Fireflies Festival Bhandardara Camping 2025

Bhandardara Fireflies Festival 2025 camping near Mumbai

Album Link: 
https://photos.app.goo.gl/kq7pxNJwUm2uQUZj7

Charges and Travel Options:

⚠️ The charges mentioned below are "Base Price" for booking at least 20 days in advance. Charges for booking less than 20 days prior to event date will be higher. Kindly click on "Book Now"  button to check the dynamic pricing applicable for a given date.  

Option A: INR 1400.00
In this option you have to reach the campsite in your own vehicle. We will be sharing GPS locations and directions/instructions in the WhatsApp group.

Option B: INR 1800.00
Camping & Pickup/Drop from Kasara Railway Station included. Pickup/Drop Time: 2:47 pm Kasara. Next day 9:00 am pickup from Bhandardara

Option C: INR 3200.00
Camping & Pickup/Drop in AC Bus from Mumbai included. Refer itinerary for bus pickup timing.

Kids Charges: For Kids age 1 to 5 years charges without pickup are Rs. 500.00 , with pickup from Kasara Rs. 1000.00 , and with bus pickup Rs. 2400.00

Explanation of charges:
The above charges are per person charges. If you wish to have twin sharing tents, you can opt for this Add-on immediately after making payment by sharing your booking ID with us on WhatsApp.

⚠️  Eligibility condition 

1. If you wish to apply for being part of our group, you need to "Read" and "Understand" the details provided on this page, and the About-us page so that you can be "Aware".
2. Each participant needs to be mentally fit to participate. Do not book this event if the details mentioned on this page are not agreeable to you. Mischief Treks does not accept ignorant people.

NOTE: The above date and time is for reaching the Camping location

PLEASE DO NOT BOOK THIS EVENT WITHOUT READING AND UNDERSTANDING DETAILS IN THIS SECTION

Transport:
The bus/jeep will take you to the Camping location directly, there's no trekking involved. Approx distance from Mumbai is 161Km. and from Kasara its approx 70 Km.  If you do not reach on time the pickup vehicles will move out without you. No refunds are provided in such case. 

Tents Stay:
A Styrofoam mat will be provided in the tents to keep you comfortable. Tents will be allocated on 3 sharing basis, for Twin sharing additional Rs.500 needs to be paid per couple. For availing exclusive tent for just one person, additional 800/- would be applicable. The tent will have a Styrofoam mat which is similar to yoga mat. To add to comfort level, we suggest you to carry a bedsheet or blanket to be put on the mat. Please not this is not a regular camping event and the tents are very basic dome tents
In case of heavy rains, an attempt will be made to provide shelter for the entire batch in the forest/mountain region. Tents cannot be pitched in rains or if it's windy or the weather for the night is expected to be bad. The attempt to find shelter will purely on best-effort basis and availability cannot be assured. Do not book this event if you are not comfortable with such situations

The campsite is a lake touching location, but as of now due to draining of 90% dam water, the water levels have gone very low and receded to a great extent.

Washroom:
Three basic washrooms are available within a walking distance of 2 min. This is a tribal area (aadvasi area) so the washroom is pretty basic. (refer album link given in image section)

Food:
During fireflies festival is sourced from local "Adivasi" villagers, this is basic home cooked food and is prepared by the villagers in the region. In past several years people have loved this food. But since lockdown got over, the expectations of people have become unreal and food is still that same authentic village food. Do not book this event if food is your priority. Alternatively please carry packaged food along with you if you are grumpy about food.

Add-On options: 
Boating ride at Bhandardara Lake available at Rs.100/- per person.
Life Jackets available on rent at Rs.100/- 
The above add-on options may not be available if the water level goes down, coz the Irrigation department is planning to drain the dam water in days to come.

Traveling by Own vehicle:
Ideally you are supposed to meet the group at Dogra-Food-Mall in Kasara at the specified time in itinerary and proceed to the campsite along with the trek leader and other participants to avoid any inconvenience. Network issues can cause problems in terms of coordination and locating the campsite if you directly try to reach the campsite.

You may choose to reach the campsite directly but keep in mind the campsite is in remote location and network is pretty bad. You may not be able to contact us on phone or we may not be able to contact you on phone due to bad network.

Driver: If you are hiring a driver or driving the vehicle yourself , in either case every individual person coming to the campsite has to be registered as a participant and has to pay the charges. If you do not wish to pay for your driver you can ask him to drop you and then come back to pick you up next day.

Rain & Weather: 
Rains are expected to start from the month of June, during initial days the soil soaks up most of the rain water as it has been try for several months, as days pass by, the rain water starts flowing. If it drizzles during the event it wont matter much, the fabric of tent is water resistant. But in case of extremely heavy rains, or stormy weather, the participants need to take shelter at a nearby shed. This Shed is a village home comprising of a hall and two rooms, this shelter is only for protecting from extreme bad conditions and its not a stay-option. This shelter is at a walking distance of 1 min from the campsite. An additional shelter is available too at a walking distance of 3 min. 

Reminder:
The main focus of this event is watching "Fireflies" and this is Not a Camping focused event. Tents/dormitory stay is just a medium to provide shelter for the night. Tents stay is just a medium to provide shelter for the night, this is not a regular camping event.

If the weather is expected to be bad, accommodation will be provided in a homestay/dormitory/shelter location instead of the tents. Do Not book this event if you are not comfortable with such situations. 

This is the Monsoon season and camping is best suited in winter and summers when it's not too windy or rainy. If the weather goes bad, accommodation will be provided in homestay/ dormitory/temp shelter, etc. instead of tents, or maybe the tents will be set up at a shelter location. Please do NOT book this event if your focus is on luxury/comfort camping only. This is specifically a Fireflies-focused event and due to weather conditions, all other things need to be handled as per the best-suited option basis.

The event schedule, itinerary, group composition, and all operational aspects are subject to change without prior notice. In these uncertain times, we will try to do our best to get things rolling but unavoidable circumstances may impact the operations.

Fireflies Sighting: 
Fireflies Glow only in weather condition suitable for mating. As we are currently in transition phase of moving from Summer to Monsoon the weather is completely unpredictable and can change within hours. Its not possible to predict the weather in advance. Natural phenomenon like Rain, Wind, Flowers, Fireflies, Clouds, Heat wave, Cool breeze, Humidity, etc. are not in our control and we do not assure occurrence of any natural phenomenon. During Fireflies Festival, on some occasions, we will be able to spot thousands of fireflies, and sometimes we may barely get to see a few. The first and the last batches will have lesser number of fireflies.

IMPORTANT:
Please do not book this event without reading and understanding the details mentioned on this page including inclusions, exclusions, FAQ's, Itinerary, Important note, and cancellation/rescheduling policy.  

Beware of "Chapri" type of shady boys on Instagram, luring people using cheap-tricks like discounts or offers, they generally use stolen or without-permission reposted images/videos/text content. Its pretty easy for any one to create a instagram ID with fake followers.

Always research about "Compatibility" and "Category" of the trek group you plan to join. After all, you will be spending entire duration at night in company of the group You choose. 

As per our experience "People often opt for groups that match their mindset" -OR- sometimes get carried away by cheap manipulative marketing.

1. Identity Proof (must)
2. Torch with extra battery (must)
3. A bottle of water (atleast 2 Ltrs)
4. Some ready to eat food. Plum cakes, Biscuits etc.
5. Optional- Extra Mats/Sleeping Bag or blanket to add on to comfort level in tent.
   (It's recommended to carry a bedsheet click here)
6. Medicine that you require usually (We do have a basic first aid kit)
7. Please avoid wearing Gold and other ornaments or carry precious items.
8. Extra pair of clothes, Slippers/Crocs/Sandals
9. Power-bank

How to reach Fireflies festival at Bhandardara Lakeside Camping

• By Car: Drive along the Mumbai-Nashik Highway (NH-3) towards Igatpuri. From Igatpuri, take the Bhandardara Road to reach Bhandardara Lakeside Camping. The journey by car typically takes around 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic conditions and starting point within Mumbai. Refer Google map link given below.
• By Train: If you have opted for pickup and drop, kindly follow the train schedule mentioned in itinerary section. Or, if you prefer reaching on your own, Catch a train from Mumbai to Kasara Railway Station. Trains are available frequently from Mumbai CST, Dadar, or Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT). The journey by train takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on the train schedule and starting point within Mumbai. Upon reaching Kasara Railway Station, hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach Bhandardara Lakeside Camping. The journey from Igatpuri to Bhandardara Lakeside Camping takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours by road.
• By Bus: Board a bus from Mumbai to Igatpuri or Ghoti. Buses are available at regular intervals from Mumbai Central, Dadar, or Borivali to Igatpuri or Ghoti. The journey by bus typically takes around 4 to 5 hours depending on the traffic and starting point within Mumbai. From Igatpuri or Ghoti, you can take local transportation like a taxi or bus to reach Bhandardara Lakeside Camping. The journey from Igatpuri or Ghoti to Bhandardara Lakeside Camping should take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

Trekking experts recommend opting for the travel option provided by Mischief Treks in the itinerary section so that you dont have to bother about travel and have a memorable camping experience.

Location: Bhandardara Fireflies Camping, Maharashtra

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Aggregate Rating: 4.85 out of 5

Rating count: 2431

Bhandardara Fireflies Festival 2025 - FAQ's

Q: What are the best dates to attend the Bhandardara Fireflies Festival in 2025?

A: Bhandardara Fireflies Festival is scheduled from May 17, 2025, to June 22, 2025. For having the best experience of seeing fireflies you can plan your visit between May 24, 2025, and June 15, 2025. During this period you have best chance to find the highest number of fireflies. As heavy rainfall begins in the fourth week of June, camping at the Bhandardara Fireflies Festival becomes tricky and tough.

Q: How to book Bhandardara Fireflies Festival online?

A. Booking tickets for the Bhandardara Fireflies Festival 2025 needs to be done online through the official website of Mischief Treks on www.mischieftreks.com You need to click on Book Now button on this page and select the preferred date available for booking Bhandardara Fireflies Festival.
Next step is to select number of people you wish to book for, and then enter contact details. After this proceed for making payment. Pay attention to warnings and alerts that get displayed if you have made any mistake while entering details. The total amount comprises of option selected by you along with convenience fee to three percent levied for online processing. Once you have made the payment you will receive a n email containing further information. 
After verifying your payment our team will get in touch with you regarding KYC form which needs to be submitted within 3 hours of receiving the form link. Submitting the KYC form completes the booking process. 

Q: Is Fireflies Festival suitable for females?

A. Absolutely, We at Mischief Treks believe in equality and adventure for all. Whether you are a female or male, as long as you're physically fit and ready to embrace nature's wonders, you're more than welcome to join our events and have a memorable experience.

Q: Are Kids allowed to participate in Bhandardara Fireflies Festival? 

A. Yes Kids are allowed. Age does not matter, It purely depends on how fit the kids are and how they have been raised in terms of adaptability to nature. One of my 3-year-old nieces can do all the Fireflies events at all the locations easily, but on the other hand one of my 16-year-old cousin can't even dare to think of going to any of the events listed on our website. His parents have raised him in such a way that now he is incapable of being in nature. This may sound harsh, but its ground reality.

Q: Is Bhandardara Fireflies Festival safe for solo participants?

A. Yes, mostly 30% of participants come up solo and blend in. Mischief Treks has a reputation of providing a memorable experience for each and every participant.

Q: Is Bhandardara Fireflies Festival safe for girls?  

A. Mischief Treks has a track record of making our trekking and camping events extremely safe for girls. Normally 60 to 70 percent of our participants are females.

Q: Are pets allowed at Fireflies Festival?

A. We don't mind having pets along, but the forest stray dogs cause trouble for all other participants when they sense presence of any outsider animal in their territory. If this happens we will have to ask the pet to be taken away from campsite. Hence, we highly recommend not bringing any pets into any forest region including Fireflies Festival. 

Q: Are any discounts or coupon codes available?

A. Mischief Treks is known to be one of the rare few organizers who do not try to manipulate people using marketing tricks like unreasonably increasing charges and then providing offers and discounts to make people feel as if they have got best deal. The concept of Group-discounts end up making  solo participants pay more. We at mischief Trek believe in honest and transparent charges for one and all. 

Q: How far do we have to walk from the campsite to see the fireflies?

A. To spot the mesmerizing fireflies we usually walk for about 5-15 minutes (approximately 20 meters to 400 meters) on a flat forest terrain at the Bhandardara exclusive campsite of Mischief Treks. If you are lucky you may get to witness lot of fireflies around your tent too.

Q: Do we have to trek uphill to spot the fireflies?

A. No you don't have to exert, at Mischief Treks Fireflies campsite there is no need for rock climbing or uphill treks to witness the fireflies. The walk through the forest is mostly on forest ground, allowing you to experience in the beauty without breaking a sweat.

Q: How much time will we spend watching the fireflies?

A. We at Mischief Treks make sure everyone gets enough time at the spot where fireflies are visible in huge number. However, if you are craving an extended firefly experience, feel free to stay back at the spot as long as you like. You can join back with the group once you are done. It's all about creating unforgettable moments.

Q: Can we reach or leave early/late from the campsite?

A. Yes you can, provided you have your own wheels, you can reach as per your comfort and leave the campsite whenever you wish. You can skip dinner/stay, and if you are ready to hit the road, you can return to your home or hotel. We don't have any restrictions or obligations when it comes to staying back at the campsite. You can reach and leave as per your choice. The charges for participation will be the same for all participants. Skipping part of event will not qualify for special rates or discounts. 

Q: Is there mobile phone connectivity available at the campsite?

A. Well, If you use Jio phone you will have phone network coverage, but if you use Airtel or any other phone you might get intermittent network. The mobile network coverage is pretty patchy. So, be prepared for some digital detox with Mischief Treks and embrace the nature vibes.

Q: Is there a mobile phone charging available at the campsite?

A. Sorry, but the Fireflies campsite is located in forest region at a remote location and there is no option to charge your mobile phones. Mischief Treks recommends bringing along a portable power bank with you so that you don't run out of phone battery power.

Q: How's the road to the Bhandardara Fireflies Festival location?

A. The road till Ghoti Turn from NH3 is in good condition, but the remaining path is like average Indian roads. Some sections of the road is under repair and you may have to take diversions.

Q: How do we get in touch after reaching the meeting point?

A. Three hours prior to departure from Mumbai, we will be creating a WhatsApp group for coordination where you will be provided all the necessary information regarding the contact person, exact point to meet, GPS coordinates etc.. The common meeting point is Kasara. Apart from on-field coordination related info, all other information is already available on this page.

Q: How far is Bhandardara Fireflies Festival from Mumbai?

A. Bhandardara Fireflies Festival campsite is 161 Km from Mumbai, it takes 4 hours and 10 minutes to reach via NH3. The best way to find out a more precise distance from your location is to type these 4 words on google search ‘My location to Bhandardara distance’ and you shall get accurate details. 

Q: How far is the Bhandardara Fireflies location from Kasara station? 

A. The Bhandardara campsite is approximately 70 Km from Kasara station. You can take public transport from Kasara station. Maharashtra state run ST Busses are available to reach nearby place called Shendi from there you can easily reach Bhandardara in local jeep transport.   

Q: How is the stay arrangement? 

A. The Stay at Bhandardara Fireflies event is in tent, these are normal camping tents with no luxury. A Styrofoam mattress will be provided in the tents to keep you comfortable. Tents will be allocated on 2/3 sharing basis depending on the tent size available at the time of booking. You can carry anything that you might need for comfort like cushions, extra blanket etc.

Q: How to request for couple tent?

A. Once you have made the payment and our team has verified your payment transfer, one of out team member will get in touch with you and share KYC form link. This needs to be submitted within three hours of receiving the form.
After submitting KYC form, you can upgrade for twin sharing by stating your preference on same WhatsApp number.

Q. How many people will share the tent OR can we have a separate tent for ourselves? 

A. We have tents of 2 different sizes. 2/3 person capacity tents, you can choose from any of these as per the number of persons coming along with you (depending on availability). Tent size is as per standard international norms for tents. The 3-person tent has dimensions of  200 x 200 x 130 cm. Bhandardara Fireflies Camping is not a luxury/recreational camping event. A basic tent setup will be provided for shelter. After booking the event you need to email/message us your preference of tent size atleast 3 days prior to the event date. Allotment of tent size depends on availability of tents. (this is a group event, which means the tents are shared and not personal tents for each group or couple) For Twin sharing additional Rs.500 needs to be paid per couple

Q: What is provided in meals/food at Bhandardara Fireflies Festival?  

A. The meal will consist of veg and Jain food options. Rice, Chapati, Daal, seasonal veg, salad.  For breakfast Poha and tea will be available. This basic home cooked food is prepared by local tribal villagers. Restaurant and Hotel food is not available at Bhandardara Fireflies Festival. 

Q: Is drinking water provided?  

A. Yes, normal tap water for drinking is provided free of cost to all participants. Also you can purchase bottled water at the Mischief Treks Fireflies festival campsite in Bhandardara. 

Q: Is alcohol allowed during Fireflies Festival camping?

Ans. Although alcohol is allowed during all camping events, but as Fireflies Festival gets conducted in most unfavorable conditions and is a Family and Kids oriented event, we would recommend avoiding alcohol. If any participant objects to drinking of a said participant, we would have to ask you to refrain. 

Q: Is washroom available at Bhandardara Fireflies Festival?

A. Yes, we have three washrooms available at 2 min walking distance from the campsite. This is a basic workable washroom in a forest area of the 'Adivasi' village, it's clean and usable until people reach, beyond that, it purely depends on the participants on how they use it. It won't be like the ones you find in hotels or restaurants. This region is a tribal forest area and the washroom is in line with the village people.

Q: How many people will be participating in Bhandardara Fireflies Festival? 

A. The final count of participant depends on the number of people booking/cancelling the event. Generally, the batch size is approximately 60 to 90 participants for Fireflies Festival. On peak dates the count can go upto 120. The campsite is exclusive and only Mischief Treks participants are allowed to enter. General public is not permitted to enter the campsite. On events like Christmas and New Year the participant count at this campsite is around 300 to 350 people. For regular non-prime dates the count is 20 to 30 people.

Q. Can we pay in cash or instalment for Bhandardara Fireflies Festival?

A. Sorry, we do not accept cash payments. Advance booking is mandatory with 100% payment. Bookings close once slots are sold out. Ideally booking needs to be done 4-5 days in advance.

Q. We are coming by our own vehicle, where should we reach?

A. You need to reach ‘Dogra Food Mall’ at the scheduled meeting time, the food mall is at 10 min driving distance from Kasara station. After this point cell-phone network coverage is bad and maybe our team wont be contactable on phone. You will be given exact map coordinates after you finish booking formalities. Open parking space is available near the campsite at your own risk.

Q. Is Parking available at Bhandardara Fireflies campsite location?

A. No, Official parking lot is not available at the Bhandardara Fireflies camping location. There is a open space where people park their vehicles. You may choose to park your vehicle at the given location at your own risk. Till date we have not encountered any issues related to parking. 

Q: What does Camping mean?

A.  According to Wikipedia and general understanding, Camping is not limited to staying in a tent. It can actually mean temporarily staying anywhere outdoors or in nature. We at Mischief Trek would like to further clarify the fact that camping is all about immersing yourself in the great outdoors and enjoying the experience. So, whether you're sleeping in a tent, a camper van, a village home, a hammock, or even under the stars under open sky, it's all part of the camping adventure. It's about embracing nature and creating lasting memories wherever you choose to set up camp. Some hotels and resorts have been misusing the word 'camping' for staying in cloth wall rooms having all luxury provisions, but that's not called camping. 

Q: Will the Fireflies event be canceled if it rains?

A. As you are already aware that June is a rainy-season month and the fireflies events are organized in this month with a clear understanding that it may rain. The Fireflies event will not be canceled. Refer Points to Note section above for further clarification 

Q: Which locations are available for booking Fireflies Festival 2025?

A. Out of the several locations for fireflies festival we have handpicked few best ones as mentioned below.
Best Fireflies Festival Camping Locations in Maharashtra

• Bhandardara Fireflies Festival
• Igatpuri Fireflies Festival
• Rajmachi Fireflies Festival
• Kothaligad Fireflies Festival
• Secret Location Fireflies Festival
• Karjat Fireflies Festival
• Prabalmachi Fireflies Festival 
• Sandhan Valley Fireflies Festival
• Ghatghar Fireflies Festival

Q: What are the major problems faced by organizers during Fireflies Festival? 

A. The Fireflies festival happens during end of may till mid June, and this is the worst time to go camping, But the fireflies are visible only in this season and camping is the only thing we can rely upon. Hence if the participants haven't read and understood the event details mentioned on this page, they might end up having unrealistic expectations from the organizers or they may expect this to be like the regular camping events. For example, at fireflies events food will be pretty basic, tents will have a Styrofoam mat, bonfire cant be done as smoke harms fireflies, if heavy rain or wind is expected then tents cant be pitched and we will have to move to a shelter etc. etc. Hence during enquiry phase we insist and almost force people to read-and-understand all aspects of Fireflies events Before-Booking. Yet some people just scroll through and ignore the Important Points, Terms, FAQ section and About-Us section. We cant guess what you already know and what you don't. So, we insist that you need to at least once reading event details to avoid any omissions. Even after all the efforts to educate the participants some still choose to be not aware of the facts and their unrealistic expectation causes lot of pain to the organizers. 

Q: Can someone call me and read out the details on this page?

A. We at mischief treks have a strict condition, each participant who wishes to join our group needs to be aware of all the aspects of the event. Hence we have mentioned the details with utmost clarity and transparency on this page. We will not make phone calls to read out information that is readily available this page. We strongly urge you to refer to the provided resources before requesting redundant assistance. We do not verbally provide details on phone as it usually creates a lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication. If something mentioned on this page is confusing, you can get clarity on chat by clicking on WhatsApp icon on your screen, we shall revert with written clarification to all the queries. To discuss things that are Not mentioned on this page we can arrange a callback from one of our Trek Leaders.

Q: What if my application to join is disapproved due to my behavior?

A. Its important to understand, if you are expelled or if you try to force yourself on us, your application will be rejected based on your unacceptable behavior. No refunds are provided in such case of expulsion or disapproval of joining.

Q: I have booked/paid for the event, is my booking confirmed for Bhandardara Fireflies Festival? 

A. No !, your booking can become invalid if you do not submit the "Most Important Details" required for emergency situations. This form needs to be submitted within 3 hours of receiving Booking Confirmation email. We do not allow anyone to the campsite until we have complete and authentic details of the person. This info is crucial in case of an emergency and is a mandatory KYC parameter. The link for the "personal details - KYC form" will be sent after you complete the booking instructions mentioned on the website. Submitting incomplete/incorrect/fake details in the form or not submitting the form will make your booking invalid and no refund will be provided in such case.

Q: Why is submitting emergency contact details and KYC information mandatory?

A. It’s a standard protocol and also part of guideline by local authorities. We are accountable for every Human-Body present at our event, and in case of any unfortunate event need to provide all relevant information about you to governing authorities. In order to comply, we have to take authentic information from you. Providing Fake/Incomplete information, or non-submission of the details will make your booking (paid amount) invalid and no refund will be provided in such case. You will not be allowed to participate in the event.

Q: Since when is cancellation policy applicable?

A: The policy is applicable for your booking immediately after you make the payment, irrespective of the date and time when you booked. The refunds/rescheduling requests will be processed based on the refund slabs mentioned in cancellation policy. The date and time of booking the event are irrelevant for calculating applicable slabs for refunds.

Q: Where can I see fireflies near Mumbai?

A. Around Mumbai, there are many destinations to spot Fireflies in Rajmachi Village, Siddhagad Wadi, Prabalmachi village, Bhandardara, Ghatghar, Kothaligad, Kondane Caves and Purushwadi, etc. We at Mischief Treks organize Firefly Festival at multiple locations like Rajmachi, Prabalmachi, Bhandardhara, Igatpuri, Kothaligad, and Mischief Treks Special Location.

Q: Where can we see fireflies in Maharashtra?

A. The Western Ghats are probably one of the best places to see these fireflies in action and here are our top 7 destinations. Rajmachi, Karjat, Bhandardhara, Igatpuri, Kothaligad, Prabalmachi and Mischief Treks Special Location.

Q.  Which is the Official website for online booking Bhandardara Fireflies Festival 2025?

A. The official website for Online-Booking of Fireflies Festival 2025 at Bhandardara, Karjat, Rajmachi, Igatpuri, Kothaligad, Ghatghar, Samrad, Secret Location, and Prabamachi is https://www.mischieftreks.com 
Online registration is available for Groups, couples, Family and kids. These campsites are couple friendly and kids friendly too.

ABOUT THE CAMPSITE
Mischief Treks Bhandardara campsite is an exclusive campsite and outsiders are not allowed to enter the premises. This helps in having better experience to watch fireflies in the region as its non-crowded and has maximum number of fireflies. On the other hand, there are more than 100 campsites in Bhandardara and most of the campsites are collaborated campsites where multiple organisers are operating on same ground. 

Bhandardara Fireflies Festival - Update 

The best time to watch fireflies in Maharashtra, India is during pre-monsoon phase i.e. Starting from third week of the month of May to fourth week of June. 

Update as on March 12, 2025

Fireflies festival in Maharashtra is all set to start at various locations from May 17, 2025. You can check check out information about best locations on Top 5 locations for Fireflies Festival

Personal experience: 

According to the Trek-Leader Kuldip Rathore, last week of the month of May 2025 and the first two weeks of the month of June 2025 are going to be the best time for sighting maximum number of fireflies. He also suggests that this year maximum number of fireflies will be witnessed at Bhandardara Fireflies Festival, Karjat Fireflies Festival, Rajmachi Fireflies festival, AquaNest Igatpuri Fireflies Festival, and Kothaligad Fireflies Festival. Amongst these locations AquaNest and Bhandardara campsites of Mischief Treks will have maximum number of fireflies.

The Glowing Mystery: Did you think why do these creatures illuminate the night? Well, It's al about romance and warning. Fireflies use their radiant glow to attract potential mates while simultaneously sending a message to predators who often are afraid of fire and illuminating objects. 

The Threat of Decline: Loss of Habitat, increasing light pollution, and use of pesticides by humans pose significant threats to the firefly population in India. With only a handful of species remaining, the need for conservation efforts has become a matter of urgency. These fireflies are safe for humans and they do not bite. If you are concerned about rain and its impact on fireflies check the Facts vs Myth. 

Myths and Facts about Fireflies and Rain correlation

Since 2021, we observed that lot of people are believing lot of Copy-Paste based websites spreading incorrect information about the correlation between rains and Fireflies, hence we would like to take this opportunity to express our experience and things we practically learn in past 12 years. Rain can have both positive and negative effects on fireflies in India. For details click here - > Myths and Facts about Fireflies and Rain correlation

Commitment towards Fireflies and our Pledge: The Fireflies are very sensitive to changes in their environment, and smoke can be particularly harmful to them. We do not indulge or support unnecessary activities that cause smoke, eg. Campfire, Bonfire, Barbeque (BBQ) and any other activity related to smoke. By being responsible and respectful, we can help protect these amazing insects and ensure that they continue to thrive for generations to come. We pledge to continue protecting the interests of fireflies.

Appeal to Public:  Please take a step forward and spread the awareness about being responsible and help eradicate activities related to pollutants like Fire, Smoke, and Lights causing harm to Fireflies.  

• 90% will be refunded if canceled 16 to 30 days (720+ hrs) in advance.
• 75% will be refunded if canceled 11 to 15 days (360+ hrs) in advance.
• 50% will be refunded if canceled 06 to 10 days (240+ hrs) in advance.
• 0% refund if canceled in less than 05 days (120 hours) of the event date and time.
• 0% refund if the participant drops out, misses bus pickup, or does not reach the meeting point on the scheduled date and time. 

Rescheduling 

• Rescheduling can be done free of cost if the rescheduling request is sent to us 120 hours prior to event date and time.
• If the request is sent in less than 120hrs, 50 percent of event charges need to be paid for cancelling the current booking, and then rescheduling it to a batch available on future date.

Refunds

• Refunds will be calculated and processed on basis of the slabs mentioned above. 
• Refund amount will be transferred 24 hours after event date and time. 
• Refund Credit will be received at your end depending on your mode of payment. Credit card refunds take 5-15 days to reflect on your statement. UPI refunds are generally credited to your account within 2-3 hours by your bank. 

If the event itself gets canceled, you will be given the option to switch to any other event or any other date, Or you can opt for a 100% refund. If you need to reschedule your booking to any other available date, it can be done free of cost if the rescheduling request is sent 120 hours prior to the trek. From 0hrs - 120 hours prior to the trek date and time free rescheduling is not permitted. It will be counted as cancellation done in less than 120hours of the event date and time. It's a humble request, please do not give medical reasons, crib, argue or try to blackmail us if you drop out or cancel/reschedule the trek in the last 5 days.
Logic and Reason: The basis of the cancelation policy is to protect the participant and the organizers from undue financial losses arising out of unforeseen situations. If the event gets canceled due to the medical/personal emergency of the organising team member, the participants will not have to suffer financial loss. Similarly, if there is a medical/personal emergency at the participant's end, the organizing team will not have to suffer financial loss.