Velas Turtle Festival Info

Type: Eco-Tour 

Duration: 2N/2D

Velas is located in Mandangad Taluka of Ratnagiri District 230 km away from Mumbai & 200 km away from Pune. Velas is a coastal town famous for its Beach, Harihareshwar Temple, Bankot Fort, and Turtles Festival. The festival is about witnessing the birth of the turtles, how they break the eggs and crawl their way into the ocean to start off their journey of life. This Olive Ridley Turtle festival is organized by local villagers in coordination with an NGO named as Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra.

IMP Note: Sightings of Baby Turtles is purely on Luck. In our tour, We cover three attempts of Baby Turtle Sightings. Sighting of the baby turtle is not in our hand. It is the natural birth process of Turtle wherein we can't manipulate the things.

Day 0: Friday

We are waiting for you

Please reach Dadar near Pritam Hotel at 10:45 pm as we will head to Velas to enjoy the Olive Ridley - Velas Turtle Festival.

Day 1: Saturday

Cherish the Olive Ridley Turtle - UNO

Welcome to Velas Turtle Festival.
We will reach Velas village around 5:30 am. We will head straight to the beach to witness the breaking of Eggs by the Turtles.

Breakfast is Calling

We will head for breakfast around 07:30 am. Enjoy the homestay in typical Konkani House and culture. You can unpack your bags, freshen up and relax for sometime before we proceed to Bankot Fort.

Bankot Fort/ Himmatgad

We will head to Bankot Fort or Himmatgad around 11 am. Enjoy the Fortification wall and cannons available at the fort. The view from fort will give ample opportunity to witness the Arabian Sea along the Velas coastline.

Lovely Rural Lunch

We will head back to our Konkani House around 12 noon as we’ll feast on the meals made by the local villagers. Post Lunch, relax till evening.

Cherish the Olive Ridley Turtle – DOS

We will head to Velas Beach around 5:30 pm to witness the birth of Olive Ridley Turtles again. After the sightings, we will explore the beach to watch the sunset.

Delightful Dinner

We head back to enjoy our dinner. Savor the local delicacies of Vegetarian and Non – Vegetarian dishes. Post Dinner we will play some fun games like Antakshari, Mis-Match and/or Traffic Jam. Lights out around 11 pm.

Day 2: Sunday

Good Morning Guys!

Wake up at 5 am and freshen up. We will proceed to the beach in 1 hour to witness the turtles for the last time.

Cherish the Olive Ridley Turtle – TRES

We will proceed to the Velas Beach around 6 am to watch the turtles crawl back into the ocean.

Breakfast is Calling

Around 7:30 am we will head back to have our breakfast. Pack your bags as around 10 am we will leave for Harihareshwar Temple through a Boat Ride.

Harihareshwar Temple

We will reach Harihareshwar Temple around 11:00 am. Take the Blessings of Bappa as we will head to fill our stomach with Lunch.

Lovely Lunch

We will have lunch at around 1 pm in a nearby Restaurant. Post Lunch We will head back to Mumbai.

Wow What an Experience!

We will proceed to Mumbai in our transfer vehicle around 2 pm thanking Velas and our fellow travelers for providing one of the best experience.

INR 2850 per adult

For Kids of Age 5-10 yrs = Rs. 2500

For Kids below 5 yrs = No charges (No seats will be allotted in the bus)

Cost without transport  Rs. 1800 + 5% GST per person

IMP Note: Sightings of Baby Turtles is purely on Luck. In our tour, We cover three attempts of Baby Turtle Sightings. Sighting of the baby turtle is not in our hand. It is the natural birth process of Turtle wherein we can't manipulate the things.

Inclusions:

● Traveling from Mumbai to Mumbai by Non AC Private Bus
● Accommodation in beautiful home stays of Velas Village in Sharing Basis. (Turtle Festival is held in an eco-tourism VELAS village and separate rooms/hotel accommodation is not available)
● 2 Breakfasts, Tea
● 2 Lunch, 1 Dinner
● Jetty charges
● Expertise charge and first aid

Exclusions:

● Any medical emergency occurred during the program
● Anything other than inclusions
● GST (5%)

Cancellation and refund applicable on the tour cost: 

● If cancellation done before 15 days of outing 75% will be refunded.
● If cancellation done before 10 days of outing 50% will be refunded.
● After which no refund will be provided.

Things to Carry for Velas Turtle Festival

● Extra clothes / towel
● At least 2 litres of drinking water
● Photo ID card
● Some ready to eat food (plum cakes, biscuits)
● Electral/Tang powder/Glucose-D/salt
● Cap, camera, mobiles phones, socks (if required)
● Any personal medicine

Note: 

Rules: 

● Tour Leader's decision will be final and binding.
● Small Steps Adventures reserves all the right to change/deviate/cancel the plans without prior notice.
● Telephonic confirmation for booking is mandatory; if unable to contact us then send a text message and we will call you back.
● Please do not carry heavy bags on eco-tour.
● Please do not carry or wear any valuables, ornaments, jewelry, etc. If carried, then we do not take any liability for the same.