Fireflies Festival Samrad - Sandhan Valley

Fireflies Festival Samrad - Sandhan Valley by Mischief Treks

Album Link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/hXiXUowgf2LGKaex8​

Charges and Travel Options:

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 1700.00
Camping & Pickup/Drop from Kasara Railway Station included. Pickup/Drop Time: 2:47 pm Kasara. Next day 9:00 am pickup from Sandhan Valley.

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

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:
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.

The above date and time is for reaching the Camping location. Travel from Mumbai needs to start at 12.30PM

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.
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.

Important Points to Note regarding Fireflies Festival 2024

PLEASE DO NOT BOOK THIS EVENT WITHOUT READING AND UNDERSTANDING THIS

Transport: The bus/jeep will take you to the Camping location directly, there's no trekking involved. Approx distance from mumbai is 165.3Km. and from Kasara its approx 70 Km

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.

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. 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. Coordination will be done on WhatsApp group.

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 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 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 18th May to 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.  

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: When is the best time to visit the Samrad - Sandhan Valley Fireflies Festival Camping?

Ans. The Fireflies Festival in Samrad - Sandhan Valley takes place from 18-May-2024 to 22-June-2024. For optimal fireflies sightings, the best time to visit Samrad is from 27-May-2024 to 18-June-2024. After this period, the visibility of fireflies may start to decrease due to weather conditions. As heavy rainfall begins in the third week of June, camping at the Samrad Fireflies Festival becomes tricky and tough.

Q: How can I book tickets for the Samrad - Sandhan Valley Camping Fireflies Festival 2024?

Ans. Booking tickets for the Samrad Sandhan Valley Fireflies Festival 2024 Camping can be done online through the official website of Mischief Treks at www.mischieftreks.com It is important to note that advance booking is mandatory for participating in the Fireflies Festival in Maharashtra.

Q: Is the event suitable for females?

Ans. Hey, absolutely! We believe in equality and adventure for all. Whether you're 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 blast.

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

Ans. Well, get ready for a short stroll in the enchanting forest. To spot those mesmerizing fireflies, we usually walk for about 5-15 minutes (approximately 20 meters to 400 meters). It's a pleasant walk that leads us to the magical glow.

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

Ans. No worries, my friend! There's no need for rock climbing or uphill treks to witness the firefly extravaganza. The walk through the forest is mostly on level ground, allowing you to experience in the beauty without breaking a sweat.

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

Ans. We make sure everyone gets a chance to marvel at the fireflies' illuminating display. Typically, we spend enough time for most people to enjoy the spectacle. However, if you're craving an extended firefly experience, feel free to stay back at the spot as long as you like. It's all about creating unforgettable moments.

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

Ans. Of course! IF you have your own wheels, you're welcome to head out early. You can skip dinner, and if you're ready to hit the road, you can return to your comfort zone in no time. 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 a different charge if we leave early after watching fireflies?

Ans. Nope, no extra charges for early birds! The fees remain the same for all participants, regardless of when you choose to bid farewell. You have the freedom to customize your experience and skip any part of the event according to your preferences.

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

Ans. Well, don't count on a strong network connection in the wilderness. The mobile network coverage is pretty patchy, especially for Jio phones. Vodafone and Airtel networks aren't too reliable in the entire region. So, be prepared for some digital detox and embrace the nature vibes.

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

Ans. Sorry, but the campsite is tucked away in a remote forest location, so there's no mobile phone charging facility available at the moment. We recommend bringing a trusty portable power bank with you, along with some torches for those nighttime adventures.

Q: How's the road to the Samrad - Sandhan Valley Fireflies Festival location?

Ans. The road to Samrad is a breeze with excellent conditions.t

Q: How to request for couple tent?

Ans. Once you have completed your booking formalities, you can opt for Add-on option for getting a couple tent allocated by sharing your preference with us on WhatsApp.  Plz note, as explained in important points to note, this is not a camping focused event, and stay arrangements will be as per weather conditions. 

Q: I have booked/paid for the event, is my booking confirmed for Samrad - Sandhan Valley 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 Booking Confirmation. 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. Why is submitting emergency contact details and KYC information mandatory?

Ans. 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. 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. The date and time of booking the event are irrelevant for calculating applicable slabs for refunds.

Q. What is the basis of cancellation/reschedule policy?

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 Samrad - Sandhan Valley 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.. The common meeting point is Kasara.

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

Ans. We have tents of 3 different sizes. 2/3/4 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. The 4 person tent has dimensions 220 x 250 x 150cm. Samrad - Sandhan 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. Are Kids allowed to participate in Samrad - Sandhan Valley Fireflies Festival? 

Ans. 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. What are the best dates for the fireflies festival 2024 camping in Samrad - Sandhan Valley, India?

Ans. The Fireflies Festival at Samrad begins on 18-May-2024 and ends around 22-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. How far is Samrad - Sandhan Valley from Mumbai?

Ans. Samrad Village is 187 KM from Mumbai, it takes 4 hours and 40 minutes to reach. The best way to find out a more precise distance you need to type these 4 words on google search ‘My location to Samrad distance’ and you shall get accurate details. 

Q. What is provided in meals/food at Samrad - Sandhan Valley Fireflies Festival?  

Ans. 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 villagers. Restaurant and Hotel food is not available at Samrad Fireflies Festival. 

Q. Is drinking water provided?  

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

Q. What all things are provided in the tent at Samrad - Sandhan Valley Fireflies Festival?

Ans. The tent contains a Styrofoam mat which is similar to a yoga mat. We suggest you to bring (optional) a bedsheet or blanket to add on to the comfort levels.

Q. How many people will be coming for Samrad - Sandhan Valley Fireflies Festival - Camping? 

Ans. Depends on the number of people booking/cancelling the event. Generally, the batch size is approximately 100-130 participants for Fireflies Festival, and the batch size is 30-40 people during normal camping. 

Q. Does the Samrad - Sandhan Valley 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: 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 Samrad - Sandhan Valley Fireflies Festival safe for solo participants?

Ans. 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 alcohol allowed during Samrad - Sandhan Valley 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. Can we pay in cash or instalment for Samrad - Sandhan Valley Fireflies Festival?

Ans. 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 for a camping event where should we reach?

Ans. You need to reach ‘Baba Da Dhaba’ at the scheduled meeting time, the ‘Dhaba’ 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 Samrad - Sandhan Valley Fireflies campsite location?

Ans. No, Official parking lot is not available at the Samrad 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. How should I book/register for Samrad - Sandhan Valley Fireflies Festival event?

Ans. To book/register for Samrad Fireflies Festival you need to click on Book Now button on this official booking website www.mischieftreks.com of Mischief Treks, and select the preferred date available for booking Samrad Fireflies Festival. Next step is to follow the instructions mentioned on your screen. Once you have made the payment and submitted your KYC data, your booking stands confirmed.

Q. How far is the campsite from Kasara station OR Mumbai?

Ans. From Kasara station is 87km - 2 hour 10 min, and from Mumbai it is 187km - 4 hours 45 min by road. 

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. 

Q. What are the major problems faced by organisers while organising Fireflies events? 

Ans. The Fireflies festival happens during end of may till mid June, and this is the worst time to go camping. As the fireflies are visible mostly in forest areas, 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 organisers 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 to Note, Terms, FAQ section and About us section. We also insist on written communication to avoid situations like ‘tum ne aaisa bola tha’ or things like ‘mujhe aaisa laga’ and most importantly ’mujhe ye wali baat pehle kyu nahi bataai’. We cant guess what you already know and what you dont. So, we insist that you need to atleast once reading event details to avoid any omissions. 

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. 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. 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 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 Samrad - Sandhan Valley Fireflies Festival 2024?

Ans.The official website for Online-Booking of Fireflies Festival 2024 at Purushwadi, 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.

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Sandhan Valley Fireflies - Information 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 third week of June. 

Personal experience: 

According to the Trek-Leader Kuldip Rathore, last week of the month of May 2024 and the first two weeks of the month of June 2024 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 all 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. 

Weather Conditions

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

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 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.