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Are you looking for a unique experience during your trip to Cappadocia? Then, hot air balloon ride may be the best experience for you. Cappadocia is one of the few places in the world where you can see hot air balloons as a common sight. Moreover, there are many companies that offer hot air balloon rides in this region. However, not all of them are trustworthy and safe to book. So before you finalize on any company, here are some tips to know before booking a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia:

Research the company you want to book with

Before you book with any company, it’s important to do your research on the company and the reviews. Don’t just look up one company and consider booking with them. There are thousands of companies that offer hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia. Most of them are local tour operators, and some may be big travel brands. There are many factors you should consider while booking with any company. These factors include the following: - Where the company is based out of? If you are traveling from a different country, it’s best to look for a company that is based out of Cappadocia. - How long the company has been in business? You don’t want to book with a company that is not reputable or has been operating for one or two years. - How is the customer service? Is it prompt in responding to customers? - What is the company’s safety and hygiene standard? - What is the cancellation policy of the company? - Are there any hidden fees or surcharges? - How many people will be in the hot air balloon? - What is the maximum weight limit of each passenger? - What are the special offers and deals offered by the company?

Don't forget to read the T&Cs

All companies will have their terms and conditions listed on their website. However, many customers tend to skip reading these T&Cs. When you are booking any experience or activity, always check if there any exclusions. These may be things like: - You are below 18 years of age. In some cases, passengers below 18 years of age are not allowed to sit in the basket. - If you have a heart condition or respiratory disorder. - If you are pregnant. - If you have a medical condition that may affect your ability to participate in the activity. - If you have a medical condition that may affect the health of other participants. - If you are taking prescription medicines. - If you have a criminal record or any criminal charges. - If you are prone to motion sickness or any other health conditions.

Check for hidden fees and surcharges

Hot air balloon ride, as well as any other activity in Cappadocia, is a service-in-kind (SIL). This means that the activity has a fixed rate and there is no service tax charged on it. However, there are some companies that add a service tax on the total amount. This is not legal, as it is SIL. There are also companies that charge a service fee or a surcharge. These companies should be avoided at all costs.

Check if the hot air balloon is certified

One of the most important things to look for when booking a hot air balloon ride is whether the balloon is certified or not. There are two types of balloons available in Cappadocia. - Standard hot air balloons: Standard hot air balloons are the ones that are not certified. This means that the pilots cannot control the height of the balloon. - Squeeze-flow hot air balloons: Squeeze-flow hot air balloons are the certified ones. This means that the pilot can control the height of the balloon and can land it wherever he/she wants. So how can you tell which balloon you are boarding? Look for a sticker on the basket that says “Squeeze Flow”.

Ask about the wind conditions before you book

Hot air balloon ride happens between the months of April and October in Cappadocia. So before you book the ride, it is important to know about the wind conditions. During this period, the wind blows from the southwest direction. During these months, the wind is unstable and changes direction every few hours. This means that the balloon pilot cannot predict the exact landing spot. So depending on the wind conditions, the pilot can land in any open space. During this period, there is a good chance of the balloon being blown towards the mountains. In such cases, the balloon pilot can decide to land in the nearest open ground.

Check if rain is expected during your booking period

During the summer season, the chances of rain are quite high in Cappadocia. Not only Cappadocia, but the whole of Central Anatolia gets a lot of rainfall during this period. However, if you want to avoid the rainfall, it is best to visit Cappadocia between the months of October and April. This is the best time to visit Cappadocia for a hot air balloon ride. There is a high chance that your hot air balloon ride will be cancelled or delayed due to the heavy rainfall. The balloon operator may decide to delay or cancel your booking if the forecast shows that there will be heavy rainfall during the day you have booked for your ride.

Make sure to stay at least three days in Cappadocia to be rescheduled for the following days if your flight gets cancelled.

Hot air balloons are more of a weather-dependent activity. There are various things that can affect the flight, like the direction of the wind, its speed, and the amount of rainfall. When the forecast is bad, the balloon operator may cancel or delay your booking. It is important to keep a track of the weather forecast and update yourself with any changes. If your booking is delayed or gets cancelled due to bad weather conditions, the booking company may reschedule your flight for the next day or the following day. It is important to stay at least three days in Cappadocia to be rescheduled for the following days if your flight gets cancelled. And that’s how you know before booking a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia. Now that you know all these tips and tricks, it is time to book your hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia.