Uttarakhand already has The Himalayan AirSafari service, and the government aims to add one more element to it — breakfast in the clouds.

In this, tourists will be flown to select locations difficult to reach by road, where they can enjoy a sumptuous breakfast along with the peace and quiet that comes from being close to nature. According to a proposal for phase one, Kalsi, Chinyalisaur, Gaucher, Bairagi Camp, Nainisaini and Pantnagar have been identified as starting points, and breakfast arrangements can be made at places like Raithal, Harsil, George Everest, Rishikesh and Nainital.

According to Satish Bahuguna, an Officer of Special Duty (OSD) at the Uttarakhand Tourism Department, they took the concept from some countries where tourists are taken to meadows for breakfast.

“The tourism department feels that we too have lovely alpine meadows (bugyals) and we should start a similar venture, without disturbing the ecology of the place. This scheme will not be for mass tourism, but will only target elite tourists. Let us say for example we start a flight from Sahastradhara and go to the beautiful Harsil valley. There, the tourists can have a nice breakfast and maybe go on a small trek, or take part in some other activity. Within a few hours, the tourists can return,” said Bahuguna.

Various ways are being explored to preserve the region’s ecology. One option is that instead of permanent structures at these locations, locals provide authentic delicacies and temporary setups for the tourists. Officials said this initiative can also bolster the local economy and foster partnerships between tourists and local communities.

Future phases of the scheme envision multiple meals at distinct scenic spots, promising diverse encounters with Uttarakhand’s landscapes. “The department is planning to explore future possibilities of more than one meal of the day, each at a different location,” Bahuguna said.

While it is not clear when exactly the new initiative will take off, the government is aiming for the summer season next year.

The tourism department is starting this scheme in a joint venture with the Civil Aviation Department, using their helipads as the starting point. For the destination, the tourism department is planning two options — involve locals, or carry tables and chairs along with other necessary things.

It is not clear yet what such a ‘breakfast trip’ will cost, with officials saying the per head cost would depend on the route and the size of the group travelling.

Introducing gyrocopters

Last week, a trial run was done for India’s first-ever Himalayan AirSafari using gyrocopters.

The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, in collaboration with Rajas Aerosports and Adventures Pvt Ltd, aims to introduce gyrocopters — compact and agile aircraft — as a novel way to explore the beautiful state.

A gyrocopter is a mix between a helicopter and an airplane. It has a big rotating blade on top, like a helicopter, but it does not use an engine to spin it. Instead, when it moves forward, the air pushes through the blades, making them spin, which helps it stay up in the air.

Gyrocopters are generally considered safe and stable. They are also nimble and maneuverable, allowing pilots to fly closer to attractions.

Gyrocopters don’t require extensive runways for take-off and landing, so they can operate from smaller airfields or even open spaces.

“In the future, gyrocopters could be used in the breakfast tourism plan too, as they need only around a 1-km strip. They can fly in any weather conditions, and because they fly at a much lower altitude, they provide a better view to the tourists. Having more open space, they also provide a sense of adventure,” said Bahuguna.

Under a pilot project, two gyrocopters brought from Germany have been introduced in the PPP mode under the Himalayan AirSafari scheme.