Enjoy Tropical Adventure In the Beautiful Beach Capital of India with the Best Travel Packages
Some Useful Information about Goa:
Visitors at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Panaji, Goa
Capital of Goa: Panaji
Population of Goa: 1.58 million
Altitude of Goa: Altitude varies in Goa from sea level to 1022 meters.
Best Time to visit Goa: Goa is an year-round destination for visitors. It looks so different in different seasons. Some love its monsoon, while most others love visiting Goa during winters. Based on the kind of rush Goa gets, the best season for goa is during winters – from late October to early March. From late March onward till the onset of monsoon in late June, it becomes quite humid in Goa.
Best Places to visit in Goa:
Goa is one of the smallest states of India. Every part of Goa has its own vibes. It is famous as a beach destination in the world, but its rural areas are stunning.
Besides several awesome beaches, Goa has waterfalls, forts, churches, temples, forests, plantations, islands and market places.
Best Beaches in Goa:
Some of the best beaches in Goa are Palolem, Agonda, Cavelossim, Varca, Benaulim, Betalbatim, Utroda, Majorda, Bogmalo, Vagator, Orzan, Anjuna, Morjim, Arambol, Ashvem and Sinquerim.
Those who love partying, shopping and crowded areas, should visit Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna and Colva beaches.
Forts, waterfalls & other attractions:
Best forts to visit in Goa are Fort Aguada, Chapora Fort, Tiracol Fort, Reis Magos Fort, Corjuem Fort, Cabo de Rama and Mormugao Fort.
Dudhsgagar waterfalls is the best waterfall in Goa. This should be visited by those visiting in Goa. It is out of bounds in the monsoon though.
The Basilica of Bom Jesus Church is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Goa. Close to this is Se Cathederal. Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is also an important but beautiful landmark of Goa. Church Of St. Augustine is a ruined church complex which was once the biggest church in Goa.
Goa Detailed Itinerary with the best tour packages:
No. of Days: 8nights/9days
A tourist enjoying a walk on a Goa beach
Day 1: Goa with the best tour packages:
(Goa Tour Package: Explore Goa)
Arrive in Goa – a land which has all – from vibrant beaches to rich culture. Check into a hotel near Palolem beach, Where turquoise waters meet pristine shores, creating a tropical haven of blissful relaxation!
Palolem beach, often referred to as the paradise beach by tourists, is one of the most stunning beaches in the whole of Goa. The picturesque beach, lined with swaying coconut trees and white sand, is popular for its dolphin cruises, for parties and for long stretch of flat continental shelf.
Located close to Palolem is Patnem Beach, perhaps one of the most beautiful beach. Close to these are Collam Beach, Rajbag Beach. Galgibag Beach is also nearby. All these beaches are nestled between two cliffs.
Have dinner at one of the eateries at Palolem. Overnight at the Palolem beach hotel.
Bom Jesus Basilica Goa
Day 2: Old Goa with the best travel packages:
(Goa Tour Package: Explore Goa)
After a nice breakfast at the hotel embark on a tour of Old Goa, known for its Portuguese houses and churches.
Have a look at Basilica of Bom Jesus, the most famous church in Goa. This was built during the Portuguese rule in Goa. The Church is known for its exquisite carvings and paintings and its awe inspiring architecture. The UNESCO World heritage listed site, Basilica of Bom Jesus, is known for preserving the remains of the famous St Francis Xavier.
Church of Lady of Immaculate Conception, another beautiful church and the most popular landmark of Goa, is located right in the city square of Panjim. The Church has an impressive structure, almost inviting the vistors to explore it. It is famous for having the second largest bell in the world.
Later on, move over to Fontainhas for a special treat. Tucked away in Panjim, this old Portuguese neighborhood in Goa is adorned with brightly colored houses. Fontainhas, which gives a glimpse of old Portuguese culture, has still retained its old colonial charm. You can admire the beauty of the locality by wandering on the streets. Have dinner at one of the several restaurants.
Overnight at the Palolem beach hotel.
Dudhsagar Falls in Goa
Day 3: Dudhsagar Falls with the best travel packages:
(Goa Tour Package: Explore Goa)
After an early breakfast, start for the adrenaline pumping day trip of Dudhsagar Falls, most famous of all the serval falls in Goa. This is one of the most gorgeous waterfalls of India, with water plummeting from a good 605 meters. The falls are some two hour drive from Margao.
There are jeeps and motorcycles with pilots available to take you on a trip to the Dudhsagar Falls.
You can choose to enjoy some time at the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary enjoying its rare treasures of the exotic flora and fauna species. You should also not miss the picturesque Devil’s Canyon.
Return to the hotel, have a nice dinner and retire to room for a comfortable overnight sleep.
Day 4: Colva Beach – Benaulim Beach – Varca Beach with the best tour packages:
(Goa Tour Package: Explore Goa)
Start after breakfast to enjoy the beauties of some of the most stunning beaches of South Goa.
Start with Colva Beach, a 25km stretch of fine white powdery sand is dotted with coconut trees. Quite popular with tourists, Colva Beach, the busiest among the South Goa beaches, is lined up with a number of hotels, shacks, food stalls, small restaurants and pubs and bars. The beach has on offer sports activities like jet skiing, speed boat rides, and parasailing. You can also hire bicycles and go around the nearby villages.
Close to Colva Beach is a little less frequented Benaulim Beach. This beach is marked for its white sand, loft coconut trees and azure waters. You can undertake dolphin cruises from here as well. Varca beach, just two kilometer from Benaulim Beach, is yet another magnificent beach one should visit on a tour to Goa. Mostly free of hawkers, Varca beach is good for relaxing in complete peace. You can see fisher folks at work and their thatched houses in the backdrop.
Goa also has a suitable climate for spices and there are quite a few spice gardens like Sahakari Spice Farm around Ponda. You can have a tour of the spice gardens and also enjoy wonderful spicy lunch at plantations. You indulge in shopping some spices and also take part in elephant bathing, quite popular among the tourists.
Have dinner at one of the restaurants. Overnight at your hotel.
Fort Auguda in Goa
Day 5: Palolem – Arambol/Candolim:
(Goa Tour Package: Explore Goa)
Check out from the hotel after breakfast and proceed to North Goa. Check into a hotel near Arambol/Candolim.
Visit Candolim beach. This is one of the loveliest beaches in North Goa, which is often more crowded than South Goa. North Goa is a place for parties and a lot of water activities. One can indulge in activities like paragliding, parasailing, water skiing, and windsurfing. There are some beach shacks too where you can enjoy some drinks.
In the afternoon go on a tour to Fort Aguada located at Sinquerim beach overlooking the Arabian Sea. This is one of the most popular tourist destination in North Goa. This Fort, built in 1612 by the Portuguese to shield themselves from the attacks of the Dutch and the Marathas, has appeared in so many movies in India. A fresh water source within the fort gave its name ‘Aguada’ which means ‘water’ in Portuguese language.
Have dinner at one of the restaurants or at your hotel and have a nice sleep.
Tourists enjoying on Baga Beach
Day 6: Baga Beach – Calangute Beach – Anjuna Beach:
(Goa Tour Package: Explore Goa)
After breakfast, head off to the popular beaches of North Goa – Baga, Calangute and Anjuna.
Baga beach has some of the best water sports and fishing excursions on offer for the beach lovers. There are some nice shacks around the beach. Calangute is an extension of Baga Beach. You can enjoy some delicious food here. Enjoy your drinks looking at the activities around.
Visit the famous Anjuna flea market where you can buy almost everything – right from antiques, trinkets, local feni to Goan clothes.
Those who love parties and love to spend time in discos, pubs and bars, can enjoy these in Anjuna. There are some nice pubs and bars there. There are some nice restaurants in Anjuna as well. Enjoy your dinner. Return to your hotel for a nice overnight sleep.
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
Day 7: Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary with the best tour packages:
(Goa Tour Package: Explore Goa)
Goa is not about beaches alone. You can choose to head off to enjoy bird watching at Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. One of the most popular bird sanctuaries, it is located on the Island of Chorao which lies along the river Mandovi. This is a very spectacular sanctuary where you will find around 400 species of local and migratory birds. The Sanctuary is also home to quite a few Goan crocodiles. Another unusual inhabitant is the mudskipper – a mid-sized bulbous headed fish which actually skips through the mud at low tide.
There are quite a few mud and thatch houses and some exquisite Portuguese villas on the island. There is also a small village Church. You can choose to visit Divar Island which has also some Portuguese villas. During monsoon Bonderam festival is celebrated in Divar. Return to the hotel, have dinner and retire to your room for a relaxed overnight sleep.
Big Foot Museum, Loutolim Village
Day 8: Mandovi Cruise – Loutolim Village:
(Goa Tour Package: Explore Goa)
After breakfast drive down to take a cruise on the Mandovi river. This is a serene and relaxing experience, where you get to enjoy the lovely views of the river and the lush green surroundings. The cruises are entertaining with local Goan dance and music.
Later visit Loutolim Village, which showcases Indo-Portuguese culture, is a unique experience. This village is located to the north of Margao city in the Salcette district of South Goa. Probably the most picturesque village of Goa, the village has the surreal Portuguese finishing to the architecture and preservation lasting years.
The biggest attraction of the village is ‘The Big Foot’, India’s first open-air museum. This museum houses huge life-like sculptures, made of laterite stones of Hindu Gods, Goddesses and prominent figures of Indian History. Some of the sculptures are as long as 14 meters.
Loutolim is also home to a spice farm, a distillery, a restaurant, a local arts and craft gallery with an attached souvenir shop, an aviary and a medicinal spring. This is one rural area of Goa you must visit on your trip to Goa.
Have dinner once you return to the hotel and retire to your room for a comfortable sleep.
Day 9: Goa – onward destination:
(Goa Tour Package: Explore Goa)
Have breakfast and check out from the hotel. Drive to the airport to catch the flight for your onward destination.
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