Velas Turtle Festival 2017 11th - 12th March 2017

Why Velas Turtle Festival 2017?

Velas is a small fishing village on the western coast of Maharashtra. About 220 kms away from Mumbai, a little over a hundred houses on the coast of the Arabian Sea. It is that time of the year again - when a tiny grey head pokes out of the golden sand and takes a breath of the fresh salty air of the Arabian Sea. It is a culmination of a lengthy process, which started when, under the cover of darkness, it’s mother emerged out from the rolling waves to lay her heap of 100-120 eggs on the sandy beach. Oblivious to the world that awaits it outside it’s sandy cocoon, the tiny hatchling is soon followed by a hundred others, all crawling their way towards the brightest lights of the horizon- in this case, the sea. TreksandTrails, India invites you to this journey from the nest to the sea which draws oohs and aahs from tourists - each of whom is gathered on the shore to witness this miracle of Nature. The location is Velas, a remote village in Mandangad taluka in Ratnagiri district approx. a 6 hour drive from Mumbai.

Kindly Note:

Hatchling sighting is not guaranteed.

Maximum batch size is 25 travellers on first come first basis.

Travel by private non A/C vehicle.

Pick up and Drop at centralized locations only.

Event Details - Velas Turtle Festival 2017

Event Type Tour

Food Arrangement: Homestay with Veg food already arranged

Transport: Travel by same private vehicle for the entire tour

Height of Bankot fort: 500 ft

Base Village: Velas

Taluka: Mandangad

District: Ratnagiri

Region: Konkan

Route from Pune: Pune – Banner – Khopoli - Velas

Route from Mumbai: Mumbai - Panvel - Mahad - Loner phata - Velas

Distance from Mumbai: 220 km approx.

Distance from Pune: 195 km approx.

Total time required for climbing Bankot Fort: None

Total distance for climbing: None

Minimum participants required: 6

Maximum participants: 24

Parking available yes

Duration: 2 days 2 Nights

Day 0: Friday Night

Meeting at Pritam Dhaba Dadar East 22:45

Departure from Pritam Dhaba: 23:00

Chembur Diamond garden pickup 23.30

Vashi below main bridge pickup at 00.15

Panvel ST Depot pickup 00:30 (Pune Participants)

Day: 1 Saturday

04:00 Early morning arrival at Velas Village.

06:00 Visit to Velas Beach for Turtle sighting

08:00 Breakfast

10:30 Visit to Bankot fort

13:00 Lunch & Rest

17:00 Visit to beach for turtle sightings

20:00 Dinner and rest

21:00 Movie about Turtle Conversation at Conservation Office if available

Day 2 - Sunday

06:00 Visit to Velas beach for turtle sighting.

08:00 Breakfast

10:30 Depart for Harihareshwar temple from Velas village

13:00 Lunch

14:30 Departure for Mumbai from Harihareshwar temple

23:00 Approx. arrival at Dadar – Mumbai.

Cost Includes

Accommodation in a typical Konkani homestay - Dormitory.

Saturday: 1 veg breakfast, 1 Veg Lunch, 1 Veg Dinner

Sunday: 1 Veg breakfast, 1 Veg Lunch

Sightseeing as per the schedule

Expertise, guide charges and TreksandTrails, India administration charges if any.

Ferryboat charges. All entry tickets and permissions. Provision of primary first aid only.

Cost Excludes

Non Veg Food, Camera or photography charges if any.

Dinner on Friday Night and Sunday not included.

Mineral water and any other item not mentioned in the inclusions list.