Velas – One Big Step

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**Kindly Note: Your AC bus departure is on April 14th Friday Night at 10:00 pm from Pune – Hotel Blue Nile**

PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS CAREFULLY
The term ‘festival’ is not to showcase or display these marine turtles at the Velas beach. The sea turtles are protected under the ‘Migratory Species Convention’ and CITES (Convention of International Trade on Wildlife Flora and Fauna). India is a signatory nation to all these conventions. The ‘Homing’ characteristics of the Ridley sea turtles make them more prone to mass casualty. The conservation status of Olive Ridley turtles is considered ‘vulnerable’ and currently on the list of endangered species. There are several reasons why their population has decreased, one of them is getting habitat loss and eaten up by carnivores.

In an attempt to prevent this mass destruction, the Velas Turtle festival is an effort by the locals. The project involves in preserving the Olive Ridley sea turtle population by collecting the Olive Ridley turtle eggs along the coast and after 45-60 days successfully releasing the hatchlings into the sea in a phased manner.

Only when the hatchlings are ready they are taken for the release, thus it is a complete natural phenomenon and one cannot promise how many hatchlings entering the sea can be witnessed. We will be visiting the release 3 times (day 2 morning and evening, day 3 morning) during this trip to maximise our chances of seeing the baby turtles sticking their head out of the sand and taking the first breath of fresh salty sea air.

Date: April 14th – 15th – 16th Weekend
Trip Duration: 2 Days 2 nights.

Cost:
Overnight homestay, AC Bus Transport, Expertise and Guidance.
Meals – 2 breakfasts, 2 lunch, 1 dinner, 1 hi-tea and snacks.
Veg 4200 non veg 4515 (fish and chicken limited*)

The following is the plan for our trip to Velas:

Night 1 – April 14
Our private bus will do the pick-up, locations (TBA):

11:00 pm Pick-ups done

12:00 am – Exit Pune city via Chandni Chowk – Tamhini Ghat – Mangaon – Bankot – Velas

Day 1 – April 15

5:00 am – Reach Velas and freshen up.
6:00 am – Leave for the beach to see the hatchling release batch 1
8:00 am – Return to the homestay and have breakfast
9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Rest
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Lunch
2:00 pm – Leave for Bankot fort (slight hike) – Optional

The name Bankot is derived from “Bavanna Kot” a Marathi phrase meaning fifty-two forts. The Great Shivaji Maharaj captured this fort and added it to Swarajya, which was the fifty second fort and hence the name “Ban Kot”.

4:00 – 5:00 pm – Tea and Refreshments – Leave for the beach
5:00 – 6:30 pm – Hatchling release batch 2
7:00 – Return to the Homestay for dinner.
8:30 – 9:30 pm – Dinner
10:00 pm – End of day 1

Day 2 – April 16

5:00 am – Wake-up call
6:00 am – Leave for the beach to see the hatchling release batch 3
8:00 am – Return to the homestay and have breakfast and pack up for departure from Velas
10:00 am – Reach Vulture rescue center – The awareness session is very informative and knowing more about these birds is still less as much as we know about them already.
11:00 am – Reach Shrivardhan beach and relax – You can enjoy some beach adventure sports like para sailing, banana boat rides and jet ski: Please not the cost for these are not covered on your trip cost, any of these rides will be self-sponsored and at your own risk.

12:30 noon – Traditional Coastal Maharastrian lunch at Shrivardhan
1:30 pm – Departure for Pune.

Trip facilities:

• AC bus Travel and toll: Pick up and drop off from our selected pick up points.
• Meals covered on the trip: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea and refreshments and Dinner on Day 1. Breakfast and Lunch on Day 2.
• Non veg meals would be pre decided and not to be shared – Lunch on day 1 – Veg, Dinner on day 1 – (Chicken) and Lunch on day 2 – (Fish)
• Homestay with mattresses and basic bedding.
• Mineral water for drinking throughout the trip.
• Tour guides and camp leaders all along the trip.
• Medical assistance if required.

*Limited indicates a set number of non-veg or sweets the meal plan, rice, curry, vegetable, chapati, dal, salads can be ordered extra.

Trip excludes:

• Personal expenses (beverages, snacks, additional meals or food items)
• Personal medication
• Any of the beach adventure rides
• Food purchased during transit
• Additional foods ordered such as extra pieces of fried fish or chicken.

Things to carry:

Please non-bulky full body clothing preferably light colored
Good hiking or sports shoes or sandals
Caps and Hats
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Hand Towel and body towel
Munchies and personal snacks
Personal medication
Camera (optional)
Binoculars (optional)
Shawl (optional)
One liter water bottle
Torch
Toilet paper
Insect repellent

IMPORTANT:

Please take care of all your belongings.
Notify us immediately in case of any medical emergency.
Anyone found under the influence of drugs or narcotics will be requested to leave the trip immediately, without any refund.
Weekend experiences adventure camping and outdoor sports/ recreation is purely for nature lovers and not for party groups; we respect nature and do our best to spread the awareness about wilderness conservation.
Be sure that you are responsible for your own personal belongings.
We like to keep the wildlife wild; please do not litter the beach/ forest/ sanctuary and the homestay/ campsite.

Bookings for the trip can be made by bank transfer, Upi or cash
Please note 100% payment is required to get a confirmed booking. Account details below:
Name: Rivers and Ridges
Bank Name: Punjab National Bank
Bank account Number: 6631002100001031
Branch: Kondhwa
City: Pune
IFSC Code: PUNB0663100
Account type: Current

Availability is first come first serve basis. Last day of confirming is 2 days prior to the event date, but please book your seats as soon as possible to avoid any disappointment.

IMPORTANT:

Notify us immediately in case of any medical emergency.
We do not provide and encourage carrying any alcoholic drinks or substance; you will be at your own responsibility to leave the trip if found under any influence, without any refund and costs that may occur for your departure.
Adventure camping and outdoor sports/ recreation is purely for nature lovers and not for party groups; we respect nature and do our best to spread awareness about wilderness conservation.
Historic forts hold pride and valor for those who ruled there and we request you to show some respect by not indulging in any activity that will be disrespectful towards the historic figures and the present community living there.
Be sure that you are responsible for your own personal belongings
We like to keep the wildlife wild. We follow – leave no trace policy, we request you to carry your trash until we find a proper disposal bin.

Everyone has to fill out the undertaking form before joining the trip.
Kindly read our cancellation policy before making any payments.
Availability is first come first serve basis. Last day of confirming is 2 days prior to the event date,
but please book your seats as soon as possible.

For Bookings and enquiry please contact Rohan – 7350064961.
Looking forward to seeing you all,

Team Rivers and Ridges

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