Velas Turtle Festival with Harihareshwar

Velas Turtle Festival offers a truly remarkable experience, allowing visitors to witness the extraordinary journey of Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings as they make their way from the sandy shores of Velas beach to the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea. This enchanting spectacle is not just a visual delight but also a vital part of the conservation efforts aimed at protecting these magnificent creatures. Velas beach has earned its reputation as a significant nesting site for Olive Ridley turtles, which are classified as an endangered species. The beach's pristine environment and dedicated conservation initiatives have made it a sanctuary for these turtles, providing them with a safe haven to lay their eggs and nurture their young.

The turtle conservation project initiated by the organization SNM (Save Nature Movement) in the coastal region of Maharashtra, particularly in Velas, has proven to be a resounding success. This initiative has not only focused on safeguarding a substantial number of turtle nests but has also facilitated the release of thousands of hatchlings into the sea, significantly contributing to the revival of the Olive Ridley turtle population. These turtles face numerous threats, including pollution, climate change, and various human activities that disrupt their natural habitats. By actively engaging in conservation efforts, the project aims to mitigate these threats and ensure a more sustainable future for the Olive Ridley turtles, thereby enhancing biodiversity in the region.

In addition to the awe-inspiring sight of turtle hatchlings making their way to the ocean, Velas and its surrounding areas offer a plethora of other fascinating attractions worth exploring. One of the prominent landmarks is the historic Bankot Fort, which stands as a testament to the region's rich heritage. This fort not only provides a glimpse into the past but also offers breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline and the Arabian Sea, making it a perfect spot for photography and relaxation. Furthermore, the nearby Harihareshwar temple is a renowned pilgrimage site, famous for its unique Pradakshina route. This circumambulation path around the temple allows devotees and visitors alike to engage in a spiritual journey while enjoying the serene ambiance of the temple complex.

For those looking to immerse themselves in the local culture, opting for a homestay in Velas presents an excellent opportunity. Staying with local families provides a unique glimpse into the everyday lives of the residents, allowing visitors to experience authentic homemade cuisine that reflects the culinary traditions of the region. Guests can savor a variety of dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and partake in communal meals that foster a sense of connection and community. Interacting with the locals not only enriches the travel experience but also offers valuable insights into their customs, traditions, and the ongoing efforts to protect the Olive Ridley turtles and their habitat. This holistic approach to tourism not only supports conservation efforts but also promotes sustainable practices in the region, ensuring that both nature and culture thrive for generations to come.

Highlights:

• Three visits to the Turtle Hatching area.

• Experience Homestay.

• Bankot fort.

• Ferry crossing.

• Harihareshwar pradakshina route.

• Konkan Homemade food. 

Itinerary:

DAY 0:

• Depart by hired AC vehicle from Dadar East, Mumbai at 11:00 PM with pickup points at Chembur, Vashi, & Panvel. ( exact locations will be shared with the registered participants)

DAY 1:

• Reach Velas village - 05:30AM.

• Fresh up - 30 minutes.

• Event briefing & Introduction.

• Reach Velas nesting area.

• Witness turtles hatchlings making their way into the sea - 2 hours. 

• Breakfast at villagers home - 45 minutes.

• Travel to Bankot fort - 15 min.

• Explore Bankot fort - 45 min.

• Travel to Velas homestay - 15 min.

• Lunch break at villagers house - 1 hour.

• Allocate sharing accommodation at Velas Homestay.

• Relax time till evening.

• Visit the Velas turtle nesting area in the evening.

• Dinner break - 1 hour

• Rest for the day at homestay

Day 2:

• Wakeup call - 05:30 AM

• Fresh up at homestay - 30 minutes.

• Visit to Velas turtle nesting area - 2 hours.

• Breakfast at homestay - 45 minutes.

• Travel to Harihareshwar by vehicle- 1 ½ hours.

• Harihareshwar Pradakshina Marg- 1 hour.

• Lunch break - 1 hour.

• Return journey to Mumbai - 6 hours.

Price: ₹3500 

Included

• Travel from Mumbai by AC Luxury seater Bus

• Breakfast, Veg Lunch, Veg Dinner on Day 1, Breakfast on Day 2

• Sharing basis Homestay at Velas.

• Velas Forest Fee, permits.

• Ferry crossing at Harihareshwar.

Excluded

• Snacks break during travelling.

• Any Personel expense

• Non-Veg Meals at Homestay

Groups of more than 5 can qualify for a discount; refer to the tickets for further details.

👶 Kids Pricing

• Children below 3 years: Complimentary (no separate seat or bed provided)

• Children aged 3–10 years: 70% of the total package cost (includes seat, meals, and shared accommodation)

Registration Process:

Step 1: Book Your Seat

• Visit the event website and book your seat by completing the registration process.

• Note: The booking will be auto cancelled within 1 hour if manual payment is selected and payment not made. Please refer to the instructions when manual payment is selected.

Step 2: Fill Mandatory Disclaimer Form

• After payment confirmation, participants will receive a participation disclaimer form.

• Fill up the form accurately to provide necessary information.

• Compliance with the disclaimer is mandatory for participation.

Step 3: WhatsApp Group Creation

• A WhatsApp group will be created in the evening on the day of the event departure.

• All registered participants will be added to the group.

• This group serves as a platform for communication, updates, and coordination among participants.

🧳 Travel Checklist

👕 What to Wear

• Sandals/Slippers: Comfortable footwear for easy movement

• Comfortable Clothes: Lightweight, breathable clothing suitable for desert weather

🎒 What to Pack (Backpack/Duffle Bag)

• Water Bottles: Minimum 2 reusable bottles (avoid plastic waste)

• Food Items: Fruits, dry fruits, energy bars, and healthy snacks

• Windcheater/Blanket: For warmth during AC overnight travel

• Cap/Hat/Sunglasses: Sun protection essentials

• Toiletry Kit: Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, and hygiene items

• Sunscreen Lotion: Protect your skin from sun exposure

• Spare Clothes: At least 3 sets, including innerwear and socks

• Towel: Quick-drying travel towel

• Hand Sanitizer: Small bottle for hygiene

• Personal Medicines: Prescribed medications or health essentials

• Identity Proof: Valid government-issued ID for verification

💡 Additional Tips

• Pack light, but don’t skip essentials

• Check the weather forecast before packing

• Keep your bag organized for easy access

• Charge all electronic devices before departure

• Share your travel plans with someone you trust

Event Disclaimer:

• Mandatory Disclaimer Form: Accurate completion of the online disclaimer form is required. If incorrect details are provided, participants will be asked to refill the form without exception.

• ID Card Requirement: Participants must bring a valid ID card for safety verification purposes.

• Punctuality: Participants are expected to adhere to the schedule and avoid delays to respect the time of others.

• Parental Consent for Minors: Participants under the age of 18 must have written parental consent to participate in the event.

• Accessibility: Non-swimmers can join the event, as they will be accompanied by a certified diver.

• Valuables: Participants are advised not to wear expensive jewelry or accessories.

• Travel: The journey spans around 1200 km in a vehicle with air conditioning, and participants are advised to bring a blanket.

• Food: Additional fees might be incurred for non-vegetarian meals at the lodging.

• Itinerary Modifications & Event Cancellations: Participants will be informed in advance of any changes to the itinerary or cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances.  RamblersIndia as a company and trip leaders are not responsible if the visited places have new rules or are prohibited due to natural calamities.

• Weather and Organizer Authority: We reserve the right to cancel, postpone, or change the event location due to unexpected weather conditions. Ramblersindia or the trip leader will not be held responsible if entry is restricted by local authorities. In such cases, an effort will be made to select an alternate nearby location, taking participants' preferences into consideration.

• Expense Responsibility: Participants should carry extra cash during the trip for rides and entry to attractions. Participants are responsible for expenses not included in the event fees. If additional expenses arise due to location changes, participants will be informed and required to cover the extra costs. Participants need to pay for any additional Stay/ Food due to Flight/ Train/ Bus delay or any natural calamities like landslides, earthquakes, etc.

• Misconduct and Prohibited Activities: Misconduct, including alcohol consumption, smoking, or any form of intoxication, is strictly prohibited. Playing loud music or teasing animals during the trip is not allowed.

• Personal Hygiene and Environmental Responsibility: Participants should avoid wearing deodorant or perfume on the event day. Adherence to the

  Leave No Trace principle is mandatory—do not litter or leave plastic waste behind.

• Accommodation: Basic accommodation will be offered, usually in the homes of villagers, with a single room where basic mats are provided for sleeping. Private rooms for couples are not available.

• Forest Guidelines: All participants must follow the Forest Department's & Kashav Utsav Village committe guidelines.

• Photography: Avoid using the camera flash when photographing the turtles.

• We cannot guarantee the visibility of the hatchlings and are not responsible if they are not seen during the trip.

• Washroom Facilities: Basic washroom facilities will be available at the stay location.

• Group Coordination and Cooperation: Participants are expected to maintain discipline, cooperate with fellow participants, and contribute to a positive team environment. Participants should not expect luxury facilities and are encouraged to cooperate with fellow ramblers.

• Safety Disclaimer: While safety is a priority, Ramblersindia and its designated trip leaders are not liable for severe injuries or fatalities.

• Eligibility & Participation: All participants must meet the physical and mental fitness levels required for the activity. By registering, participant confirm they meet these requirements and understand the risks involved.

• Withdrawal: Participant is liable for any emergency evacuation costs and any legal proceedings arising from accidents or injuries during the event or travelling. Ramblers India, along with its trip leaders and hired local guides or agents or partners, will not be held responsible or accountable for any such incidents.

• Liability & Risk: Please be advised that if a participant decides to withdraw from the activity at any stage, they will be solely responsible for making their own travel arrangements from that point onward. Our team will not be liable for any transportation, lodging, or other related expenses due to the participant’s decision to exit.

• Personal Belongings: We are not responsible for personal losses such as theft or damage to personal belongings. Participant is usually expected to take personal responsibility for their belongings and exercise caution to prevent such incidents.

• Payment and Registration: Participant is responsible for bearing convenience fees charged by payment gateways.

• The participant has thoroughly reviewed and accepted our Disclaimer and Privacy Policy. This step is crucial as it ensures that you are fully informed about the terms and conditions under which you are engaging with our services.

• The Disclaimer outlines the limitations of liability and the scope of information provided, clarifying that while we strive to offer accurate and up-to-date content, we cannot guarantee its completeness or reliability.

• By registering for this event, you acknowledge that you are participating voluntarily and have reviewed all relevant terms, risks, and responsibilities associated with the activity.

• The event requires at least 12 participants to proceed, or we may transfer the booking to another trusted travel agency.

  
  

Payment Policy:

• Third-Party Payment Gateways: We utilize third-party payment gateways for a smoother registration process. The total amount at checkout includes both the main event fee and a convenience fee, convenience fee is borne by the customer and displayed before finalizing the payment.

• Manual Payment Option: Participants may opt to manually transfer the payment via UPI (Unified Payments Interface) or NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer). A transaction ID or reference number will be provided for this purpose. The manual payment option is available for only

  one hour from the time the ticket is marked as unpaid. If the payment is not completed within this time frame, the order will be automatically canceled.

• The entire amount must be paid upfront; we do not accept partial payments, such as half in advance and the remainder on the event day.

• Transaction Confirmation for Manual Payments: Participants paying through UPI or NEFT (where the convenience fee is not applicable) must confirm their payment by providing the transaction reference via email or WhatsApp.

• Service Availability: No refunds, discounts, or concessions will be issued if participants choose not to use specific services provided during the event.

• Withdrawal: If a participant withdraws from the event after registration, the amount paid cannot be carried forward to future events. Refunds will be processed according to the refund policy in place at the time of withdrawal without convenience fee.

Refund Policy:

• Refund Medium: Refunds will be processed through the same payment medium used for the original transaction. Payments made via UPI will be refunded to the UPI ID, while bank transfers will be refunded to the designated bank account.

• Processing Time: Refunds will be initiated on the event date or the next business day. Refund processing time may vary between 3 to 10 working days, depending on the payment gateway. In case of delays, the recipient should contact the payment gateway support for assistance.

• Refunds will be initiated on the event date or the next business day and processed within 2 days.

• For UPI payments, refunds will be transferred to the UPI ID.

• For current account payments, we will request either the UPI ID or bank account details for processing.

• Refunds cannot be issued to a payment wallet or phone number—only UPI IDs are valid.

• Refund Issuance: Refunds will not be issued in cash or coupons unless previously agreed upon with the participant. Refunds will not be processed on weekends due to team unavailability.

• Exclusion of Convenience Fee: Refunds exclude the convenience fee. If the payment includes a convenience fee from a third-party gateway, only the event fee will be refunded. For instance, if the event price is ₹1000 and the convenience fee is 5% (making the total paid amount ₹1050), the refund will be based on ₹1000, excluding the convenience fee.

Refund Percentages for Cancellations:

• 50% refund for cancellations made 10 or more days before departure.

• 40% refund for cancellations made 7 days before departure.

• 30% refund for cancellations made 6 days before departure.

• 20% refund for cancellations made 5 days before departure till the day of departure.

• Refunds will not be issued for no-shows, such as missing the train or last-minute cancellations due to emergencies.

• Event Cancellation:

  In the event of a cancellation by the organizer, the full event fee will be refunded, excluding the convenience fee. Any personal transportation costs (e.g., train, bus, flight, cab, hotel) will not be refunded. If the event is forwarded to another Organization, an extra fee needs to be paid by the participant if the other organizer's fee is higher than our event fee.

• If the minimum attendance isn't reached, the event will be canceled. For events starting in the morning, the decision will be made the day before in the evening, while for those beginning at night, the decision will be made in the evening.

• If the event is canceled midway due to unforeseen circumstances, no refund will be given, and no amount will be transferred to other events.