Overview

Prabalmachi Fireflies Festival Camping gives you the opportunity to experience fireflies at low cost as compared to Karjat, Igatpuri, and Bhandardara. Prabalmachi being one of the over-crowded locations for fireflies sighting, has the cost advantage. Welcome to the ethereal world of fireflies at Prabalmachi, where nature's grandeur and the mesmerizing allure of fireflies converge in a breathtaking festival experience. Located in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India, Prabalmachi is renowned for its stunning vistas and verdant landscapes. As the sun sets and darkness descends, the air comes alive with the captivating glow of countless fireflies, creating a spellbinding ambiance that enchants visitors. This festival offers a rare opportunity to witness the beauty and magic of these enchanting creatures in their natural habitat, amidst the serene and unspoiled surroundings of Prabalmachi. Join us on this enchanting journey and immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of this magical festival that promises to leave you spellbound.Prabalmachi Fireflies Camping location is situated on a plateau. The route for this location involves a hike to the plateau. You can go to this fireflies festival with your group of friends solo travel is not recommended at Prabalmachi, Maharashtra. Prabalmachi the name itself suggests that it is a huge gigantic plateau, it is situated at a massive height of more than 1200 feet above mean sea level. People are attracted to Prabalmachi Camping because two forts besides it Prabalgad and Kalavantin forts. 

Prabalmachi Fireflies Festival 2024 (Kajwa mahotsav)

Event: Fireflies Festival 2024 - Prabalmachi Camping
Duration:  Overnight Camping 
Dates: 18-May2024, 25-May-2024, 01-Jun-2024, 08-Jun-2024, 15-Jun-2024, and 22-Jun-2024
Location:  Prabalmachi, Maharashtra
Suitable for:  All age groups.
Category: Fireflies Camping and Trek

 

Overnight Camping 17 May, 17 May, 18 May, and more Prabalmachi, Maharashtra
Highlights
What makes this event special
  • Camp at one of the well known locations for fireflies festival
  • View of Prabalgad and Kalavantin fort
  • Morning Sunrise view from Prabalmachi

 

Images

Fireflies Festival Prabalmachi 2024

Prabalmachi Fireflies Festival 2024 by Mischief Treks. Copyright: Mischief Treks. Source: www.mischieftreks.com

Charges and Travel Options for Prabalmachi Fireflies Festival:

Option A: INR 1200.00
You can reach the campsite in your own vehicle. We will be sharing GPS locations and directions/instructions on the WhatsApp group.

Option B: INR 1600.00
Camping & Pickup/Drop from Panvel Railway Station included. 

Kids Charges: For Kids Camping Charges without pickup are Rs. 499 and with Pickup from Panvel are Rs. 950

⚠️ Eligibility Condition:

Participants need to "Read" and "Understand" the Details, FAQ's, Inclusions, Important Note, About-us, etc... Before considering to be apart of our group for this event. Do not book this event if the details and points mentioned are not agreeable to you.

Booking closes once slots are sold out.

Date and Time
Date Time Status
17-May-2024 05:00 PM Available
18-May-2024 05:00 PM Available
24-May-2024 05:00 PM Available
25-May-2024 05:00 PM Available
31-May-2024 05:00 PM Available
01-Jun-2024 05:00 PM Available
07-Jun-2024 05:00 PM Available
08-Jun-2024 05:00 PM Available
14-Jun-2024 05:00 PM Available
15-Jun-2024 05:00 PM Available

The above date and time is for reaching the Camping location

Dates and Rates
date & duration price
  • Sorry no more public batch Events available. You could get in touch with us at mischieftreks@gmail.com if you'd like to make a private batch booking.
  • Itinerary
    Timeline of the event.

    12 hours prior to the event date and time, we will be sharing details on  WhatsApp. Exact GPS locations for each pickup point, coordinator contact, etc will be shared to you.

    DAY 1 

    • Reach the camping location by 04:00 pm. Parking is available at the base of Prabalmachi.
    • 05:00 pm - Reach Prabalmachi, Freshen up, and relax at the campsite. Around 9 pm dinner will be ready.
    • After Dinner you can go for a night walk in the forest with help of the camp in-charge to spot fireflies.
    • 12:00 am - After the night walk you can laze around as long as you want or choose to sleep. 
    • Stay in Tents/ village home (depending on weather conditions)

    DAY 2  

    • 05:00 am - Wake up and get ready for Kalavantin Pinnacle Trek (Optional ).
    • 05:15 am - Start trek towards Kalavantin Pinnacle.
    • 06:15 am - Reach Top and Enjoy Sunrise, Photography, Take rest for some time.
    • Start Descending.
    • 09:00 am - Reach Campsite and have Breakfast.
    • 09:15 am - Descend to the base village Thakurwadi.
    • 10:30 am - Start the journey to Panvel.
    • 12:00 pm - Reach Panvel railway station.
    • Catch 12:08 pm train from Panvel railway station.
    • Reach CST by 1:27 pm.

    Don't miss reading the IMPORTANT Note section.

    Coordination: Three hours prior to the event date and time, we will be creating a WhatsApp group for coordination purposes, coordinator contact, etc will be shared in the group. 

    Inclusions/Exclusions
    What we'll give. What we won't

    What is included in the tour

    • Breakfast and Tea
    • Veg Dinner
    • Tent / Village Homestay (dormitory)
    • Govt / Local Body Charges as applicable
    • Basic First Aid

    What is NOT included in the tour

    • Train tickets / Expenses to reach Panvel and to Campsite.
    • Mineral water/lime water/ purchased for personal consumption and any kind of personal expenses.
    • Any cost that is not mentioned in the inclusion section above.
    • All expenses incurred due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances like roadblocks, bad weather.
    • Any medical / Emergency evacuations if required.
    Things to Carry
    1. Identity proof.
    2. Good and reliable trekking shoes and extra pair of floaters.
    3. Water (minimum 2 Ltrs) Compulsory.
    4. Torch with extra batteries - do not depend on the phone. 
    5. Keep your phone fully charged.
    6. Mosquito repellent (optional)
    7. Some ready-to-eat food like biscuits, plum cake, etc to keep your tummy happy.
    8. Medicines (if you need any), Glucon D / Electrol / Enerzyl Powder (We will have a basic first aid kit with us).
    9. A haversack to put all your things. Your hands need to be free while trekking. 
    10. And most imp thing, carry lot of enthusiasm and team spirit.
    Note
    Important Note

    PLEASE DO NOT BOOK THIS EVENT WITHOUT READING AND UNDERSTANDING THIS

    Transport: The bus/jeep will take you to the Camping location directly. Approx distance from mumbai is 52.1km.

    Tents Stay: A Styrofoam mat will be provided in the tents to keep you comfortable. Tents will be allocated on 3 sharing basis depending on the tent size available at the time of booking. For Twin sharing additional Rs.500 needs to be paid per couple. In case of rains, an attempt will be made to provide shelter 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. 

    Washroom: Two basic washrooms are available within a walking distance of 3 min. This is a tribal area (aadvasi area) so the washroom is pretty basic.

    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. 

    NOTE:
    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. 

    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 scheduleitinerary, 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 Festival is based on natural phenomena, just like rain/clouds, etc... as per the past few years` patterns, the events have been lined up from 21st May to mid of June 2024. During this period 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 batch 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.  

    How to Reach

    How to Reach Prabalmachi Fireflies Festival:

    To get accurate travel info for reach Fireflies Festival Prabalmachi

    1. Open Google search tab
    2. Type the following words in the search window "My location to Prabalmachi distance"
    3. You shall get the exact time required to travel, modes of travel, and distance (kilometers) from your location.
    FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Ans. 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 is the basic location information regarding Prabalmachi? 

    Ans. Prabalmachi is an unseen offbeat village en route to Kalavantin & Prabalgad Trek, its name itself indicates its huge plateau & offering a magnificent view of Prabalgad Fort & Kalavantin Pinnacle. Prabalgad Fort is located in between Matheran and Panvel in Raigad District in Maharashtra State. The structure is built at a height of 2300 feet in the Sahyadris Mountain Range. Prabalgad Fort is settled on a top of a plateau.  Prabalgad consists of a sister fort which is named as Irshalgad Fort. It is situated in the vicinity of the main fort. Irshalgad is comparatively smaller in area. However, there is numerous water reservoir that was cut from the rock. It is a huge Plateau provides one of the best locations for camping.

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

    Ans. No !, your booking can become invalid if you do not submit the "Most Important Details" required for emergency situations. For any Trek/Adventure event the organizers need to have your details at least 24 hours prior to the event. 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 form" will be sent on WhatsApp immediately after you complete the booking instructions mentioned on the website. Submitting incomplete/incorrect/fake details in 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?

    Ans. Its a standard protocol and also a guideline by Govt of India. We are accountable for every "Human-Body" present at the campsite or trek is our responsibility and in case of any unfortunate event we will be asked by authorities to provide all relevant information about you. In order to comply with the authorities we have to take authentic information from you. Fake/Incomplete information or non-submission of the details will make your ticket (paid amount) invalid and no refund will be provided in such case. You will not be allowed to participate in the event.      

    Q. Does the cancellation policy/rescheduling policy apply to me if I book on event day or last day?

    Ans:  Yes, the policy is applicable irrespective of the booking date. The cancellation / reschedule policy is applicable to everyone with immediate effect from the date and time of booking. The refunds/rescheduling requests will be processed based on the date and time of cancellation/reschedule request sent to us and the date and time of booking the event are irrelevant. 

    Q. What is the basis of cancellation/reschedule policy in case of medical or personal emergency of participant or organizing team?

    Ans:  The cancellation policy is based on fairness towards the participant and the organizing team. In case of medical/personal emergency, the loss arising out of cancellation/reschedule will be borne by the respective person. i.e. if the organizing team faces an emergency situation and the event gets canceled, the participant will not have to suffer financial loss. Similarly, if the participant faces an emergency situation, the organizing team will not have to suffer financial loss. The cancellation policy is designed with a completely unbiased approach towards the participant and organizing team and is aimed at fairness towards both.

    Q. How do we get in touch after reaching the meeting point for Prabalmachi Fireflies Festival? 

    Ans. 3 hours prior to the event date and time you will be provided all the necessary information regarding the contact person, exact point to meet etc..

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

    Ans. We have tents of 3 different size . 3/4/5 person capacity tents, you can choose from any of these as per 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 200 x 200 x 130 cm. The 4 person tent has dimensions 220 x 250 x 150cm. Prabalmachi Fireflies is not a luxury camping event. Basic tent setup will be provided for shelter. 

    Q. What is provided in meals at Prabalmachi Fireflies Festival? 

    Ans. The meal will consist of veg and Jain food options. rice, chapati, daal, seasonal veg, salad. This basic food is prepared by local villagers. Restaurant and Hotel food is not available here. 

    Q. Is drinking water provided?  

    Ans. Yes, normal tap water for drinking is provided free of cost to all participants.

    Q. How many people will be at the coming Prabalmachi Fireflies Festival Camping and Trekking?

    Ans. Depends on the number of people booking the event. Prabalmachi is a Public place and we have no access to data of other organizers' bookings hence we cannot comment on the exact number of people planning to visit this place on a given date. It varies between 300 to 3500 people depending on the given date. 

    Q. Is Prabalmachi Fireflies Festival safe for solo participants? 

    Ans. Yes, mostly 30% of participants come up solo and blend in. 

    Q: Are pets allowed in Fireflies Festival?

    Ans. We dont mind, 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. How should I book the Prabalmachi Fireflies Festival event?

    Ans. All you have to do is press the book now button on this page and follow the instructions.

    Q. What are the batch dates for the fireflies festival in Prabalmachi, Maharashtra? 

    Ans. The Fireflies Festival begins on 01-June-2024 and ends around 23-June-2024. The best time to spot Fireflies is between 01-Jun-2024 to 16-Jun-2024. During this period the weather is perfectly suitable for mating of Fireflies.

    Q. Can I bring my Kid along? 

    Ans. Age does not matter, Fitness and adaptability is extremely important. Once we had a 4-year-old girl who completed the entire event easily, and sometimes even 22-25 year old people cant complete 10% of the event. It purely depends on how fit the kids are and how they have been raised. One of our 3-year-old nieces can do all the fireflies locations easily, but 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.

    Q. Is Parking available at Prabalmachi Fireflies campsite location?

    Ans. No, Official parking lot is not available at the Prabalmachi 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. Does the Prabalmachi campsite have a washroom facility?

    Ans. We have washroom available at 3 min walking distance. This is a basic workable washroom in a forest area of the 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 is a village and the village washroom is in line with the village people. 

    Q. Do fireflies bite? 

    Ans. Unlike many other insects, fireflies give off a friendly vibe. They don't bite, they have no pincers, they don't attack, they don't carry disease, they are not poisonous, and they don't even fly very fast.  

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

    Ans. 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. What time of year do fireflies appear?   

    Ans. In India, Fireflies start appearing during May-end and are visible till June.

    Q. Can fireflies hurt me?  

    Ans. Fireflies do contain toxins, But they are harmless to humans unless eaten in massive quantities. 

    Q. Are fireflies safe?    

    Ans. Fireflies can be poisonous. When predators attack, they start “reflex bleeding,” and produce drops of blood filled with nasty chemicals that are poisonous to lizards and birds. They're not great for humans, either, so don't try eating them!       

    Q. Why do Fireflies glow?  

    Ans. The light that the firefly produces is a chemical reaction caused by an organic compound in their abdomens. The compound is called luciferin. As air rushes into a firefly's abdomen, it reacts with luciferin. It causes a chemical reaction that gives off the firefly its glow. They don't use 'Fair and lovely' or 'Glow and lovely'

    Q. Where are fireflies found?    

    Ans. Fireflies are found in temperate and tropical regions on every continent. They are most commonly seen on summer evenings.    

    Q. Are Fireflies decreasing in India?  

    Ans.  In India, there are only about 7-8 species of fireflies left; there are more than 2,000 species across the world. So you can say that fireflies are decreasing in India.   

    Q. What time do Fireflies come out at night?

    Ans. Fireflies are visible all night, they are most numerous between the hours of midnight and 1 a.m. If it is pouring, they will not appear. Even if you don't see fireflies after the sun rises, they're still lurking in the tall grasses.  

    Q. Do fireflies make noise?  

    Ans. No, the fireflies produce a sound by moving their wings, and the fireflies themselves can't hear this frequency.     

    Q. Can fireflies be in rain?

    Ans. Yes, Fireflies can be in rain, the air temperature and rainfall play a huge role when they emerge. Since they feed on snails, slugs, and pillbugs, which are brought out by the rain and moist environment, fireflies like the muggy weather.      

    Q. Why do fireflies glow at only at night?

    Ans. Fireflies mostly only glow at night because that's when the males are trying to get the attention of female fireflies.

    Q. Are there fireflies in India?

    Ans. There are eight firefly species in India, and they are the most abundant in the humid forests of the Sahyadri area, part of the Western Ghats mountain range. 

    Q. When can we see fireflies in India?

    Ans. Ideally, the best time to watch these fireflies in India is during the pre-monsoon months of May and June. Particularly during the first two weeks of June because it is the peak mating season for fireflies.

    Q. Why are fireflies disappearing in India?

    Ans. Habitat loss, light pollution from artificial night lights, and pesticides are considered to be the biggest threats to the firefly population in India and around the world.   

    Q. Are fireflies extinct in India?

    Ans. In India, there are only about 7-8 species of fireflies left; there are more than 2,000 species across the world. So you can say that fireflies are decreasing in India. They aren't extinct yet but if we don't take care of our environment one day they surely will go extinct.

    Q. Where can I see fireflies near Pune/Nashik?

    Ans. The fireflies are generally found in Lonavala, Igatpuri, Bhandardara, Prabalmachi, Karjat, and Purushwadi villages. If you live in or nearby these areas, you can easily watch them. Fireflies festival Maharashtra is a seasonal event.

    Q. Which locations are available for booking Fireflies Festival 2024?

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

    Q. Where can I see fireflies near Mumbai?

    Ans. 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 I watch fireflies in India?

    Ans. 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. Where can we see fireflies in Maharashtra?

    Ans. 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 Prabalmachi Fireflies Festival 2024?

    Ans.The official website for Online-Booking of Fireflies Festival 2024 at Bhandardara, Karjat, Rajmachi, Igatpuri, Kothaligad, 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.

    Q. Are any discounts or coupon codes available?

    Ans. To be honest, Discounts and coupon codes are just a marketing trick. No one offers something below the pre-decided rate slab. The charges on website haven't yet been adjusted (inflated) to provide for discounts. Mentioned amount is the lowest actual charges and hence discounts are currently not possible. We will soon be revising the charges in next few weeks to make buffer for discounts.

    Q: What is meaning of word Camping?

    Ans. 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. It's 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. 

    Q. Do fireflies glow to mate?

    Ans. The glowing light of fireflies is used by the insects to signal mates, and also it warns predators that the bugs will leave a bad taste in the mouth.

    Reviews and Rating

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Aggregate Rating: 4.85 out of 5

    Rating count: 2431

    Detailed information

    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.  

    Pickup point
    X6J9+723 Prabalmachi, Maharashtra 410206, India View on Map
    Cancellation, Rescheduling And Refund Policy
    • 90% will be refunded if canceled 15 days (360+ hrs) in advance.
    • 75% will be refunded if canceled 10 days (240+ hrs) in advance.
    • 50% will be refunded if canceled 05 days (120+ 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 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 rescheduling it to next available date. 

     

    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.
    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.