First Light Fest- Offbeat Mountain Festival

First Light Fest – A New Year’s Yatra towards 2026

Dates: 25–27 December 2025 (3 days / 2 nights)

Location: Nailbagi Village, Tehri Garhwal (about 2 hours from Dehradun)

Spots: Only 25 humans

While the world is screaming countdowns in crowded clubs,

we’ll be in a tiny offbeat village in the Garhwal Himalayas, at around 6,000 ft,

watching the first light hit the mountains.

There are no roads to this village.

To reach Nailbagi, you literally have to leave the world behind and walk 1.5 kms 🌿

Where you’ll be?

Nailbagi is one of those places that doesn’t show up on your typical “places to visit” list.

It’s a small mountain village, quiet, raw, and insanely beautiful.

We’re hosted by Jeetu, a local sustainability warrior who has:

1. Built a mud–wood–stone homestay with his own hands

2. Chosen to stay back and revive his village instead of leaving for the city

3. Turned his land into a space for conscious travellers, artists and seekers

We’ll live in his homestay + a few camps, eat what grows on his farm,

and add a little flavour from your city into the kitchen. 🌾🍲

What we’ll actually do (and feel)?

1️⃣ The Journey In – Leave your baggage behind

Scenic drive from Dehradun + a 2 km hike through pine forests to reach Nailbagi.

A slow, symbolic way of telling your brain: I’m leaving my noise, stress and overthinking down there.

2️⃣ Life with Jeetu – Learning from the mountain

Spend time with a man who chose the mountain over the city.

Mud architecture, natural farming, seasons, birds, village life—no PPTs, just real stories and hands-on learning.

3️⃣ Forest Bathing – Let the forest reset you

Guided walk in the Kaudia range: slow steps, deep breaths, crunchy leaves, bird calls.

Phones down, nervous system off-duty. You come back lighter.

4️⃣ The Human Library – No small talk zone

Sit in circles where people become “books” and share real chapters—failures, dreams, turning points.

You listen, share, laugh, maybe cry. 25 strangers don’t feel like strangers anymore.

5️⃣ Community Art – Mandala of Impermanence

Create a big forest mandala with fallen leaves, twigs, stones and flowers.

Then, we let it go together—a simple ritual to remember that not everything beautiful is meant to be kept.

6️⃣ Evenings of Music, Fire & Dance

Local musicians, travel songs, poems, dancing under the stars.

No stage, no VIP—just people, fire, music and feelings.

Stay & Food – Rustic, cosy, real

3 Days / 2 Nights in Jeetu’s mud homestay + camps

Shared rooms and tents (you’ll be paired with same-gender folks)

If you’re okay with a little uphill walk, shared spaces and simple living,

you’ll fall in love with this place.

🍲 Food – Garhwali, Farm-to-Table goodness

All meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & High Tea

Mostly organic, local Garhwali food from the farm

Don’t expect a huge buffet. Expect warm, fresh food made with a lot of care.

The Exchange

Price: ₹8,495 + 5% GST (per person)

What this includes:

🚙 Transport: Dehradun → Nailbagi → Dehradun (pick-up & drop)

🏡 Stay: 2N/3D in mud homestay + camps (shared)

🥘 Food: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, High Tea)

🌿 All Experiences: Workshops, guided forest bathing, Human Library, community art ritual, music jams, closing ceremony

What’s not included:

* Your travel from your city to Dehradun and back.

* Personal shopping, extra snacks, or anything you choose to buy outside the plan

This is for you if:

1. You want a meaningful New Year, not just a hangover and blurry reels

2. You’re okay with a steep hike, rustic stay and limited network

3. You enjoy community living, sharing space and real conversations

4. You’re curious about slow travel, sustainability and mountains

This is not for you if:

1. You’re looking for a resort, room service and Insta-perfect lux rooms

2. You hate walking uphill or sharing rooms with others

3. You just want a typical touristy trip with checklists and cafe-hopping

4. We’re not promising perfection. We’re promising realness.

Only 25 Spots. Intentionally.

We’re keeping it at 25 people so that:

- Everyone gets space to share

- The village isn’t overwhelmed

- Safety and care don’t get diluted

- Once the circle is full, it’s full.

How to Join the First Light Fest

1. Fill the interest form (link) – tell us who you are and why you want to come.

2. Get a call/WhatsApp from the Volunteer Yatra team – we’ll walk you through details & answer doubts.

3. Confirm your spot by paying the booking amount.

Show up in Dehradun on Day 1, get into the common vehicle, and we head to Nailbagi together.

Interested?? confirm your stay by paying the amount.