So, on this side of the mountain, we have three villages behind us, and a couple of dozen ahead. We can see them all in the light of day, but at night, unless there is a strong moon, they all disappear.
In contrast, one can make out the outline of the city off in the distance at night. There has to be some kind of power available there.
So we hiked while the sun was out. As best we could we kept our goal to the front of us. Only to have the trail itself swerve away from the next village, keeping us on the wrong side of a river from it. Do we cross or look for another way?