Goa

Pick up at the airport. The rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy free time on the beach. Overnight stay in Goa.

Today after breakfast, you will leave for Old Goa, the erstwhile capital of the Portuguese settlers; this is the heritage capital of Goa. It is suggested that you walk around the area and experience the grand and world famous churches of St Francis Xavier, Se Cathedral and Basilica of Bom Jesus, an imposing granite structure where you will see the body of St.Francis Xavier encased in a silver casket. The saint died in 1552, but his body has remained well-preserved. Close by are the other very sacred and prominent monuments of St.Cajetons Church, St.Catherine’s Church, the Tower of St.Augustine and the Nunnery/Convent of St.Monica.

Optionally continue the visit to the pious and the old temples of Goa; the Shantadurga Temple is dedicated to the goddess who mediates between Vishnu and Shiva. The deity is also called ‘Santeri’ colloquially. This avatar of Shree Jagdamba Devi, which had come to make peace (Shanti) between Shree Vishnu and Shree Shiva, came to be known as Shree Shantadurga Devi. Then we proceed to the next temple which is dedicated to Lord Mangueshi, an incarnation of Shiva. He is a kuldevta of many Hindus in Goa, especially of Saraswat Brahmins. He is also referred to as Saib (The Lord of Goa) by the Hindus of Goa.

Later leave for the capital of Goa, Panjim city. This is a vibrant city with a very distinct character of having a fusion of the old and new age world, where the urban structures mingle with the erstwhile charm of Goan lifestyle. Then drive through Mala Fontainhas, which is also called the Latin Quarter of Goa, and proceed on to see the pious Mary Immaculate Church in City Square and finally end the tour by exploring the markets of Panaji.
Return to your hotel and enjoy free time on the beach or swimming pool.Overnight stay in Goa.

After breakfast, you will start the tour to the Aguada Fort and explore the ancient remains of the charming Fort at the tip of Aguada. Then go to the serene beach of Vagator; this beach is flanked and overlooked by the majestic Goan Fort at Chapora. Here you can explore the area and then move to Anjuna Beach, which is the main hub of all hippies. Then in Calangute, you can enjoy thrilling watersports like parasailing, bumper rides, jet skis, banana Rides, boat rides etc….on the Golden Beach. Visit Candolim Beach and its famous lighthouse. Visit Baga Beach, which is overlooked by the mountains and has a rivulet flowing beside it. Return to the hotel and enjoy free time on the beach or swimming pool. Overnight stay in Goa.

North GoaToday after breakfast, we embark on a journey to the rural expanse of the forested Goa; we pass through the old villages in the Mollem area to reach the Collem station; here you can take the sanctuary jeeps to drive to the exotic Dudhsagar Waterfalls, which is listed as India’s fifth tallest waterfall and is 227th in the world at 310 m. The falls accumulate into a serene pool at the bottom where people can refresh themselves.

The drive through the sanctuary gives the tourists an opportunity to see the opulent flora and fauna of the Western Ghats in Goa, there is an abundance of the Indian Langurs, a type of local monkey, abundant wild birds, and other wildlife in the surrounding areas. To reach the waterfalls we have to cross three gushing rivers and pass along a splendid piece of geological rock formation; locally this is called the “Devcharacho kond”,which translated from Konkani, literally means the ‘Devil’s Canyon’. Dudhsagar is a very popular tourist spot, and the long drive is well worth the beauty of the place.

Next proceed on to the exotic locales of the hinterland of Goa and visit the spice farm. This is a very vast area where different varieties of herbs, spices and trees are grown, and in the middle of the plantations there is an area where specimens of various exotic spices are cultivated and hybrids developed together.

The tour takes people for an informative walk in the plantation where they get to interact and actually see the traditional methods & process of cultivating, harvesting & plant breeding. Guests are explained about the various medicinal qualities, local uses and home applications of the herbs and spices; the base theme of the tour is how our everyday lives are influenced by these aspects of nature.

There are also local breweries of the very famous Goan drink FENNY, where visitors can actually see the drink being distilled in the old traditional method of Goans.Overnight stay in Goa.

Day is at leisure. Enjoy free time on the beach. Overnight stay in Goa.

Drop at Goa airport.