Bhandardara

Bhandardara centres on Arthur Lake, held by the Wilson dam of 1910 on the Pravara, in a bowl of the Sahyadris below Kalsubai, at 1,646 metres the highest peak in Maharashtra, and Ratangad and Ajoba forts. Randha falls drops the river below the dam. What draws the largest crowds is a short natural event: for a few weeks before the monsoon, usually late May and June, fireflies synchronise in the surrounding forest in numbers that light whole trees, and a firefly festival has grown up around it with camping in the villages. Monsoon brings waterfalls, and winter clear skies for stargazing.

What you actually see

• The firefly weeks - synchronised fireflies filling trees in late May and June.
• Arthur Lake - the reservoir under the Sahyadri peaks.
• Kalsubai - the highest peak in Maharashtra, climbed from nearby.
• Randha falls - the Pravara dropping below the dam.

When to go

Late May to June for fireflies, June to September for monsoon waterfalls, and November to February for clear skies and trekking. The firefly window is short and varies with the rains.

Honest expectations

Firefly season brings very large crowds, noise and lights that disturb the insects; organised camps vary in how responsibly they manage this. Roads are narrow and congested then. Facilities are basic.

Nearby

Kalsubai and Ratangad are trekked from here; Nashik lies north.