On January 16, 2026, early in the morning, hot air balloons set off from the Hyderabad Golf Club, which is close to the famous Golconda Fort. The hot air balloons carried about forty people. Along with a few social media personalities, the passengers were primarily representatives of print and electronic media. The Telangana Hot Air Balloon Festival, which is set to take place from January 16 to 18, officially began. According to officials, 10 to 15 tethered balloons operated at the Parade Grounds in Secunderabad during the evening, holding between 130 and 133 guests who purchased tickets online. “These are tethered and ascend to a limited height before descending back to the same spot, unlike the free-flying balloons in the morning,” a senior Tourism Department official continued.

The Hyderabad Golf Club hosted the first-ever Hot Air Balloon Festival, which included the morning flights. Jupally Krishna Rao, Minister of Tourism and Culture, both rode and launched the event. He flew for about an hour and a half, travelling roughly 13 kilometres. The flight ended on the outskirts of Appajiguda, having started close to the Hyderabad Golf Club.

The goal is to present Telangana’s historical history and scenic beauty to a worldwide audience. By providing more immersive and experiential travel options, adventure tourism efforts like hot air ballooning are crucial in drawing both local and foreign travellers, the minister Rao added.