If you’ve never seen fireflies before — Bhandardara is the place to lose your glow virginity. This sleepy forest-lake combo bursts into a glowing miracle between May 17 and June 22. Trees light up. Trails pulse. And the lake just sits there vibing in silence. You just gotta be quiet and patient — and let nature do its thing.
Bhandardara works for pretty much everyone — unless you're expecting a 5-star luxury resort. Families love the lake breeze. Couples score silence under blinking trees. Solo folks get their therapy dose. Seniors get vehicle-accessible camps. And groups vibe hard by the bonfire with chai.
Note: Not wheelchair accessible — the trail isn’t paved and nature doesn’t have ramps.
Let’s keep it real — this isn’t some urban picnic. It’s nature, raw and blinking. Expect actual forest silence, lake breeze at night, and if you’re lucky — a full section of trees glowing like Diwali lights. You'll camp, eat, walk a little, and glow with zero stress. No distractions. No Insta wifi. Just chill and stare.
| Expectation | Reality |
|---|---|
| All trees glowing like fairy lights | True, but only when it's dark, silent, and not crowded. Nature decides when to show off. |
| Peaceful lake with zero people | Possible on weekdays. Weekends? Other groups will be nearby but spread out. |
| Luxury tents with power and attached washrooms | Nah. You get clean dome tents, basic toilets, and battery lights. It's camping, not glamping. |
| Fireflies glowing all night long | They peak between 7:45 PM to 9:30 PM. After that, they chill. No 24x7 glow guarantee. |
You’ll stay in dome tents — they’re basic but clean. Foam mats, pillows, and blankets provided. Most tents are 2 or 3 people per unit. Request couple tent in advance if needed.
They start from May 10 onwards, but proper glow begins only when it rains slightly. If it stays dry, sightings remain low. Moonlight, humidity, and even noise impact how much glow is seen.
Between May 24 and June 22. Aim for no-moon nights, and go on weekdays if possible — less crowd means more glow.
| Phase Dates | Firefly Sighting | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| 🌱 Early Glow May 10–15 | 😔 Low to Medium | Some blinking near bushes and tree trunks. Patchy areas glow if weather is supportive. |
| 🌟 Peak Glow May 17 – June 22 | 😮 HIGH | Forests light up. Lakhs of fireflies can be seen in tree clusters. Best seen in dark & silent zones. |
| 🌧️ Fading Glow June 24 – 30 | 😐 Medium to Low | Some glow remains in dry areas, but heavy rains reduce activity. Final week of the season. |
❌ BBQ & Bonfire= Air Pollution= Fireflies Die.
❌ Live DJ Music = Sound Pollution = Low firefly sighting.
✔ Choose wisely. ❗ Save Fireflies ❤️
Bhandardara has multiple campsites scattered around lake edges and forest pockets. Firefly glow intensity may vary slightly, but all give you solid glow+camping feel during peak nights.
Lakeside view with dense tree clusters behind tents. Glow seen right next to tent line.
Charges: ₹999 per person
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Glows better on quieter nights. Surrounded by raw bush patches. Great for solo/photogs.
Charges: ₹950 per person
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Closer to viewing rock point. Evening views are epic. Slight walk to glow trail after dinner.
Charges: ₹899 per person
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Sectioned area with fewer tents. Mostly used by couples and parents with kids. Quiet vibe.
Charges: ₹1099 per person
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Very close to parking zone. Ideal for seniors or people who don’t want to walk much.
Charges: ₹849 per person
View Event & BookIf you are planning to extend your stay after witnessing the firefly magic, here are some hotel and resort options you can check out:
| Hotel/Resort Name | Approx Charges (Per Night) | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Anandvan Resort | ₹6,000 – ₹12,000 | Luxury Resort |
| MTDC Resort Bhandardara | ₹2,500 – ₹4,000 | Government Tourist Resort |
| Yash Resort | ₹3,500 – ₹7,000 | Family Resort |
| Shagun Resort | ₹2,000 – ₹4,500 | Mid-Range Resort |
| Nature Leap Resort | ₹3,000 – ₹5,500 | Nature Resort |
| Wanderlust Resort | ₹1,500 – ₹3,000 | Budget Stay |
| Arthur Lake Resort | ₹2,000 – ₹3,500 | Lake View Resort |
Note: Rates mentioned are approximate and may vary based on weekday/weekend dates, peak season, and availability. It's better to call and confirm before booking.
Feedback, stories and experiences people had at Bhandardara Firefly Festival.
May 18 to June 10 is generally peak glow. Avoid full moon and go on windless, silent nights for best effect.
Yes, several camps have direct vehicle access or very short walking distance. Bring torch + support if needed.
Nope. All camps provide sleeping setup (foam + pillow) and meals. You can carry light snacks or water bottle optionally.
Yes. Kasara or Igatpuri station is closest by train. From there, camps arrange pickup or local jeep is available.
If you're wondering why they glow, when they disappear, or how not to ruin the glow — this page has your answers.
🔎 What Are Fireflies? ➜It’s not safe. Forest dogs have attacked pets at night in past years. Also, loud barking disrupts firefly glow. Please avoid bringing animals here.
❗ Don’t fall for Instagram offers.
✅ Always book through verified websites with payment gateway email confirmation.
⚠️ Low Price = High Risk.
✔ Book only with trusted organizers who display transparency, correct pricing, reviews, and give proper email/SMS confirmation.