Pamukkale
If you are a real movie fan and watched such movies as The Odyssey and Ghost Rider, then your attention could be caught up by a unique place with snow-white paths and light-blue pools. This place is called Pamukkale. Pamukkale itself is a hill with a height of almost 200 meters.
Its uniqueness hides in thermal waters that are rich with calcium. Here the springs maintain the temperature from 35 to 100 degrees that are just perfect for complete relaxation. It used to be a healing center for all East Anatolia. With the biggest rumors, it comes that even Cleopatra visited this place, and that is why the main pool inside Pamukkale was named after her. But these are only rumors.
Pamukkale also is known as Cotton Castle attracts millions of tourists annually, especially this number rose when this place was added to the World Heritage of UNESCO. If you think that Pamukkale is visited only for thermal springs, then you are mistaken. A lot of tourists come here for history. The amazing landscape has emerged from nothing many centuries ago. The first reference to Hierapolis, an ancient Greek city where Pamukkale was based dates to the 2nd century BC. In the ruins of Hierapolis, you will find the amphitheater that remained almost preserved. A great place to plunge in the history of ancient times!
Pamukkale is not boring at all! Thanks to a whim of tourists that are extremely picky with their expectations, locals try to satisfy the needs of every traveler. Here you will be able to have a balloon flight over 700 meters over the sea level or do paragliding over 200 meters. Or maybe you will be willing to get some ground experience on horses or ATVs. Anyway, whatever you like, you can try it here in Pamukkale. However, one of the greatest things that are offered here is a gyrocopter flight. Only in Pamukkale you can feel yourself like a millionaire and get a millionaire’s memories. At least I felt like this when I was flying in a cool brand-new gyrocopter and knew that all these views were only for me.
Gyrocopter flight
Flying on a gyrocopter is pretty relaxing and not scaring. Even if you are afraid of height, believe me, you will not think about it a lot! Because most of the time you will be busy recording your experience and enjoying the flight.
All in all, I am completely satisfied with my experience and would like to tell you a little bit in detail. It took me a few days to decide what I want to do in Pamukkale. I found a great agency that offered a balloon flight, a paragliding flight, and a gyrocopter flight. The price didn’t stop. Even though a gyrocopter was the most expensive among the options, I thought it was going to be the best of my investments.
When I booked a flight, I was promptly contacted by email to discuss the details. A guy told me what was waiting for me. Also, he asked where I would be staying because in the morning a driver would come to pick me up, and a few more things. It is great that gyrocopter flights are not in so high demand compared with balloon flights, and you can pick any day and be sure that the flight would happen. It is also about the weather. A gyrocopter flight is shorter in terms of time and it is easy to catch an exact moment, even if in the morning the wind is too bad. The weather tends to change.
In the morning in November, a driver came to my hotel. I was staying at Venus hotel that is pretty good. We arranged the time so I could catch a sunrise, I googled many photos before and wanted to do it exactly at that moment. So I woke up at 7 a.m. to prepare myself, makeup, dress, all these girlish stuff. The driver came exactly at 7:30, and punctuality is always a plus when it comes to business, in my opinion. The launch site was located very close to my accommodation, nearly 10 kilometers away, and a ride in a comfortable vehicle passed quickly. A total preparation took around 10 minutes, I was basically explained how my flight would be, and some safety things, and I was not given any too difficult instructions except for sit, enjoy, and take as many photos as possible.
Just when a pilot started the engine, I started feeling my blood pressure, and that I was getting a great dose of adrenaline. I was too excited and was anticipating when we set off. Then we were slowly flying up and I saw the full scenery of Pamukkale. In fact, it is larger than I thought, that is why it will take a lot of time for you to walk and see all around. While flying, I saw an outstanding perspective on travertines, springs, Hierapolis opened only for me. Then the most incredible moment for which I woke up so early – a sunrise over Pamukkale. It was indeed worth it! I was in the air for 20 minutes, but for me, it was like an hour. I think time stops when you are in the skies.
The landing was extremely smooth and all team was waiting for us. They congratulated me and I was taken back to the hotel to continue sleeping. But frankly speaking, I couldn’t fall asleep and went out to discover Pamukkale from the ground this time. Finally, my total experience lasted in one hour and a half, that was the exact amount of time that the agency told me beforehand.
In my opinion, a gyrocopter flight has many more pluses comparing to other options. It is quick, and yes I think it is an advantage. It is better to see more and quickly than nothing and stay long. Moreover, it is about the quality of the flight. Gyrocopter is a really high-level experience. Besides, flying on a gyrocopter, you will feel that it is only for you. In a balloon there are 16 more people who are talking, yelling from excitement or fear, and just in a gyrocopter, you will be able to relax and enjoy the same view as others.
Wonderful views
A gyrocopter flight is a wonderful adventure to jump in. You will see the most magnificent, stunning and beautiful panorama over the city from the bird’s eye. We got high up to 1000 meters. And everyone looked so small when they started gathering to enter the national park.
All these beautiful white travertines and blue springs and it looked like winter over there, but you feel hot blood from excitement in your body. To see the most picturesque areas is possible only from the height, I think. Except for the spa resort, you will see Hierapolis very clearly. Moreover, the pilot will be telling you where you are flying over and guiding you. You will be answering with a microphone like a real copilot. Also, the pilot will maneuver a gyrocopter so that you see the most hidden valleys of Pamukkale. Incredible!
Online booking and prices
Regarding the price, I cannot say that I paid so much because I know the prices in Europe are much higher. Without tips, I gave only 90 euros. I think it is a good price as for November, in summer I think I would pay more, so consider the price from 90 to 110 euros. The price includes transfers in two ways as well as a pilot’s service.
Of course, in the end, if you like your flight, you are welcome to give tips, and I think it is the best way how we as tourists can show our gratitude. As the company I booked with did a really great job! I really enjoyed all the processes starting from booking finishes with after-call when they asked me if I liked everything.
When you are making a booking, you can mention where you will be staying, and as I know they even offer a transfer from the Denizli airport for an extra charge. Besides, if you cannot catch the sunrise, you can always join them for sunset. I believe the emotions will be the same and you will enjoy it!
It is a solo experience, so only for you. A pilot will be sitting in front and you behind him. But your friends can come and watch you flying if you want to make them a little bit jealous, and maybe they can take extra shots of you.
Recommendations
I would really advise that you fly with professionals. Even though you will have insurance for a flight, but the atmosphere is really important. If you would like to read more about the guys I was flying with, you are welcome to do it here. Remember it is important to have a great connection with the team and the pilot. Luckily mine was very friendly and it helped me to relax and enjoy my time for full! I hope you will also have a lot of fun flying over Pamukkale!
I’m travelling around the Middle East & Asia
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