VELAS TURTLE FESTIVAL
Batch 4 : April 6-7, 2024 (Leaving 5th Night)
Cost : ₹ 3600
Major Attraction :
Olive Ridley Turtle Hatchling Sighting, Velas/Anjarle/ Harihareshwar Beaches, Bankot Fort, Kadyavarcha Ganpati Temple, Suvarnadurg Sea Fort and Dolphin Safari (Optional)
Pick Up Points :
(Friday Night)
10:00 pm : Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali
10:45 pm : Sion
11:15 pm : Juinagar/Vashi
11:30 pm : Kalamboli McDonalds (Panvel)
(After reaching pick up point, call our trek leader. Contact detail will be provided on the event day)
Key Info :
Nearby City : Dapoli
Mode of Transport : 20 Seater AC Tempo Traveller from Borivali
Vehicle Travel Distance : 250kms one way
Vehicle Travel Duration : 8-9 hours one way
Batch Size : Minimum 13, Maximum 20 Participants
Tentative Schedule :
Friday Night
10:00 pm : Start Journey from Borivali
Saturday
06:00 am : Reach Velas and Event Briefing
06:30 am : Turtle Nest Visit and Explore Velas Beach
08:30 am : Have Breakfast
11:30 am : Visit Bankot Fort
12:30 am : Move towards Harihareshwar by Ferry
02:30 pm : Lunch at Harihareshwar
03:30 pm : Visit Harihareshwar Temple and Beach
05:30 pm : Move Towards Anjarle
07:30 pm : Reach Anjarle and Freshen Up
09:00 pm : Dinner (Home Stay, Matress and Blankets will be provided in a Common Room)
10:00 pm : Beach Walk (If interested) or Off to Sleep
Sunday
06:00 am : Wake up call
06:30 am : Turtle Nest Visit (If interested)
07:30 am : Breakfast and Freshen Up
08:00 am : Visit Suvarnadurg Fort and Dolphin Safari by Boat (Rs 600 per person extra, not included in cost)
10:00 am : Free time at Anjarle Beach and Freshen Up (Carry extra clothes if you want to go in water)
12:00 noon : Lunch
01:00 pm : Visit Kadyavarcha Ganpati
02:00 pm : Start Return Journey
11:00 pm : Reach Borivali
Cost Inclusions :
Travel from Borivali to Borivali by Private AC Vehicle
Saturday Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Sunday Breakfast and Lunch
Turtle Nest Visits
Velas and Anjarle Entry Fees
Harihareshwar Ferry Charges
Homestay on Sharing Basis
First Aid, Guide and Expertise Charges Only
Things to Carry :
1 Litre of Water
Snacks/Fruits for Journey
Extra Pair of Clothes
Towel
Glucon D or Elecrolyte Powder
Medicine as necessary to you
Important Note :
1. There are approx 30-50 nests at Velas and 10-15 at Anjarle every year, each nest may contain 80-150 eggs and everyday they release few baby turtles as they come out of eggs, on somedays they come in good numbers, on some days none at all. We have organised event considering the best time after talking to locals, in previous 3 years we have got turtle sightings in all of our batches but sightings remains a matter of luck and not a guarantee. We will have 1 visit at Velas and 1 at Anjarle for Turtle nest.
2. We will need minimum 13 Participants to conduct the event, if number is less than 13 we will cancel the event 2 days prior to the event and provide full refund.
Overview :
This is a backpacking tour to the hidden gem of kokan region of Maharashtra. In this tour we pay visit to Velas and Anjarle villages, these villages are working for over a decade for conservation of Olive Ridley Turtles and give detailed information of the conservation and visit to the turtle nests. Apart from this we also visit Harihareshwar Temple and Beach, Bankot Fort, Suvarnadurg Sea Fort and much more. On top of this you also get to experience home stays of kokan and delicious local food. This trip is ideal for all and doesn't involve any trek.