Hyderabad’s skyline bloomed with colour this weekend as the inaugural International Hot Air Balloon Festival took flight. The festival began on Friday morning with a 45-minute inaugural ascent, giving 40 Hyderabadis a breathtaking view of the city from 2,500 feet above — drifting from the historic ramparts of Golconda toward the shimmering waters of Osman Sagar. By dusk, the spectacle shifted to Parade Ground; while the flights here stayed closer to the earth and were only five-to-seven minutes long, many more people got to experience the thrill of staying suspended in the sky.
The Qutub Shahi Tombs provided a majestic backdrop as the hot air balloons drifted toward Osman Sagar during the morning flightsPic by Skywaltz hot air balloon
I went with my family and we enjoyed it immensely. Travelling to Turkey, which is renowned for its hot-air balloon rides, isn’t always possible, so being able to experience it here made it all the more special. It truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and was absolutely worth it
Praneeta, digital marketer
Pic by Sanjana Pulugurtha
It was my first hot air balloon ride, and every moment in the air felt magical. Sharing it with my family made it even more special. Although we couldn’t go very high due to air conditions and the wait was long, the experience was satisfying and felt worth the price
Priyanka Durgam, IT professional
The inaugural International Hot Air Balloon Festival kicked off on Friday morning giving many Hyderabadis their chance to ride balloons
I always believed it was something limited to overseas destinations. Experiencing it here and allowing my children to witness it in real life rather than through a screen made it especially meaningful. It’s a memory I will always cherish
Kalpana Bhupathi, homemaker
— Shreya Varanasi & Sanjana Pulugurtha
