Every year before the monsoon starts, we welcome the Fireflies Festival in Mumbai. Fireflies are bioluminescent beetles bugs. Some of them fly, and some of them crawl. Fireflies use a bioluminescent glow to attract female fireflies for mating. 

The Fireflies Trek is a unique and magical journey through the lush green forests of the Sahyadri Mountains, which are on the edge of Mumbai. When the sun goes down and it gets dark, thousands of fireflies use their bioluminescence to light up the dark forests. 

We aim to give our customers the best adventure experience at TreksandTrails. Our trek leaders and team members will assure your safety and enjoyment. We provide Fireflies Trek packages for both beginners and experts. So, pack your bags, put on your hiking shoes, and get ready for an adventure you'll never forget on the Fireflies Trek with TreksandTrails.

Explore the Beauty of Mumbai's Forests with Fireflies Trek

Bhandardara Fireflies Camping 2023

The fireflies envelop the entire Bhandardara campsite and put up a magical show for the campers. Yes, sweet dreams are made up of this. Treat your eyes to this grand event. The shining blue-green water of Bhandardara and the surrounding lush green mountains embellished by the fireflies are a sight to behold. Imagine camping amidst the shimmering fireflies near the enchanting Bhandardara Lake. 

Spend a quiet weekend among the fireflies in Bhandardara to get away from the monotony of city life. The pre-monsoon time is firefly mating season, and you may see millions of fireflies fluttering about in the dismal environment.

It's a sight to behold as if the twinklers had descended upon the world. At Arthur lake Bhandardara camping, soak up the allure and abundance of nature and its many experiences.

Bhandardara Fireflies

Samrad Fireflies Camping 2023

Samrad is base village for Ratangad and Sandhan Valley. From village you can see Ratangad, Ajoba fort, Kalsubai peak. Campsite will be near Lake. This is the best spot for astro-photography.

This event is held in the summer, when there are a lot of fireflies out at night and they make a beautiful show in the sky.

Camping among the Samrad Fireflies is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get away from the city and into the great outdoors. It's a great thing to do if you like nature, want to try something new, or want to see how magical fireflies are.

Samrad Fireflies Camping

Igatpuri Fireflies Camping

Our campsite is well hidden inside a beautiful jungle for sure you will have trouble finding it we have kept it that way. Igatpuri Lakeside camping is a beautiful spot for landscape photography. Your tents will be lake-facing as the sunset you can enjoy tea and evening snacks. Our guest is always welcomed early to maximize the time spent at the Igatpuri camping site and enjoy water sports to the fullest. Igatpuri Campsite is amazing for Astrophotography, Star Trails Photography, and Igatpuri Stargazing it has very less night light pollution located in one of the darkest spots in Maharashtra. You can join for Night Trek shoes compulsory after you enjoy Dinner local food. Wake up to the sounds of birds and enjoy birding your tents will be facing the sunrise and the beautiful Secret Camping Lake. Indian toilets are available on the campsite and parking. After your morning breakfast, you can click more selfies and groupies.

Igatpuri Fireflies Camping

Purushwadi Fireflies Festival Information

Pre-monsoon Fireflies Festival begins around Maharashtra; Summer weather begins its transition towards monsoon. There is excitement in the air that farmers are busy preparing their fields for the upcoming farming seasons. Birds are active in building nests for their mating seasons. During this season Fireflies take center stage around Maharashtra. 

We head towards Purushwadi Fireflies Festival to celebrate and witness these beautiful glowing fireflies at Night. During May and June months fireflies emerge in thousands around the countryside in Maharashtra. Firefly emits unusual light patterns at night to attract opposite-sex fireflies for mating. 

Fireflies belong to the beetle family they produce light using a technique called bioluminescence. Both males and females communicate using different patterns of the strobe light. This flashing pattern designs a fantastic spectacle for sightseers at night. Fireflies don't live long once monsoon starts, and they have completed the cycle of mating, and laying eggs they die. 

Purushwadi Fireflies Camping

Malshej Ghat Lakeside Fireflies Camping

We bring you a chance to experience Malshej Lake camping firsthand! Enjoy spending overnight beside a bonfire and Malshej Lake. Yes! You can dance and sing a song!  You don’t have to carry camping gear or food. We provide snacks; live BBQ, unlimited dinner, and breakfast at a specific time from 4 pm check-in to the next day's 11 am checkout. Inside the tent, you will get Beddings, a bed-sheet, and one blanket per person.

Excellent camping destination near Pune. Relax at the Natural beauty of the region, lakeside camping, trekking, Valley facing stay. Stay in a tent having a lake view. Walkthrough the forest and the rice fields during the trek. Enjoy the foggy weather.

Best camping location near Mumbai this is what you get on your camping near Mumbai stay on the top of the mountains, located on the banks of the reservoir with Kalu waterfall nearby. This is a comfortable tent camp on the edge of the lake with a tranquil atmosphere. The campsite near Thane is well-appointed with modern amenities.

malshej ghat fireflies camping

Prabalmachi Fireflies Festival Camping 2023

Behold the glimmering thrill of millions of fireflies through your naked eyes, and capture this gripping phenomenon with your lens. This trek will not only give you the ecstasy of hiking up a mountain, but it will also let you take capture images allowing you to re-live the magical experience all over again. The overnight trek takes place at Prabalmachi, a vast meadow, perched on Kalavantin Durg where you will be able to watch and capture gazillion fireflies.

It offers a breathtaking picturesque backdrop of both Prabalgad and Kalavantin Durg, with a scenic valley view of the outskirts of Panvel. Chasing fireflies, with hills giving a fantastic context, is something that you can cherish forever. Prabalmachi is hallowed with cliffs, rock-strewn terrain, and meadows. Camping at Prabalmachi is an exciting and fun-filled experience overflowing with unique stories, unexploited nature, under a blanket of the star-studded sky, and in the midst of a forest full of fireflies. 

Prabalmachi Camping is high on the list for trekkers places to visit near Mumbai, A relaxing weekend getaway from Mumbai. It is regularly featured by all magazines and websites as an excellent travel destination place near Mumbai. Prabalmachi Camping has grown into a popular tourist place near Mumbai in the summer. Join us Treks and Trails India a leading trekking group in Mumbai.

Prabalmachi fireflies Camping

Panshet Lakeside Camping

This camping is situated at Panshet dam's backwater. It's just 40kms from Pune. It gives you a beautiful view of the backwater and valley. Camping in nature is a rejuvenating experience! Panshet camping location you will get a lake facing tents. The campsite is situated close to Pune, only two hours from Pune. Ideal for a one-day trip from Pune or a two-day trip from Pune with friends or family. Enjoy the beauty of nature in Panshet Camp. Have fun with your friends and family playing games at our campsite. Please chat with us for quick details of Panshet Camp for a fantastic experience near Pune!

panshet fireflies camping

 

Fun facts about Fireflies

What is the lifespan of a firefly?

In the wild, the life expectancy of a firefly is approximately one year on average. Adult fireflies typically only live for about two months, but their entire life cycle can span anywhere from a few months to a year. Given that there are over 2,000 different species of fireflies on the planet, their life spans will inevitably differ to some degree.

 

What causes fireflies to blink?

Fireflies use blinking to communicate with one another. The lights that flash are part of a way for male fireflies to attract females when they are trying to mate.

Each species of firefly has its own distinctive flash pattern, and the males and females belonging to the same species are able to recognise one another's patterns. Males use flashing to seek possible mates, and females use flashing to reply and signal their interest.

 

Why do fireflies glow in unison?

Fireflies produce a synchronised glow to attract potential mates. When the population reaches a specific density, all of the fireflies begin to blink at the same time. The firefly can find a mate more quickly through synchrony than any other method. The males will fly around and flash, and the females will mimic their behavior by flashing. After that, the males will fly toward the females, and the process will start again.

 

What is the best time to see fireflies?

When you have the best chance of seeing fireflies depends on the species, as well as the location. Generally, the most active time of year for fireflies is during the summer, from May to August. The months leading up to the monsoon season, specifically May and June, are the best months to view these fireflies in their natural habitat. Because they are only active at night, fireflies spend most of their days on the ground among tall grasses. Because they like to hide in the tall grass, fireflies are difficult to spot unless you get down on your hands and knees to look for them.

 

What do fireflies eat?

They feed on other insects and prefer to live in damp areas, but fireflies are nocturnal. Carnivorous when they are in their larval stage, fireflies feed on soft-bodied insects that live on or in the ground, such as snails, slugs, worms, or even other larvae of other insects. There are species of adult fireflies that do consume the nectar and pollen that they find on plants. They will go to various plants to obtain sufficient amounts of nectar and pollen. Some adult fireflies continue to feed on the larval invertebrates and soft-bodied insects they consumed when they were younger.r them.

 

Where to see them?

Fireflies Festival Mumbai, we have got you covered with the best destination where you can spot them in thousands. We will have to travel into the countryside away from light pollution. Around Mumbai, there are many destinations to spot Fireflies in Rajmachi Village, Siddhagad Wadi, Prabalmachi village, Bhandardara, Ghatghar, Kothaligad, Kondane Caves and Purushwadi many more.

 

Best months to see fireflies?

May and June, right before the monsoon season, are the best times to see these fireflies in their natural habitat. 

 

How to see fireflies without using a torch?

To see fireflies without disturbing them, avoid using a flashlight or other artificial light. Here are some ways to watch fireflies without trying to hurt them:

  • Pick a dark location: Fireflies are most active at night, so avoid artificial lights and light pollution.

  • Let your eyes 15-20 minutes to acclimate to the darkness. This improves firefly visibility.

  • Be patient: because fireflies are unpredictable, seeing them may take some time. Wait quietly for them.

  • Watch for firefly patterns: Fireflies blink in patterns.

  • A red light is preferable over a white light if you need to use a light source. Red light doesn't effect fireflies compared to white light.

  • Respect their environment: Because fireflies are sensitive to their surroundings, avoid disturbing them while they are active.

  • Don't touch fireflies or use insect repellant or other pesticides.

 

Are fireflies endangered?

There are different species of firefly, and some of them are on the endangered species list while others are not. Some places have seen a drop in the number of fireflies because of things like habitat degradation, pollution, and the use of chemicals such as pesticides.

In India, the Western Ghats are home to fireflies that are now considered "vulnerable" because their habitat is being lost and broken up by things like deforestation and development. Fireflies in other parts of India are not on the list of endangered species right now, but their populations may need to be protected in the future through conservation efforts.

 

How to conserve them

Conservation activities for fireflies can help safeguard their populations and preserve their survival in the wild. Here are some things you can do to help save fireflies:

  • Protect their habitat. Fireflies can only live in certain places, like damp, humid places with little light pollution. People can help save fireflies by keeping these habitats safe from deforestation, urbanisation, and other human activities.

  • Reduce the use of pesticides and other chemicals. Chemicals and pesticides can hurt fireflies and their homes. Lessening how much they are used can help to lessen these bad effects.

  • Educate the public: letting people know how important fireflies are and what dangers they face can help to get more people involved in conservation. Programs that teach schools, communities, and tourists about fireflies can help with conservation and support for them.

  • Support organisations that work to protect fireflies and their habitats. There are many groups that do this kind of work. You can help these groups' efforts by giving money or time to them or by volunteering.

  • Responsible tourism means that when you go to places where fireflies live, you should respect their homes and try not to bother them. Don't use bright lights, don't catch or touch the fireflies, and follow any rules or guidelines set by the local government.

 

In case your question is not listed above, you can email us at highfive@treksandtrails.org.

Whatsapp 8828004949 (Monday to Saturday, 11.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. only)