Camel rides in Cappadocia, increasingly popular among tourists

Cappadocia, one of Turkey’s most famous and touristic regions, is experiencing a boom in camel rides, which are becoming increasingly popular among tourists visiting this historic Turkish region especially in the winter months, when balloon tours often have to be cancelled due to bad weather.

As reported by Turkish news agency İHA, in recent days adverse weather and snowfall in the region have forced the cancellation of the famous balloon tours over Cappadocia, with tourists resorting to alternative forms of transport to tour the region, including 4×4 off-road vehicles, horses… And camels.

Osman Kaplan, a tour operator who organises camel tours in the region, confirmed that camel treks have become very popular, especially in winter and among tourists from Asian countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. ‘Many people enjoy taking pictures with the camels, which cost 200 liras (5.2 euros), while a short tour costs 400 liras (10.5 euros),’ he said.

Kaplan added that many tourists travelling in winter to Cappadocia are understandably concerned about whether the animals can withstand the low temperatures in the region at this time of year: ‘Our camels are native to Cappadocia, and are adapted to the climate. Moreover, to keep them warm, we cover them with blankets made of goat’s hair,’ he said.

Eren Erdoğan, a Turkish tourist visiting Cappadocia for the third time, told the agency that the region is even more beautiful in winter, when its breathtaking landscapes are covered in white. Nehir Kodal and Enes Aslan, a couple from the Turkish province of Isparta who decided to try a camel tour for the first time in their lives, said it was ‘an incredible experience’: ‘Both the camel tour and Cappadocia itself are spectacular.’

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