What to Expect at Astrocamp Bhandardara with ARC Educators

If you live in Mumbai and find yourself longing for a clear view of the night sky, away from the usual city haze, ARC Educators Astrocamp Bhandardara offers a straightforward way to experience it. I joined one last year, and it was a refreshing change—practical sessions under real stars, with enough structure to guide newcomers without overwhelming anyone. The camp runs from evening arrival to morning departure, centered on telescopic views and expert stargazing sessions, all in the quiet hills around Bhandardara’s lake. Here’s what unfolded for me and the group, step by step.

Star-filled skies over Bhandardara Lake — the perfect start to a weekend stargazing escape with ARC Educators.

Getting There: Journey from Mumbai to Bhandardara

The day starts with departure from Mumbai around 9:30 AM, either on their bus or in your own vehicle. The six-hour drive includes a stop at a food mall midway—an ideal spot to stretch, refresh, and grab a meal before continuing the trip. We arrived at Bhandardara by 5 PM and quickly settled into the comfortably appointed, impermeable tents, complete with plush blankets and pillows, easy to set up and invitingly warm. After grabbing evening snack—steaming cups of chai paired with crisp, golden pakoras, the group headed out for a short sightseeing walk around the scenic lake. It was a calm way to take in the surroundings, with the water reflecting the fading light. We lingered for the sunset around 6 PM, watching the colors shift across the hills—a peaceful moment that set a relaxed tone before the night began.

Comfortable lakeside tents at the Bhandardara Astrocamp — warm blankets, soft pillows, and the calm before a night under the stars.

At 7 PM, Sameer Sir—who is both the head of the company and one of its guides—led an introduction to stargazing. He covered the basics of astronomy, like recognizing key patterns in the sky, and showed us practical ways to identify directions using the stars—pointing out how Polaris works as a north marker. He shared a few insights too, such as stories behind constellations that made the session feel personal rather than rote. It lasted just long enough to build interest without dragging.

Diving into the Night Sky

By 8:30 PM, we gathered for the evening sky session, using the 16-inch telescope stationed at the site—one of Mumbai’s largest.

Exploring the cosmos through a 16-inch telescope at the Bhandardara Astrocamp.

For more intimate observations, an 8-inch telescope was also available, allowing everyone to get a closer look at celestial wonders. Saturn’s rings came into sharp focus, along with Jupiter’s moons and the Moon’s detailed craters. Venus shone brightly too, and we took turns at the eyepieces so everyone could enjoy the view without rushing.

The midnight sky session at 11:30 PM brought us back outside, lying on mats to trace more constellations and listen to explanations of what we were seeing—they talked about zodiac nakshatras and more Indian mythology about constellations, with a few myths like sade satti and horoscopes getting busted in a light-hearted way. Another round of telescopic observations hit around 1 AM, targeting fainter objects if conditions allowed, such as the Orion Nebula (M42), the Sombrero Galaxy (M104), the Beehive Cluster (M44), and other Messier objects like spiral galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. A tea break at 1:30 kept us going, followed by light activities and games at 2 AM—nothing intense, just enough to share the quiet hours. Upon a clear night, the astrophotography session ran throughout, letting you capture the Milky Way, constellations, and the Moon around 4 AM with borrowed tripods and simple tips for phones or cameras; by then, most of the group went to sleep, while others stayed for cosmic discussions near the bonfire.

Morning Wrap and Return

Lights out came at 5 AM, giving time for rest in the tents. We woke around 8 AM, had breakfast—poha and chai that fueled the chatter about the night’s highlights—and departed by 10 AM.

Morning scenes from Bhandardara Astrocamp — warmth, chai, and shared memories.

The return included another food mall lunch, landing back in Mumbai by mid-afternoon. The return journey included a stop at a food mall for lunch, with the group arriving back in Mumbai by mid-afternoon.

A Few Practical Notes

• Bring layers for the cooler hill nights, and insect repellent if you’re sensitive.

• Groups include families and individuals, so expect a mix, but the guides keep it organized.

• Weather can play a part; if clouds roll in, they shift to indoor discussions.

That camp gave me a real appreciation for how accessible stargazing can be, even if you’re starting from scratch. If you’re curious, check ARC Educators schedule — these spots book up steadily.

— Sayyed Danish, occasional visitor to the hills.