Mumbai to Goa - The Konkan Cost (9 Days)

Mumbai to Goa - The Konkan Cost (9 Days)

Witness the unexplored beauty of coastal Maharashtra on this 600 kms long road trip. We will follow the Coastal Highway, the road which runs parallel to the coast, having beaches which are unexplored and untouched, temples adjoining the sea, ghats wherein one gets the amazing view of sea, bad roads, excellent roads, ferry crossings, bridges, etc. For those who love road trips and beaches, coastal Maharashtra has everything. Roads covered with coconut trees and an inviting smell of the sea, taking the intrepid closer to the rural charms of flourishing fishing villages and strange regional delicacies, with adventure water sports as a highlighted bonus. What’s better is that the road offers an ever-changing landscape at every 50 km, shifts from high cliffs to beach-side drives to isolated hilltops barren with red laterite soil.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Mumbai

Pass By: Gateway of India, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai 400001 India
On arrival at Mumbai airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel (hotels check in time 1200hr afternoon, early check in subject to rooms availability). Rest time free for personal activities relax.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Mumbai

Stop At: Elephanta Caves, Mumbai India
Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to Elephanta Island located 10kms away from the Gateway of India. Motorboats take passengers from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island. These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century BC.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Mumbai city tour, Mumbai Central, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400008, India
Later Mumbai city tour. Visit the Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (museum). Marine Drive which runs along the shoreline, starting at Nariman Point and up to Malabar Hill. Hanging Gardens laid out in 1881 these formally laid out gardens have a notable collection of hedges shaped like animals.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Mumbai - Alibaug (100km/ 2hr approx)

Pass By: Nagaon Beach, Nagaon Village, Alibaug 402201 India
Breakfast at hotel drive to Alibaug check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Alibaug

Stop At: Kolaba Fort कोलाबा किल्ला, Alibag, Maharashtra 402201, India
Breakfast at resort. Visit Colaba Fort - situated in the sea at a distance of 1.5km from the Alibag shores. At the time of fall, one can walk to the fort in waist-deep water. However, during the tide, boats need to be used. Colaba fort, major water fort in Konkan, Shivaji Maharaj built this fort in 1680, Nine hundread feet long and three hundread fifty feet wide, Having two gates, one from the shore, another from the sea side.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Kanakeshwar Devasthan Temple, 13 km from Alibag Centre, Alibaug India
Kanakeshwar temple - the old temple of Lord Shiva is about 12 km away from Alibag and falls on the way to Mandawa. The temple of Kanakeshwar is very beautiful, it is a 'Hoysal' style structure built in 1764. A water tank - popular known as 'Pushkarni' has water almost through out the year. Kanakeshwar is a place to feel the jungle and silence of the jungle and hills.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Alibag Beach, Alibag, Mahavir Chowk Road, Alibaug 402201 India
Alibag Beach - The main beach of the town Alibag beach is totally pollution free. Walking on the sandy beach is quite pheasant, the waves bring the water close to your feet and because of this one can't resist himself from entering the water. Fresh air, Sandy beach, sight of the Colaba fort are the major attractions. In addition to that you may enjoy Bhel-puri, Coconut water, Ice-cream, Sea Food, Alu Bonda etc. Alibagh other beaches are Akshi Beach, Nagaon beach, Kihim Beach, Mandwa Beach & Kashid Beach.

Rest time free and easy to relax on the beach.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Alibaug - Ratnagiri (300km/ 6hr approx)

Stop At: Murud Janjira, Murud India
Breakfast at resort drive to Ratnagiri via visiting Murud-Janjira Fort
Murud-Janjira Fort - that remained unconquered by the Marathas, the Dutch and the English, is a majestic fort palace, on a cliff overlooking the sea. Janjira is considered one of the strongest marine forts in India and can be approached by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty. The main gate of the fort faces Rajapuri on the shore and can be seen only when one is about 40 feet (12 m) away from it. It has a small postern gate towards the open sea for escape. The fort has 26 rounded bastions, still intact. There are many cannons of native and European make rusting on the bastions. Now in ruins, the fort in its heyday was a full-fledged living fort with all the necessary facilities, e.g., palaces, quarters for officers, mosque, two small 60-foot-deep (18 m) natural fresh water lakes, etc. The palace of the Nawabs of Janjira at Murud is still in good shape. Special attraction of this fort are 3 gigantic cannons named Kalalbangdi, Chavri and Landa Kasam. These cannons were said to be feared for their shooting range.

Continue drive to Ratnagiri check in at hotel.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Ratnagiri - Sindhudurg - Goa (295km/ 6hr approx)

Stop At: Sindhudurg Fort, Kurte Island, Malvan 416606 India
Breakfast at hotel visit the Thibaw Palace - this three-storeyed brick and teakwood palace was where King Thibaw, the last king of Myanmar, was under house arrest when he was exiled to India by the British. His story is one of a king who never saw his kingdom again, destined to die in a sleepy coastal town. Even today, the beautiful structure seems to exude his sadness.

After sightseeing drive to Goa enroute visit Sindhudurg Fort. The Great Shivaji Maharaj brought 200 Vaddera people for building this fort. Over 4,000 pounds of lead were used in the casting and foundation stones were firmly laid down. Construction started on 25 November 1664. Built over a period of three years (1664-1667), the sea fort is spread over 48 acres, with a two-mile (3 km) long rampart, and walls that are 30 feet (9.1 m) high and 12 feet (3.7 m) thick. The massive walls were designed to serve as a deterrent to approaching enemies and to the waves and tides of the Arabian Sea. The main entrance is concealed in such a way that no one can pinpoint it from outside.

Continue drive to Goa, and check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Goa

Stop At: Churches Of Old Goa, Goa Velha Cemetery Rd, Goa Velha, Goa 403108, India
Breakfast at hotel full day city tour of Goa covering: Churches of Old Goa, Panjim city, Altinho, Dona Paula viewpoint.

Basilica of Bom Jesus: A World Heritage Site, Preserved body of St. Francis Xavier constructed around 1695. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is famous for the preserved mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. He was the member of Society of Jesus and came to India to spread Christianity with the Portuguese. Se Cathedral: Largest church in Asia, giant bells and exquisite architecture. Se Cathedral of Goa is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. This magnificent edifice was built in the 16th century under the Portuguese rule in India. The construction of the church began in 1562 and finished in 1619. It was sanctified in 1640. After the construction, the Se Cathedral of Goa was declared to be the largest church in Asia.

Church of St. Francis of Assisi: A stunning & charming building, architecture has a combination of Hindu and Christian elements. The Church was built during 1517-1521 AD now converted into a museum.

Church of St Augustine Ruins: 46 meter high tower church was built in 1602 with the combined efforts of 12 Augustinians. They also built a convent besides the church. However, the Portuguese government in India put a ban on them and they abandoned the church and the convent. The Saint Augustine church was considered to be one of the greatest of three Augustinian churches. Now, only the ruins of the front portion of the church and magnificent tower remain.

Church of Marry Immaculate Conception: one of the most famous landmarks of Goa. This church is supposed to be one of the earliest churches to be constructed in Goa. The church looks magnificent and stunningly beautiful. The decoration inside the church is relatively simple, still exudes charm and beauty. The church that is present here today was supposed to have been rebuilt in 1619 from an earlier church.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Panjim Heritage Walk, E - 212 31'st January Road Fontainhas, Panjim 403001 India
Panjim City: the capital of Goa popularly known as the seat of the Government. Panjim is located on the south bank of the wide Mandovi River and is one of India's smallest and pleasantest state capitals. The Panjim town has preserved its Portuguese heritage remarkably well and parts of it still consist of narrow winding streets, old houses with over hanging balconies, red-tiled roofs and numerous small bars and cafe's. Signs in Portuguese can still be seen over shops, cafe's and administrative buildings. Fontainhas, transfers you back into the Portuguese days since it has retained its old charm and character. Within the commercial heart of the city rises majestically, the white-washed 'Church of the Immaculate Conception' founded in 1540.

Rest time free and easy to relax.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Goa

Pass By: Goa, Goa
Breakfast at hotel. Day free and easy to relax. and explore the site of your interest by your own.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Goa - Departure

Pass By: Old Goa, Goa Velha India
Breakfast at hotel. As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.