Stargazing in Sahyadri: Professional astronomy, dinner & campfire

Watch constellations through telescopes, then warm your hands around a campfire with chocolate fondue under a star-filled sky

This one-night stargazing experience in a Sahyadri village near Mumbai pairs professional astronomy with authentic rural life. You'll dip in a lake at sunset, eat a traditional Maharashtrian dinner, spot constellations and planets through telescopes guided by an astronomer, then gather around a campfire for midnight chocolate fondue and s'mores. Wake to birdsong, a village breakfast, and an optional rice farming workshop with local farmers. The Deshmukh family and trained guides handle every detail, from food to comfort to the night sky itself.

The experience

Eighteen hours starts with arrival at the eco-village near Shahapur in the late afternoon. You'll wade into a lake with safety floats as the sun sets over the Sahyadris, then move to local snacks and conversation by the water. After dusk, a professional astronomer takes over, walking you through constellations, planets, and deep-sky objects using telescopes and laser pointers. The session is not a lecture. It's guided stargazing, with the astronomer pointing out what to look for and why it matters.

Dinner comes next: a traditional Maharashtrian meal available in vegetarian, vegan, or Jain versions. Then the campfire, where you'll sit with chocolate fondue, s'mores, and warm soup or Maggi while the sky stays full of stars. Late-night photography is part of the setup if you want to try capturing what you've seen. You'll sleep at the scenic campsite or in a village home, both arranged by the hosts.

Morning brings birdsong and a short optional trek through the fields before a hearty village breakfast. Premium guests move into the Rice Life Cycle Workshop, where local farmers show you how rice is planted and harvested, not a demonstration, but hands-on learning in the fields themselves. The Deshmukh family and Rock & Anchor's trained guides are present throughout, handling logistics so you stay focused on the experience.

What’s included

• Admission fee and government fees.
• snacks, traditional Maharashtrian dinner (vegetarian, vegan, or Jain options), and hearty village breakfast.
• coffee and tea.
• professional astronomy session with telescopes and laser pointers.
• campfire with chocolate fondue and s'mores.
• warm soup or Maggi under the stars.
• optional morning trek and rice farming workshop (Premium option).
• live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French and additional languages.
• pickup included in at least one option.

Options for this experience

2 options

Stargazing: The Greatest Show on EarthGuide in 14 languages · 16:00

Premium StargazingGuide in 14 languages · Available from 8 Nov · 16:00Premium personal hosting with Aaditya Shah: Get to learn from the individual who designed this experience, with stories covering stargazing, sustainability, and mountaineering.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesFriday to SundayDeparts at 16:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 10 years)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Chinese, Danish, Hindi, Japanese, Marathi, Norwegian, Swedish and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 23 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Rock & Anchor

Is this one for you?Choose the Premium option if you want the Rice Life Cycle Workshop and hands-on time with local farmers. The standard Stargazing experience gives you the full night sky, campfire, and meals without the farming component. Both options suit families with children from age two and anyone at any fitness level. The pace is set by the hosts, and the focus stays on comfort and wonder rather than exertion.

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Hindi, Swedish, Marathi, Arabic, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese and Danish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (2 to 10 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What do I actually do during the astronomy session?

A professional astronomer guides you through constellations, planets, and celestial objects using telescopes and laser pointers. You're not sitting in a lecture hall. You're standing under the sky with equipment pointed at what the astronomer is explaining, learning how to spot and understand what you're seeing.

Is the Rice Life Cycle Workshop included, or is it an add-on?

The Rice Life Cycle Workshop is included in the Premium Stargazing option. It's not part of the standard Stargazing experience. Premium guests join local farmers in the fields to learn how rice is planted and harvested.

What meals are provided, and can I request dietary options?

Dinner is a traditional Maharashtrian meal available in vegetarian, vegan, or Jain versions. Breakfast is a hearty village meal. Snacks and warm drinks (coffee or tea) are included. Late-night options include chocolate fondue, s'mores, soup, or Maggi.

How far is the Sahyadri village from Mumbai?

The eco-village is just a few hours from Mumbai. Pickup is included in at least one option, so you don't need to arrange your own transport to get there.

What's the lake dip like, and do I need to know how to swim?

The lake dip happens at sunset with safety floats provided, so you can stay comfortable in the water regardless of swimming ability. It's a refreshing way to ease into the evening before dinner and the astronomy session.