Goa: bike, hike, kayak

Arrive in Goa and check into the first heritage hotel of Goa, Panjim Inn, in the Latin Quarter area of Goa. Our guide meets you at your hotel at about 17:00hrs for bike fit and briefing over dinner.

The blue, yellow, ochre, port, brick red, and white heritage homes of the area mark the characteristic atmosphere of the Latin Quarter. We step out early in the morning for a ride around the area. We ride past the iconic 30 January bakery, small cafes, and old pubs on the streets.

We continue riding towards Old Goa, which was built by the Bijapur Sultanate in the 15th century. It served as the capital of Portuguese India from the 16th century until it was abandoned in the 18th century when a bucolic plague hit the region. Remnants of Old Goa are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, replete with old churches like St. Francis, Basilica of Bom Jesus, and Church of Saint Cajetao. From we take a ferry to pristine Divar Island with our bikes and later catch another ferry to Naroa.

Later, we ride past a road flanked by beautiful forests with a robust wildlife population, then past some long gradual climbs till we hit the hotel. Settle here in a Nature Resort and admire the spectacular valley. If your legs still have energy, go on a short hike in the surrounding forest. Enjoy the picturesque waterfall, rich wildlife, and splendid views.

With a few uphills and a constantly green-forested region for the company, we head to the 13th-century temple, Tambdi Surla’s Mahadeva Temple. The ancient temple is built in a Jain style with basalt. The countryside area is brilliant to cycle around with rich green thickets and nothing but birdsong filling the air around. Our next stop is the Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary close to Mollem, set amidst the foothills of the Western Ghats and the largest wildlife preserve within the state of Goa. It is also home to the famous Dudhsagar waterfall, the Devil’s Canyon, the Tambdi Surla temple, the Tambdi falls, and a huge variety of plant, bird, and animal life.

Today get ready to hike the splendid Dudhsagar Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in India, through dense forests and smaller waterfalls. The area is also home to the Devil’s Canyon and a variety of plant, bird, and animal life.

We ride with gradual climbs and past sugarcane fields to reach Netravali. This is one of the most undiscovered spice plantation areas and a major attraction for nature lovers, usually away from the touristic ardor of the beaches. After settling in, head out for a 3km trek to the waterfall if you wish, worth the effort to see the gushing waters.

Start with a climb of about 5km, and then it’s a downhill ride past paddy fields and forest hills to Goan beaches. Ride along the stunning Goan coastline and admire the spectacular views from the top of Cabo de Rama, a medieval hillfort on the coast of Goa. Spend the rest of the day in leisure at the beach. The constant sound of the sea is therapeutic as you settle with a good book in the breezy verandah.

Today spend the morning kayaking and exploring the pristine mangroves of Goa brimming with exquisite birds and wildlife. Our trip finishes later morning. Extend your stay in Goa and spend time in leisure at the beach or travel further as per your onward plans.