Depart from your hotel and drive to Sahakari Spice farm. A place for relaxation under the dense forest cover, an aroma of a variety of genuine spices coming from the trees grown around the farm, lots of knowledge, guidance on the type of species and treatment for various diseases, sumptuous lunch in traditional Goan style, all this and more to add to a cherishing day at Sahakari Spice Farm.
On arrival to the farm you will be welcomed with an Indian traditional Aarti, kumkum and a welcome drink will be served. Later you will be taken around the spice farm for a spice tour. This Organic Spice Farm is reputed for the various types of spices grown in a systematic and scientific manner and is used to dissipate knowledge about their medicinal values, which many travelers search for whilst in India.
The spices which are grown in this farm are Vanilla, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamon, Pepper, Cloves, Chilli, Curry leaves and Ginger. Besides these spice plants they also have medicinal plants and fruit bearing trees. After returning from your spice tour you can enjoy the Traditional Goan buffet lunch at the farm itself. After a filling lunch you can relax for some time in the farm. Later we proceed back to your respective hotels.
Explore the past of Goa with Portuguese history. Enjoy the European touch here in this exotic environment and admire the still kept treasures. Do you want to learn more about Goa’s history and like to enjoy antiques and evidences of the past? Drive to Margao and explore the colourful city market. Buy souvenirs or just click pictures and get an idea of what India is all about. Proceed to Chandor. There you are with locals mingle with ever smiling and laid back people. Visit the Menezes Braganza House As you wind up do not get a trance seeing the great countryside all along the track.
Later a hospitable host awaits you in Quepem to guide you through his home, the PALACIO DO DEAO, which is 218 years old. PALACIO DO DEAO was built by the Portuguese noble man who was the Dean of the church and the founder of Quepem town. It is built in an unusual style of architecture, blending Hindu and Portuguese culture. Also outstanding are its lush gardens that have managed to preserve their historical features and have since old times, been known as the most beautiful pleasure gardens in Goa. Enjoy a delicious Goan lunch (cooked by the family) in this unique atmosphere before you drive back to the hotel.
Tigers, elephants, lions - this three-day adventure gives you an unmissable taste of India’s wildlife. You’ll take a train through Goa’s fascinating countryside to Udupi, where you’ll check into your hotel. Then there’s time to explore the town’s Hindu temples before dinner and an early night in preparation for tomorrow’s adventures. Leaving early the next morning, keep your camera handy as you drive the ‘ghat’ mountain roads of Karnataka. These British-built roads are riddled with hairpin bends and command jaw-dropping views over the valleys below. Next you’ll visit an elephant centre to meet some of these incredible animals, before continuing to the Thavarekhoppa wild tiger and lion rehabilitation reserve. Here board a coach for a thrilling safari drive, watching for the tigers, lions and deer that roam its jungle. After that and lunch, it’s back to your hotel to freshen up before dinner. The next day, reboard your train, chugging through lush countryside to Magao and your transfer to your resort. Simply spectacular.
Get back to nature and sleep in a romantic Rajhastani tent on one of Goa’s most beautiful beaches. Anyone wanting to get away from it all will love this two-day trip. First, you’ll travel in air-conditioned comfort towards secluded Soneca Cola. This tucked-away beach is particularly picturesque, with thick palms, stunning views and lagoon-like waters. When you arrive, you’ll check into your spacious, comfy tent - they’re all kitted out with charming Rajhastani wooden furniture and en-suite loos. After lunch, you’ve got the afternoon free to snooze on a hammock, sunbathe, swim or play some beach volleyball. Come sundown, dinner is served and you’ll have the chance to watch some local dancing and sit around the campfire as the stars come out overhead. And after a good night’s rest and breakfast, you can take an optional boat ride to spot dolphins before your heading back to your resort. Perfect for peace-seekers, beach fans and loved-up couples.
While you’re in Goa, why not grab the chance to see the Taj Mahal? One of the Seven Wonders of the World, this glorious 17th century tomb is jaw-dropping. Your trip starts with a flight to Delhi and drive to Agra, home to the Taj and many fine monuments from India’s Mughal era. After a good night’s sleep at your hotel, your sightseeing extravaganza beings with a dawn visit to the Taj. Commissioned by emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his late queen, it’s a poem in white marble. Tiptoe around its spectacular interior, marvelling at its intricate inlaid stonework. And capture its beauty on camera from its magical gardens. After a trip to Agra Fort, your day ends at Fatehpur Sikri. This deserted 16th-century city is crammed with long-abandoned but still exquisite mosques, palaces and tombs. A once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This overnight cruise takes you off the beaten track and into the jungle-draped rivers and lagoons that make up Goa’s backwaters. Gliding past secret villages, ancient temples and tangled mangrove forests, you’ll get a real feel for the peaceful way of life that’s a world away from Goa’s lively beach scene. The Shri Kute will be your trusty steed for the trip – a double-decker wooden boat traditionally used for ferrying sacks of freshly-harvested rice. A recent makeover has transformed it into a luxury 5-bedroom houseboat manned by a friendly crew. After an optional sunset swim, you’ll dig in to dinner on deck while surrounded by multicoloured lanterns. The next day’s three-part breakfast is just as atmospheric. Tea is served at 7am to a soundtrack of birdsong, and it’s followed by a spread of food. After a spot of fishing, the boat will head back to the mainland while brunch is served.
This overnight cruise takes you off the beaten track and into the jungle-draped rivers and lagoons that make up Goa’s backwaters. Gliding past secret villages, ancient temples and tangled mangrove forests, you’ll get a real feel for the peaceful way of life that’s a world away from Goa’s lively beach scene. The Shri Kute will be your trusty steed for the trip – a double-decker wooden boat traditionally used for ferrying sacks of freshly-harvested rice. A recent makeover has transformed it into a luxury 5-bedroom houseboat manned by a friendly crew. After an optional sunset swim, you’ll dig in to dinner on deck while surrounded by multicoloured lanterns. The next day’s three-part breakfast is just as atmospheric. Tea is served at 7am to a soundtrack of birdsong, and it’s followed by a spread of food. After a spot of fishing, the boat will head back to the mainland while brunch is served.
You’ll tick off an ancient civilization on this tour. It kicks off with a train ride to the pretty village of Hampi, where you can expect lots of greenery, streams and free-roaming monkeys. When you arrive, you’ll make your way to the ancient city of Vijayanager. Once a wealthy Hindu kingdom, this is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, when you see the ruins here, you’ll understand why. It’s crammed with crumbling temples and palaces, all of which date back to the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. One of the must-sees is the Vitthala Temple. It was dedicated to Hindu goddess, Vishnu, and its pillars make the sound of different musical instruments if you tap them. What’s more, it boasts an impressive stone chariot drawn by a pair of elephants – originally the wheels of the chariot revolved. Another of the site’s showpieces is the Virupaksha Temple. It boasts a 50-metre tower that’s still used for worship today. You’ll have plenty of
This trip takes you to the impressive, 1,000-foot-high Dudhsagar waterfall. The falls’ name translates as ‘sea of milk’, and ancient Indian legend says it was created by a princess who poured a golden jug full of milk over herself while bathing in the lake above. You’ll take a drive through vibrant Goa, past little villages and paddy fields, towards the falls. Then, you’ll have some free time to splash around under the magnificent, pearly-white cascades, while watching the monkeys swing around the trees that line the water’s edge. After you’d towelled down, you’ll make your way to a nearby spice plantation for lunch. You’ll also get the chance to wander around the farm before making your way back to your hotel.
You can create your own just-so story on this overnight trip. The experience begins with a 2-and-a-half hour drive to the Goan jungle, where you’ll discover a lodge camp. You’ll arrive just in time for lunch and, once you’ve eaten, you’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to ride an elephant. In the evening, you’ll tuck into a traditional Goan buffet meal before ending your night relaxing in the flickering lights of a campfire. After a good night’s sleep in the wilderness, you can choose to get up early. If you answer the wake-up call at 5am, you’ll have chance to trek up a hill and watch the dawn break around the peak. Ask for the 6.30am alarm and you’ll be up in time for a yoga session. If you’d rather catch up on sleep, breakfast will be served between 7.30am and late morning. After breakfast, a 4x4 will take you further off road to Dudhsagar Falls. According to legend, it’s not whitewater that cascades down the mountains
Goa’s shoreline is best described as out of this world, thanks to its mix of dusky pink and white-sand beaches, and impossibly blue waves. This tour lets you make the most of it all, with an all-day boat trip around the coast. You’ll take to the Arabian Sea on a Goan fishing boat, pit-stopping now and again for dolphin watching, snorkelling and swimming. Lunch is served at Joet’s on Bogmalo Beach. This ramshackle guest house gets rave reviews on TripAdvisor, with the service getting special mention along with the food. The owner heads to the market daily to stock up on only the freshest shrimp, crab and kingfish. After lunch, there’ll be time for a swim in the sea, before you sail back to your starting point.
Goa’s shoreline is best described as out of this world, thanks to its mix of dusky pink and white-sand beaches, and impossibly blue waves. This tour lets you make the most of it all, with an all-day boat trip around the coast. You’ll take to the Arabian Sea on a Goan fishing boat, pit-stopping now and again for dolphin watching, snorkelling and swimming. Lunch is served at Joet’s on Bogmalo Beach. This ramshackle guest house gets rave reviews on TripAdvisor, with the service getting special mention along with the food. The owner heads to the market daily to stock up on only the freshest shrimp, crab and kingfish. After lunch, there’ll be time for a swim in the sea, before you sail back to your starting point.
This night-time cruise is perfect if you fancy a change from the usual hotel-dinner-and-a-show format. You’ll climb aboard a luxurious yacht a little before the sunshine dips below the horizon, accompanied by just 5 other guests, a captain and a crew member. Your skipper will steer you towards the Mandovi River’s backwaters and Coco Beach, a slither of golden sand on the river’s estuary. This area is known for its wildlife, so keep an eye out for dolphins and native birds, like the ruby-throated bulbul, as you enjoy the views. You’ll be sailing for around 3 hours, and canapés and drinks are part of the package.
This tour lets you sidestep the tourist traps and get off Goa’s beaten track. You’ll travel by coach along the south of the state’s outskirts, soaking up incredible coastal views. Your first stop is in Narve Village, home to the Saptakoteshwar Temple. There’ll be a guided tour of this domed sanctuary, and then you’ll be whisked to a local school to greet some of the local children. From here, you’ll head to the nearby Bicholim Pottery factory, where a local artisan will demonstrate how mud is transformed into something that takes pride of place on a mantelpiece. There’ll be more of the same in a nearby tile workshop, before you’re driven to the Pandava Caves in the town of Sanquelim. They’re thought to date back to the 6th century, and once served as a hiding place for exiles. Finally, you’ll check out the Harvalem Waterfalls, before sitting down to lunch near the vast Mayen Lake.
Think you know Goa? Think again. We’re taking you beyond the breezy beaches and party nights to show you the sunshine state through the eyes of a Goan local. Your Goa walking tour will first lead you to a local fish market, passing along the way various monuments such as the Old Secretariat, the 15th-century summer palace of sultan Yusuf Adil Shah, and the Abbé Faria statue.
From the fish market, bursting with fishnets and a huge array of fish, you’ll proceed to the vegetable and spice markets, where you’ll smell the exotic spices and herbs grown in the marshlands of Goa. You’ll continue on to the flower market, all the while getting a peek into the chaos and charm of local life.
From here, you’ll board a tuk-tuk on your Goa tour and take off to the Fontainhas area, the city’s old Latin quarter. We’ll head directly to a quaint little Goan/Portuguese food joint for a mug of chilled beer or cashew feni, a Goan specialty liqueur that’s produced exclusively in the state.
En route we’ll take a quick photo break at the beautiful Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, a stunning church that dates back to the mid-1500s. You’ll take a lazy stroll around Fontainhas, stepping back in time to when the Portuguese were forming their colony. The neighbourhood’s Mediterranean feel, narrow streets, overhanging balconies, and colourful buildings are an absolute delight for the eyes.
We’ll finish off our cultural adventure with a little art at the Gitanjali Art Gallery, which features work by both local and international artists. From there, we’ll call it a day, leaving you free to spend the rest of your afternoon exploring Goa.