Packet telemetry data via first hop node configuration

Techniques for monitoring packet telemetry are provided. A policy is received at a first node from a controller, where the policy includes an indication of a first flow. A first packet belonging to the first flow is received at the first node. A second node in a network path for the first packet is determined. A first header is added to the first packet based on the policy, wherein the first header includes an indication of the controller. The first packet is transmitted to the second node. Finally, telemetry data associated with the first node is transmitted to the controller based on the policy.