Velas Turtle Festival with Harihareshwar

Velas Turtle festival brings us a wonderful experience to witness the Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings making their way to the Arabian Sea from the shores of Velas beach. Velas beach is known for its conservation efforts and is a nesting site for Olive Ridley turtles, which are an endangered species.

The turtle conservation project initiated by SNM in coastal Maharashtra, and particularly in Velas, has been successful in protecting a large number of nests and releasing a significant number of hatchlings into the sea. This is an important contribution to the conservation of the Olive Ridley turtle population, which is under threat due to various factors such as pollution, climate change, and human activities.

Apart from witnessing the turtle hatchlings, there are many other interesting attractions in the area to explore. The Bankot fort is one of the major attractions in the region and offers stunning views of the surrounding area. The Harihareshwar temple is also a popular destination, known for its Pradakshina route, which is a circumambulation of the temple.

Staying in a home stay in Velas would be a great way to experience the local culture and cuisine. You can expect to enjoy typical homemade cuisine during your stay and get a chance to interact with the locals and learn more about their way of life.

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 10:00 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.
• Visit Bankot fort - 45 min.
• Travel to Velas Homestay - 15 min.
• 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: ₹3600 

Included

• Travel from Mumbai by AC Luxury seater Bus
• Breakfast, Veg Lunch, Evening hi tea, Veg Dinner on Day 1, Breakfast on Day 2
• Sharing basis Homestay at Velas.
• Forest Fee & permits.
• Ferry crossing at Harihareshwar.

Excluded

• Snacks break during travelling.
• Any Personel expense
• Non-Veg Meals at Homestay

How to Register:

1. Book your seat through online payment on our website or UPI/ NEFT to RamblersIndia Current Account ( send us the screenshot of the transaction).
2. Fill up the Mandatory participation disclaimer form which will be sent after payment confirmation and select the preferable pickup location.
3. We will create a WhatsApp group of the registered participants in the evening on the day of the event departure for coordination.

Checklist

What to Wear:

• Sandals / slippers.
• comfortable clothes.

What to Bring:

Carry a single rucksack with the following things:

• Minimum 2 water bottles ( avoid buying packaged bottles) .
• Food items like fruits, dry fruits, energy bars, healthy snacks.
• Windcheater/ blanket during travel.
• Cap/ Hat
• Toiletry kit, sunscreen lotion & mosquito repellent.
• Two Spare sets of clothes, Towel.
• A litter bag for non-biodegradable (plastic) litter.
• Spare face masks, Hand Sanitizer.
• Personal medicines.
• Identity Proof.

Event Instructions:

• Age Requirement: Participants must be above 11 years old to take part in scuba diving.
• Valuables: Participants are advised not to wear expensive jewelry or accessories.
• Travel: The trip covers approximately 650 km in an air-conditioned vehicle, and participants are recommended to carry a blanket.
• Food: Extra charges may apply for non-vegetarian food at the accommodation.
• ID Requirement: Participants must bring an ID card for safety.
• Disclaimer: Participants must fill out a mandatory disclaimer form with accurate details after payment confirmation.
• Parental Consent: Participants below 16 years old must obtain parental consent.
• Punctuality: Participants are urged to avoid causing delays that inconvenience others.
• Notifications: Participants will be informed in advance of any itinerary changes or event cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Weather Conditions: The organizers reserve the right to cancel the event or withdraw due to unexpected weather changes.
• Photography: Do not use flash on the camera while capturing the turtles.
• Respect: Participants are expected to respect customs and traditions, especially at religious sites.
• Expenses: Participants are responsible for expenses not explicitly mentioned.
• Event Timing: The schedule may be subject to delays or advances due to unforeseen conditions.
• Prohibited Substances: Alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics are strictly prohibited during the event.
• Littering: Participants are urged not to litter and to keep the environment clean.
• Cooperation: Participants should maintain discipline and cooperate with fellow participants.
• Facility Information:a basic washroom facility is available at the hotel/ homestay.
• We have a right to transfer the booking to other operator in case of less number of registrations, we will inform on the day of the event if such situation arises, the itinerary might be slightly different though the places covered will be the same. 
• Team Ramblersindia or the trek leader at the site may not be held responsible if the entry is closed by local authorities or governing bodies.
• Personal Belongings: We are not responsible for personal losses such as theft or damage to personal belongings. Participants are usually expected to take personal responsibility for their belongings and exercise caution to prevent such incidents.
• Safety Disclaimer: While safety is a priority, the organizers are not liable for severe injuries or fatalities.
• Payment and Registration:Participants are responsible for bearing convenience fees charged by payment gateways. No concession for availing limited service. No group discounts are applicable.

Payment Policy:

• Third-Party Payment Gateways: We utilise third-party payment gateways to simplify the registration process. The convenience fee, along with the main event fee, is included and will be displayed at checkout. This fee is to be borne by the customer.
• Manual Payment Option: Participants have the option to make a manual payment for their ticket. This might involve transferring funds via UPI (Unified Payments Interface) or NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer) referencing a provided transaction ID or reference. The manual payment option is valid for only one hour from the time the ticket is marked as unpaid. This means participants have a limited window to complete the payment process.If the participant fails to make the payment within the specified time frame, the order will be automatically marked as cancelled.
• Transaction Confirmation: Participants paying through UPI/NEFT to our current account (where the convenience fee is nil) must provide the transaction reference via email/WhatsApp for confirmation.
• Group Discount: Group discounts are not applicable to any of our events.
• Service Availment: No concessions or discounts will be provided if participants choose not to avail of specific services offered during the event.
• Withdrawal: If a participant withdraws from the event after registration, carry forward of the amount is not available. Refunds will be provided as per the refund policy in place at the time of withdrawal.

Refund Policy:

• Refund Medium: Refunds will be processed through the same medium the payment has been made.
• Processing Time: Refunds may take between 3 to 10 working days to be processed. If the amount hasn't been refunded within this period, the paid recipient needs to check with the payment gateway support for assistance.
• UPI and Current Account Payments: Refunds will be processed within 2 days and instantly transferred if paid through UPI or transferred to our current account.
• Refund Issuance: Refunds will not be issued in cash or coupons unless agreed upon with the participant. A refund will not be processed on weekends due to unavailability of the team.
• Exclusion of Convenience Fee: Refunds exclude the convenience fee. This is applicable for those who paid through third-party channels or payment gateways, which includes an extra convenience fee. For instance, if the event price is 1000 and the convenience fee is 5%, making the total paid amount 1050, during the refund, only the event fee of 1000 will be considered, excluding the convenience fee.
• Refund Percentages:60% refund for cancellation three days or more before the event. 50% refund for cancellation two days before the event. 40% refund for cancellation one day before the event. 30% refund on the day of the event. No refund for a no-show.
• Event Cancellation: Full event fee will be refunded if the event is cancelled, no refund is provided if the event is forwarded to other party, extra fee needs to be paid by the participant if the other organiser fee is higher than our event.