Your Complete Guide To The Fireflies Festival In Maharashtra 2024

The Bhandardara Arthur Lake trek is stunning and moderately challenging. The trek is quite popular around the year among enthusiasts but especially great during this festival as you can see the fireflies envelop the entire Bhandardara campsite and put up a magical show for the campers. Yes, sweet dreams are made of this. 

The trek usually takes 2 days and 1 night, depending on the route and pace. Late May to early June is the best time for this trek for the fireflies. A great part is that it is also family-friendly as it is an easier trek. For experienced trekkers, the challenge is amplified as the trails pass through dense forests, offering mesmerizing views of fireflies. The distance from Mumbai to Bhandardara is 165 km, and from Pune to Bhandardara is 172 km.

Trek Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Stay: Homestay with villagers or tents

Rajmachi, known for its night treks also offers a firefly spectacle. The trek to Rajmachi Fort covers a distance of 8 km each way. You can see fireflies after sunset around the Udhewadi village. The fort, built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century, consists of two forts, Shrivardhan and Manaranjan, and is now a popular spot for trekking. It is a 16 km trek from Lonavala Station. Rajmachi Fort is strategically located, offering a view of Borghat, an old trade route. The fort is covered in fog and mist during the monsoon season. There are dedicated viewing points in Lonavala and Khandala to see the fort.

The Rajmachi Trek is a sought-after adventure in the Sahyadri ranges because of its cloudy secluded environment. The Fireflies Festival draws enthusiasts between late May and early June. There are two primary trek routes: one from Lonavala and the other from Karjat. The Lonavala route is longer but offers views of waterfalls and dense forests, while the Karjat route is shorter but steeper. Rajmachi is 82 km from Mumbai and 72 km from Pune.

Trek Difficulty: Medium

Stay: Homestay with villagers or tents

Located in the Western Ghats, Igatpuri offers beautiful scenery and the magical sight of fireflies. If your goal is to get Instagrammable pictures then this is the one for you. The tents face the lake, making it perfect for watching the sunset while enjoying tea and evening snacks. As you wake up the next day, you can indulge in water sports and appreciate the sound of birds in the morning. After breakfast, guests can take more pictures and then check out by 10 am. This is a bit more favourable for those travelling from Mumbai or Nasik, as it is It's 120 km from Mumbai and 46 km from Nashik. For Pune forks, Bhandardara and Rajmachi are closer options as the distance till here is of 240 km. 

Difficulty level: Easy

Stay: Dormitory rooms or tents

If you are looking for a trek more than a camp, this is the one you should consider. Kothaligad, also known as the fort of Peth is 100 km from Mumbai and 120 km from Pune. The village of Peth is at the base of the fort, and you can see the pinnacle from there. At night, you can experience the beauty of the forest and observe thousands of fireflies. You can drive to the campsite or use the pickup/drop service from Neral Railway Station. The fort has a water tank, a staircase with huge steps, a small temple, a large cave, and a chimney-like tunnel. From the top of the fort, you'll have a view of Bhimashankar Range, Siddhagad Fort, Malanggad, Chanderi Fort, Prabalgad, Manikgad Fort, and Matheran Range.

Difficulty level: Moderate

Stay: Tents

If you want more options, you can also try Sandhan Valley, Prabalmachi, Purushwadi, and Karjat, all of which you can book at places like Mischief Treks, Treks and Trails, and Adventure Geeks. The cost for the festival ranges from INR 700 to INR 2400 per person, depending on the package, we also recommend that you book in advance due to its popularity. 

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