Velas Turtle Festival 2025 From Mumbai by Ac Bus

Velas tortoise festival 2025
Velas Turtle Festival 2025

Itinerary for Mumbai - Velas - Bankot Fort - Harihareshwar - Mumbai

Day 00 - Friday

• 10.00 pm: Meeting Point: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali East (Mumbai) and leave for Velas by AC Bus.
• 10.40 pm: Sion Lunch Home, Sion.
• 10.55 pm: Chembur (K star Mall).
• 11.15 pm: Vashi ( below Vashi Bridge).
• 11.30 pm: MCD Kalamboli, Panvel

Day 01 Saturday

• Reach Velas Turtle Beach by 05:00 am. Spot Olive Ridley turtles taking their first steps. 

  Experience

  - Serene Atmosphere: Witness the tranquil atmosphere of Velas Beach during sunrise
  - Peaceful Walk: Take a leisurely walk along the beach, feeling the cool morning breeze
  - Turtle Nesting Sites: Spot turtle nesting sites and learn about conservation efforts

• 09:00 am:  Proceed toward the Konkani-style homestay. Freshen up.
• 10:00 am:  Have a delicious homemade breakfast.
• 11:00 am:  Proceed for a visit to Bankot Fort, which is known for its history and breathtaking views of Velas beach and Harihareshwar Temple,
• 02:30 pm: Have a home-cooked & Hygienic lunch. Post lunch, you can rest till evening. 
• 05:00 pm: Visit Velas Turtle Beach again to see more Olive Ridley Turtles.
• 07:00 pm: Post sightings, a briefing session will be taken to educate about Olive Ridley Turtles. 
• Spend the night enjoying group games, sharing stories and experiences, etc. 
• 09:00 pm: Have dinner.
• ​10.30 pm: Retire of the day.

Day 02 Sunday

• 6:00 am: Wake up early morning with the hope of sighting baby turtles again. 
• 9:00 am: Post-sighting session, have breakfast, and leave for Harihareshwar Temple. This is when you will experience one of the most interesting moments of the Velas turtle festival tour, where our bus will be transferred from one district to another in a jetty via sea route. We will explore Harihareshwar Temple and the beach.
• 2:00 pm: Have a yummy lunch and leave for Mumbai.
• 8.00 pm: Reach Mumbai around 8 -10 PM tentatively.

Velas Turtle Festival 2025 concludes herewith with good memories. 

 

About Velas Turtle Festival :
Velas Beach ( Turtle hatching point ) :

Velas Beach is a popular eco-tourism site on Maharashtra's stunning Konkan coast, which is at the beginning of the UNESCO World Heritage Western Ghats. Every year, in the quaint seaside village of Velas, the beach is host to thousands of Olive Ridley turtles, who come here to lay their eggs.

Velas Beach becomes a hot spot for environmentalists during the breeding season of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles. Velas has always topped the list with the highest number of nests of Olive Ridley turtles and they also host the Turtle Festival each year to celebrate the release of the hatchlings. This festival is organized by Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra (SNM) and the Kasav Mitra Mandal (KMM) with the help of the locals, during February and March, where one can witness the first steps of newly hatched Olive Ridley Turtles.

The laying of eggs usually begins in February, and the process of turtles coming to the beach for the hatching of the eggs continues through April. The eggs hatch around 50-70 days later. The festival, mostly a conservation event of sea turtles and a celebration of its natural process of breeding, 



Neat and clean sea beach. Turtle farming is maintained properly by villagers. Beautiful and clean beach! Nice homely food and a safe stay. Rooms are clean. Lovely serene village with a calm beach and some lovely people. The best-untouched sea they save sea turtles you have to go 1.5 km long to reach this sea. The roads are nice. Peaceful location away from the crowd beautiful Kokan Beach is neat and clean and generally known for its turtle breeding festivals must be visited throughout the year for a perfect family time.


After enjoying breakfast, a visit to Bankot Fort ( Himmatgad ) can be a delightful way to explore local history and enjoy scenic views. Bankot Fort, also known as Himmatgad Fort, is located near Murud in the Raigad district of Maharashtra.
This ancient fort, perched atop a hill overlooking the Vashishti River estuary, was a key maritime defense post, controlling trade routes along the Konkan coast. The fort has witnessed the rule of various dynasties, including the Portuguese, Marathas, and British. The sturdy stone walls, old gateways, and scenic viewpoints make it a must-visit spot for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.


Villagers often serve delicious and hearty meals made with locally sourced ingredients and traditional recipes.


 

A short drive from Velas leads to the Harihareshwar Temple, one of the most revered temples in Maharashtra. Nestled along the scenic Harihareshwar Beach, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is often referred to as the "Kashi of the South" (Dakshin Kashi) due to its spiritual significance.

The temple complex also houses a unique idol of Kalbhairav, considered the guardian deity of the region. The temple is surrounded by majestic hills and the Arabian Sea, offering visitors a divine and peaceful atmosphere. The Pradakshina Marg, a rocky coastal trail around the temple, provides a breathtaking view of the ocean waves crashing against the cliffs, making it a must-visit for both pilgrims and nature lovers.

Whether seeking spiritual solace, historical insights, or coastal beauty, a visit to Harihareshwar Temple perfectly complements the Velas Turtle Festival and Bankot Fort experience.

FAQ For Velas Turtle Festival 2025 (वेळास कासव महोत्सव)

1. Where is the Velas Turtle Festival Held? - 

• Velas Turtle Festival is held at the beach of Velas in Ratnagiri, nearly 200km from Mumbai Pune.

Velas Turtle Festival is one of India's most recognized eco-festivals, attracting visitors and volunteers from all over the world. Some come to care for the small turtle hatchlings, some to photograph the little two-legged animals crawling their way to the ocean, and some to enjoy a healthy eco-tourism experience on the beach!

It is a memorable experience for travelers, allowing them to enjoy themselves while also giving back to society and Mother Nature. The festival has resulted in economic development in the villages surrounding Velas beach, and the number of sea turtles has steadily increased.
Children will enjoy an experience at the turtle festival as well. This festival is a pleasant break from the digital world of tablets and cell phones for the younger generation.

About 220 km 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. 

The Olive Ridley turtle is a prominent visitor to the shores of Maharashtra for breeding purposes. Other species are the Green Turtle, Hawksbill, and Leatherback. A lot of the other information is already available online, like what turtles eat, and what a turtle looks like. The difference between a turtle, a tortoise, and a terrapin. It is a culmination of a lengthy process, which started when, under the cover of darkness, its 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 its sandy cocoon, the tiny hatchling is soon followed by a hundred others, all crawling their way toward the brightest lights of the horizon.

NOTE:-

• Traveling by A/C Bus From Mumbai to Velas Beach Turtle Festival
• Hatching is a natural process. Organizers won't be responsible for no hatching or less number.
• Events are held as per post-discussion with local only.
• The maximum batch size is 17 first come first basis.

2) When can we see turtles on Velas Beach?

• This beach is famous for turtle hatching. The season is Feb to April for small turtles to come out of their eggs & go in seawater.

 3) What was the concept of the Turtle Festival?

• Velas Turtle Festival was created to spread awareness of Olive Ridley Turtles, one of the more endangered species. In addition, Velas hosts the festival each year to promote eco-tourism and help raise money to protect and conserve these turtles.

4) How do we travel to the Velas Turtle Festival 2025 from Mumbai??

• We will be traveling by private AC bus from Mumbai.

5) Is a bathroom/toilet facility available at the Velas homestay?

•   The bathroom/toilet facility is available in both Western & Indian styles. 

6) Private rooms are available at our Velas Homestay?

•  Yes, that's correct. Private rooms are typically provided based on availability. Availability can vary depending on factors such as the season, the size of the establishment, and the demand for private rooms at the time of booking.

 7) What kind of food is available at homestay?

• Homestays often offer homemade meals that reflect local culinary traditions and use fresh, locally sourced ingredients.  They serve local Konkani food in Konkani Style at our homestay.

8)  Timings for the Velas Tortoise Festival?

• There are two sessions available in a day, one is at 06.30 am and the other is at 5.30 pm.

9) Where do we see Velas Turtle Hatching?

•  We need to reach Velas  Beach to see turtle hatching. 

10) Is it kid-friendly?

• Yes, Kids love watching tiny Olive turtles taking steps toward the sea. Turtle hatching can be a kid-friendly activity and can provide a unique and educational experience for children. Watching baby turtles hatch from their nests and make their way to the ocean can be both exciting and inspiring for kids.

11) What are the dates for वेळास कासव महोत्सव.

Normally Velas Turtle Festival happens during March and April Soon we will update with dates and batches will start soon 

12) Who Should Attend?

• Best suited for Kids, Solo travelers, Groups, Corporate Teams, Couples, and families.

Booking Procedure:

• Click on the "BOOK NOW" button.
• Select your date & proceed.
• Select the Number of TIckets. (If you have a coupon code, apply at this stage.)
• Fill in our personal details and proceed.
• Select your payment type (UPI, debit card, credit card) and proceed.
• Once your tickets are booked, you will receive a confirmation email and WhatsApp on your Number 
• WhatsApp group will Make and will add you in the Group one day prior to the Departure 
• Further details about the trip will be shared on that WhatsApp group 1 day prior to the trip. 

Step 1: Send your money to the following account ---

√ Payment details:

NOTE:

1. While online transferring, please provide your name in the notes section.
2. Once payment is done, please send an email to adventuregeekk@gmail.com with the transaction id, name, and mobile number.

You can make payments using any of the following modes:

• UPI – vinaykg05@okaxis
• Google Pay: 9004675388
• PhonePay - 9004675388

NEFT: Deposit the amount into the following account:

• Name: Adventure Geek
• A/c type: Current account
• Bank: Saraswat Bank
  * Branch: Mahavir Nagar
• A/C no.:  610000000013647(8 times 0)
• IFSC: Srcb0000146

Step 2: After payment, you will be requested to fill up the mandatory disclaimer form online, where you have to fill in relevant details, including your complete address.

Step 3: Now that your participation is confirmed, the organizer will create a WhatsApp group on the event day for coordination. We will coordinate through SMS/call if the participant is not available in WhatsApp.

For Details/Bookings, Drop Whatsapp

https://wa.me/919004675388

Cancellation and refund applicable on the whole tour cost:

• Cancellation within 24 hours of payment is 100% refundable. (Not applicable on payments made before or less than 36 hours before the event.) Only 20% will be refunded in this case.)
• If cancellation is made before 10 days of the outing, 90% is refundable.
• If cancellation is made before 6 days of the outing, 60% will be refunded.
• If done before 3 days of the outing, 30% will be refunded
• After that, no refund will be provided.

Note:

• 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 to survive and buy anything. 
• Consuming liquor or any kind of alcoholic substance is prohibited. Carrying any kind of substance that's illegal is not allowed. Anybody found consuming alcoholic drinks will be expelled from the event without a 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 breakdowns, or vehicle dysfunction can happen, & you agree that the organizer/leader shall not be held responsible for any accident or mishap (including death) caused by any circumstances.
• Adventure Geek reserves all rights to modify/change the camp/program and abort the event, and Adventure Geek will not be liable to refund booking charges in such a case.
• Adventure Geek reserves all right to call off the ongoing event when such circumstances arise, and it shall not be responsible for any refund henceforth.
  
  ​Tips

- Early Rise: Wake up early to catch the sunrise and avoid crowds
- Comfortable Shoes: Wear comfortable shoes for a relaxing beach walk
- Camera: Carry a camera to capture the breathtaking sunrise and beach scenery
- Responsible Tourism: Respect the beach's ecosystem and turtle nesting sites