Rajmachi Fireflies Trek And Camping - With Neil Bhuta

As we await the upcoming monsoon season first showers we welcome the season of fireflies. Western Ghats jungles will soon twinkle with a small light, this period is known as the mating season for fireflies. Enjoy Firefly camping at Rajmachi Village near Lonavala. Fireflies at night cover the forest with small twinkling lights. 

 

Who are these beautiful Fireflies?

 

Fireflies or lightning bugs make light within their bodies. This process is called bioluminescence and is shared by many other organisms, mostly sea-living or marine organisms. Fireflies light up to attract a mate. To do this, the fireflies contain specialized cells in their abdomen that helps to create light.

 

About Rajmachi Firefly Festival?

 

Pre-monsoon during May and June months you can spot thousands of fireflies around Mumbai and Pune. Rajmachi Fort Trek and Camping is the best location in Maharashtra to spot fireflies. We will be trekking till the base village of Rajmachi Fort total trek distance 8 km one way. We can spot fireflies after sunset around the Udhewadi village. Fireflies are called Kajawa in Marathi. 

 

About Rajmachi Fort 

 

Rajmachi Fort has two forts Shirvardhan and Manaranjan which were built by Shivaji Maharaj during the 17th century. It is a famous spot for trekking. It is a 16 km trekking distance from Lonavala Station. Rajmachi fort is a strategic fort overlooking Borghat which was a historical trade route. Rajmachi peak has two fortified structures - the Shrivardhan fort and the Manaranjan fort.

 

Rajmachi Firefly Trek Event Details

 

• Shirvardhan Fort Height  2710 feet approx.
• Nearest City Lonavala, Karjat
• Villagers Home Stay and Camping
• Activities - Campfire, Night Walk and Fireflies spotting 
• Shrivardhan Fort and Manaranjan Fort Exploration.
• Local Village Food.
• Separate Stay for Females.
• Rajmachi Fireflies and Camping Cost Rs 1600 per person

 

Rajmachi Fireflies Itinerary

Plan A - Morning plan

 

Day One - Saturday For Fireflies Mumbai participants

 

Suggested train to the board is the 11029 / Koyna Express

 

08:40 CSMT

 

08:51 Dadar

 

09:18 Thane

 

09:32 Kalyan

 

10:15 Karjat

 

11:07 Lonavala

 

For Pune Fireflies Festival participants - Catch Pune Lonavala local

 

09:55 Pune

 

09:59 Shivaji Nagar

 

10:41 Talegaon

 

11:15 Lonavala

 

11:20 Assemble at Lonavala Railway Station near the Ticket counter and Move towards base village by Jeep.

 

13:00 Reach base village and have lunch, Local home-cooked meal. 

 

After lunch explore Shrivardhan Fort.

 

19:00 Evening tea, After sunset takes jungle walk to enjoy fireflies.

 

21:00 Dinner.

 

Day Two - Sunday Fireflies Festival 

 

06:30 Wake up and freshen up.

 

07:00 Breakfast

 

08:00 Start return journey to Lonavala station

 

09:30 Disperse at Lonavala railway station.

 

 

 

Plan B - Evening plan

 

Day 1 - Saturday

 

For Mumbai participants

 

Suggested train to the board is the 11009/Mumbai CST-Sinhagad Express,

 

14:30 CST

 

14:40 Dadar

 

15:08 Thane

 

15:28 Kalyan

 

16:08 Karjat

 

17:08 Lonavala

 

For Pune participants - Catch Pune Lonavala local

 

15:00 Pune

 

15:04 Shivaji Nagar

 

15:47 Talegaon

 

16:25 Lonavala

 

17:10 Assemble at Lonavala Railway Station and Move towards base village by Jeep (Half Way)

 

18:00 Start Trek towards the base village and watch fireflies on the way and at base Village.

 

20:30 Reach Base Village (8 km trek)

 

22:00 Dinner.

 

Day 2 - Sunday

 

06::30 Wake up and freshen up.

 

07:00 Breakfast.

 

07:30 Fort visit and exploration.

 

12:00 Lunch

 

13:00 Start return journey to Lonavala.

 

16:30 Disperse at Lonavala railway station.

 

Please Note

 

• In case it rains Jeep is only available half the way as the road becomes not motorable, the participant will have to walk 8 km till pickup point.
• Due to visitor rush during this period, jeeps are sometimes unavailable or overbooked, the participant is requested to wait patiently for their jeep.
• If it rains, we'll try for homestay.
• Missing the train is missing Rajmachi Fireflies Trek, no refund will be provided.

 

Inclusion and Exclusion

Cost Include Plan A - Morning Plan:

 

• Travelling Lonavala to the base village
• 1 veg lunch, 1 evening tea, 1 veg dinner, and 1 veg breakfast
• Accommodation on sharing basis
• Traveling from Udhewadi to Lonavala station
• Treks and Trails India expertise charges

 

Cost Exclude Plan A - Morning Plan:

 

• Mineral water/lime water/ purchased for personal consumption
• Transport till Lonavala and back
• All kinds of Extra Meals / soft drinks ordered.
• Any kind of personal expenses.
• Any kind of cost which is not mentioned in the cost includes above.
• All expenses incurred due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances like roadblocks, bad weather.
• Any medical / Emergency evacuations if required.

 

Cost Include Plan B - Evening Plan:

 

• Travel from Lonavala station to the mid village (halfway)
• Trek to Rajmachi Village base.
• 1 veg Dinner, 1 veg breakfast and tea, and 1 veg lunch
• Travel by local Jeep from Udhewadi village to Lonavala railway station
• Accommodation on sharing basis
• Treks and Trails India expertise charges

 

Cost Exclude Plan B - Evening Plan:

 

• Mineral water/lime water/ purchased for personal consumption
• Transport till Lonavala and back
• All kinds of Extra Meals / soft drinks ordered.
• Any kind of personal expenses.
• Any kind of cost which is not mentioned in the cost includes above.
• All expenses incurred due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances like roadblocks, bad weather.
• Any medical / Emergency evacuations if required.

  

Things to Carry

Please note: Participant wearing Sports Shoes / Running Shoes / Repaired Shoes, kindly buy good trekking shoes. Trekking is a specialist activity. Trekking shoes are a must.

 

• A haversack / Backpack to put in all the things to be carried, so that one has one's hands-free while trekking.
• Double pack your valuables/phones in plastic bags.
• Please wear full sleeves t-shirts and long pants.
• Identity proof (must)
• Carry Sleeping Bag or Two Bedsheets.
• Torch with new batteries - Compulsory per person.
• Some ready to eat food. Plum cakes, Biscuits, etc. For Energy while you Trek. Glucon D / Energy bars.
• Water (at least 2 - 3 Litters).
• Sun Cap.
• Avoid wearing Gold and other ornaments.
• Medicine those if you require usually.
• Odomos gel or cream to avoid mosquitoes or insects.

 

Cancellation Policy

• 75% refund if notified via phone conversation 8 or more days prior to the event date.
• 50 % refund if notified via phone conversation 4 to 7 days prior to the event date.
• No refund if the cancellation requested is less than 3 days prior to the event date 
• No show No Refund.
• Event Tickets cannot be transferred to another date against cancellation.
• Event Tickets cannot be transferred to another person against cancellation.
• If Trek gets canceled we will refund "Trek Amount" only.

431 total visits