Tourists flying over the lush forests, rivers, and temples of Telangana may soon be a reality rather than a postcard dream. On Friday, Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao announced the launch of heli-tourism services connecting Hyderabad with Somasila via the temple town of Srisailam. The project, being rolled out in partnership with travel platform EaseMyTrip, marks a new chapter in the state’s tourism ambitions.
Passengers will soon be able to swap long road trips for helicopter rides, offering bird’s-eye views of the Nallamala forests, the Srisailam dam, and stretches of the Krishna river before landing at Somasila. EaseMyTrip will manage bookings and logistics, making heli-tourism accessible beyond the luxury niche.
According to news reports, the announcement came as Rao laid the foundation for projects worth over INR 68 crore in Somasila, Nalamma, Amaragiri Island, and Eegalapenta.
The most ambitious is a INR 45.84 crore wellness and spiritual retreat on Amaragiri Island, designed to blend eco-tourism with spiritual getaways.
At Somasila, a boating point and VIP ghat will be upgraded at a cost of INR 1.60 crore.
Work on these projects is expected to be completed within the next year.
The minister emphasised that Telangana is determined to shift from being seen as a stopover to becoming a destination state. Along with heli-tourism, plans are underway to expand water sports and adventure tourism to attract both domestic and international visitors.
Officials believe that the mix of helicopter rides, wellness retreats, and spiritual circuits will reshape Telangana’s tourism identity. For areas like Somasila and Amaragiri—long overlooked despite their natural and cultural richness—these projects could be transformative. Locals are optimistic about new opportunities in hospitality, transport, and adventure sports, once services are launched.
The government hopes to boost both domestic and foreign tourist numbers, marketing Telangana as more than just a land of heritage monuments and temples. Soon, visitors may find themselves on itineraries that combine adventure, spirituality, and modern comfort in equal measure.
Q1. What is heli-tourism in Telangana?
Heli-tourism in Telangana is a new service connecting Hyderabad with Somasila via Srisailam, offering tourists scenic aerial views of forests, rivers, and temples.
Q2. Who is operating Telangana’s heli-tourism project?
The project is a collaboration between the Telangana government and EaseMyTrip, which will handle bookings and logistics.
Q3. What other tourism projects are being developed?
Alongside heli-tourism, projects worth ₹68 crore are underway, including a wellness retreat on Amaragiri Island, boating facilities at Somasila, and upgrades in Nalamma and Eegalapenta.
Q4. When will the heli-tourism services begin?
The government has not announced an exact launch date, but development work is expected to finish within the next year.
Q5. How will this benefit travellers?
Travellers can save time, enjoy unique aerial experiences, and combine visits to spiritual, eco-tourism, and adventure spots—all within Telangana.
(With inputs from news reports)