Cappadocia 2-Day Tour from Istanbul: Camel Ride and Balloon

Of the three two-day Cappadocia packages sold from Istanbul on this site, this is the one where the balloon flight is part of the fare rather than an add-on, and the price gap of roughly 100 euros is the reason. The inclusions list, the itinerary and the title all treat the flight as included. One line of the provider's own blurb still calls it an option to add, which reads like text left over from the cheaper versions of the same package, so confirm it when you book. The camel ride is the other thing no rival listing here has. Round-trip domestic flights between Istanbul and Cappadocia are covered, along with one night at a cave boutique hotel, breakfast, lunch and entrance fees. The guided touring is semi-private, capped at 10 guests. The camel ride goes into the Red and Rose Valleys, with Zindanonu and Meskenler on the standard route and a substitute if the weather demands one. Worth knowing before booking as a family: nobody aged 17 or under is allowed on the camels. The balloon is sold in the Standard Category, about an hour in the air in a basket holding 20 to 28 passengers, roughly three hours all told, and the supplier refunds it if weather grounds the flight. Day two is a guided circuit by road: the Three Beauties, Goreme National Park, the open air museum UNESCO listed since 1985, Tokali Church. Ortahisar and Uchisar are panoramic stops. Lunch is testi kebab in Avanos. The flight home leaves between 8:00pm and 9:30pm.