Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.
And wait is over, be the chosen one to see baby turtle!
We at Trek Mates India invite you all for the “Turtle Festival Tour” to Velas on 16th & 17th March 2013 (Starting Friday, 15th March night)
Some information about the area:
The places that will be visiting are:
1. Harihareshwar
2. Bankot Fort
3. Velas Beach
The places that will be visiting are:
1. Harihareshwar
2. Bankot Fort
3. Velas Beach
(* Click on picture to enlarge)
Turtle Festival at Velas :
The Turtle Festival at Velas is annually organized by Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra (SNM) and the Kasav Mitra Mandal (KMM), during the period of February to March. This festival is attended by nature lovers, marine turtle enthusiasts, volunteers, known personalities in the field of conservation, tourists and people who just want to witness this moment, at least once in a lifetime!
![]()
Turtle Festival at Velas :
The Turtle Festival at Velas is annually organized by Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra (SNM) and the Kasav Mitra Mandal (KMM), during the period of February to March. This festival is attended by nature lovers, marine turtle enthusiasts, volunteers, known personalities in the field of conservation, tourists and people who just want to witness this moment, at least once in a lifetime!
Harihareshwar
Surrounded by four holy hills Harihar, Harshinachal, Bramhadri and Pushpadri Harihareshwar is a region in Konkan which is amazingly beautiful with hills playing the perfect foil for long stretch of pristine beach. The Harihareshwar temple built in the 16th century with the deities of Vishnu Brahma and Shiva is the primary attraction in Harihareshwar along with beautiful stretch of beach.
Bankot Fort
Region: Mandangad
District: Ratnagiri
Height: Sea fort (Slightly above sea level)
Difficulty: Simple
Bankot is a square shaped fort. On the sides of Bankot fort, there is a dry moat (Revni) dug out in the Jambhya stone. Jambhya stone is peculiar type of stone adorning a purple shade and peculiarly it is incapable of storing water as the water invariable percolates through it owing to its much porous nature. The main entrance (Mahadarwaja) of the fort is north-facing with a well sculpted arch and carvings. Watch guards dug out (Devdya) align on both sides of the Mahadarwaja with some pits being dug out in the right Devdi. On the left, there are steps leading towards Nagarkhana while there is an underground storey and a tunnel on the right. A Maruti idol in the centre stands deserted now. On the west, there is a small entrance (Darwaja) leading to a Bastion on the exterior of the fortifications. A deep well (now dry and filled) occupied the centre of this bastion earlier and the adjacent water tanks too are dry and obsolete now. One can leave the Buruj via a small exit that leads to the surrounding moat and a beautiful “Revni” lying nearby.
Velas
Velas is the birth place of Nana Phadnis, one of the great prominent personalities in Maratha history. Due to the sea-shore Velas is an existing place and it is situated nearBankot Bay. There is an old temple of Shri Bhairi- Rameshwar and in this temple all twelve months water is made available taking the benefit of favorable geographical conditions. A statue of Nana Phadnis is present outside his house. In Velas Mahalakshmi temple and Nana Phadnis house are the places to visit. Gokulashtami Festival is one of the important festival in Velas.Velas is also one of the popular breeding sites of Olive Ridley, which is an endangered species of turtle.
Max Participant : 25
Tour Leader : Manoj Kalwar
The itinerary for the tour will be as follows:
Day -1, 15th March, Friday Night :
Saturday, 16th March :
Day -1, 15th March, Friday Night :
Meeting Point : Andheri Bisleri Factory @ 11.00 pm
Pickup Point : Bandra KalaNagar @11.15 pm
Pickup Point : Pritam Hotel Dadar East @11.30 pmPickup Point : Chembur Diamond Garden @11.45 pm
Pickup Point : Vashi Below Main Bridge @12.15 pm
Pickup Point : Panvel ST Depot @ 12:45 pm (For all Pune People)
Pickup Point : Vashi Below Main Bridge @12.15 pm
Pickup Point : Panvel ST Depot @ 12:45 pm (For all Pune People)
Saturday, 16th March :
Reach Velas by 05.00am
Get fresh, Visit Velas Beach at 6am for Turtle Festival
Return to the Villager House
Breakfast
Start for Bankot Fort.
Breakfast
Start for Bankot Fort.
Explore Bankot fort
Return to Velas by 1pm
Lunch at Velas (Veg Konkani Food)
Visit Velas beach for Turtle Festival in the evening at 5pm ,
Fun time at Velas beach
Back to House
Dinner
Post Dinner , Night walk
Retire for the day
Lunch at Velas (Veg Konkani Food)
Visit Velas beach for Turtle Festival in the evening at 5pm ,
Fun time at Velas beach
Back to House
Dinner
Post Dinner , Night walk
Retire for the day
Sunday, 17th March:
Wake up at 5.30am
Visit Velas Beach for Turtle Festival in Morning at 6am.
Have breakfast and Start for Harihareshwar Temple and Beach by Ferry
Lunch at Harihareshwar
Post Lunch , Start our return journey by 3pm
Evening refreshment on the way
Reach Dadar by 9:30 - 10pm
Reach Dadar by 9:30 - 10pm
Pics from last TMI Tour to Velas
https://picasaweb.google.com/snehalsweet16/Velas1112FEb?authkey=Gv1sRgCI_snY-budK7lQE
Facebook Photos :
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1875907210637.106660.1029901500&type=3
Youtube Video :
The cost for the tour will be INR 2000/- per head,
which includes,
Travelling from Dadar to Dadar by Private NON AC BUS,
Food Expenses (only Veg),
Accommodation Charges. (Dormitary type Accommodation will be provided)
Food Expenses (only Veg),
Accommodation Charges. (Dormitary type Accommodation will be provided)
Turtle Festival and Velas Beach Entry Charges
Payment Details:
One needs to deposit INR 1500/- advance into the following bank account to confirm his/her registration.
Account Details
Bank Name : ICICI Bank
Account ID : 123801501755
Account Type : Savings Bank Account
Account name : MANOJ KALWAR
Branch : MUMBAI-ANDHERI W E HIGHWAY
IFSC code : ICIC0001238
Account name : MANOJ KALWAR
Branch : MUMBAI-ANDHERI W E HIGHWAY
IFSC code : ICIC0001238
(Once payment is done , please send an email to manoj1920@gmail.com / trekmates@gmail.com with Transaction ID , Participant Name , Email ID , Cell Number and Pickup Point [Andheri / Bandra Dadar / Chembur / Vashi / Panvel])
Things to Be carried:
Identity proof (Must),
A bottle of water (At least 2 Ltrs),
TORCH with extra batteries (compulsory).
Towel, a napkin, Extra Pair of clothes, Beachwear
2-3 papers, Bedding (can be used if required)
Camera (Optional),
Cap, etc.
Medicine those if u require usually (Optional),
Good trekking shoes, extra pair of socks, Beach footwear
For more details and Registration, Please contact on the nos. given below:
Manoj Kalwar: 9819021806 / 9870775633
Nilesh Patil: 8655588508
(Pls Msg if calls not answered.)
Manoj Kalwar: 9819021806 / 9870775633
Nilesh Patil: 8655588508
(Pls Msg if calls not answered.)
Registrations are only through phone calls (scraps, reply to this thread won’t be considered as confirmation)
If calls not attended , then please send an sms with message Velas Enquiry, we will call you back once we are free.
Limited seats, entry on first come first served basis.
Mail us at trekmates@gmail.com / manoj1920@gmail.com for any query
For more of Trek Mates India on the Net Please visit
Website : http://www.trekmatesindia.com/
TMI Diaries: http://trekmatesdiary.blogspot.com/
FaceBook Groups:
TMI Mumbai: https://www.facebook.com/groups/76034705414/
TMI Pune: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=155919984426659
TMI Diaries: http://trekmatesdiary.blogspot.com/
FaceBook Groups:
TMI Mumbai: https://www.facebook.com/groups/76034705414/
TMI Pune: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=155919984426659
Important Note: Hatching of turtle eggs is totally a natural process, and depends on the temperature of the nest where it has been from the day the eggs had been laid. We cannot guarantee about the hatching on our tour.
No refund will be given in case the Turtles dont want to come out in front of you.
Regards,
Team – Trek Mates India