Fireflies Festival Rajmachi 2024

Rajmachi Fireflies Festival by Mischief Treks

Album Link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/JdTm921HC1Qa5Pmt6

Rajmachi Fireflies Festival Trek Camping 2024 from Mumbai is most popular Campsite near Mumbai and Pune to experience fireflies in abundance. The event is Kids, Couples and Families friendly. Other non-crowded locations are Igatpuri, Bhandardara, Purushwadi, and Kothaligad.

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. Sleeping Mats/Sleeping Bag or blanket to add on to comfort level in the homestay.
6. Rain protection gear. 
7. Medicine that you require usually (We do have a basic first aid kit)
8. Please avoid wearing Gold and other ornaments or carrying precious items.
9. Extra pair of clothes.

Important Points to note regarding Fireflies Festival Rajmachi 2024

Transport: In case it rains Jeep will drop till the point where the road is motorable. The participant will have to walk 3-6 km to reach the base village. 

Traveling by Own vehicle:
Ideally you are supposed to meet the group at Della Adventures in Lonavla at the specified time in itinerary and proceed to the trek along with the trek leader and other participants to avoid any inconvenience. You may choose to reach the trek location directly but keep in mind the trek location is in remote area 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. Also the road from lonavla to the trek location is in extreme bad condition. The driver needs to be skilled in off-road driving to be able to reach Rajmachi. 

Stay: The stay for this event will be at village homestay. This group homestay at a village house comprises of a large hall for the group to rest at night. Each participant needs to carry a mat/sleeping-bag to rest upon. Please remember this is a extremely basic shelter in village home. 

The main focus of this event is watching "Fireflies" and this is not a Camping focused event. 

Situation: 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. Please Do-Not book this event if you are not comfortable with the given situation, uncertainty aspects, stay options and travel options explained above. 

Last Batch: Officially Mischief Treks will have last batch of the season on Sat-Sun(17-18 June). We also have an extended batch on Sat-Sun (24-25 June) scheduled for those who missed the festival's peak time and want to catch up.

Extended Batch: The extended batch is being conducted on 23&24 June for those who missed the last official batch of Fireflies Season 2023 on 17th June. This Extended batch offers an opportunity to witness last few fireflies which can still be spotted. Almost 70% of fireflies are gone and we still can get to experience the remaining ones.

Washroom: The washroom is available within a walking distance of 2 min.

IMPORTANT: Before booking the event, Please make sure you are physically fit to complete the event and have gone through all the Details, Disclaimer, and FAQ / Important Points to note.

How to Reach Rajmachi Fireflies Festival:

To get accurate travel info for reach Fireflies Festival Rajmachi from Mumbai:

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

Fireflies Festival Rajmachi 2024 - FAQ's

Following are the frequently asked questions regarding Rajmachi Fireflies Festival - Camping and Trek

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: Is the event suitable for Females?

Ans. We at Mischief Treks do not consider females as lesser humans and any female/male who is physically fit can participate in our events and enjoy nature just like Men. 

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 much do we have to walk from the campsite to see the Fireflies?

Ans. Once we start walking to watch the fireflies we may have to walk for 5-15 min (approx 20 meters to 400 meters) to to be able to spot the fireflies. 

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

Ans. The walk in forest to spot fireflies is generally on forest ground level and no rock climbing or trekking is involved. 

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

Ans. Generally we spend enough time till most of the people are done watching. If a person has specific requirement for watching the fireflies for extended period he/she can stay back at the fireflies spot as long as he/she likes.

Q: Can we leave early from the campsite?

Ans. If you have your own vehicle you may choose to leave early. You can skip the dinner and stay and return pretty early as per your comfort. We do not have any compulsions regarding staying back at campsite. 

Q: Is there a different charge if we leave early after watching fireflies?

Ans. No, the charges are same for all participants. You are free to skip any of the aspects of the event at your will. 

Q: Is mobile phone network coverage available at the campsite?

Ans. The network is poor and you may get intermittent network on Jio phones. Vodafone and Airtel networks are pretty bad in entire region. 

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: Is mobile phone charging facility available at the campsite?

Ans. No, as this campsite is in remote forest location mobile phone charging facility is currently not available. We advise you to carry a portable powerbank with you along with torches to be used at night. 

Q: How is the road to Rajmachi Fireflies Festival location? 

And. The road till Lonavla is in extremely good condition, but the last 10Km stretch is completely off-roading experience. Any vehicle with shallow ground-clearance should be strictly avoided. e.g. Honda city, Xcent, Verna. 
The driver needs to be and expert in mountain off-road driving to reach Rajmachi fireflies location. 

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

Ans. 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 making the payment. 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 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. How to reach the Rajmachi Fireflies Festival location from Mumbai/Pune? 

Ans. You need to reach Khopoli Station at the scheduled meeting time, from here you can follow our vehicles. After this point cellphone network coverage is bad and our team might not be contactable. The GPS location is provided in the WhatsApp group for ease of travel. 

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

Ans. 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..

Q. What is provided in meals/food at Rajmachi Fireflies Festival?  

Ans. The meal will consist of veg rice, chapati, daal, seasonal veg, salad.

Q. How is the stay at Village home?

Ans. The stay arrangement for the night is basically a shelter for the night after watching the fireflies, by now you must be well aware that the village is a pretty basic tribal village and the stay for the night will be in a hall/room that can accommodate several people for the shelter for the night. This is not to be mistaken as a private room stay. The entire group will be sharing the place.

Q. How many people will be coming for Rajmachi Fireflies Festival - Camping and trekking? 

Ans. Depends on the number of people booking the event. Generally, the batch size is approximately 25-35 participants. Rajmachi is a Public place and we have no access to data on other organizers' bookings hence we cannot comment on the exact number of people planning to visit this place on a given date. 

Q. Is Rajmachi Fireflies Festival which is organized by Mischief Treks safe for solo participants?  

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

Q. Is Rajmachi Fireflies Festival which is organized by Mischief Treks safe for girls?  

Ans. Mischief Treks has a track record of making our trekking and camping events extremely safe for girls. Normally 60 – 75 % of our participants are females. 

Q. How should I book the Rajmachi 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 Rajmachi, 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. Does the Rajmachi Trek have a washroom facility?

Ans. We have washroom available at base village of the fort. 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. Pictures and videos of toilet are not available with us. 

Q. Is Parking available at Rajmachi Fireflies location?

Ans. No, Official parking lot is not available at the Rajmachi Fireflies 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. 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. 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. 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

• Bhandardara Fireflies Festival
• Igatpuri Fireflies Festival
• Rajmachi Fireflies Festival
• Kothaligad Fireflies Festival
• Secret Location Fireflies Festival
• Karjat Fireflies Festival
• Prabalmachi Fireflies Festival 

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. 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. 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 Rajmachi 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. 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.

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Information Update 

Fireflies sighting has already started since couple of days at all fireflies festival locations. According to observations its a good start and soon we will be able to witness thousands of fireflies in next batch scheduled. 

Weather Conditions

Its too early to predict weather for 2024. We will share updates once we have reliable information. 

Myths and Facts about Fireflies and Rain correlation

Since June 14, 2023 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. 

Positive effects of rain on Fireflies sighting 

• Increased Firefly Activity: Fireflies are known to be more active during and after rain showers. The moisture in the air and on the ground can stimulate firefly mating behaviors, leading to more visible displays of their bioluminescent flashes.
• Enhanced Glowing: Rainfall can make the environment more humid, which can enhance the visibility of firefly light displays. The moisture in the air can scatter and amplify their bioluminescent glow, making it more captivating to observe.

Negative effects of rain of Fireflies sighting

• Storm Risk: Heavy rainfall that starts generally in month of July can wash away firefly eggs, larvae, and pupae, impacting their population size. It can also disrupt their breeding habitats and lead to the loss of suitable breeding grounds.
• Human Eye Limitations: During heavy rain or thick fog, the visibility of firefly flashes may decrease significantly. The raindrops or fog can scatter or block the light, making it harder to spot fireflies.

Ever wondered why fireflies mate and glow in certain weather conditions? Well, science has some cool explanations for that! First off, fireflies have a unique way of attracting mates. They use their flashing lights to communicate and find the right partner. Each firefly species has its own special flashing pattern, like a secret code for romance.

When it comes to the weather, fireflies have their preferences too. They like it warm and a bit humid. So, you'll see them getting all flirty during the warmer months when the temperature is just right and the air is a bit moist. But that's not all! The length of daylight and darkness also plays a role. Fireflies have their own schedule for getting busy, and they time their flashes to match. It's like they have their own disco party in sync with the day and night.. All these mating behaviors and weather preferences have important reasons. They help fireflies find the perfect mate and ensure their species survives and thrives. It's all about passing on those good genes and keeping the firefly population alive.

So next time you see those magical glowing bugs, remember they're not just putting on a light show for fun. They're on a mission to find love and continue the firefly legacy. Pretty cool, right?

So if you live here in Mumbai where Mischief Treks can take you to witness this magical phenomenon, But we at Mischief Treks wont take you along if you are not capable to understand what's written on this page.

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 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.