels that have been converted from cave dwellings. Passing through Goreme town, we head for the Goreme Open Air Museum. Goreme town is located in Goreme National Park, which was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Goreme is located in the center of a network of valleys dotted with amazing rock formations. We can see the rock formations with impressive shapes. We soon arrive at the parking lot of the Goreme Open Air Museum. Many tourist buses and tourists. We walk through the valley to the Goreme Open Air Museum. There are many shops and cafes for tourists on the way. Goreme was hardly visited by tourists until the 1970s. It was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, and became the tourist center of Cappadocia in 2000. In particular, the Goreme Open Air Museum is the highlight of Cappadocia, with over one million visitors per year. Historically, this area was where persecuted Christians lived to escape persecution. It is said that the hole over there was also a place where people lived. There is more greenery… It is said that it was used as farmland . We continue walking through the valley to the Goreme Open Air Museum. There is a stray dog. Does this stray dog ​​seem docile? Turkish ice cream shop and souvenir shop. Finally, we arrived at the Goreme Open Air Museum. Tickets are not included in the tour fee and must be purchased. Tickets cost 20 euros (23.45 US dollars) per person. You can pay by credit card, so it’s okay if you don’t have cash. It’s the beginning of October, but there are many tourists. This is a magnificent valley lined with churches and monasteries carved into the rocks. Photography and videography are prohibited inside some churches. This is St Basil Chapel. It was built in the mid-11th century. The open-air museum is surrounded by the Goreme Valley. The open-air museum occupies only 5% of the entire Goreme Valley. The Goreme Open-Air Museum has 15 churches and 11 refectories in a compact area. Photography is prohibited inside churches with frescoes. There are churches inside the holes in those rocks. Some churches have waiting lines. Snake Church. All 15 churches were built in the 11th century by Christians fleeing persecution by Muslims. Photography is allowed inside the empty caves. Churches that seem to be popular are… Dark Church. Dark Church is said to be the most famous and beautiful cave church in Cappadocia. A tour of the Goreme Open Air Museum takes approximately 1-3 hours. There’s another cave opening over there. If we go inside… A beautiful refectory. Inside this cave… A cafe and shop. Turkish coffee. Olive oil. Turkish delight. Drinks. Returning to the entrance of the Göreme Open Air Museum… Let’s take a look at the souvenir shop. A collection exclusive to the Göreme Open Air Museum. Water bottles, mugs, tote bags with balloons on them. Balloon figurines. The balloon souvenirs look good. Fairy chimneys and balloons. Outside. Socks with balloons on them. Turkish hats. Cappadocia hoodies and T-shirts. We can drink Turkish coffee (60 TL) at the cafe. As it is a popular tourist spot, there are many souvenir shops. Balloon straps. Prices are reasonable. Mugs. Fairy chimney and balloon figurines. Let’s move on to the next location. Next, we go to Pasabag Valley. Since each tourist spot is far away, a car is almost essential. Mushroom rocks with interesting shapes. We arrive at the ticket office of Pasabag Valley. Let’s buy tickets. Tickets are 12 euros (14.07 US dollars) per person. We get tickets. There are souvenir shops for tourists here as well. There seem to be a lot of Chinese tour groups. We walk a little to Pasabag Valley. This is a famous tourist spot with a group of strange mushroom-shaped rocks called “fairy chimneys”. Mushroom rocks with three heads. Recommended for taking photos. If we go further in, it becomes sandy. Mushroom rocks up close. There are several caves at the base of the rock tower, where we can hide. In the past, Christian monks lived in these caves. The area between the mushroom rocks. It’s a valley. Because monks lived here, this place is also called Monks Valley. We go back to the ticket office. There is a cafe nearby. There are various things. They make Gozleme there. Gozleme is a Turkish dish of stuffed flatbread. We take a break here. A green drink (I forgot what it is). There is a stray cat. Freshly baked Gozleme. With vegetables. Turkish tea. Freshly baked Gozleme. With cheese. Next, we go to Devrent Valley. There are many tourists here too. Locals call it Imagination Valley. There are strangely shaped rocks here that stimulate the imagination of the viewer. Over there is Camel Rock. It’s strange to have a rock shaped like a camel, but it’s said to have formed naturally. There is also a rock that looks like a kissing bird. It’s amazing that such rocks can form naturally. Next, we go to a Turkish carpet shop. Tours of Turkey often include a visit to a Turkish carpet shop. A handmade Turkish carpet shop called Cinar. We are explained the characteristics and manufacturing methods of Turkish carpets. Some people may be worried that they will be forced to buy a Turkish carpet. In conclusion, this was not the case. The more finely knotted the Turkish carpet, the higher the price. This is a Turkish carpet with a loose knot . We also hear about the difference between Turkish carpets and Persian carpets. We are shown the actual Turkish carpet making site. It seems to be quite difficult. Turkish carpets with fine knots are expensive. This is a Turkish carpet with fine knots and is very expensive. We are shown the Turkish carpet and ask the price. It is also possible to purchase one. We were given red wine and Turkish coffee. Mineral water and Turkish tea were served. Turkish coffee is delicious if I drink it occasionally. The cheapest carpets are about 2,000 euros (2,345 US dollars), and the most expensive are about 40,000 euros (46,895 US dollars). Some people have actually bought one and taken it home. Next, we will g to Ozkonak Underground City. It is estimated that there are 150 to 200 underground cities in Cappadocia, and this is one of them. Ozkonak Underground City was discovered by local farmers in 1972. This underground city was used for food storage, livestock shelter, winery, housing, barns, and more. The admission fee is 6 euros (7.03 US dollars) per person. Compared to the popular Kaymakli Underground City and Derinkuyu Underground City, this is said to be a hidden gem. There is an explanation of the underground city. The entrance to the underground city. This underground city is said to have 10 floors. The first four floors underground are open to the public. It is written Stall. It is thought to be a place to feed the animals. The back of the Stall is connected to the kitchen. There is a small tandoor on the ground. This is the kitchen. It’s a narrow passageway (tunnel). There is a large hole at the top, which was used for air circulation, communication between the different floors, and attacks against enemies. This underground city is made up of many layers of volcanic granite. There are several iron bars like this on the ground, which are thought to be storage spaces for food. A large jar. It is said that wine and other things were stored inside. This is thought to be a storage facility for food and drinks. There are many small holes in the wall. The full extent of the Ozkonak underground city is not clear, and there are many mysteries. It’s a beautiful orange space, but… There is a sign that says “Winery” at the back. This is also a winery. This underground city is thought to have been built by the people of Cappadocia during the Byzantine Empire (395-1453). However, the exact date of this underground city is unclear, and it is said that it may be even older. This underground city is said to be able to accommodate 60,000 people for up to three months. There are more narrow passageways (tunnels) ahead, and we have to bend down to get through. It says STONE DOOR. This area is thought to be each room of the housing. The hundreds of rooms are connected to each other by long passageways and tunnels like a maze. It is said that the passageways are low, narrow, and long to restrict the movement of outside enemies. It’s quite difficult to get through the narrow passages. There is a stone door to prevent outside enemies from entering. Beyond this is another room. It must have been used by Christians who fled persecution. There is a ventilation shaft. The 4th basement floor we are in is 40m (130ft) below ground level. It was an interesting underground city. When we leave the underground city, there are souvenir shops and food stalls. This Ozkonak underground city is easy to access, small in size, and can be seen in a short time, so it is increasingly being organized into tours. There is a Turkish ice cream stall. There are 7 flavors and they look delicious. I bought a Turkish ice cream. Turkish ice cream performance. It is a performance where they are reluctant to give the ice cream. While I was eating the ice cream, a stray dog ​​approached me. The stray dog ​​did not attack me. Next, we will go to a pottery shop in Avanos. Avanos is located between Ozkonak and Goreme and is a town famous for pottery. There are various pottery workshops and museums in Avanos. This time, we visit the pottery workshop in Avanos to see how pottery is made. Geometric patterns are hand-painted into fired pottery. I had a drink. We listen to an explanation of Avanos pottery. It is characterized by its rustic and warm texture. A mini wine bottle with a unique shape. We will see how pottery is molded. The clay used is red clay from the nearby Kızılırmak River. Craftsmen mold and decorate each piece by hand. There is a shop in the next room. We can purchase Avanos pottery at the shop. Evening. Our next destination is the last one on this tour. We will go to Pigeon Valley. We come back to Uchisar, the starting point. There are many restaurants in the town of Uchisar. Pigeon Valley is located between Uchisar and Goreme, and is 4km long. On the slope of the valley, there are artificial dovecotes carved into the rocks. Pigeons make their nests in the hollows of the rocks, and their droppings were widely used as fertilizer until the 1970s. Pigeon droppings were also used to highlight the colors of the frescoes in the cave churches. This tour is a combination of red and green. It is high season and the price is 100 euros (117.3 US dollars) per person. The tour ends and we return to the Museum Hotel. The review of the Museum Hotel is available in another video. This hotel opened in 2003. It is the only luxury hotel in Turkey that is a member of Relais & Châteaux. The beautiful upper terrace of the hotel. There is an infinity pool on the lower terrace. The terrace offers views of the Goreme Valley, Love Valley, Pigeon Valley, Red Valley, Avanos, and Mount Erciyes. Although we didn’t go this time, the experience of watching the sunset in the Red Valley is also popular. We can see both sunset and sunrise from the hotel terrace. The hotel has an otherworldly atmosphere. This hotel was built by carefully restoring ancient ruins, caves, and abandoned houses. It is a real cave hotel. Since it is a suite, there is an indoor pool. Hammam. Living room. Bedroom. This suite is a two-story cave. Bathroom. Massage room and sauna. There is one restaurant where we can enjoy Turkish cuisine and Cappadocia wine. Enjoy dinner. Enjoy breakfast as well. It was nice that there was an a la carte menu of Turkish cuisine. We stayed in Cappadocia for 2 nights and 3 days. In 2 nights and 3 days, we can experience a hot air balloon flight and visit the main tourist spots. However, I feel that if we had stayed for more than 3 nights, we could have done more sightseeing. To Nevsehir Cappadocia Airport. There are two airports in Cappadocia, and the one closest to Goreme is Nevsehir Cappadocia Airport. Turkish Airlines and AJet operate at this airport. All flights on this day are to Istanbul. The airport is small, and there is only one shop selling drinks and snacks. There is nothing to do even if you arrive at the airport early. You cannot buy souvenirs at the airport, so it is better to buy them while you are in Cappadocia. Let’s get on the plane. All seats are economy class, and the seating arrangement is 3-3. The legroom is not that narrow, and there is plenty of space. There are no monitors on the seats, and only a disposal bag and a safety card. The aircraft is an Airbus A321-200. If you have a tablet, you can enjoy in-flight entertainment. The plane started moving. Taking off. The view of Cappadocia from the sky. It looks bleak. Water. Hot sandwiches. Water and soft drinks are available. It’s a 1 hour 30 minute flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul. You can also travel from Cappadocia to Istanbul by bus, which takes about 10 to 12 hours. Other options include taking a bus from Cappadocia to Ankara and a train from Ankara to Istanbul. Istanbul is the crossroads of Asia and Europe. Cappadocia is on the Asian side and is located in the historical region of Central Anatolia. Istanbul’s airport is on the European side. Landing. It was a comfortable flight. After this, I moved to the hotel in Istanbul. In Istanbul, I stayed at the Ciragan Palace Kempinski. I have already released a review video of the Ciragan Palace Kempinski. Thank you for watching.

Today we will take part in two sightseeing tours with local guides in Cappadocia, Turkey. On these two tours, we will enjoy a hot air balloon flight, popular tourist spots such as the Goreme Open Air Museum and the Underground City.

■Related video
Cappadocia’s Luxury Cave Hotel Suites (Turkey) – MUSEUM HOTEL Kapadokya | 4K Vlog

■Tours I took
1: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight over Fairy Chimneys
https://www.getyourguide.jp/goreme-l984/cappadocia-fairy-chimneys-sunrise-hot-air-balloon-flight-t485698/
2: Red and Green Combination Day Tour
https://www.getyourguide.jp/cappadocia-l1400/full-day-cappadocia-red-and-green-combined-day-tour-t147747/

■Table of Contents
00:00 Intro
00:24 Hot Air Balloon Flight
04:26 Uchisar Castle
06:26 Goreme Open Air Museum
13:46 Pasabag Valley – Mushroom Shaped Rocks
16:51 Devrent Valley – Camel Rock
17:54 Turkish Carpet Shop
19:57 Ozkonak Underground City
25:39 Avanos Pottery Shop
27:26 Pigeon Valley
28:42 Luxury Cave Hotel
31:29 Cappadocia Airport
32:13 Travel from Cappadocia to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines

■BGM license code
Code: GGIF89EBOXO6LZ8Q

#turkey #cappadocia #hotairballoon #kapadokya