Processing

Please Wait ...

  1. Home
  2. India
  3. Maharashtra
  4. Pune
  5. Velas Turtle Festival from Pune

About this tour

Come March, India celebrates one of the biggest eco-festival called Velas Turtle Festival. Known to receive thousands of tourists, nature lovers and passionate volunteers from across the country for conservation of sea turtles, witness the natural birthing process of the turtles. This conservation event is majorly dedicated to Oliver Ridley turtles, happens in a quaint little beach town called Velas in Ratnagiri of Maharashtra.

This eco-festival is organized by the local villagers with the help of an NGO striving to make this conservation process a successful event. Fun fact: Laying of eggs usually starts from December end and process of hatching required the turtles to come to the beach and hatch eggs that continues till January or sometimes Mid February.

Note: Since hatching of eggs is a natural process, sighting of baby turtles is purely based on luck. In this tour, three attempts will be made for sighting baby turtles. Velas Turtle Festival Doesn't gaurantee any sighting of baby turtle as it is a natural process. Visitors need to keep this in mind before planning to visit Velas Beach Turtle

 

Itinerary

Day 1 - Friday night pick up from Swargate

Report at 22:45 pm at Swargate. Meet our representatives and commence your journey to Velas turtle festival. We cover the distance of 195 km in 5 - 6 hours approximately; so catch some sleep in the bus. Overnight journey in Bus

Day 2 - Saturday Arrive at Velas village

05:30 am: Early morning arrive at Velas Village. Proceed for a quick break to freshen up and once you are done – leave quickly to the conservation centre at Velas Beach to witness the hatching of eggs.

07:30 am: After an early morning visit you will be hungry for some hot breakfast. You will be served breakfast at the homestay a typical Konkan household. Witness the hospitality of the Konkan locals.

Post breakfast; unpack your bags and freshen up. Relax for a while before starting to Bankot fort.

11:30 am: Proceed to Himmatgad/ Bankot Fort. Witness the beautiful fortification and architectural marvels here. You will also witness the stunning view of Konkan coastal belt.

12:30 pm: After the visit to fort, we will head back to the homestay for sumptuous lunch. Feast on the local meal and appreciate the local delicacies. Post lunch; relax at the homestay till evening.

17:30 pm: the second attempt to witness the hatching of eggs and witness Oliver Ridley baby turtles will be made. After sighting; explore the beach until sunset.

19:00 pm: Head back to the home stay and relax. You will be served with hot delicious dinner. Enjoy the flavourful dishes both Veg and Non-Veg. Post dinner; indulge in fun games and activities such as Antakshari, Mis-Match and/or Traffic Jam.

23:00 pm: Lights will be shut. Catch some good sleep as you will have to wake up early.

BreakFast Lunch Dinner
Day 3 - Return Journey (Velas Turtle Festival from Pune trip ends)

05:00 am: Wake up early in the morning for the third and final attempt to witness the hatching and birthing of baby turtles for 1 hour. Move to Jetty after breakfast by vehicle. Cross the creek and reach Harihareshwar Temple for sightseeing. Have delicious lunch and start return journey back to Pune.

 

BreakFast Lunch
Show More

Inclusion

● Travelling from Pune to Pune by  A/C Private Bus
● Accommodation in beautiful homestays of Velas Village on Sharing Basis. (Velas beach 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
● Sightseeing and entry tickets, wherever necessary
● Ferryboat Charges & entry tickets
● Expertise charge and first aid

Exclusion

● Medical / Insurance Charges
● Personal Expenses
● Packaged Water / Extra Tea or Beverages
● Anything not mentioned under Inclusion
● Extra Activities
● Any miscellaneous expenses

Information

Guidelines

● Since it is not a luxury trip, do not expect any luxury. 
● All food is a hygienic and authentic local delicacy.
● All sightseeing and activities depend on the time available. 
● Participants must carry cash in order to survive and buy anything. 
● 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.

Terms & conditions

● Consuming liquor or any kind of Alcoholic substance is prohibited. Carrying any kind of substance thats illegal is not allowed. Anybody found consuming alcoholic drinks will be expelled from the event without refund.
● You are joining an outdoor activity where any incident, reasons beyond control like Natural calamities, landslides, bad road conditions, riots, political uncertainty, public transport failure etc.; Man-Made calamities, Vehicle breakdown, vehicle dysfunction can happen & you agree that the organizer/leader shall not be held responsible for any accident, mishap (including death) caused by any circumstances.
● Vendor(I.e. our selected Organizer) reserves all rights to modify/change the camp/ program and abort the event and Organizer will not be liable to refund booking charges in such a case.
● Vendor(I.e. our selected Organizer) reserves all right to call off the on-going event when such circumstances arise, and it shall not be responsible for any refund henceforth.
 
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.

Cancellation Policy

● 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

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

Write Your Experience

Rate Us  :
user

Have any question?

9773603954

Quick Enquiry

Send us your details, Will get in touch

Did not find what you are looking for? No worries!

We are here to assist you with your queries.

Get An Expert's Callback