The Velas Turtle Festival started on 15-March and will end on April 20, 2025. Tour includes AC bus from Mumbai and stay. Best time to visit is March to April. The Velas Turtle Festival is hosted by Mischief Treks in Velas village of Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra and is one of the best location to witness Olive Ridley Turtles in India. The tour is suitable for Kids, Solo travellers, Couples, and Family. Located in the remote village of Velas near the Velas Beach, our homestay offers a comfortable retreat amidst the serene surroundings.
Partial
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You can pay just 500/- as partial advance and get your seat reserved. |
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Plan A
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This option does not included meals, stay, and transport. Participants need to reach the base village in their own vehicle |
Plan B
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Participants need to reach the base village in their own vehicle. Meals included. |
Plan C
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AC Bus Pickup and Drop from Mumbai included for the tour |
| Rs.XX | Refer Explanation given below, if you are booking the slot in less than 10 days prior to the event. |
Explanation of the Charges:
The above charges are Per-Person charges for the tour. Kindly check "Inclusions" section for details about things included in these charges. If you are booking less than 10 days prior to the event date you will have to pay 700 for plan A, and 2200 for Plan B, and 3100 for Plan C.
In case of partial payment, balance amount needs to be paid 7 days prior to the event date. Please do not book this event if the details mentioned on this page are not agreeable to you.
Brief
Major Attractions as follows :
Velas Beach
Himmatgad - Bankot Fort
Harihareshwar
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Tour Location |
Velas, Ratnagiri Maharashtra |
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Best time to visit |
March to April (Group tour dates) |
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Duration |
1 Night - 2 Days (Excluding Travel) |
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Cost |
INR 500 onwards (click here for details) |
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Festival Dates |
Starting from March 02, 2025 |
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Suitable for |
All age groups |
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Organised by |
Mischief Treks |
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Category |
Group Tour |
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- Opportunity to witness the small baby turtles take their first step.
- Meet other Nature Enthusiasts.
- Traditional Konkani Home Stay
- Enjoy the authentic Konkani delicacy
- Visit the pristine Beach of Harihareshwar
- Explore Bankot Fort
- Visit to Harihareshwar Temple.
- Fun and Games at the Beach.
Velas Turtle Festival 2025 By Mischief Treks from Mumbai
Album Link of Velas Turtle Festival: Click here
⚠️ Eligibility condition
1. If you wish to apply for being part of our group, you need to "Read" and "Understand" the details such as About-us, FAQ's, Important Note section etc... and be "Aware".
2. Each participant needs to be mentally fit to participate. Do not book this event if the details mentioned on this page are not agreeable to you.
Booking closes once slots are sold out.
| Start Date | End Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 07-Mar-2025 09:00PM |
09-Mar-2025 09:30PM |
Successfully completed |
| 14-Mar-2025 09:00PM |
16-Mar-2025 09:30PM |
Successfully completed |
| 21-Mar-2025 09:00PM |
23-Mar-2025 09:30PM |
Successfully completed |
| 28-Mar-2025 09:00PM |
30-Mar-2025 09:30PM |
Last Few Seats Available |
| 04-Apr-2025 09:00PM |
06-Apr-2025 09:30PM |
Available |
| 11-Apr-2025 09:00PM |
13-Apr-2025 09:30PM |
Available |
| 18-Apr-2025 09:00PM |
20-Apr-2025 09:30PM |
Available |
Meeting Point:
Reporting Time: Borivali - 08:45 pm
For Self Drive: Those coming by own car need to reach Kalamboli Mcd by 11:40 pm and follow our vehicle till Location (Those travelling by own vehicle to the base village).
Coordination:
Three hours prior to the event date and time, we will be creating a WhatsApp group for coordination purposes. Exact GPS locations for each pickup point, coordinator contact, Live location of bus, etc will be shared in the group. Enroute we will halt for a chai and washroom break, the time for which depends on the location and our driver:-)
Day 1: AC Bus Pickup points
09:00 pm: Borivli - SGNP Gate
09:20 pm: Goregaon - Pathanwadi Oberoi Mall
09:35 pm: Andheri - Start of Andheri flyover
09:50 pm: Bandra - Kala Nagar
10:15 pm: Sion - Station gate
10:35 pm: Chembur - Ch.Shivaji Statue
11:00 pm: Vashi - Opp. Central Mall
11:30 pm: Kharghar - Hotel 3 star
11:50 pm: Kalamboli McDonalds
Day 2 : Reaching Velas
- We will be reaching Velas by 05:00 am. Once we reach our Homestay in Velas village, we will have time to rest for an hour and freshen up. We will be visiting Velas Beach at 06:00 am for Turtle sighting.
- Then we'll be having Breakfast and post breakfast we go and take a sneak peek into a little bit of the history of Velas as we visit Bankot Fort.
- Now it's time to fill our stomachs and hearts with some lip-smacking and authentic food. For this, we will be returning to our Homestay.
- You can rest till evening, we will be visiting Velas Beach for Turtle Festival in the evening around 5 pm. This will be accompanied by lots of fun and games at the Beach.
- Have some time to lounge around on the beach and enjoy a beautiful sunset before we head back to the Homestay for Dinner.
- Post dinner we will be going for a night walk at the beach under the starry sky.
Day 3 : Velas Beach and sight seeing
- Wakeup call for everyone at 5 am.
- After a good night rest head out for some more adventure.
- We will be visiting Velas Beach for Turtle Festival at 6am.
- Then we will be having breakfast later, we check out of the Homestay at Velas Village.
- We would then start our journey towards Harihareshwar Temple and Beach by Ferry.
- We'll be stopping for Lunch at Harihareshwar. (this lunch is not included in tour charges)
- Post Lunch we will bid adieu to the mesmerizing Velas and start our return journey to Mumbai by
- 03:00 pm.
- Depending on the traffic conditions we will reach Mumbai approximately by 9:30pm.
Please Note: Any natural phenomenon including Turtle Hatching at Velas Turtle Festival that is based on a natural occurrence and is not in our control or our management. The natural phenomenon cannot be assured from our end, nor is part of the inclusions of the charges.
What is included in the tour
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Accommodation: (as opted)
Stay in village traditional Homestay. -
Local Sightseeing
Local private bus charges for Day 1 and Day 2 Sightseeing
All Toll, Parking, and Taxes for local travel. -
AC Bus Pickup Drop (as opted)
AC seater bus from Mumbai will be provided. -
Meals: (as opted)
Breakfast on Day 1 & 2
Lunch on Day 1
Dinner on Day 1 - All meals will be Veg. only.
Non-Veg can be ordered at venue at cost-at-actuals. The meals will be served as per the scheduled time in respective dining areas and missed meals will not be refunded or extended on the last day. - Refer "Important Note" section on this page for detailed explanation on Stay.
What is NOT included in the tour
- Lunch on Day 2
- Packaged drinking water, Soft Drinks, or any such expenses.
- Any meals not mentioned above.
- Any personal expenses.
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
- Identity proof (must)
- Mosquito / Insect Repellents.
- Extra pair of clothes.
- Camera, Powerbank (optional)
- Water (minimum 1 Ltr) Compulsory.
- Some ready to eat food like biscuits, plum cake etc.
- Medicines (if you need any), Glucon D / Electrol / Enerzyl Powder. (We will have a basic first aid kit with us)
- Toiletries, Cap / Scarves and Sunglasses, Towels
- Haversack to put all your things.
Do not register for this event without reading and understanding the details mentioned on this page.
Please make sure you are fit to participate a group tour, and "Before registration" you have gone through all the details on this page and understood it well. Please avoid this event if any of the details or terms are not agreeable to you.
About the Venue:
Velas is a remote tribal "Adivasi" village in Mandangad taluka in Ratnagiri district. Ground operations of the Turtle festival are managed by village authorities and a NGO working for conservation of Turtles.
Food:
The food is prepared by local villagers and is basic home cooked food. If you are a choosy person and does not prefers having simple and basic village home cooked food, we recommend you to carry your own food.
Stay:
The home stays are managed by the group of villagers in the region. Please be aware that the local homes of the villagers are not hotels. These basic homes are shared by the villagers with the participants visiting for Turtle Festival. Reference images are available in album link on this page to get rough idea about the stay. The images are for representation purpose only, actual stay may vary based on arrangement and allocation done by village representatives and NGO working on ground operations. These village homes comprise of large room/hall shared by all the participants. Depending on size of the room it will be shared by 6-10 people or 12-16 people. This varies based on the house structure of a given villager.
Washroom: Western washroom is available at the homestay.
Travel:
Mischief Treks has AC seater bus for this tour. The road to Velas is very narrow and Sleeper-Buses are large in size, hence sleeper busser cant enter the region. All the busses going to Velas from any city are Seater busses. The travel plan may be impacted due to external factors like bad traffic jams, road conditions, bus breakdowns, and or any other situation beyond control of Mischief Treks.
Contingencies:
The organiser reserves the right to change the itinerary, date, time and/or things related to the event without prior notice
How to Reach Velas for Turtle Festival from Mumbai
To witness the Turtle Festival in Velas, Maharashtra, follow these steps:
- By Road: The most convenient way to reach Velas from Mumbai is by road. Drive or hire a taxi from Mumbai to Velas. The journey takes approximately 5 to 6 hours, covering a distance of around 220 kilometers. Take the Mumbai-Goa highway (NH66) towards Panvel, then continue on NH66 towards Mangaon, and finally, follow the road towards Harihareshwar and Velas.
- By Bus: Alternatively, you can take a state transport bus or private bus from Mumbai to Harihareshwar, which is the nearest major town to Velas. From Harihareshwar, hire a local taxi or take a bus to reach Velas. The bus journey from Mumbai to Harihareshwar takes around 6 to 7 hours.
- By Train: Although there are no direct trains to Velas, you can take a train from Mumbai to Mangaon Railway Station, which is approximately 85 kilometers away from Velas. From Mangaon, hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Velas. The train journey from Mumbai to Mangaon takes around 3 to 4 hours.
- Experts Recommend: Travel experts suggest to opt for travel arrangements made by Mischief Treks. The bus pickup and drop from Mumbai is hassle free and is better than driving down in car. Self-drive or car with driver will exhaust you by the time you reach Velas Beach.
Once you arrive in Velas, blend yourself with the Turtle Festival vibes. This festival, usually held between February and March, celebrates the nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles along the Konkan coast. Witnessing these magnificent creatures laying eggs is a unique and unforgettable experience.
Ensure to check the festival dates in advance and make any necessary arrangements for accommodations, as Velas attracts many visitors during the Turtle Festival. Enjoy your trip and the opportunity to witness the wonder of nature!
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Aggregate Rating: 4.85 out of 5
Rating count: 2431
What's the best time to visit Velas for the festival?
The Hatching season starts in March and ends by April, The best time to witness hatching is early morning or evening, when hatchlings are most likely to make their way to the sea. Mischief Treks has tour batches scheduled during entire hatching season.
Are there specific activities planned during the festival?
Yes, During the festival you get a guided turtle watching, conservation talks, and cultural insights by the local community. Apart form this The tour-leader of Mischief Treks is always there to ensure your comfort and wellbeing
What are the local attractions near Velas?
Bankot Fort, Harihareshwar Beach, and local temples are must-visits. All these places are covered in the itinerary of Mischief Treks
What kind of food can I expect in Velas?
The tour includes Veg food and Jain food. At additional charges you can explore Local Konkani cuisine, featuring seafood and non-vegetarian dishes made with fresh, local ingredients.
Where can visitors stay in Velas?
At Velas there are no hotels, Stay arrangements are available at Homestays that offer an authentic experience, providing insight into the local way of life. The home stays are managed by the group of villagers in the region. Please be aware that the local homes of the villagers are not hotels. These basic homes are shared by the villagers with the participants visiting for Turtle Festival. Reference images are available in album link on this page to get rough idea about the stay. The images are for representation purpose only, actual stay may vary based on arrangement and allocation done by village representatives and NGO working on ground operations. As a matter of fact Mischief Treks has one of the best stay options booked for the Velas tour.
How does the festival benefit the Velas community?
This concept of Eco-tourism boosts earnings of villagers, providing a sustainable income source for locals while promoting conservation.
Is the festival suitable for children?
Absolutely, it's a great educational experience for kids to learn about wildlife conservation. Every year thousands of parents bring their kids to Velas Turtle Festival. One of the youngest was just 2 year old baby.
What are the charges for Kids?
Participants of all age groups have same charges. You can opt for any of the price options mentioned on this page.
What will be included in the meals?
All the meals provided during the event will be Vegetarian. Non-Veg will be available in the restaurant or the homestay on cost-at-actuals basis.
How is the stay arrangement at Velas?
The villagers in Velas share their home space for the participants to sleep at night, These village homes comprise of large room/hall shared by all the participants. Depending on size of the room it will be shared by 6-10 people or 12-16 people. This varies based on the house structure of a given villager.
Are family members allowed to stay together?
Its a shared space for all participants. We are aware majority of people prefer to stay with their family members who have registered for same batch, Hence we try to accommodate the family members in same place. On the other hand, if there is suitable space available to split the group based on gender, the trek leader may help in splitting the group on basis of gender or family-group based on available resources.
Are western toilets available?
Yes, Western toilets are available. But we recommend Indian style because Indian-style washrooms do not require touching your body parts to the toilet commode.
We are coming by our own vehicle for the event, where should we reach?
We will be providing the exact map location of the meeting point on WhatsApp group which will be created 24 hrs prior to the event date. In this group we will be sharing all necessary.
Is Velas Turtle Festival safe for solo participants?
Yes, mostly 30% of participants come up solo and blend in, Mischief Treks has a track record of making our events extremely safe for everyone.
Is Velas Turtle Festival safe for girls?
Apart from standard risks involved in any outdoor activity, Mischief Treks has a track record of making our events extremely safe for females and especially males. Normally 60 – 75 % of our participants are females. This includes Scuba diving.
How many people will be there in the group?
Per batch , the group size is limited to 18 participants. Due to narrow roads large size bus cannot the used for this tour. Hence the bus size is limited to either 17 or 20 seater, based on final count for number of participants in that batch.
Is the Bus Sleeper or AC Sitting?
The road to velas is very narrow and Sleeper buses are large in size, hence sleeper busser cant enter the region. All the busses going to Velas from any city are Seater busses. Mischief Treks has AC seater bus for this tour
How should I book the Velas Turtle Festival event?
All you have to do is press the book now button on this page and follow the instructions.
Can we pay in cash or installment or on spot?
Sorry, we do not accept cash payments. Booking for the Velas Turtle Festival from Mumbai closes once seats are sold out, book well in advance to avoid missing out on the slots.
Can we pay in cash or installment or on spot?
Sorry, we do not accept cash payments. On-spot payment is not possible because the booking process closes 24 hours prior to the event date and we have limited tickets available. To avoid last min booking issues and inconvenience we recommend you to book at least 3-4 days in advance.
How do we get in touch after reaching the meeting point?
We will be creating a WhatsApp group three hours prior to event date and time for coordination where you will be provided all the necessary information regarding the contact person, exact point to meet, etc..
How many people will be coming for Velas Turtle Festival?
The final count of our batch depends on the number of people booking the event. Generally, the batch size is approximately 15 to 18 participants per batch. At the Velas village other people will be coming from various locations and its impossible to guess the count of those people
Will we be returning at exact time mentioned in the itinerary?
The Itinerary is for reference purpose only, it is based on average time taken during our previous events. Actual timeline for a particular date depends on Weather conditions, Traffic Conditions, Participants support and external factors influencing the travel plan.
What if there is an issue with transport?
All the support functions like transport, food etc are sourced from various other vendors to help the participants have it streamlined. Equipment failure can happen any time with any piece of machinery and we can try to get a replacement/repair from the vendor. This may consume time and the trek leader may decide to continue the event as deemed fit to get the event completed. We as well as the participants have to bare with it. There are no refunds possible in such case. The Trek leader's decision to terminate the event or continue the trek with available resources will be final and binding. Travel plan may be impacted due to external factors like bad traffic jams, road conditions, bus breakdowns, driver issues and/or any other situation beyond control of Mischief Treks.
Why is submitting emergency contact details and KYC information mandatory?
Its a standard protocol and also a guideline by Govt of India. We are accountable for every "Human-Body" present at our campsite or trek is our responsibility and in case of any unfortunate event we will be asked by authorities to provide all relevant information about you. In order to comply with the authorities, we have to take authentic information from you. Fake/Incomplete information or non-submission of the details will make your ticket (paid amount) invalid and no refund will be provided in such case. You will not be allowed to participate in the event.
Does the cancellation policy/rescheduling policy apply if I book on event day or last day?
Yes, the policy is applicable irrespective of the booking date. The cancellation / reschedule policy is applicable to everyone with immediate effect from the date and time of booking. The refunds/rescheduling requests will be processed based on the date and time of cancellation/reschedule request sent to us and the date and time of booking the event are irrelevant.
Update as on March 23, 2025
Festival date: Mischief Treks has successfully completed two batches of Velas Turtle festival for 2025 at Velas. The Velas Turtle Festival started on 15-March and will end on April 20,2025. Tour includes AC bus from Mumbai and stay. The weather in the month of March is pretty comfortable at night. Average temperature is 27 degrees. Olive Ridley Turtles hatch at few locations on west cost of Maharashtra, Velas is one of the location. Mischief Treks takes you to experience one of the best location to watch turtles hatch. As per previous experiences Turtle hatching also occurs at Anjarle Village, but due to issues arising out of the attitude and behaviour of Anjarle village representatives, this year we have decided to avoid Anjarle village during the hatching season of 2025. Hope the situation at Anjarle improves in years to come. All our previous batches in 2024 and now in 2025 got good sighting of turtles.
Additional Info
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Velas Turtle Festival
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Kashmir Tour
National Parks and Jungle Safari
Fireflies Festival
EXCLUSIVE EVENTS
At Mischief Treks, our treks, tours, trips and other events are exclusive. We don’t buy bookings from cheaper entities, nor do we sell your booking to cheaper organisers. Every participant is genuinely part of Mischief Treks. This ensures having a group of like-minded people in every batch, which in turn makes the experience much better for everyone. Yes, we do filter out unwanted people during enquiry phase itself. This helps us have like-minded people in the group. Check-out Mischief Treks Reviews to see the outcome of having amazing participants in our group (especially solo female travellers) who feel safe, comfortable and have appreciated us for providing them a memorable experience.
- 90% will be refunded if cancelled 30 days (720+ hrs) in advance.
- 75% will be refunded if cancelled 20 days (480+ hrs) in advance.
- 50% will be refunded if cancelled 10 days (240+ hrs) in advance.
- 0% refund if cancelled in less than 10 days (240 hours) of the event date and time.
- 0% refund if the participant drops out, misses bus pickup, does not reach the meeting point on scheduled date and time.
NOTE: Please do not book this event if you do not agree to the terms and details mentioned on this page. This mutually agreed cancellation policy is applicable to the participant and us as well. Partial payments are non refundable. The Date and time of cancellation request sent to us will be considered for calculation of the applicable slab given above. Partial payment is a non refundable payment and zero refund is applicable for bookings done by making partial payment. It's a humble request, please do not give medical reasons, crib, argue or try to threaten/blackmail us if you drop out or cancel/reschedule the event due to the situation at your end .
The basis of the cancelation policy is to protect the participant and the organizers from undue financial losses arising out of unforeseen situations. If the event gets canceled due to the medical/personal emergency of the organising team member, the participants will not have to suffer financial loss. Similarly, if there is a medical/personal emergency at the participant's end, the organizing team will not have to suffer financial loss.
Rescheduling request by Participant:
If you need to reschedule your booking to any other date, it can be done only if the rescheduling request is sent at least 20 days prior to event date and time and the request will be considered after paying cancellation charges for stay and travel, booked for the given date. Rescheduling can only be done based on availability for the given date.
