Hot Air Balloon Festival Lifts Telangana Tourism to New Heights in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Jan 2026 : The skies over Hyderabad came alive with a burst of colour on Friday as a three-day Hot Air Balloon Festival began near the historic Golconda Fort, signalling a fresh and ambitious chapter in Telangana’s tourism journey. The festival was inaugurated by State Tourism and Culture Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, who described the event as a powerful blend of heritage, innovation and experiential travel.

As part of the opening celebrations, the Minister himself took to the skies in a hot air balloon, underscoring the government’s push to promote adventure tourism. Rao spent nearly one-and-a-half hours airborne, travelling approximately 13 kilometres. The journey began near the Golconda Golf Club and concluded on the outskirts of Appajiguda, offering panoramic aerial views of Hyderabad’s skyline, historic landmarks and surrounding landscapes.

A total of 18 hot air balloons lifted off in the morning session, carrying around 40 passengers. The sight of multiple balloons floating above the city created a festive atmosphere and drew the attention of early-morning onlookers. Calling the experience “truly memorable”, Rao said the festival marked the beginning of a new era for Telangana tourism.

Highlighting the State’s evolving tourism strategy, the Minister said Telangana was consciously integrating its rich cultural heritage with modern, technology-driven attractions. While flagship events such as the International Kite and Sweet Festival celebrate the State’s traditions, cuisine and hospitality, initiatives like the Hot Air Balloon Festival and upcoming Drone Festivals reflect innovation, technology and a future-oriented outlook.

“This convergence of culture and technology is essential for positioning Telangana as a contemporary and competitive tourism destination,” Rao said. He reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the ‘Destination Telangana’ brand by showcasing the State’s natural beauty, historical legacy and modern experiences to a global audience.

Adventure tourism, Rao noted, would play a crucial role in attracting both domestic and international travellers seeking immersive and experiential journeys. He said the State’s new tourism policy is designed to accelerate growth by encouraging private investment and fostering public-private partnerships aimed at developing world-class infrastructure and high-quality services.

These initiatives, the Minister added, are expected to generate employment and sustainable livelihood opportunities for local youth, particularly in tourism-linked services. “The balloons rising into the sky today symbolise Telangana tourism reaching new global heights,” Rao said, expressing confidence that such events would help place the State among India’s leading tourism destinations.

Tourism Department officials provided operational details of the festival, stating that regular hot air balloon rides have been priced at Rs 2,000 per person. Each flight will last between 45 minutes and one hour, covering a distance of approximately 8 to 10 kilometres, depending on wind conditions. The maximum flying altitude has been capped at 4,500 feet above sea level to ensure safety.

The venues for the morning flights scheduled on January 17 and 18 are yet to be finalised and will be determined based on prevailing weather conditions and wind direction. In the evenings, tethered hot air balloon sessions will be held at the Parade Ground in Secunderabad as part of night-glow displays. These balloons will rise and descend vertically and will begin operations at 5 pm. Tickets for the evening tethered rides have been priced at Rs 15, making the spectacle accessible to a wider audience.

Team Maverick.