Kundapur,: After the success of heli-tourism in Udupi, the concept will now be introduced in Kundapur too. The news has come as a boon for the local tourism.

Pilgrimage centres including Anegudde and Kollur, beaches like Maravanthe, beautiful Western Ghats, and well maintained star hotels in the area are a blessing to the tourism activities.

ith the approval from district administration, Chipsan Aviation is foraying into heli-tourism in Kundapur, said the company official Suresh in a press meet held at Uva Meridian Hotel.

Chipsan Aviation which already has the experience of running heli-tourism in the district centre Udupi will begin its service in Kundapur from May. Joy ride, adventure ride, religious ride and health ride are the packages available with the service. In the initial stage, only joy ride and adventure ride will be introduced. Six people can be accommodated in a ride in a single engine helicopter. The ride will take off from Uva Meridian Hotel helipad. Rides will start from May first week. One has to pay Rs 2,200 for a ride of 8 minute duration and Rs 3,500 for a ride of 13 minute duration.

Good response is expected for heli-tourism. V K Mohan, a businessman of Kundapur origin, who was on a visit to Kundapur, took his family members of 6 for a ride of 30 minute duration on Friday, April 29 and wished the service all the best. He said that his family loved the aerial view of Kundapur.

Chipsan official Suresh also said that aerial viewing of roads, buildings, sea, and mountains of Kundapur is a different experience altogether. "Services are also available to Udupi, Mangaluru and Bengaluru on demand. Rides are conducted between 3 pm to 6 pm everyday. If response is good, services will be introduced in the mornings also," Suresh said.

Uva Meridian Hotel managing director Udaya Kumar Shetty said that temporary arrangement has been made with the hotel to allow Chipsan to use its helipad for rides, to encourage tourism in the area. He requested people to support the initiative by Chipsan Aviation.

Director of Uva Meridian Vinay Kumar Shetty and pilot Arpith were present in the press meet.
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