In the year 2000-01, it was found that a species of turtle, Olive Ridley is a prominent visitor to the shores of Maharashtra for breeding purposes. Other species are the Green Turtle, Hawksbill and Leatherback. Much other information is already available online, like what turtles eat and how a turtle looks—the difference between a turtle, tortoise and a terrapin.

After the success of the Velas turtle conservation project, many villages in Maharashtra have started the same model and hosting the Turtle festival in India at different locations. It helps with seasonal tourism income and also helps increase turtle numbers in the sea. 

 Why Velas Turtle Festival Maharashtra? 

Velas is a small fishing village on the western coast of Maharashtra. 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. 

It is a culmination of a lengthy process, which started when its mother emerged out from the rolling waves to lay her heap of 100-120 eggs on the sandy beach under cover of darkness. Oblivious to the world that awaits it outside its a 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

Velas Turtle Festival Cost

With Transport -Mumabi to Mumbai AC bus Rs 2850/- per person (5 Years and above)

Pune to Pune Bus Rs 2850/- Friday night 

Pune to Pune Bus Rs. 2000/- Saturday night

09:30 Assemble near Shivaji Nagar ,

10:00 pm Brehman chowk , Aundh

10:30pm Wakad bridge 

11:00pm Hinjewadi ,Shivaji maharaja chowk. 

Itinerary for Velas Turtle Festival 2025

Day Zero - Friday Night.

• 09:00 Pick up at Virwani Bus Stop, Goregaon.  (https://goo.gl/maps/youofNYahBSwqsms8)
• 09:10 Leave for the trek
• 09:30 Pick up at Gundavali Bus Stop, Andheri East. (https://goo.gl/maps/gorbeX9fencdiqfh8)
• 09:45 Pick up at Kalanagar bus stop, Bandra. (https://goo.gl/maps/CAsqYFeK8aTRBk9B7)
• 10:00 Pick up at sion circle (https://maps.app.goo.gl/nLw5e7K6QTbwywa99)
• 10:15 Pick up at Diamond Garden, Chembur. (https://goo.gl/maps/y2rbSdA3VyMhoudC7)
• 10:45 Pick up at Vashi Plaza. (https://goo.gl/maps/uY6ZEs9hyiviHfKQ9)
• 11:05 Pick up at McDonald's, Kalamboli. (https://goo.gl/maps/EJksuJiNC8uVFaoM7)

Day One: Saturday

• 05:00AM: Reach Velas village, short briefing, and depart for first turtle session.
• 07:15AM: Back to the village. Fresh up, Tea-Breakfast.
• 08:30 Towards Bankot Fort. Mesmerizing view from this ancient historic fort. (Clicking pictures is worth it here.)
• 01:00PM: Back to village, Lunch and rest.
• 04:00PM: Visit the Velas Beach and witness Turtle Hatching 2nd Session. See baby turtles crawling towards the sea and capture those moments. Explore near beach, sunset, and nearby localities and some food items to try! 
• 07:00 Back to the village and documentary session for TURTLE FESTIVAL (OPTIONAL)!
• 09:00PM DINNER. Walk around the village at night or experience of cool breeze, and the sound of waves. A fun session in the night at a homestay. (As per consent). Sleep at your convenience!

Day Two: Sunday

• 05:30 Wake-up call.
• 06:00 Visit the Beach for the turtle 3rd session(optional). If you want you can take a rest.
• 07:00 Return to homestays fresh up, check out, and leave for Harihareshwar.
• 08:00 We will cross the Bankot creek, Savitri River in a boat with the Bus from Veshvi Jungle Jetty to Bagmandala jetty.
• Breakfast at ENROUTE 
• 11:30 Reach Harihareshwar. Visit to temple and beach. 
• 01:00 Have lunch. Start the return journey to Mumbai.
• 09:30 Approx , Reach Mumbai back with tones of memories and many more

There can be delays due to bad road conditions, bus breakdowns, health issues of fellow group travelers, and breaks for the driver..

Kindly Note Velas Kasav Mahotsav 2025 Tour package information

• Traveling by A/C Bus to Velas from Mumbai / Pune 
• On Ghat road, the AC might be switched off. 
• Due to the closure of the Ambet Ghat traveling route has changed from Mahad city. 
• Bus breakdowns are possible due to bad road conditions.
• Hatchling sighting is not guaranteed.
• The maximum batch size is 20 travelers on a first-come, first basis.
• Pick up and Drop at centralized locations only.
• Turtle Festival Velas is a budget trip
• We will stay at Homestay at a local village house.
• Western toilet available.
• Food Arrangement: Homestay with Veg and Non-Veg food already arranged( Authentic meals )
• Velas Bus Transport Travel by the exact private vehicle for the entire tour
• The height of Bankot fort or Himmatgad is 500 feet above sea level, the first residence of the East India Company in Southern Konkan. 
• Route from Mumbai to Velas turtle festival of India > Mumbai - Panvel - Mahad - Madangad - Velas
• Route from Velas to Mumbai: Velas to Vesvi - Bagmandle Ferry Boat to Harihareshwar to Mhasla to Pen to Panvel to Dadar Mumbai 
• The distance from Mumbai to Velas is 220 kilometers.
• The total time required to visit Bankot Fort is two to three hours. ( No trek or climbing required ) 
• Total distance for climbing none. The bus will go to the parking of the Fort. 
• Parking is available at Velas village.
• Please note Bus breakdowns are possible due to bad road conditions on the highway
• Route changes are possible due to road closure or traffic

 Please Note

• As Velas Turtle Festival's stay is in homestay. So homestays have limited capacity. After first 19 bookings, stay will be in another homestay .
• In without transport option, for Bankot and Harihareshwar visit, you'll be travelling in your vehicle only.
• For AC Rooms cost will be Extra rs 500 per person. if available
• Bus participant, please arrive 10-15 mins prior to your pick-up location .
• You are going in Nature in Mountains and Village so please do not expect luxury all will be Natural. All arrangements like Food, Washroom, changing room will be taken care by Village people.
• The location we are going to does not have all these facilities. There are only local houses near the beach which provide trekkers rooms & hall and food etc

How to book?

• Click on the "WHATSAPP " icon for booking .
• Select your departure date .
• Fill out your personal details and proceed with reviews & payment.
• Select your payment type (UPI ,QR CODE ,  Paytm , Google Pay) and proceed.
• UPI ID : JANGALATREKS@ICICI  
• 75% Half amount online and rest of the balance at the meeting point.
• Once your treks are booked,  please send screen shot to this number 8879691305 .
• A WhatsApp group link will be sent to your WhatsApp number friday night  prior to the departure. (Please provide WhatsApp number while booking)
• Event Details and Trek Leaders details will be shared on that WhatsApp group only.

.

Cancellation Policy and Charges

• Fees paid are non-refundable but transferable to another person for the same event.
• Refund will only given if organiser cancel the event .
• If the event is canceled due to any natural calamity, political unrest or other such reasons beyond our control the same cancellation policy will apply.
• Refunds won't be issued if you cannot attend the event due to heavy rains, floods, traffic jams, car breakdowns or a personal medical emergency.
• Your booking cannot be shifted to another date if you cannot attend the event due to heavy rains, floods, traffic jams, car breakdowns, or a personal medical emergency.
• If your area is prone to flooding, traveling from a flooded area, heavy traffic, heavy rains, missing the train, or any other reason, if you cannot attend the event, we won't issue a refund or shift you to another date.
• Management won't be held responsible if you are stuck due to heavy rains, traffic jams, personal emergencies or floods during the event.
• If you are bringing kids, please understand the possibility of getting stuck or delayed. You might have to stay back due to heavy rains, floods, bus breakdowns, and rush at the trekking destination. You will have to wait it out till the weather clears.
• Due to bad weather, floods, sudden changes in government rules, and overcrowding at the destination trek, the organizer has the right to change the trekking destination.
• During the trek, due to any circumstances seen or unseen trek leader has the right to cancel the trek for safety reason. No refund shall be issued.

If you have questions regarding the  trek booking, kindly WhatsApp us we will reply as soon as possible.

Trek regarding complaint & Emergency contact no: 8879691305