OVERVIEW

The Kothaligad fireflies festival starting from Mid week of May till June ends. Kothaligad near Karjat is one of the best locations near Mumbai to see max number of fireflies. At a short distance from Mumbai it's couple and family friendly. Located in the Sahyadri mountain range of Maharashtra, India, Kothaligad Fort offers a unique experience of Fireflies Trek with the added enchantment of sighting fireflies. You can witness the beauty of the forest and thousands of Fireflies at night by joining Vihang Tours team this season. As per latest update Kothaligad witnessed rains recently, and as a result the weather has become more favorable for fireflies sighting. Current weather conditions are now perfectly suitable for Fireflies mating. Current weather conditions are now perfectly suitable for Fireflies mating. First batch for this year is scheduled on May 31, 2025. 

 HighlightsWhat makes this event special 

• Experience the thrill of walking through a forest illuminated by fireflies
• Take in the serene beauty of early morning from a breathtaking vantage point
• Explore fascinating rock-cut water storage tanks
• Step into history by visiting ancient caves
• Discover historic cannons perched atop the fort
• Enjoy the mesmerizing panoramic view from the summit
• Witness one of the most stunning sunrises from the peak
• Capture unforgettable moments—get ready for incredible photography opportunities
• Embrace the excitement and fun—the signature “Masti” of Vihang Tours
• Unleash your adventurous spirit and set off on an unforgettable journey

Kothaligad Fireflies Festival 2025 Trek near Mumbai by Vihang Tours

Charges and Travel Options:

⚠️ The charges mentioned below are "Base Price" for booking at least 20 days in advance. Charges for booking less than 20 days prior to event date will be higher. Kindly click on "Book Now" button to check the dynamic pricing applicable for a given date 

Option A: INR 800 You can reach the base village in your own vehicle. We will be sharing GPS locations and directions/instructions on the WhatsApp group.

Option B: INR 1200.00Pickup/Drop from Neral Railway Station included. Pickup/Drop Time: 18:08 pm Neral. Next day 11:00 am pickup from Base village.

Kids Charges: Charges for all participants of all age groups are same as above. 

⚠️ Eligibility condition 

1. If you wish to apply for being part of our group, you need to "Read" and "Understand" the details provided on this page so that you can be "Aware".

2. Each participant needs to be mentally fit to participate. Do not book this event if the details mentioned on this page are not agreeable to you. Vihang Tours does not accept ignorant people. 

Date and Time 

  NOTE: The above date and time is for reaching the Camping location

Inclusions of this tour:-

• Pickup and drop from Neral station (if opted for)
• Basic First Aid
• Govt / Local Body Charges as applicable
• Trek expertise charges
• Group Homestay
• Homely Dinner (pure veg)
• Breakfast and Tea

Exclusion of this Tour:- 

• Expenses for mineral water, lime water, or any other purchased items for personal consumption
• Any personal expenses not explicitly mentioned in the "Cost Includes" section
• Additional costs arising from unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances such as roadblocks or bad weather
• Expenses related to medical emergencies or emergency evacuations, if required

IMAGES

Itinerary/ Timeline of the event

Coordination: Five hours prior to the event date and time, we will be creating a WhatsApp group for coordination purposes, coordinator contact, GPS links etc. will be shared in the group. 

Option 1: Those coming by own vehicle need to reach the reach the base village before 07:30pm and tag along with the group. 

Option 2 : Those who have opted for pick up and drop from Neral Local train station need to board Karjat Local Train local train at these timings from a station nearest to you. Train For Kothaligad Fireflies Festival Camping Catch the Karjat Local train from the station nearest to you. Once the train reaches Neral station, the trek leader will help you board the local jeeps and proceed to the base village. 

Train timings: 

Schedule for Kothaligad Fireflies Festival 

Don't miss reading the IMPORTANT Note section.

Important Note

Important Points to note regarding Fireflies Festival 2025 

Transport: 

Local vehicles will be provided from Neral station to the base for participants who have opted for transportation. If you are arriving by your own vehicle or with a driver, all individuals must be registered and pay the event charges. You can also arrange for your driver to drop you and pick you up the next day if you prefer not to pay for their participation.

Please remember that this event centers around watching fireflies, not a camping experience. 

Accommodation:
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.

TREK:
The uphill ascend from base village to Pethmachi, will take 01hr 30 mins.
The (optional) morning trek ascend from Pethmachi to Kothaligad peak will take approximately 30 mins of ascend.

Reminder:
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.

Food:
Expect basic home-cooked food from local "Adivasi" villagers during the fireflies festival. If you have specific food preferences, please bring your own packaged food or you should not book this tour. 

Fireflies Sighting: 
Unpredictable transitional weather affects firefly mating and visibility. We cannot guarantee the occurrence of natural phenomena like rain or the number of fireflies seen. Sightings can range from thousands to just a few, with the initial and final batches usually having fewer.\

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.

Things to Carry 

• Identity proof
• Reliable trekking shoes and an extra pair of floaters
• Water (minimum 2 liters) – Compulsory
• Torch with extra batteries – Do not rely on your phone
• Keep your phone fully charged
• Mosquito repellent (optional)
• Bedsheet or Turkish towel for resting, or a sleeping bag
• Ready-to-eat food like biscuits, plum cake, etc., to keep your energy up
• Medicines, if needed, and essentials like Glucon D, Electrol, or Enerzyl Powder (basic first aid kit will be available)
• Raincoat or windcheater for rainy conditions
• Haversack to carry all your belongings – keep your hands free while trekking
• Pack your belongings in a plastic bag before placing them in your sack to protect them from rain

How to reach Kothaligad Fireflies Festival

To get accurate travel info for reaching Kothaligad Fireflies Festival in Maharashtra, follow the steps mentioned below. 

• Open Google Search.
• Type "My location to Kothaligad" in the search bar.
• View details such as the estimated travel time, available modes of transport, and distance from your current location.
• Click on the "Get Directions" button or "Start Navigation" (depending on your phone's operating system).
• Follow the on-screen directions to reach your destination.

Location: Kothaligad, Maharashtra.Google 

Map Link : https://maps.app.goo.gl/j1yDAJb7k9b3zSRQA

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the best dates to attend the Kothaligad Fireflies Festival in 2025?

A: Kothaligad Fireflies Festival is scheduled from Midweek of May to End of June. For having the best experience of seeing fireflies you can plan your visit between May 31, 2025, and June 15, 2025. During this period you have best chance to find the highest number of fireflies. 

Q: How to book Kothaligad Fireflies Festival online?

A. Booking tickets for the Kothaligad Fireflies Festival 2025 needs to be done online through the official website of Vihang Tours on www.vihangtours.in Next step is to select number of people you wish to book for, and then enter contact details. Once you book the Tour, our team will get in touch with you regarding KYC form which needs to be submitted within 3 hours of receiving the form link and pay the required amount. Submitting the KYC form and payment completes the booking process 

Q: Is the Fireflies Festival suitable for females?

A. Vihang Tours celebrates equality and adventure; anyone physically fit and eager to enjoy nature is invited to join our events for a memorable experience. 

Q: Are Kids allowed to participate in Kothaligad Fireflies Festival?

A. Yes, children can attend. Their participation depends on their physical fitness level and experience with nature, rather than their age. 

Q: Is Kothaligad fireflies festival safe for solo participants? 

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

Q: How long can we watch fireflies?

A. Enjoy sufficient time to witness the fireflies with Vihang Tours. You are welcome to stay longer at the viewing location and rejoin the group when you're ready, allowing for truly unforgettable moments, but dinners are planned according to group, so make sure you are available during this period. 

Q: How long is the trek to the fort?

A. The uphill ascend from base village to Pethmachi, will take 01hr 30 mins. The (optional) morning trek ascend from Pethmachi to peak will take approx 30 mins of ascend. 

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

A. Yes, with your own transportation, you can arrive and leave at your convenience. The participation charges remain the same regardless of whether you skip any part of the overnight trek. 

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

A. Expect poor network coverage. Jio phones may have intermittent connectivity, but Vodafone and Airtel generally have very weak or no signal in the area. 

Q: Is mobile phone charging facility available at the Trek?

A. Charging facilities are not provided. We recommend carrying a portable power bank and torches for use at night. 

Q: How to reach the Kothaligad Fireflies Festival location from Mumbai/Pune?

A. You need to reach Neral 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 is the road to Kothaligad Fireflies Festival location? 

A. The road till base village is in good condition, one won't find any issue driving up to the location. 

Q: How do we get in touch after reaching the meeting point? 

A. Five hours prior to departure from Mumbai, 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 Neral. Apart from on-field coordination related info, all other information is already available on this page. 

Q: Is parking available at Kothaligad Fireflies location?

A. No, Official parking lot is not available at the Kothaligad 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. 

Q: How is the stay arrangement at Kothaligad? 

A. The stay for Kothaligad Fireflies Festival will be at a Local village homestay. This group homestay at a village house comprises of a large hall for the group to rest at night. Ones who wish to sleep under the night sky and fireflies can do so. Each participant needs to carry a mat/sleeping-bag to rest upon. Please remember this is a extremely basic shelter in village home. This is not to be mistaken as a private room stay. The entire group will be sharing the place. 

Q: What is provided in meals/food at Kothaligad Fireflies Festival? 

A. The meal will consist of veg options. Rice, Chapati, Daal, seasonal veg, salad. For breakfast Poha and tea will be available. This basic home cooked food is prepared by local tribal villagers. Restaurant and Hotel food is not available at Kothaligad Fireflies Festival. 

Q: Is alcohol allowed during Kothaligad Fireflies Festival?

A. Using alcohol and smoking is strictly not allowed during Kothaligad Fireflies Festival. Consequences of breaching this guideline can be serious as this place has religious sentiments attached. 

Q. Is drinking water provided at the homestay?

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

Q: Is there a washroom available at homestay?

A. The village offers public washrooms that are basic and tribal-style (no Western toilets, no electricity). Be prepared to carry water in a bucket and bring a torch if using them at night. 

Q: Is there a washroom available during trek to the fort?

A. Expect a basic, village-style washroom at the fort's base village, consistent with local standards in a forest area. Initial cleanliness is provided, but upkeep depends on user responsibility. This is not comparable to hotel or restaurant facilities. 

Q: How many people will be participating per batch? 

A. The final number of participants varies due to bookings, cancellations, and rescheduling, but the typical batch size is around 20 people. As Kothaligad is a public location, we cannot provide data on other organizers' groups. 

Q: What is meaning of word Camping?

A. 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. Will the Fireflies event be canceled if it rains?

A. As you are already aware that June is a rainy-season month and the fireflies events are organized in this month with a clear understanding that it may rain. The Fireflies event will not be canceled. 

Q: What are the major problems faced by organizers during Fireflies Festival? 

A. The Fireflies festival happens during end of may till mid June, and this is the worst time to go for overnight stay at such locations, But as the fireflies are visible only in this season the only thing we can rely upon is having shelter at village homes or tents. Even sometimes, people might have to face rains or winds during sleep. Tents are completely unreliable in this region due to heavy wind possibilities. 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 organizers or they may expect this to be like the regular camping events. For example, at fireflies events food will be pretty basic, stay arrangement will be very basic, bonfire cant be done as smoke harms fireflies. 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, Terms, FAQ section and About-Us section. We cant guess what you already know and what you don't. So, we insist that you need to at least once reading event details to avoid any omissions. Even after all the efforts to educate the participants, some of them still choose to be not aware of the facts and their unrealistic expectation causes lot of pain to the organizers. 

Q: Can someone call me and read out the details on this page?

A. At Vihang Tours, we prioritize clear communication. All event details are provided on this page to ensure participants are well-informed. Therefore, we do not offer to read out this information over the phone, as it can lead to misunderstandings. For clarification on any point mentioned on this page, please use the WhatsApp chat icon. To discuss details not found on this page, we can arrange a callback from a Trek Leader.

Q: What if my application to join is disapproved due to my behavior?

A. Its important to understand, if you are expelled or if you try to force yourself on us, your application will be rejected based on your unacceptable behavior. No refunds are provided in such case of expulsion or disapproval of joining. 

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

A. Your booking will be invalidated if the required Most Important Details are not submitted within 3 hours of receiving the booking confirmation email. This information is crucial for emergencies and is a mandatory KYC requirement. The link to the KYC form is sent after completing the booking instructions on the website. Failure to submit the form or submitting incomplete/incorrect details will result in booking invalidation and no refund. 

Q: Why is submitting emergency contact details and KYC information mandatory?

A. Providing complete and accurate personal details via the KYC form is a standard protocol and a guideline mandated by local authorities. We are responsible for the safety of every participant and must be able to provide this information in case of an emergency. Failure to submit the form or providing false/incomplete information will invalidate your booking (including any paid amount), and you will not be allowed to participate, with no refund provided. 

Q: Since when is cancellation policy applicable?

A. The policy is applicable for your booking immediately after you make the payment, irrespective of the date and time when you booked. The refunds/rescheduling requests will be processed based on the refund slabs mentioned in cancellation policy. The date and time of booking the event are irrelevant for calculating applicable slabs for refunds.

Location

Kothaligad, Peth, Maharashtra, India 

View on Map

Detailed informationThe Glowing Mystery: 

• Fireflies illuminate the night for two main reasons:
  • Romance: To attract potential mates.
  • Warning: To deter predators who are often wary of light and fire.

 The Threat of Decline: 

• The firefly population in India faces significant threats due to:
  • Loss of Habitat
  • Increasing light pollution
  • Use of pesticides by humans
• With only a few species remaining, conservation efforts are urgently needed.
• Fireflies are safe for humans and do not bite.

Myths and Facts about Fireflies and Rain correlation Rain can have both positive and negative effects on fireflies in India. Fireflies are not active during summer season. Once it Rains and marks end of summer season, only then after it rains the fireflies season begins.❌ No Rain = ❌ No Fireflies ! 

Commitment Towards Fireflies and Our Pledge: 

• Fireflies are highly sensitive to environmental changes, and smoke is particularly harmful to them.
• Vihang Tours does not engage in or support activities that produce smoke, such as:
  • Campfires
  • Bonfires
  • Barbeques (BBQ)
  • Any other smoke-related activity
• By being responsible and respectful, we can help protect these amazing insects.
• Our goal is to ensure fireflies continue to thrive for future generations.
• Vihang Tours pledges to continue protecting the interests of fireflies.

 Appeal to Public: 

• We urge the public to take action and spread awareness about being responsible towards fireflies.
• Please help eliminate activities that cause pollution like:
  • Fire
  • Smoke
  • Lights
• These pollutants can harm fireflies.

 Cancellation, Rescheduling And Refund Policy 

• 90% will be refunded if canceled 16 to 30 days (720+ hrs) in advance.
• 75% will be refunded if canceled 11 to 15 days (360+ hrs) in advance.
• 50% will be refunded if canceled 06 to 10 days (240+ 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 

• 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 then rescheduling it to a batch available on future date.

 Refunds 

• Refunds will be calculated and processed on basis of the slabs mentioned above.
• Refund amount will be transferred 24 hours after event date and time.
• Refund Credit will be received at your end depending on your mode of payment. Credit card refunds take 5-15 days to reflect on your statement. UPI refunds are generally credited to your account within 2-3 hours by your bank.

 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.

Logic and Reason: 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.