Aerial Experience Rides To Launch For Hornbill Festival 2025 To Offer Tourists Unique Views And Thrilling Adventures In Kohima, Nagaland

Published on November 26, 2025

The Hornbill Festival 2025 is determined to fly high with the opening of the Aerial Experience Rides- Helicopter Service, which is going to be a great milestone for tourism in Nagaland. The Minister for Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, officially launched the service at the Lerie Helipad, Kohima on November 25. With this new service, tourists will get to experience an exciting bird’s-eye view of the festival and the beautiful lands of Nagaland, thus taking the whole tourist experience to a new level.

The inauguration was attended by several prominent figures, including Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister, and Theja Meru, Chairman of the Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA), who were all eager to embrace the possibilities this new venture would bring. Also present were Myingthungo Ababe Ezung, OSD of the Transport Department, and Captain Amitabh, among other officials from the Tourism Department.

A Scenic Overhaul for the Hornbill Festival 2025

This year, Nagaland is redefining how tourists experience the Hornbill Festival, renowned for its vibrant celebrations of Naga culture. The introduction of helicopter rides adds an entirely new dimension to the festival’s appeal, providing guests with spectacular aerial views of the venue at Kisama, along with a panorama of Kohima’s natural beauty.

Organised by the Tourism Department of Nagaland in partnership with Thumby Aviation Pvt. Ltd, the service will offer tourists an unparalleled opportunity to admire the stunning Dzükou Valley, a high-altitude destination famous for its rolling hills and breathtaking scenery. The service will also cater to those looking to experience a unique aerial tour of the Hornbill Festival itself, offering exclusive views of the festivities from above.

Moreover, passengers will have the chance to fly between key destinations within the state, including Kohima and the nearby village of Kigwema, home to the famed Kohima War Cemetery. These flights will provide access to remote and otherwise hard-to-reach areas, boosting both tourism and the local economy.

A New Way to Explore Nagaland’s Beauty

For both first-time visitors and seasoned travellers, these aerial rides offer a new way to explore the rugged terrain and cultural richness of Nagaland. With the helicopter service offering scenic tours that pass over the majestic hills, valleys, and forests, passengers will experience the state’s pristine landscapes in a way that was once inaccessible. The sheer scale of these views promises to create memories that will last a lifetime.

The service is not only about sightseeing; it aims to provide tourists with an enhanced travel experience, offering convenience and accessibility. For many, the idea of flying above such a picturesque state will surely be an exciting addition to their travel itinerary.

Affordable and Accessible for Tourists

In a bid to encourage participation from local, national, and international tourists, the helicopter rides will be offered at subsidised rates. This initiative is designed to make aerial experiences accessible to a wide range of visitors, ensuring that more people have the opportunity to enjoy this unique adventure.

Bookings for the rides can be made through the Tourism Department’s social media platforms, their official website, or directly at the Kisama information counter. The service will operate from multiple locations, including Dimapur Airport, Kohima Heliport, and Kigwema Heliport, providing easy access for tourists throughout the Hornbill Festival period.

Exciting New Activities for Tourists at the Hornbill Festival

The helicopter service is just one of many thrilling activities planned for this year’s Hornbill Festival. The Tourism Department is keen on making the 2025 edition stand out with a mix of traditional performances, local crafts, and modern-day experiences that reflect the spirit of the festival.

In addition to aerial sightseeing, the festival will feature interactive workshops, where tourists can learn traditional Naga crafts, such as weaving, pottery, and painting. There will also be cultural performances from local tribes, giving visitors an authentic taste of Nagaland’s rich heritage. Local food stalls will offer a variety of Naga delicacies, and the highly anticipated Naga rock music performances will provide an electrifying atmosphere throughout the event.

The launch of the aerial rides is part of Nagaland’s broader push to develop innovative tourism products that will further boost the state’s profile on the global tourism map. The partnership with Thumby Aviation is seen as a model for other North-Eastern states to follow, promoting regional tourism and showcasing the unique allure of the region’s natural beauty.

A New Era for Nagaland’s Tourism Industry

The introduction of helicopter services marks a defining moment for tourism in Nagaland. With the state’s growing reputation for hosting one of the most unique cultural festivals in India, the addition of these aerial experiences is expected to attract more visitors and add a sense of adventure and luxury to their visit.

As Minister Temjen Imna Along remarked during the flagging off ceremony, this new initiative will be a game-changer, not only for the festival but for Nagaland’s tourism sector as a whole. The service will provide an unforgettable way to experience the state’s beauty, and with its subsidised rates, it opens up new possibilities for a wider range of tourists to enjoy.

The helicopter rides are sure to become one of the festival’s standout attractions, offering an exciting and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for visitors to take in Nagaland’s spectacular landscape from the skies. With its growing list of unique attractions and experiences, the Hornbill Festival 2025 promises to be one of the most memorable editions yet.

A Flight Above the Ordinary

The introduction of new rides at the Hornbill Festival 2025 is an immense step forward for the event, and the Aerial Experience rides, in particular, offer a breathtaking view of the state of Nagaland from a totally different angle. The state remains a place of innovation and tourism creativity with the Hornbill Festival still in the limelight for the tourists eager to explore the very core of North East India.