Come down to Velas to attend the most famous Velas Turtle Festival. The village is famous for the Olive Ridley Turtle, which is an endangered species. Velas is a small village in Ratnagiri district, where every year the Olive Ridley turtle population visits to lay eggs. Ten years ago, before the conservation effort started, most of the Olive Ridley turtle eggs were either consumed by humans, dogs and other wild animals.  An NGO named Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra and the Kasav Mitra Mandal (KMM), committee has taken the initiative to conserve olive ridley turtles by providing protection to their eggs during the period of February to March. The eggs, the size of ping pong balls, are collected and incubated in a hatchery constructed on the beach by the locals. Each clutch is marked by its date and left to incubate naturally. It’s indeed a magical moment to see a baby turtle coming out of the egg and then finding its way to the sea by taking those little baby steps. Join the Velas Turtle Festival to witness this unforgettable moment.

Explore the places around like Harihareshwar Temple and Bankot Fort. The nature lover will love the idea of attending the Velas Turtle Festival. Come to see the moments where you will see a new life entering the world. These are the moments you will remember throughout your life.          

ITINERARY:

Day 00
You will be picked up from your designated points and transferred to Homestays near Velas.

Day 01
Reach Velas by 5:00 AM and freshen up. Leave for Velas Beach by 6 in the morning for Velas Turtle Festival in Ratnagiri. Spend the time witnessing the turtles hatching on the beach. Return to the Villagers’ house for breakfast. After breakfast visit Bankot Fort - A beautiful fort dotting the coastline of The Konkan belt. Return to Velas by 1:00 PM and have local Konkani food there. Visit Velas Beach in the evening for Turtle sighting. Return to the homestay and stay overnight.

Day 02
Arrive at Velas Beach by 6 in the morning to witness the natural process of egg hatching. Have your breakfast and leave for Harihareshwar Temple and Beach by ferry. Have your lunch at Harihareshwar. After lunch continue your onwards journey.