Velas Turtle Festival 2025

Velas Turtle Festival 2025 By Mischief Treks from Mumbai

Album Link of Velas Turtle Festival:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/uCRpTUmr7Wv17xYW8
 

Charges and Travel options:

Option A: INR 1500.00
This option does not included meals and transport. Participants need to reach the base village in their own vehicle

Option B: INR 1950.00
Participants need to reach the base village in their own vehicle. Meals included.

Option C: INR 2950.00
AC Bus Pickup/Drop from Mumbai included for the tour

Explanation of Charges: The above charges are per person charges. Kindly refer inclusions section on this page for detailed information about things included.

⚠️  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.

• 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.

Coordination: 

We will be creating a WhatsApp group 3 hours prior to the event date for coordination and final instructions. The batch coordinator will you at the pickup point. Apart from coordinator details all information is available on this page itself.

IMPORTANT Points to Note

Do not register for this event without reading and understanding the details mentioned on this page.

Please make sure you are physically fit to complete the event, and before registration you have gone through all the details, Itinerary, FAQ, Points to note, About-Us, Fees, Points to note 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.

Travel: 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.

Changes in Plan: 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Once you arrive in Velas, immerse yourself in the mesmerizing Turtle Festival. 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!

Q: What's the best time to visit Velas for the festival?

Ans. 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.

Q: Are there specific activities planned during the festival?

Ans. Yes, During the festival you get a guided turtle watching, conservation talks, and cultural insights by the local community.

Q: What are the local attractions near Velas?

Ans. Bankot Fort, Harihareshwar Beach, and local temples are must-visits.

Q: What kind of food can I expect in Velas?

Ans. The tour includes veg and Jain food. At additional charges you can explore Local Konkani cuisine, featuring seafood and non-vegetarian dishes made with fresh, local ingredients.

Q: Where can visitors stay in Velas?

Ans. 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.

Q: How does the festival benefit the Velas community?

Ans. This concept of Eco-tourism boosts earnings of villagers, providing a sustainable income source for locals while promoting conservation.

Q: Is the festival suitable for children?

Ans. 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. 

Q: What are the charges for Kids?

Ans. Participants of all age groups have same charges. You can opt for any of the price options mentioned on this page. 

Q: I have booked/paid for the Velas Turtle Festival, is my booking confirmed?

Ans. No ! , your booking can become invalid if you do not submit the "Most Important Details" required for emergency situations. Not submitting the details OR Submitting incomplete/incorrect/fake details in the form will make your booking invalid and no refund will be provided in such case. We do not allow anyone to trek/campsite until we have complete and authentic details of the person. This info is crucial in case of emergency, and is a mandatory KYC parameter. For any Trek/Adventure event the organizers need to have your details atleast 48 hours prior to the event. The link for the "personal details form" will be sent to you on WhatsApp after booking.

Q: What if there are fewer Turtle or no Turtle, will we get a refund? - OR -  will we have to pay extra if there are much more Turtle than expected?

Ans. Any event including Velas Turtle Festival that is based on a natural occurrence or natural phenomenon eg. Hatching, Snowing, Raining, Flower blooming, Cloud formation etc.. is not in our control. You need to book such events only if you are willing to take that chance. The natural phenomenon cannot be assured from our end, nor is part of the inclusions of the charges.  

Q. What will be included in the meals?

Ans. All the meals provided during the event will be Vegetarian. NonVeg will be available in the restaurant on cost-at-actuals basis

Q. How is the stay arrangement at Velas?

Ans. 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. 

Q. Are family members allowed to stay together?

Ans. Its a shared space for all participants as majority of people prefer to stay with their family members who have registered for same batch, But 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 and available resources.

Q. Are western toilets available?

Ans. As Indian-style washrooms do not require touching your body parts to the toilet commode, the villagers prefer Indian style and have built the same in their homes. Western style washroom cannot be assured.

Q. We are coming by our own vehicle for the event, where should we reach?

Ans. 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.

Q. Is Velas Turtle Festival safe for solo participants? 

Ans. 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.

Q. Is Velas Turtle Festival safe for girls? 

Ans. 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. 

Q. How many people will be there in the group?

Ans. The group size is limited to 25 participants in each batch. As larger bus cannot be used for this tour due to narrow roads, the bus hired for travel is either 17-20 seater or 26 seater based on final count for number of participants in that batch. 

Q. How should I book the Velas Turtle Festival event?

Ans. All you have to do is press the book now button on this page and follow the instructions. 

Q. Can we pay in cash or installment or on spot?

Ans. 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. 

Q. Can we pay in cash or installment or on spot?

Ans. 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.

Q. How do we get in touch after reaching the meeting point?

Ans. 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..

Q. How many people will be at the coming for Velas Turtle Festival?

Ans. Depends on the number of people booking the event. Generally, the batch size is approximately 25-35 participants.

Q. Will we be returning at exact time mentioned in the itinerary?

Ans. 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.

Q. What if there is an issue with transport?

 Ans. 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.

Q. Why is submitting emergency contact details and KYC information mandatory?

Ans. 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.

Q. What are the different ways to participate in Mischief Treks events?

Ans: Participation in Mischief Treks events/activities establishes a participatory relationship rather than a consumer relationship, because it involves engaging in group activities and the participation does not constitute to purchase of goods or services. Here are the detailed participation options:
As a Participant: You can join specific activities/events by carefully reading and understanding the event details carefully and registering through the event page, where a payment will be required. This option is for those who wish to join individual events without long-term commitments.
As a Permanent Member: After participating in 20 or more activities/events, a participant will qualify for permanent membership, which comes with distinct payment terms communicated directly to members. This status recognizes your continued engagement and offers benefits accordingly.
As a Volunteer: If you're interested in supporting the events without participating financially, you can apply to be a volunteer with Mischief Treks. The volunteers are selected based on the needs of each event and they can join without making a payment, emphasizing the communal and supportive aspect of participation.
As an Affiliate Referral: Through this program, affiliates can refer individuals to participate in activities/events, supporting the community's growth. This option highlights the collaborative nature of Mischief Treks' activities.
Note: Customization of activities/events is available upon request, requiring separate registration. This ensures that all participants' unique needs and interests are accommodated, further underlining the participatory essence of Mischief Treks' operations.

Q. Does the cancellation policy/rescheduling policy apply if I book on event day or last day?

Ans. 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.

Q. What is the basis of cancellation/reschedule policy?

Ans. The cancellation policy is based on fairness towards the participant and the organizing team. In case of medical/personal emergency, the loss arising out of cancellation/reschedule will be borne by the respective person. i.e. if the organizing team faces an emergency situation and the event gets canceled, the participant will not have to suffer financial loss. Similarly, if the participant faces an emergency situation, the organizing team will not have to suffer financial loss. The cancellation policy is designed with a completely unbiased approach towards the participant and organizing team and is aimed at fairness towards both. 

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Aggregate Rating: 4.85 out of 5

Rating count: 2431

Update as on November 08, 2024

Coming season of Turtle festival at Velas Anjarle is expected to start around mid of the month of March 2025. The weather in the month of March is pretty comfortable at night. Average temperature is 25 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 our of the attitude and behavior of Anjarle village representatives, this year its advisable to avoid Anjarle village during the year 2025. Hope the situation at Anjarle improves in years to come. All our previous batches in March 2024 and previous batch that visited Velas on April 06, 2024 got good sighting. 

Looking for Anjarle Turtle festival ?

Click Here for details of Anjarle Turtle Festival bookings, tickets, dates, and all the things you need to know. Beware of the attitude and behavior of villagers at Anjarle, in 2024 they created lot of problems for tourists and tour organisers. 

Events by Mischief Treks 

• Group Tours and Trips starting from Mumbai
  Tours include option to book train tickets from Mumbai to the desired destination. 
  Link:  https://www.mischieftreks.com/collections/tours-from-mumbai
• One Day Treks in/near Mumbai
  Morning to evening treks and Night Treks are scheduled every weekend based on weather conditions and on the basis of Best-Time to Visit.
  Link:  https://www.mischieftreks.com/collections/one-day-trek
• Customised Tour Packages from Mumbai
  If you are looking to get a tour package customised as per your dates and budget this option provides you an opportunity to get the entire plan made as per your need. 
  Link: https://www.mischieftreks.com/collections/customised-tour-package-and-trip-itinerary
• Night Cycling in Mumbai
  Explore nightlife of South Mumbai, also referred as SOBO on cycle. We also have an option to provide cycles on rent for the event.
  Link:  https://www.mischieftreks.com/cycling
• Velas Turtle Festival 2025
  Experience Olive Ridley Turtles at the beach of Velas. Turtle hatching season starts in March and will end by the month of April.
  Link: https://www.mischieftreks.com/tours/velas-turtle-festival
• Anjarle Turtle Festival 2025
  Experience Olive Ridley Turtles at the beach of Anjarle. Turtle hatching season starts in March and will end by the month of April.
  Link: https://www.mischieftreks.com/tours/anjarle-turtle-festival
• Camping and Stargazing
  If you are looking for Bhandardara lakeside camping or wish to experience watersports like Rafting, Kayaking and lot more, Check out our camping options on this link.
  Link:  https://www.mischieftreks.com/collections/camping-near-mumbai
• Manali Tour Packages
  Join us for a group tour to Manali this season. Options include places like Kasol, Kheerganga, Tosh, Solang Valley, Kullu and Old-Manali. 
  Link:  https://www.mischieftreks.com/collections/manali-tour-packages-for-solo-group-family
• Fireflies Festival 2025 Trek and Camping 
  Witness the magical wonder of nature with your family and kids. Fireflies mating season provides you opportunity to experience the mating dance of fireflies glowing at night. 
  Link: https://www.mischieftreks.com/collections/top-5-locations-for-fireflies-festival-camping-and-trek
• Pushkar Tour Package from Mumbai
  Lets celebrate Holi in one of be best possible ways at Pushkar, Rajasthan. The Pushkar Holi tour includes option for train tickets from Mumbai. 
  Link: https://www.mischieftreks.com/tours/pushkar-tour

• 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. The Date and time of cancellation request sent to us will be considered for calculation of the applicable slab given above. The date and time of booking the event are not relevant for calculating the number of days and hours remaining between the event date and cancellation request. 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 trek 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.