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(+91) 99-2345-0044
Mon-Fri, 08:00 – 21:00
Hello,
Nature Lovers,
Welcome to this year’s Turtle Festival. This two-days will be one of the most memorable in your life.
From hatching to touching the sea, we were together in this unforgettable moments; I will always remember you, my friend!
Thank you for sharing your love with us!
Yours,
Baby Turtle
Witnessing a baby turtle coming out of the egg and then finding its way to the sea by those baby steps, is an unforgettable moment.
Anjarle is a small port village nestled on the coastline of Ratnagiri district which is famous for its 2 km long stretch of white sand surrounded by palm trees, Kadyavarcha Ganpati temple and Konkani lifestyle. After the ongoing conservation taken at Velas, an initiative was taken by Anjarle Gram panchayat, Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra, Kasav Mitra Mandal-Anjarle, Nirmal Sagar Tat Abhiyan and Maharashtra forest department to conserve Olive Ridley Turtle by protecting their eggs which are found at Anjarle shoreline.
In recent years, the tiny village of Anjarle in Maharashtra bears witness to a truly heart-warming sight as hundreds of newly hatched Olive Ridley Turtles take their first steps towards the big blue sea.
Anjarle Turtle Festival is aimed at conserving eggs of Olive Ridley Turtles that are one of the endangered species. Upon maturity, these hatchlings are then released into the sea under the watchful eyes of volunteers. Witnessing the birth of these tiny turtles and their maiden journey towards the sea is a sight to behold. It signifies the value of life, no matter how small, in this big beautiful world!
Suvarnadurg is a fort that is located on a small island in the Arabian Sea, near Harnai in Konkan. Enjoy a boat ride from Harnai jetty towards Suvarnadurg fort located in the middle of the sea if you are lucky we can spot dolphins nearby.
The literal meaning of Suvarnadurg is “Golden Fort” as it was considered as the pride or the “feather in the golden cap of Marathas”. Built for the Maratha navy for defence purposes, the fort also had a shipbuilding facility. The basic objective of establishing the fort was to counter enemy attacks, mainly by the colonialists of Europe and also by the local chieftains.
In the past, the land fort and the sea fort were connected by a tunnel, but this is now defunct. The present approach to the sea fort is only by boats from the Harnai port on the headland. It is a protected monument.
History
The fort was probably built by the Bijapur kings in the 17th century. Captured and strengthened by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, it became a stronghold of the Maratha navy and remained with the Peshwa till 1818 ad. It was one of the main naval bases of the British.
2. The tour dates have been planned after precise calculation of probable hatching dates and as per the information provided by researchers & volunteers at Anjarle however, turtle sightings are a natural phenomenon and is a matter of luck.
3. Considering safety and security measures, it is strictly not permitted to swim at Anjarle beach.
4. Moreover, we expect our travellers to take this a complete ecotourism experience, enjoy & explore every bit of the tour and think beyond “just sightings”. There is a lot to enjoy on this short tour so let’s be travellers, not tourists.
5. As it is totally eco-tour, we provide accommodation on a home-stay sharing basis. Food is hygienic and prepared in local spices by our hosts at Anjarle village, Ratnagiri.
Anjarle is not only home to turtles but also to a myriad of ecotourism flavour. When you are done with turtle sightings, there is so much more in store including a village walk, the trip to the historic Suvarnadurg fort and well famous temple, Kadyavarcha Ganpati, Shree Keshavraj (Lord Vishnu) and Shree Vyaghreshwar (Lord Shiva) in the sacred groves.
Accommodation in a local homestay will truly add a warm touch to the experience. It gives you a feel of home away from home.
Only female turtles will come back to the breeding site for laying their eggs. Male turtles will never come back to the beach again.
Female turtles will visit the shore during the late evening, make a pit on the sandy beach, lay the eggs in the pit, cover it up with her fins and then leave back to sea, to never come back.
22:00 – Reporting to the SG team.
22:59 – Travel to the base village from Pune.
05:30 – Reach in Anjarle eco-village.
– Check-in at a respective homestay.
06:00 – Visit Anjarle beach for watching the hatching process.
08:00 – Freshen up. Breakfast & tea.
09:00 – Visit Suvarnadurg & Goa forts & Harnai fish market.
12:00 – Free time in Anjarle village.
13:00 – Have a Lunch.
14:30 – Free time.
17:00 – Visit beach for turtle hatching. Sunset.
18:30 – Information about the hatching process.
20:00 – Enjoy authentic Konkani food at dinner.
22:00 – Day stumps.
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Accommodation
Konkani Homestay – Separate Hall for Males & Females
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Limited: Veg. / Non-Veg.)
06:00 – Wake-up call. Freshen up.
06:30 – Visit a beach for the last sighting of the trip.
08:00 – Come back & have breakfast.
09:00 – Visit the Kadyavarcha Ganpati temple.
10:00 – Start return journey by bus.
12:30 – Lunch at Mahad. (Self-paid)
14:30 – Travel to Pune.
20:00 – Reach Pune with happy memories.
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Meals
Breakfast
Shivajinagar > Swargate > Katraj > Mahad > Mandangad > Anjarle (Base)
22:00 – Shivajinagar
22:30 – Swargate
22:59 – Katraj
Please come 15 minutes before at your pickup point to avoid getting late.