Konkan Eco-Village Experience : Devgad

Description:

Where is Devgad? What is unique about this women-led experience? How is this an eco-experience?

The district of Sindhudurg forms the southern part of the Konkan coast in Maharashtra. The lesser-explored taluka of Devgad of Sindhudurg in Maharashtra is home to lush forests, clear backwaters, rich marine biodiversity, pristine shores and beaches. 

This three-day long Konkan Eco-Village Experience, we closely work with the women of a village in Devgad. These local women are our local experts. They ensure that their village along with the other neighboring villages are ecologically, socially and economically sustainable. Hence, these women — our local experts make these ordinary villages; eco-villages.

On our three-day Konkan Eco-Village Experience: Devgad, you will understand the culture of the Konkan, feast on delicious homemade Malvani food, explore untouched beaches, go on biodiversity and nature walks with these local village women. If lucky, you will also be able to spot the Indian ocean humpback dolphins from the beach!

Experience start point: Kudal Railway Station – 1 pm, Day 1 (Friday)

Experience end point: Kudal Railway Station – 3 pm, Day 3 (Sunday)

Schedule: 

Day 1

• You will be greeted by our local experts at Kudal station at 1 pm, and move from there in a privately booked transport to a local home nearby for a fresh and authentic Konkani lunch. 
• You will then take a short ride through the lush green hills and mango orchards of Sindhudurg and arrive at our host village by the sea.
• After a short break upon arrival, our local experts will lead you through the village and introduce you to the local culture and unique traditions followed in their village. Post an engaging walk, you will then have the opportunity to walk to the beach - only a few minutes away to catch a spectacular Sunset! You can take a dip in the water at this safe and pristine beach.
• We will then head indoors where you will get an opportunity to directly observe and learn how the world-famous Malvani cuisine is prepared in an interactive culinary workshop, post which we will spoil ourselves with a scrumptious Malvani meal for both vegetarians as well as non-vegetarians.
• After treating yourself with delicious homemade food, you could stargaze and spot constellations on a clear night sky!

Day 2

• Come the next day, you will be regaled with a hearty breakfast in a dense coconut grove followed by a visit to ancient petroglyphs dating back to thousands of years under the guidance of our local experts.
• This interesting historical excursion will then take you to the mighty sea fort of Vijaydurg in the north of Sindhudurg. This is where you will hear stories of its historical significance from the locals. After an interesting guided walk ambling past the huge ramparts, you will embark on a boat ride around the fort to spot dolphins! (if you are lucky!) 
• After a heritage-rich outing in the north of Sindhudurg, you will then treat yourselves to another delicious locally-sourced lunch.
• When the sun is a little lower, you will again visit another lesser-known beach for a splendid sunset! A lifeguard will accompany you to the best spots to swim in the Arabian Sea.
• Post sunset, you will be presented with an interactive session of Fugdi, a traditional Konkani dance form where you are free to shake a leg!
• Once your appetite has been sufficiently built up, you will spoil yourselves once more with a delicious home-cooked Malvani dinner.
• Overnight at our village home.

Day 3 

• Next morning, you will wake up to the sound of birds chirping and make your way to the creek where you will try to spot flying fish, jellyfish, sting rays, turtles and the many other forms of marine life that exist here.
• After this exciting morning, you will visit yet another village home where you will fill yourselves with a delicious and fulfilling breakfast. You will then freshen up and visit a nearby temple and understand some of its ancient tales.
• You will then return for lunch in the village, after which you will thank the local women for hosting you and then depart for Kudal where you will end our wonderful weekend together.

Contact: Mohit at 9137279060 for any queries

How to reach Kudal:

1. By air – the closest airport is in Goa, from where you can take a short bus or train ride to reach Kudal.

2. By rail – Several trains from Mumbai reach Kudal at 1 pm. We recommend the Tejas express or the Jan Shatabdi, both depart Mumbai on the same morning. These trains are superfast and very comfortable to ride. We recommend the same two trains on the return journey from Kudal to Mumbai.

3. By bus – Overnight luxury Volvo buses from Mumbai/Pune and Goa are available year round. The bus stand is close to the railway station and we will pick you up from there in case you travel by bus.

Inclusions:

• Transport from the start and end points
• Guided walks around villages, forts, beaches and forests
• Immersive culinary workshop of vegetarian sweets
• Traditional folk dance performance (fugdi)
• Overnight stay at neat and clean village homes
• Local Konkani Lunch and Dinner on Day 1
• Local Konkani Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner on Day 2
• Local Konkani Breakfast and Lunch on Day 3

Note: Non-vegetarian food (mainly fresh, local fish) will only be served for lunch and dinner and will be prepared in a separate kitchen. You can let us know a few hours before every meal whether you would like to have vegetarian or non-vegetarian food. 

To carry:

• Comfortable holiday clothes – please avoid formal clothing
• Flip-flops or sandals – we are going to visit several beaches!
• Costume/shorts if you wish to swim on the beach
• A towel
• Sunglasses
• Cap or hat
• One bottle of drinking water – please avoid single use plastic and bring reusable bottles
• Personal toiletries and medications, if any
• Camera – optional
• Curiosity and energy – compulsory!

Social impact: 

On this unique, one of its kind experience, we have collaborated with multiple women’s self help groups for a variety of activities across many villages. A significant part of the revenue they generate through tourism will go to the community to reinvest on community projects, such as mangrove conservation and preserving cultural practices.

We believe that women are at the core of communities, and as they spend a greater time educating children they are the true influencers of our collective future. They are also the libraries and archives of all our intangible traditional skills and knowledge. Through a virtuous cycle based on responsible and sustainable tourism and healthy interactions between travellers and locals, we hope to achieve our missions of a plastic-waste free Konkan coast and immediate conservation of our cultural and environmental heritage that is under a lot of threat.

Sindhudurg was voted as one of the cleanest districts in India and we will respect our surroundings by consuming only home cooked local food and beverages on this plastic-free, sustainable experience.

Accommodation: 

We will be staying in neat and clean village homestays, with hot water showers and a clean toilet. Do keep in mind that these are traditional village homes with different rooms that might have to be shared and not hotels with private rooms. Since the homes and our experience will be entirely run by women, the environment is very safe and friendly for all genders. We will be sleeping on individual mattresses or small beds in spaces partitioned by gender, unless you are a couple and wish to be together.

Fans, electricity and charging points will be available at all homes. Blankets, pillows and basic toiletries such as soap will also be provided.

The accommodation is a short 10 minutes walk to the beach.

Level of physical activity: Easy

We will be exploring villages, forts and beaches at a low pace. There will be some steps you may have to climb in and around villages or forts to get to view points.

Please note:

• No alcohol consumption will be permitted on this experience. Nature will provide all the intoxication you require.
• All minors will need to be accompanied by an adult.

Cancellation:

Cancellation charges are applicable on actual full tour price.

60 days prior to the experience – Full refund (minus transaction fees of 2.5%)

Between 60 – 30 days prior – 80% of the tour cost will be refunded (minus transaction fees of 2.5%)

Between 29 – 10 days prior – 50% of the tour cost will be refunded (minus transaction fees of 2.5%)

Less than 10 days prior – No refund