Welcomes to all the nature lovers for this year’s Velas Turtle Festival tour, as we take you on a truly unforgettable journey where you will witness these exquisite creatures taking tiny footsteps in the vast, white sands of the Konkan coast. This is the best time to visit Velas to experience the breeding of turtles at the “Velas Turtle Festival” is from March to May.
Velas is an ecological village in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Velas Beach is famous for its beaches which are one of the best-preserved in nature. Velas is one of the most popular breeding grounds for the Olive Ridley Turtle. Velas Beach is home to 40% of the sea turtle nests along the coast of Maharashtra. Not only is it home to turtles, but it is also home to numerous bird species, including the white-bellied sea eagle, the white-backed vulture, and the Indian Swiftlet.
In addition to Velas Beach, Velas has other tourist attractions including the historic Bankot Fort.
And, staying in a local homestay will really add a warm touch to the experience. It gives you a home away from home experience.
Velas Turtle Festival is not just about little turtles hatching season and the beautiful
beaches, there is something more to it. Olive Ridley Turtles are one of the more endangered species of turtles.
An NGO named “Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra” started the conservation and now the gram-panchayat and villager’s committee has taken over the responsibility to conserve Olive Ridley Turtles by providing protection to their eggs.
Bankot Fort is an ancient fort situated at Bankot village in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Overlooking Bankot Creek is one of the historical forts in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Also known as Himmatgad, the Bankot Fort is situated at the highest point on the junction where river Savitri meets the sea. It is believed to have been established with the motive of guarding the trade route which ran along the Savitri River.
As it is located atop a small hill, the fort provides its visitors with a commanding view of the nearby settlement and the sea.
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Once you reach your pick-up point, mark your presence with the SG-Trekkers representative. Then we will travel by private bus to the starting point of the trek.
Arrive in Velas Eco-village early this morning.
Welcome to our beloved homestay!
Heading to Velas beach in the morning and evening for egg-hatching sessions. Learn about turtle conservation from your guide.
Spend some time at home. This is the perfect opportunity to meet your guide and get to know your fellow travellers. Also, witness the beautiful sunset from Velas beach.
Enjoy authentic and delicious Konkani-style dining at Velas.
Day 1: Highlights
• Accommodation: Konkani Local Homestay
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is the third and final session of egg hatching in our tour. We are visiting “Bankot Fort”. It is historically important and protective of “Savitri Creek”. Our tour concludes with lunch. After saying goodbye to our family here, we left for Pune with all the good memories.
Reach Pune by the evening and it’s time to say goodbye to your travel companion. Let’s stay in touch via phone/social media and meet again for another memorable trip.
SEE YOU SOON! 🙂
Day 2: Highlights
• Accommodation: N/A
• Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
It was very nice beach Trek in kokan.We have nice view of baby turtle 🐢 going to sea journey.Local Food is very delicious 😋. Overall arrangements was very good. Thanks to SG for Memorable Trek.🥰
Thanks, Vishal and Pankaj for the amazing and unique experience for me and my family!!
Keep up the good work!
All the best!
It was really a great weekend spent with you guys!
It’s very difficult to adjust back to this crowd polluted environment after coming back from a Peaceful and clean Village. But this is the reality 😭
Hope we will go back again together to the same or another place like this.
Indeed! we are also watching the memories captured over and over again.. it was sublime esp after lockdown, this being the first group trip for us
Thank you Vishal and Pankaj for arranging this so well
And thanks Vishvas for introducing us to SG Trekkers 😊👍🏻
शंख शिंपले नी वाळू मधुन किनाऱ्यावर शोधुनी आपली वाट,
ज्यांना हवी हवीशी वाटे त्या विशाल समुद्राची ती एक लाट,
ज्यांचा संवर्धनाचा घातलाय ह्या वेळासच्या गावकर्यानी सुरेख घाट,
त्या कासवांच्या पिल्लांचा हा गोड आणि निरागस थाट…!!