Fireflies Flaring Festival

This pre-monsoon has come up with a high in people wanting to experience fireflies and the grand nights they light up.

What are FireFlies all about.

Fireflies are mostly found in the last 2 weeks of May and early June. This season, also the pre-monsoon signifies their mating season. It represents the metamorphosis of pupa and the mating of adults. In the second week of May, the pupa start hatching and fireflies begin to emerge. In the next two weeks, there is a spike in their numbers, and these fireflies then light up the night sky and commence their dance in the Sahyadri mountains.

An indication to Locals when Fireflies bloom

Fireflies represent the oncoming monsoon and locals start preparing for it, expecting it to shower in a few days. They prepare for the rains by repairing roofs and pipelines and by waterproofing homes. This is, for you and an opportunity to experience memories lasting a lifetime and we at Trekraw bring to you locations where you can go and experience fireflies and make memories with your loved ones.
Make sure you start your journey in a way that you reach your destination by 10 pm and so on.

Where can you see FireFlies?

They are not only found in the western ghat but nearly everywhere depending on the temperature and the terrain. Places were you can get an experience of witnessing them are

TIPS/HACKS/SUGGESTION: Best Tent For Winter and Summers

1. Rajmachi ( Lonavala )

Food and accommodation are arranged by locals in the village.

How to reach from Mumbai to Rajmachi by Public Transport :

You can take any express train moving towards Pune and get down at Lonavala station. From Lonavala station, you need to start walking towards Rajmachi which is approx 15 to 17 km. During this walk you would be able to watch fireflies, the route is covered with trees.

How to reach from Pune to Rajmachi by Public Transport:

A local train to Lonavala from Pune station and after that you can follow the trail to the base village.

If you have your own car you can directly go with the help of google maps though the roads are not that great after Lonavala.

2. Sudhagad Fort ( Khopoli )

Food and accommodation can be arranged by locals at the base village and they provide food on the fort also.

How to reach from Mumbai to Sudhagad by Public Transport:

Direct train Dadar – Khopoli then opt for a bus from Khopoli to pali and next bus from pali to Thakurwadi the base village and from their, you can start your trail.

How to reach from Pune to Sudhagad by Public Transport:

Take a train to Lonavala and then a bus to Khopoli and then you can follow the above route to reach Thakurwadi.
Or else you can come to Karjat by train and then by local train to Khopoli and follow the above route.

If you have your own car you can directly go with the help of google maps this fort near the pali Ganpati which is one among Ashtavinayak.

3. Prabalmachi ( Panvel )

Food and accommodation easily available on the fort.

How to reach from Mumbai to Prabalmachi by Public Transport:

Take a local train to Panvel and opt for a local bus to Thakurwadi( this village also same named as the base village of Sudhagad but they are different so be careful )

How to reach from Pune to Prabalmachi by Public Transport:

Take an express train to Karjat and from their a bus to Panvel and then you can opt for a local bus to Thakurwadi.

If you are driving yourself you can use google maps and the roads are good.

TIPS/HACKS/SUGGESTION: I bet without this you won’t Go for an Outing

4. Bhandardara ( Kasara )

Food and accommodation available near the Bhandardara dam.

How to reach from Mumbai to Bhandardara by public transport:

Take a local train to Kasara and then local bus ply to Bhandardara from their, you also get sharing jeep from the station.
Or express train to Igatpuri and from their local bus to Bhandardara.

How to reach from Pune to Bhandardara by Public transport:

Board a bus from Shivaji Nagar to Akole were the frequency is good and from Akole hop into a bus to Bhandardara.

Driving yourself is setting the location on the google maps and get set go, sometimes #Google also gives you #dhoka

5. TakMak Fort ( Virar )

You have to arrange food and accommodation yourself and better take with the locals.

How to reach from Mumbai to Takmak fort by Public transport:

Take a local train to Virar and opt for a local bus to Shirsad Naka and from their change the bus and hop into the bus going to Sakwar village (base village)

Don’t wait for the bus if you are unable to find one else opt for sharing auto they are also handy.

If your driving then type Sakwar village and you are at your destination.

TIPS/HACKS/SUGGESTION: Head Torch most convenient which helps you to keep your hands Free and you can hang it in your Tent too.

Advice: Opt for a guide to trek to the Takmak fort as the route is confusing better carry talk to locals and you will get a guide which would be handy.

This fort won’t be feasible for people living in Pune for that you can go to the Tamini Ghat region for a long drive and you would be able to see the natural phenomenon of fireflies their in abundance.

Things you need to keep in mind before going :

1. It’s a natural phenomenon thing do respect it.
2. ‎Don’t try to catch the flies.
3. ‎No smoking and No consuming of alcohol.
4. ‎Avoid ruining the place by plastic waste, carry an extra bag for your garbage.

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