Imagine yourself camping in a dense forest on a cold night, starry sky and…. surrounded by bright shining light illuminated by twinkling fireflies!!! Imagine walking on a mysterious dark trail brightened by fireflies flying all around you. Sounds enthralling, doesn’t it? In reality, this can be much more beautiful and captivating. Prabalmachi and Kalavantin Durg trekking is the best that nature has to offer and is the perfect getaway if you are looking for something like this!
About Prabalmachi Trek:
- Prabalmachi as the name itself indicates is a huge gigantic plateau situated at a massive height of more than 1200 feet above mean sea level. It is a little hamlet hiding in the hills, close to our megacity - Mumbai! Prabalmachi camping offers breathtaking picturesque of the two magnificent and gigantic peaks of Sahyadri - Prabalgad and Kalavantin forts. Because of these two glorious forts and the bewitching natural beauty of the surroundings, many visitors are attracted to this place. Being an ancient and beautiful village situated halfway up a mountain it is an ideal place to pitch your tents and experience outdoors. Apart from being a camping place, it is also the base village for the Kalavantin trek and Prabalgad trek. One will also get to explore beautiful village homes; small farms; dense forests; in and around this hamlet. Prabalmachi camping and trekking transport you to a whole new world of scenic beauty and peace.
- A little something about Kalavantin Durg, Kalavantin, a 2,250 ft high summit, is a beautiful steep fort that lies to the north of Prablagad, which was initially used as a watchtower. Kalavantin Fort is also renowned as the ‘Climb to Heaven’. You get to witness a wide variety of flora and fauna as you ascend. The mesmerizing scenery from this watchtower gives you a memory to cherish for a lifetime. One remarkable thing about the Kalavantin Durg trek that takes you to the top of the fort is the amazing rock-cut steps that zig-zag their way up to the mountains.
Prabalmachi Fireflies Trekking and Camping Details:
Prabalmachi: Thakurwadi acts as a base village in the Prabalmachi trek. The trek is two hours ascend that starts at night from Thakurwadi till Prabalmachi which is approx 2.5 km. Even though it is a night trek, this is an opportunity one cannot miss. The presence of a gazillion brightly colored yellow fireflies glimmering all around you is what makes this night trek to Prabalmachi an enthralling experience. Once you have completed the hike uphill through the wilderness, with fluttering fireflies decorating your path, the overnight camping takes place on a vast meadow of Prabalmachi. Prabalmachi Camping is an exhilarating and fun-filled experience with unexploited nature, inside a blanket beneath the star-studded sky and in the midst of a forest full of glowing fireflies.
- Overview Region: Sahyadris
- Elevation: 1500 feet above mean sea level (approx)
- Grade: Easy
- Base camp: Thakurwadi village
- Best time to visit for fireflies: Premonsoon and monsoon | May to September
Kalavantin Durg: After having spent a memorable and beautiful night at Prabalmachi many trekking enthusiasts wish to ascend the majestic fort of Kalavantin Durg. If you wish to witness mesmerizing sunrise view and the immense beauty of Kalavantin Fort that awaits atop you should start your climb early in the morning. The trek to this adrenaline-sparking Kalavantin fort can take about three hours. After having enjoyed the panoramic view from the top, start descending towards Prabalmachi. You can have breakfast or lunch here and continue the descent back to the base village-Thakurwadi.
While in the peaceful surroundings of Prabalmachi and Kalavantin Durg, brace yourself for an amazing trek and enjoy the journey!
- Overview About Type: Hill
- Fort Region: Sahyadris
- Elevation: 2300 feet (701 m) above mean sea level (approx)
- Distance: 10 km
- Grade: Medium
- Base camp: Thakurwadi village
- Best time to visit: Throughout the year | Preferably - Winter
Batches :
May: 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31
June: 1, 7, 8.
Cost:
- Panvel to Panvel: Rs 1499/- per person
- Pune to Pune: Rs 1999/- per person
- Base Village: Rs 999/- per person
Similar Events:
MUMBAI / PUNE (Panvel To Panvel)
DAY 1:
- 04:00 PM: Reach Panvel Railway station and report to the trek leaders at Ticket Counter
- 04:30 PM: Start Journey with Private Vehicle Towards the Base Village of Thakhurwadi.
- 05:30 PM: Reach Thakurwadi base of Prabalmachi. Introduction session.
- 06:30 PM: Start trek towards Prabalmachi. Enjoy the mesmerizing view of fireflies on the Trail.
- 08:00 PM: Reach Prabalmachi, Briefing session and Tent allotment, by Trek leaders.
- 09:00 PM: Have Dinner and enjoy an overnight camping stay with Bornfire and Group games with a view of the stars and mountains.
DAY 2
- 05:00 AM: Wake up call, Get freshen up and Get ready for the Kalavantin trek for those who would like to trek. Others can enjoy their morning at Prabalmachi.
- 06:00 AM: Start trek towards Kalavantin Durg.
- 07:30 AM: Reach the Peak. Click the pictures and explore the mesmerizing view.
- 08:00 Am: Take a Group photo and we start descending towards Prabalmachi.
- 09:00 AM: Have Breakfast and Tea. Relax at Prabalmachi.
- 10:00 AM: Start Descending to Thakhurwadi (Base Village)
- 12:00 PM: Reach Thakhurwadi
- 12:15 PM: Time to head back to & say goodbye to Prabalmachi.
- 01:30 PM: Reach Panvel. Adios! Back to the mundane city life. Until next time!
PUNE TO PUNE (With Bus Transportation)
DAY 1:
- 04:00 PM: Report to the Trek Leaders at Fergusson College Main Gate, FC Road (opposite Starbucks) ( https://goo.gl/maps/53XNsyDPwcSVReZW9 )
- 04:30 PM: Start Journey with Private Vehicle Towards the Base Village of Thakhurwadi.
- 07:30 PM: Reach Thakurwadi base of Prabalmachi. Introduction session.
- 08:00 PM: Start trek towards Prabalmachi. Enjoy the mesmerizing view of fireflies on the Trail.
- 09:30 PM: Reach Prabalmachi, Briefing session and Tent allotment, by Trek leaders.
- 10:30 PM: Have Dinner and enjoy an overnight camping stay with Bornfire and Group games with a view of the stars and mountains.
DAY 2
- 05:00 AM: Wake up call, Get freshen up and Get ready for the Kalavantin trek for those who would like to trek. Others can enjoy their morning at Prabalmachi.
- 06:00 AM: Start trek towards Kalavantin Durg.
- 07:30 AM: Reach the Peak. Click the pictures and explore the mesmerizing view.
- 08:00 Am: Take a Group photo and we start descending towards Prabalmachi.
- 09:00 AM: Have Breakfast and Tea. Relax at Prabalmachi.
- 10:00 AM: Start Descending to Thakhurwadi (Base Village)
- 12:00 PM: Reach Thakhurwadi
- 12:15 PM: Time to head back to & say goodbye to Prabalmachi. We will take a Hault for Lunch.
- 04:00 PM: Reach Pune. Adios! Back to the mundane city life. Until next time!
Inclusion :
- Travel from Panvel Station by Private Bus/Cab/Jeep
- Pune to Pune transportation by Bus
- Meals: Day 1 Dinner, Day 2 Breakfast
- Tent Stay (Triple sharing) without bedding
- Forest Entry Charges.
- Experienced Trek Leaders
- Trek Expertise Charges.
- First Aid Charges.
Exclusion :
- 5% Gst
- Lunch
- Bedding inside the tents
- Travel till pickup points
- Mineral water/lime water/ purchased for personal consumption
- 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
- Insurance
Reporting Point :
- Panvel: 04:00 PM on Saturday at Panvel Station Ticket Counter.
- Pune: 04:00 PM on Saturday at Panvel Station Ticket Counter.
Things to do at Prabalmachi Trek:
- Enjoy a panoramic view of the Sahyadris
- View the giant city of Mumbai, Rasayani, Panvel, and nearby areas from the top
- Camping at the hill-top in Prabalmachi
- Bonfire
- Campfire activities & games with lots of fun
- View of Prabalgad
- Amazing hike in the woods and forests
- Stargazing
- Thrilling Trek
- A walk through tribal village
Leave behind the city chaos and lose yourself to the mountains to spend a night under the starry sky and fireflies!
Nearby Attractions:
- Karnala Fort: Karnala is one of the most popular weekend getaways with a historic hill fort. Situated in Raigad District about 10 km from Panvel city, Karnala Fort it is also known as Funnel Hill. Multiple routes lead to the main trail up to the mountain and offer a variety of fauna and vegetation, both in the enclosure and in the wilderness.
- Karnala Bird Sanctuary: A popular stopover for birdwatchers, this bird sanctuary is a 1-2 hour drive from Prabalmachi. Home to more than 200 resident bird species and 35 migratory ones, this lush avifauna park is a birdwatcher's dream.
- Explore Matheran: Matheran is a hill station about 2 hours from Prabalmachi. It is the best place for thrill-seekers and peace lovers. One of the most exciting activities at Matheran is rappelling at Dodhani Waterfalls. Apart from this, you can explore places like Porcupine Point, Little Chowk Point, Charlotte Lake, Chanderi Caves, Louisa Point, Ambarnath Shiv Temple, and much more! The toy train ride and horse riding are also something Matheran is known for.
- Irshalgad Fort: Located between Matheran and Panvel, Irshalgad Fort is a sister fort to Prabalgad. Despite the name, Irshalgad is a pinnacle and not a fort. It is an ideal trekking destination when you are in the hill station. While atop, Irshalgad offers an amazing view of Karnala Fort, Sondai Fort, Morbe Dam, and Prabalgad Fort.
- Morbe Dam: Being a gravity dam built on the Dhai River near Khalapur, Morbe Dam is a beautiful spot to seek some adventure and do boating. The dam is surrounded by mountains and gives one a pleasant feel. The perimeter of Morbe Dam also offers a nice spot for a leisurely picnic with your family or friends.
How to Reach Prabalmachi:
- Prabalmachi is located in the Raigad district and is easily reachable from Panvel. The base village of Prabalmachi and Kalavantin Durg is Thakurwadi. Private Transport You can drive to the parking lot in Thakurwadi village from where the trek starts. However, if you are traveling by private vehicle, the parking at the base village is at your own risk.
- From Mumbai By Train: Board any Panvel-bound local train from the harbor suburban train network and reach out to the Panvel ST depot. From Panvel ST depot take a bus to Thakurwadi village. If you don’t want to travel on ST bus, then there's the other option of private auto-rickshaws.
- By Car: You have to drive on the Mumbai-Pune expressway via Vashi till you reach Shedung Phata Panvel. Then take a turn towards the Thakurwadi village from Shedung.
- By Air: Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji is the nearest airport to Prabalmachi. From the airport, you can reach Panvel via state transport bus or cab and then travel to Thakurwadi or take a cab directly to Thakurwadi.
- From Pune By Train: There are many train options to reach Panvel Station from Pune Junction. It is a 3 hours journey. Reach Panvel ST depot, which is at a walkable distance from the railway station where buses to Thakurwadi are readily available.
Things to carry:
(Highly Required and Mandatory Things)
- ID proof
- backpack (waterproof or covered with waterproof cover)
- trekking shoes or any sports shoes with a Good grip
- Trekking pants (compulsory), 2 T-Shirts (Preferably full sleeves or Half T-shirt with sleeves), Raincoat/ waterproof jacket/ windcheater, Handnapkin/Towel, etc
- Water 2-3 liters.
- Ready-to-eat food like plum cakes, Dry fruits, dry snacks and biscuits, Chikki, chocolate bars, etc.
- Torch
- Personal Medicines and Personal First aid
(Required but Optional Things)
- Sleeping Bag/ Shawl, Sleeping Mat, etc
- To change after trekking - Facewash, Extra pants/ shorts, Extra T-shirt, sleeper/ floaters, an extra bag to carry your trekking shoes, innerwear, etc
- Sweater For bus journey
- Electoral or Glucose D powder.
- Portable Phone Charger, Earphones, etc.
- Sun protection cap, sunglasses, Sunscreen lotion, toothbrush-toothpaste, etc
- Proper face mask or shield
- Sanitizer
- Extra Pair of clothes.
(Note: Please wear Full sleeves and Full Track Pants, this will protect your body and skin from Sun / Thorns / Insects / Prickles, etc)
Payment Details :
UPI ID : 7387523876@upi
Net banking :
- Name- RAJBALA YADAV
Bank name - HDFC BANK
ACC No.- 50100308491863
IFSC code- HDFC0002501 - Name- NITIN YADAV
Bank name - PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK
ACC No.- 0530001500002688
IFSC code- PUNB0053000
Please send a screenshot of the payment on WhatsApp 8850043643 for confirmation, we will then share a form for the final booking procedure.
COVID Guidelines :
- Mask and maintaining social distance with others are mandatory throughout the trip.
- Buses will be fully sanitized before use.
- Carrying your own sanitizers, gloves, face shield and mask is compulsory.
- Food will be freshly cooked and packed as per WHO guidelines.
Trekhievers Policies:
- Seats will be reserved only after full payment.
- Fees paid are non-refundable but transferable on the same event.
- The complete schedule of the trek will be given later to registered participants
- Organizers have all the right to modify or change the schedule in case
- Organizers hold the right to cancel any event and refund with prior notice.
- We strictly follow a no alcohol, no drugs, and no litter policy.
Cancellation Policy:
- 100% amount is to be paid in advance to book the trip.
- If the booking is canceled 10 days or before the event date then 50% of the booking amount will be refunded.
- No refund if canceled 9 days before the event.
- No show = No refund.
Contact details:
Mukesh - 7387642734 | Pravin - 7208620046 | Vrutti - 7304236273 | Nitin - 7387523876
- Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/trekhieversofficial/
- Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/trekhievers/
Disclaimer:
The tour is weather-based and depends on the weather conditions. There may be last-minute cancellations if weather conditions deteriorate.
1. Is Prabalmachi Camping safe for solo female travelers?
Yes, it is completely safe for female and solo travelers.
2. Where are fireflies found around Prabalmachi?
Fireflies can be spotted at Prabalmachi plateau in Sahyadris just a few weeks before the beginning of the monsoon. The perfect time to visit is during premonsoon or the start of monsoon. These play around in large numbers at night, however, ensure not to make much noise or light any torch.
3. Is the Prabalmachi trek difficult?
Prabalmachi trek is easy and can be done by beginners as well.
4. When is the best time to visit Kalavantin Durg?
The best time to visit Kalavantin Durg is from November to March. Monsoons are pleasant too, however, rains can make the trail much more dangerous and difficult.
5. Would I get connectivity in my cell phone?
You will get very limited connectivity during the trek. Also, in a few areas, there might be no connectivity at all.
6. What type of food will I get?
You will be served locally cooked meals. However, proper care of hygienic food will be taken.
7. How much time is required to ascend Kulvantin Durg?
You can complete the ascend in 3-4 hours, depending on person to person.
8. Is Kalavantin Durg Trek difficult?
In terms of difficulty, the Kalavantin trek is a moderate level trek. With a little bit of experience and good endurance, one can complete this trek.
9. Can we stay in our tents?
Most definitely yes! On the Prabalmachi plateau, you can set up your tents and get the camping feels.
10. What if I have a medical emergency?
We always carry a first aid kit with us. The guides and volunteers are first aid certified. If the problem increases, we will quickly get you to the closest medical attention possible.
11. Are toilets available on the trek route?
Proper toilets are not available on the route. Toilets will be available in the Thakurwadi village and Prabalmachi village where you can freshen up.
12. What is the cheapest way to get to the base village?
The cheapest way to get from Mumbai to Thakurwadi base village is via train. Take a train from Mumbai (Dadar) to Panvel Station and from Panvel take a auto till Thakurwadi. The Approx cost would be 400 rs one side.
