1. How difficult is the trek?

While this isn’t an ‘easy’ trek, beginners have successfully completed this trek with us in the past. However, please note that your endurance and tolerance will be tested. The trek involves approximately 4–5 hours of continuous climbing followed by around 1.5 hours of flat walking through a forest trail. In total, your body will be active and on the move for about 6 hours without a night’s sleep.

2. How safe is a night trek? Can I do it solo?

Yes, absolutely! You can join the night trek solo. You’ll be accompanied by other fellow travellers, our Experience Manager, and a local guide who is well-trained and thoroughly familiar with the route and terrain. As a community, we’ve been conducting these treks for over 10 years, and many solo travellers have joined us safely and enthusiastically during this time. We also keep our groups intentionally small to ensure personalised attention and maintain a healthy Experience Manager-to-participant ratio throughout the trek. Your safety and comfort are always our top priority.

3. Are there washroom facilities on the trek?

Washroom facilities are available at Bhivpuri station (arrival point), midway at the local guide’s house, and at Neral station (end point).

4. Do you arrange for transport from Mumbai?

All the participants meet the EM at CST station and take the respective allotted train. One may board the train at their respective location. A second-class return ticket is booked for you.

5. Does this include stargazing?

This trek doesn’t specifically include stargazing as a planned activity, but as we make our way up, the night sky often puts on a spectacular show of its own! Thanks to the clean air and minimal light pollution, you can enjoy a clear view of countless stars along the trail. Garbett Plateau is especially known for its beautifully coloured skies at dawn, just as we await the sunrise — a sight that makes the night trek truly magical.

6. Does this include camping and a campfire?

This trek doesn’t include camping, as we reach the plateau top around 5:00 AM. However, we do light a campfire once we’re at the top — it’s the perfect way to unwind after the climb!

As we sit around the fire, we share stories, play games, and roast marshmallows while watching the stars fade and the sky begin to change colours. The warmth of the bonfire and the camaraderie make the early morning wait for sunrise truly special.

7. What is an EM?

• At Vagabond, we don’t do 'Trip Leaders', 'Tour Managers' or 'Trip Captains'. Every Vagabond experience is hosted by an 'Experience Manager' (AKA. EM). EMs are trained to do one job; help you have a comfortable, safe and fulfilling experience.
• They're the beating heart of Vagabond. The very face and foundation of what we've been building for more than a decade.
• From being highly approachable, knowing our best games and breaking the ice, to 'managing' your 'experience' in a wholesome manner, they understand the vibe. Why we do what we do.
• If you're an introvert and want to join solo, don't worry. Our EMs will make sure you don't feel left out :)
• Here's a lil bit more about what makes an Experience Manager.

8. Who Is This Experience Best Suited For?

• There isn’t an age restriction on any of our experiences, everyone is welcome. However, the average Vagabond customer is anywhere between 20 – 32 years old. The experiences involve a good amount of time spent with the group. Depending on what experience you’re opting for, there could be a lot of walking and physical exertion.
• It’s important to understand that most of our experiences include very rustic accommodation and not a luxurious means of transport. These may be basic in their facilities, but the hospitality is homely and comforting. If you’re someone who doesn’t like compromising on your comforts while travelling, this experience may not be very enjoyable.
• Most of our trips have a healthy number of solo travellers. We encourage you to join us solo, especially if you’re tired of waiting on your friends. We promise you’ll return with many more.
• We try our best to be responsible travellers. Everyone is welcome to explore with us, but we pay utmost importance to cleanliness on all our experiences. We encourage you to #LeaveNoTrace behind while you discover the beauty of the outdoors.
• It’s important to understand that in a limited amount of time, only a limited amount of experiences can be had. We like to cover a few places in-depth rather than just ticking off a long list of things-to-do and places-to-go. However, if you are that kind of traveller, on almost all trips you can feel free to wander by yourself to places of your interest.
• At a Vagabond Experience, it’s important to stay open-minded and positive when things don’t go as per plan. The essence of traveling in a group is being able to help each other out when in need. The weather could go bad, and plans could get altered. In such situations, we urge you to have faith in your group leader to make the most informed decision for the group.

9. Why Choose Vagabond?

• Years of experience: We’ve been leading trips around the country since 2014. Our time in this field has helped us learn things about places and people that would not be possible without the amount of experience we have. This knowledge about the destination contributes to a more wholesome and enriching group experience.
• Footfall: Since our inception, we’ve led more than 4,500 people on treks, backpacking trips, camps, and outdoor experiences. Rest assured, we’ve dealt with all kinds of people.
• Safety first: Given the time we’ve spent in the travel field, we know and believe in the importance of safety. All our Experience Managers are first-aid certified and carry a well-equipped first-aid kit on every trip.
• Solo/female traveller friendly: Over the years, we have noticed a trend in the increasing number of solo and female travellers on our trips. Many of our trips end up having a good number of solo female travellers.
• Group size: We’ve come to realise that taking large groups of people compromises on an intimate interpersonal experience. Thus, our trips are led with a fairly small group of travellers who find it easier to get to know each other over the course of the trip.
• No discrimination: At Vagabond, we believe that your age, social class, gender or sexual orientation shouldn’t determine if you’re allowed on a trip or not. Anyone and everyone should feel safe and welcome to experience and explore new places.
• Flexible itinerary: On a Vagabond experience, you’re free to stray away from our scheduled itinerary and explore the place on your own. You do you. We’re not your travel guides. We’re here to facilitate a better understanding of the location and help you experience it in your own comfort zone.
• Mindfulness to nature: Over the years, we’ve seen the places we visit turn filthier and less pristine. We don’t want to contribute to that any further. At a Vagabond experience, we encourage you to reduce your waste and leave the place cleaner than it was. Check out #LeaveNoTrace
• In-depth research: We're not a tour & travel agency. Every experience we offer you has been researched and experienced firsthand by our core members. We visit the locations ourselves and curate an experience that we believe to be in sync with our ideologies.