Goa Tour Package, 4 Nights 5 Days with Old Goa and Dudhsagar
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Goa Tour Package, 4 Nights 5 Days with Old Goa and Dudhsagar

5 days / 4 nights
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5 days
4 nights

November to February for cool, dry days and calm seas. March to May is hot but quieter. June to September is the monsoon: no sea swimming, and the Dudhsagar jeep circuit stays closed until about October.

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Overview

Tour overview

This Goa tour package gives you 4 nights and 5 days, with three nights in North Goa and one night in South Goa. You see Fort Aguada, the North Goa beaches, the UNESCO churches of Old Goa and the old lanes of Fontainhas in Panaji. You take darshan at the Mangeshi and Shantadurga temples, eat lunch at a spice farm, and visit Dudhsagar when the forest circuit is open.

What does this Goa tour package include?

This is a 4 nights and 5 days Goa tour package. You stay three nights in North Goa and one night in South Goa. You see the beaches, the old Portuguese forts and the UNESCO churches of Old Goa. You walk the lanes of Panaji and take darshan at two of the most loved temples of Goa. You also eat at a spice farm and, in season, ride to Dudhsagar falls.

Most Goa packages give you a list of beaches and stop there. This plan gives you a clear day-by-day route with real driving times. It also tells you the rules that catch families out: when Dudhsagar closes, which flags mark the safe swim zone, and what to wear at a temple or a church.

  • Day 1: You arrive, settle in and watch the sunset at Fort Aguada.
  • Day 2: You see the North Goa beaches and Chapora Fort.
  • Day 3: You visit the Old Goa churches, walk in Fontainhas and take a Mandovi river cruise.
  • Day 4: You go to Dudhsagar in season, eat at a spice farm, and take darshan at Mangeshi and Shantadurga. You sleep in South Goa.
  • Day 5: You walk on Colva beach and leave for home.

North Goa or South Goa: why this trip gives you both

North Goa is busy and lively. Calangute, Baga and Anjuna have shacks, markets and crowds. The Goa government calls Calangute the Queen of Beaches. Its sand runs for about 7 km.

South Goa is slower. At Colva, the sand runs for about 20 km, and fishermen still dry mackerel, called bangdde, on the beach. Families with small children and elders often like the South better for a quiet morning.

So we keep you in the North for three nights. It sits close to the forts, the markets and Old Goa. Then you move south on Day 4, on the way back from the temples. You do not lose half a day on a separate transfer. If you want only the North, see our Golden Goa tour.

Which airport or railway station should you use?

Goa has two airports. Please check which one your flight uses before you book a hotel.

  • Manohar International Airport, Mopa (GOX): In Pernem, in the far north of Goa. The Prime Minister opened it on 11 December 2022, and flights began on 5 January 2023. It is about 32 km from Candolim, about one hour by road.
  • Dabolim Airport (GOI): Near Vasco da Gama, in the south-centre. Goa Tourism puts it about 30 km from Panaji. It is about 41 km from Candolim, about 1 to 1.5 hours by road, and about 24 km from Colva.
  • Thivim station (THVM): On the Konkan Railway, near Mapusa. It suits a North Goa stay.
  • Karmali station (KRMI): The station closest to Panaji, and close to Old Goa.
  • Madgaon station (MAO): In Margao, South Goa. Most long-distance trains stop here.

Coming from Delhi? Our Goa trip package from Delhi plans the flights for you. Coming from Mumbai by road, rail or sea? See our Mumbai Goa tour packages.

When is the best time for a Goa tour?

The easiest months are November to February. Days are dry and the sea is calm. This is also the busiest time, and rooms cost more, so book early for Christmas and New Year.

March to May is hot and humid, but hotels are quieter. The monsoon runs from about June to September, and rain can go on into October. In the monsoon, beach shacks close, the sea turns rough and swimming is not safe. Goa looks green and the waterfalls are full, but the Dudhsagar jeep circuit stays shut.

Two dates matter for Christian families and for anyone visiting Old Goa. The feast of St Francis Xavier falls on 3 December every year, with novena prayers on the nine days before it. Old Goa gets very crowded in those days. If you want the colour of the Goa Carnival before Lent, see our Goa Carnival festival tour.

The churches of Old Goa: what to know before you go

UNESCO listed the Churches and Convents of Goa as a World Heritage Site in 1986. Old Goa is about 10 km east of Panaji. It was the capital of the Portuguese in India, and Portuguese rule here lasted until 1961.

The UNESCO site has seven monuments. The two you must not miss are the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Se Cathedral. Work on Bom Jesus began in 1594, and the church was consecrated in May 1605. It holds the body of St Francis Xavier. Grand Duke Ferdinand II of Tuscany ordered his tomb in 1665, and craftsmen made it in Florence.

The church opens his relics for public viewing only once in about ten years. The last such exposition ran from 21 November 2024 to 5 January 2025. Read more on our page on the Churches and Convents of Goa.

Temples of Goa for Hindu families

Goa is also a land of old temples, away from the beaches. The Ponda area, inland, holds many family temples of Goan Hindus. Shri Mangesh is the family deity of many Goud Saraswat Brahmin families. In this package you take darshan at two of these temples.

Shri Mangesh temple stands in Mangeshi village, Priol, about 21 km from Panaji. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Manguesh, in the form of a linga. Temple records say the linga came here in 1560 from Kushasthali, today's Cortalim, during Portuguese rule. The temple has kept a dress code since 2011.

Shri Shantadurga temple stands at Kavlem, about 30 km from Panaji. Devotees believe the goddess stood between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and made peace between them. The present temple went up between 1713 and 1738, with the help of Naro Ram, a minister of Chhatrapati Shahu. The Ministry of Tourism lists its hours as 6 am to 8:30 pm.

Dudhsagar falls: the rules in plain words

Dudhsagar waterfall lies inside the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, on the Goa side of the Western Ghats. The falls drop about 310 m. You cannot drive your own car to them.

  • Closed in the monsoon: The Forest Department shut the circuit from 1 June in 2024, and from 11 June in 2023, for wildlife breeding and the rains.
  • Opens after the rains: In 2022 the season opened on 2 October. In 2025 the season was declared open on 19 October. In 2026 it opened in early October.
  • Only forest jeeps go in: You go in an authorised jeep from Collem. Each jeep takes up to seven adults. The rough track is about 14 km each way.
  • Book online: In the 2025 and 2026 seasons, bookings ran through the GTDC online portal, and reports gave the Collem gate hours as 8 am to 3 pm. Please confirm them for your date.
  • Safety rules: Life jackets are compulsory near the water. No plastic and no alcohol inside the sanctuary.
  • Never walk on the railway track: The Forest Department does not allow it, and offenders can be fined.

The jeep fare changes, so please confirm the current rate on the official booking portal. We book your slot as soon as booking opens for your date.

Beach safety: the rules on Goa beaches

Goa's lifeguards, run by Drishti for the state, watch the beaches from 7 am to sunset. Please follow these simple rules with your family.

  • Swim only in the swim zone marked by red and yellow flags. The lifeguards watch this zone.
  • Never enter the water where you see a red flag on its own.
  • Black and white chequered flags mark the water sports area. Stay between them only for water sports.
  • Do not swim after sunset, after a drink, or if you have a health problem.
  • Do not jump or dive from rocks, and keep away from wet rocks where waves break.
  • Smoking on the beach is banned, and so is driving any vehicle on the sand.

The safe swimming months are November to early May. At Calangute, the sea floor drops quickly, so the waves are heavier than they look. For an emergency, call 108. The Goa Tourism helpline is 1364.

What to eat and what to buy in Goa

Goan food starts with fish curry and rice. Try chicken or prawn xacuti, cafreal, and bebinca, the layered Goan sweet. Vegetarian families eat well too. In Panaji, Cafe Tato is a long-running vegetarian cafe for bhaji and pao. The spice farm lunch on Day 4 is vegetarian-friendly and served on a banana leaf.

For seafood, Souza Lobo has served guests on Calangute beach since 1932. Vinayak in Assagao is loved for its fish thali. Ritz Classic in Panaji is a classic stop for a Goan fish thali, and Martin's Corner at Betalbatim, in the South, has run since 1989.

Buy cashews, bebinca and kokum to take home. Goa Cashew got its GI tag in October 2023, and Goan bebinca also carries a GI. Cashew feni got its GI in 2009, but please carry alcohol only within the legal limit. Buy sealed packs from a proper shop, and check the packing date.

How is this Goa package different?

We built this page to answer the questions other Goa packages leave open. Which airport? Is Dudhsagar open in my month? Can my mother wear a salwar kameez at the church? Which beach is safe for my children? Where can we eat vegetarian food? You will find each answer here, in plain words.

If you want a slower trip with a night on the water, see our Goa houseboat tour package. For a first India trip with Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, our Golden Triangle tour with Goa adds Goa at the end. For more on places, food and festivals, read our Goa travel guide.

Tour highlights

Your first sunset at Fort Aguada, the Portuguese fort of 1612 with its lighthouse of 1864
A full day on the North Goa coast: Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator and the walk up to Chapora Fort
Prayers for your family at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, where the body of St Francis Xavier rests, inside the UNESCO site of Old Goa
You walk the coloured lanes of Fontainhas, the oldest quarter of Panaji
An evening cruise on the Mandovi from the Santa Monica jetty, with Goan folk songs and dances
Darshan at Shri Mangesh temple, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Manguesh, with its seven-storey lamp tower
Darshan of Goddess Shantadurga at Kavlem, the goddess who made peace between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu
Lunch on a banana leaf and a guided walk at a spice farm in Ponda
A jeep ride to Dudhsagar falls in the Bhagwan Mahavir sanctuary, when the forest circuit is open
A slow last morning on the long white sand of Colva in South Goa

Destinations covered

CandolimCalanguteAnjunaOld GoaPanajiPondaColva

Best Time

November to February for cool, dry days and calm seas. March to May is hot but quieter. June to September is the monsoon: no sea swimming, and the Dudhsagar jeep circuit stays closed until about October.

Ideal For

Families with children and elders, couples and honeymooners, first-time Goa visitors, NRI and OCI families, and devotees who want the Mangeshi and Shantadurga temples along with the beaches and the Old Goa churches.

Difficulty

Easy

Day by day

Day-by-day itinerary

A carefully paced plan, day by day. Tap any day for the stay, meals and altitude detail.

Today you arrive in Goa. If you land at Mopa, our driver meets you outside arrivals. The drive to Candolim is about 32 km, about one hour. If you land at Dabolim, the drive is about 41 km, about 1 to 1.5 hours. If you come by train, we meet you at Thivim, Karmali or Madgaon station.

Check in and rest. Have a light lunch. The Goa sun is strong even in winter, so stay indoors in the early afternoon.

At about 4:30 pm, drive to Fort Aguada at Sinquerim, at the south end of Candolim. The Portuguese built it between 1609 and 1612, at the mouth of the Mandovi. Its lighthouse dates from 1864. The fort once stored about 2,376,000 gallons of fresh water for passing ships. Walk on the walls and watch the sun go down over the Arabian Sea.

For dinner, go to Souza Lobo on Calangute beach, open since 1932 and now run by the third generation. Try the xacuti or the prawns. If you want vegetarian food, ask your hotel for a Goan veg thali, or keep the Cafe Tato visit for Day 3 in Panaji.

  • Distance and drive time: Mopa airport to Candolim about 32 km (about 1 hour), or Dabolim airport to Candolim about 41 km (about 1 to 1.5 hours).
  • Best time today: Fort Aguada after 4:30 pm, for the cool breeze and the sunset.
  • What to buy, and how not to be cheated: Buy water, sunscreen and a cap from a proper shop with a printed price. Say no politely to anyone selling tours or boat rides on the beach. Book trips through your hotel or through us.
  • A fact few people know: The name Aguada comes from the Portuguese word for water. A fresh water spring inside the fort gave water to ships that stopped here. Part of the fort was a jail for many years. In December 2021 the Prime Minister opened the restored jail as a museum for Goa's freedom fighters.
Special Tips for This Day: Keep light cotton clothes, a cap and sunscreen in your hand bag. Lifeguards leave the beach at sunset, so do not enter the sea after dark. Elders should take the car close to the fort gate and walk only on the flat parts. For photos, stand on the wall facing west about 20 minutes before sunset.

Today you see the famous North Goa beaches. Leave the hotel by 8:30 am, before the heat. Start at Calangute and Baga. Calangute's sand runs for about 7 km. The sea floor drops quickly here, so the waves are heavier than they look. Let children play only near the lifeguard tower.

Next, drive on to Anjuna, about 18 km from Panaji. Here black rocks run into the sea over a cove of white sand. If today is a Wednesday, the Anjuna flea market is on. Friday is the day of the old Mapusa market. On Saturday evenings in the dry season, the Arpora night bazaar opens.

For lunch, go inland to Vinayak at Assagao. It opened in 2013 and is loved for fish curry rice and its fish thali. Vegetarian guests can ask for a veg thali.

In the late afternoon, drive to Vagator and climb up to Chapora Fort. The walk up from the parking is steep and rocky. From the top you see Vagator, Anjuna and the Chapora river. Many Indian families know it from the film Dil Chahta Hai.

  • Distance and drive time: about 27 to 35 km in all, in short hops (Candolim to Anjuna about 10 km, Anjuna to Chapora about 4 km).
  • Best time today: Beaches from 8:30 am to 11 am; Chapora Fort from 4:30 pm, for the sunset.
  • What to buy, and how not to be cheated: At the Anjuna market, ask the price at two or three stalls before you buy. Bargain politely. For cashews, buy sealed packs from a proper shop and look for the Goa Cashew GI mark. The GI mark helps you tell real Goan cashews apart from cashews grown elsewhere.
  • A fact few people know: Before the Portuguese came, an older fort stood on this hill. The Portuguese built the present fort in 1617 and left it in 1892.
Special Tips for This Day: Wear sandals with a good grip for the Chapora climb, and carry water. Elders and small children can wait at the base, where you can see the river. Keep your phone and wallet in a zipped bag at the markets. Swim only between the red and yellow flags, where the lifeguards watch.

Today you see the old capital. After breakfast, drive about 21 km to Old Goa, about 40 minutes. Go early, by 9 am, before the tour buses. UNESCO listed the churches and convents of Goa in 1986.

Start at the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Work on it began in 1594. The body of St Francis Xavier rests here in a silver casket. His tomb came from Florence, ordered in 1665 by Grand Duke Ferdinand II of Tuscany. Close by stands the Se Cathedral, dedicated to St Catherine. Its main body was ready by 1619. Walk on to see the ruined tower of St Augustine on the Holy Hill, and the Church of St Cajetan, built to look like St Peter's in Rome.

Drive about 12 km to Panaji for lunch. Ritz Classic serves a Goan fish thali. For vegetarian food, Cafe Tato is a long-running veg cafe. It is usually closed on Sundays, so please check before you go.

In the late afternoon, walk the lanes of Fontainhas, the oldest quarter of Panaji. It grew more than 200 years ago. The houses are painted in yellow, blue and other bright colours, with red-tiled roofs. Take about an hour. Viva Panjim here serves Goan home food. At sunset, board an hour-long GTDC cruise on the Mandovi from the Santa Monica jetty, near the Mandovi bridge. Local artists sing Goan folk songs and dance on deck.

  • Distance and drive time: about 45 km in all (Candolim to Old Goa about 21 km, Old Goa to Panaji about 12 km, Panaji to Candolim about 12 km).
  • Best time today: Old Goa from 9 am to 11:30 am; Fontainhas from 4 pm; the cruise at sunset.
  • What to buy, and how not to be cheated: Buy bebinca in Panaji from a bakery with its name printed on the box, and check the packing date. Goan bebinca carries a GI tag. At Old Goa, buy candles and rosaries only from the church stalls.
  • A fact few people know: St Francis Xavier died on 3 December 1552. That is why Goa keeps his feast on 3 December every year, and Old Goa fills with pilgrims from before dawn.
Special Tips for This Day: Wear clothes that cover the shoulders and knees for the churches. Speak softly and do not use flash inside. The main churches stand close together, which suits elders, but carry an umbrella for shade. On the cruise, sit on the upper deck for the breeze and keep children away from the rails.

Today is your longest day, so leave by 6:30 am with a packed breakfast. Drive about 70 km to Collem, about 1 hour 40 minutes. When the forest circuit is open, you board an authorised jeep here for Dudhsagar falls. In the 2025 and 2026 seasons, the Collem gate was reported open from 8 am to 3 pm. The rough track is about 14 km each way. The falls drop about 310 m. Life jackets are compulsory near the water. No plastic and no alcohol are allowed inside.

If you travel in June to September, the circuit is closed. On those dates you sleep a little longer and drive straight to Ponda for the temples and the spice farm.

From Collem, drive about 29 km to the Sahakari spice farm at Curti, Ponda. You get a traditional welcome, a guided walk through the spice gardens, and a village lunch on a banana leaf.

In the afternoon, drive about 13 km to Shri Mangesh temple at Priol. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Manguesh. Look up at the seven-storey lamp tower, the deepastambha. Devotees say the temple tank is the oldest part of the complex. If today is a Monday, wait for the palanquin procession before the evening aarti. Then drive about 10 km to Shri Shantadurga temple at Kavlem. The Ministry of Tourism lists it as open until 8:30 pm. After darshan, drive about 22 km to your hotel in Colva.

  • Distance and drive time: about 144 km by car in all (Candolim to Collem about 70 km, Collem to Curti about 29 km, Curti to Mangeshi about 13 km, Mangeshi to Kavlem about 10 km, Kavlem to Colva about 22 km), plus about 14 km each way by forest jeep.
  • Best time today: Dudhsagar in the morning, close to the 8 am gate opening; temples in the late afternoon, when the stone floors have cooled.
  • What to buy, and how not to be cheated: Buy spices at the spice farm shop in sealed packs, and check the date. In the temple lanes, buy flowers and prasad from the stalls near the gate. Do not buy any spice sold loose by the road as 'farm fresh'.
  • A fact few people know: Temple records say devotees carried the linga of Lord Manguesh to Priol in 1560, during Portuguese rule. The goddess at Kavlem also came from the Salcete coast, after the Portuguese destroyed her old temple.
Special Tips for This Day: Men should wear long trousers and a shirt that covers the shoulders, and women should wear a saree, salwar kameez or long skirt. Carry a dupatta or stole. Leave footwear at the stand near the gate. For elders, skip the jeep ride, as the track is bumpy. Rest at the spice farm instead and keep energy for darshan.

Today you wake up in South Goa. Walk on Colva beach at sunrise. The sand runs for about 20 km, and Benaulim is about 2 km further on. In the early hours you can watch fishermen bring in their boats and spread mackerel, called bangdde, to dry on the sand.

After breakfast, visit the Church of Our Lady of Mercy in Colva. Many devotees come here to pray before its statue of Menino Jesus, the Child Jesus.

If your flight is late, have lunch at Martin's Corner at Betalbatim, open since 1989. If you want a fish thali in town, Sharada Bar in Margao serves a kingfish thali.

Then drive about 24 km to Dabolim airport, about 50 minutes, or to Madgaon station. If you have a free afternoon and a late flight, you can also go south to Palolem, a bay of white sand between two headlands, about 40 km from Margao. Please tell us at booking if your flight leaves from Mopa. Then we move your last night to North Goa, so you do not face a long drive on the last day.

  • Distance and drive time: Colva to Dabolim airport about 24 km (about 50 minutes); Palolem is about 40 km from Margao if you add it.
  • Best time today: Colva beach from 6:30 am to 8:30 am, before the sun is strong.
  • What to buy, and how not to be cheated: This is your last chance for cashews, bebinca and kokum. Buy sealed packs with a printed price, so they pass airport security without trouble. Keep liquids such as feni in your checked bag, within the legal limit.
  • A fact few people know: Palolem is one of the beaches where boatmen take visitors out to see dolphins. Galgibaga, further south, is a turtle nesting beach.
Special Tips for This Day: Pack wet clothes in a separate plastic bag the night before. Reach Dabolim at least two hours before a domestic flight. Keep a little time free, because the airport road can be slow in season. Carry a light snack for the children.

Travel tips

A family guide to North Goa, Old Goa, Ponda and South Goa

Goa beaches, churches and temples

On this trip you watch the sunset at Fort Aguada and pray at the Basilica of Bom Jesus. You take darshan of Lord Manguesh and Goddess Shantadurga, and you eat lunch on a banana leaf at a spice farm. When the forest circuit is open, you ride to Dudhsagar. Here is what you should know before you go.

4 NIGHTS / 5 DAYSSTART: MOPA OR DABOLIMUNESCO: OLD GOA 1986BEST: NOVEMBER TO FEBRUARY

The shrines

Swipe →
01
Basilica of Bom Jesus
Old Goa
The body of St Francis Xavier, inside a UNESCO site
02
Shri Mangesh
Priol, Ponda
Lord Shiva as Manguesh, with a seven-storey lamp tower
03
Shri Shantadurga
Kavlem, Ponda
The goddess who made peace between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu
04
Dudhsagar falls
Collem
About 310 m, by forest jeep, closed in the monsoon
05
Fort Aguada
Candolim
Built 1609 to 1612, lighthouse of 1864
06
Fontainhas
Panaji
The oldest quarter of Panaji, with coloured houses
01Season

When to go to Goa, and what each season gives you

The easiest months are November to February. The monsoon runs from about June to September, when swimming is unsafe and the Dudhsagar circuit is shut.

  • November to February: dry and calmYour days are dry and the sea is calm. This is the busiest time, so book your rooms early if you travel at Christmas or New Year.
  • March to May: hot and quietYou feel the heat and humidity rise, but hotels are quieter. Plan your beach time early in the morning and rest in the afternoon.
  • June to September: green and wetRain is heavy, beach shacks close and the sea turns rough. You should not swim in these months. The safe swimming months are November to early May.
Feast of St Francis Xavier

Goa keeps the feast on 3 December every year, with novena prayers on the nine days before it. Old Goa is very crowded on these days, so visit on another day if you want a quiet church.

02Forest rules

Dudhsagar falls: when it opens, and how you get there

Dudhsagar waterfall lies inside the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. Only authorised forest jeeps from Collem go to the falls.

  • Closed in the monsoonThe Forest Department closed the circuit from 1 June in 2024, and from 11 June in 2023, for wildlife breeding and the rains.
  • Opens after the rainsIn 2022 the season opened on 2 October. In 2025 it was declared open on 19 October, and in 2026 it opened in early October.
  • Jeep, gate and bookingEach jeep takes up to seven adults, on a rough track of about 14 km each way. In the 2025 and 2026 seasons, bookings ran through the GTDC online portal and the Collem gate was reported open from 8 am to 3 pm.
  • What is not allowedYou cannot take your own car or two-wheeler. You cannot carry plastic or alcohol. You must wear a life jacket near the water. Never walk on the railway track to the falls.
Check before you fix your date

The forest staff can stop trips on days of orange or red weather alerts. We check the status the evening before and switch the day if needed.

03Logistics

Two airports and three stations: which one is yours

This tour starts at Mopa or Dabolim airport, or at Thivim, Karmali or Madgaon station. Check your ticket before you book a hotel.

Manohar International Airport, Mopa (GOX)

In Pernem, in the far north. Opened on 11 December 2022, flights from 5 January 2023. About 32 km from Candolim, about one hour.

Dabolim Airport (GOI)

Near Vasco da Gama. About 30 km from Panaji, about 41 km from Candolim and about 24 km from Colva.

Thivim, Karmali and Madgaon stations

All on the Konkan Railway. Thivim suits North Goa, Karmali is closest to Panaji and Old Goa, and Madgaon suits South Goa.

For NRI and OCI families

Many overseas flights reach Goa through Mumbai. Keep at least three hours between your international and domestic flights, and check which Goa airport your second flight uses.

04Darshan and prayer

Temples and churches: what to wear and what to expect

Shri Mangesh temple has kept a dress code since 2011. Cover shoulders and knees at every temple and church.

  • Shri Mangesh, PriolLord Shiva as Manguesh. Temple records say the linga came here in 1560 from Kushasthali, now Cortalim. On Mondays the deity goes out in a palanquin before the evening aarti.
  • Shri Shantadurga, KavlemDevotees believe the goddess made peace between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The present temple went up between 1713 and 1738. The Ministry of Tourism lists it as open from 6 am to 8:30 pm.
  • Old Goa churchesUNESCO listed them in 1986. When you are inside, speak softly, keep your camera flash off, and do not sit on the altar steps for photos.
Easy clothes that work everywhere

A saree, salwar kameez, kurta or long trousers work at both temples and churches. Keep a stole in your bag for the day.

05Flags and lifeguards

Beach safety for families

Lifeguards watch Goa beaches from 7 am to sunset. Swim only in the zone marked by red and yellow flags.

  • Read the flagsThe red and yellow flags mark your safe swim zone. If you see a red flag on its own, you must stay out of the water. The black and white chequered flags are for water sports only.
  • Not after darkDo not swim after sunset or after a drink. If anyone in your family has a health problem, let them stay on the sand.
  • Rocks and river mouthsDo not jump from rocks, and keep away from wet rocks where waves break. Avoid river mouths, where the current pulls hard.
  • Calangute wavesThe sea floor at Calangute drops quickly, so the waves are heavier than they look. Keep children near the lifeguard tower.
Numbers to save

Medical emergency: 108. Goa Tourism helpline: 1364.

06Eat and buy

What to eat, and what to take home

Try fish curry rice, xacuti and bebinca. Buy Goa Cashew with the GI mark.

  • Vegetarian in PanajiIf your family eats only vegetarian food, go to Cafe Tato, a long-running vegetarian cafe for bhaji and pao. It is usually closed on Sundays, so please check before you go.
  • Fish thaliRitz Classic in Panaji, Vinayak in Assagao and Sharada Bar in Margao are loved for the Goan fish thali.
  • Old family restaurantsIf you want an old family restaurant, try Souza Lobo, on Calangute beach since 1932, or Martin's Corner at Betalbatim, open since 1989.
  • GI goodsGoa Cashew got its GI tag in October 2023. Goan bebinca and cashew feni carry GI tags too. Buy sealed packs from a proper shop.
Markets by day

Anjuna flea market is on Wednesdays. Mapusa market is on Fridays. The Arpora night bazaar opens on Saturday evenings in the dry season.

The chant at the door of Lord Manguesh

Darshan at Shri Mangesh, Priol

Om Namah Shivaya

When you stand before Lord Manguesh, you stand where devotees brought the linga more than four hundred years ago, to keep their faith alive. Take a quiet moment here, say the name of Lord Shiva, and carry that peace back to your home.

What's included

What's included

Included

  • ✓Your 4 hotel nights: 3 nights in North Goa (Candolim or Calangute side) and 1 night in South Goa (Colva or Benaulim side), on twin or triple sharing
  • ✓Your daily breakfast at the hotel
  • ✓Your pick-up on arrival at Mopa or Dabolim airport, or at Thivim, Karmali or Madgaon station
  • ✓Your drop on departure at Dabolim airport or Madgaon station
  • ✓All sightseeing as per the itinerary in a private air-conditioned car with a Goa driver
  • ✓Driver allowance, fuel, parking and tolls for the sightseeing in this itinerary
  • ✓Help with the online Dudhsagar jeep booking for your date, when the forest circuit is open
  • ✓A WayToIndia trip briefing for you before you travel, with a packing list and a season check
  • ✓Phone and WhatsApp support for you from our team through the trip

Not included

  • ✕Flight or train tickets to Goa and back (we can book them on request)
  • ✕The Dudhsagar jeep fare, forest entry and booking charges, paid at the official rate
  • ✕The Mandovi river cruise ticket and the spice farm entry with lunch
  • ✕Water sports, boat trips, casino entry and nightlife
  • ✕Lunch and dinner, unless you ask us to add a meal plan
  • ✕Entry tickets, camera fees and museum charges where they apply
  • ✕Temple offerings, church donations and personal shopping
  • ✕Travel insurance and anything not listed in inclusions

What travellers say

What travellers say

4.7
Way to India · rated 4.7★ on Google across 47 reviews
S
Shivani Gupta★★★★★
“Had a wonderful experience with way to india for my badrinath kedarnath yatra.everything was well organized-from travel accommodation to food. A special thanks to Ms. Neha who managed everything so beautifully n was extremely supportive n cooperative throughout the journey. They took great care of us n darshan was done very smoothly.”
3 weeks ago · Google
Y
Yashvind Kumar Poteeram★★★★★
“A big thanks to Way To India for organising such a truly memorable and spiritually fulfilling experience during our 12 Jyotirlinga Darshan pilgrimage from 1st May to 18th May. They organized the entire journey exceptionally well, ensuring that every aspect of the trip was smooth, comfortable, and hassle-free. From transportation and hotel arrangements to darshan planning and coordination, everything was managed professionally. Despite the extensive travel across multiple destinations, the itinerary was well-structured, allowing us to complete all the Jyotirlinga darshans comfortably. Thanks to staff of Way To India, especially, Ms Neha, who was supportive, responsive, and attentive throughout the journey, always ready to assist whenever needed. Her dedication and careful planning made this sacred pilgrimage stress-free and enjoyable. I sincerely appreciate their excellent service, commitment, and hospitality. Highly recommend Way To India to anyone planning a spiritual tour, especially for the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra. Thank you for making this divine journey so special and memorable.”
4 months ago · Google
A
Aruna Persand★★★★★
“We have successfully completed the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra, with Waytoindia and it was a truly blessed and unforgettable journey. Every aspect of the tour was well planned and professionally organized, from transportation and accommodations to temple visits and sightseeing. Visiting all twelve sacred Jyotirlingas was a deeply spiritual experience. The itinerary was designed efficiently, allowing us to have darshan at each shrine comfortably while enjoying the cultural and religious significance of every destination. We sincerely appreciate the excellent support and coordination throughout the trip. The team was always available to assist, ensuring a smooth and stress-free pilgrimage. Thank you Waytoindia for making our dream of completing the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra a reality. We highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking a well-organized and spiritually enriching pilgrimage experience. Har Har Mahadev! 🙏🕉️”
5 months ago · Google

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Four nights and five days is enough for a first Goa trip. You get one day for the North Goa beaches, one day for Old Goa and Panaji, one day for the Ponda temples, a spice farm and Dudhsagar, and a slow morning in South Goa. With three nights, you must drop either the South or the temples.

North Goa has more beaches, markets and food close together, so it suits a first visit. South Goa is quieter, with long sands like Colva, which suits elders and small children. This package gives you three nights in the North and one night in the South, so your family gets both.

Goa has two airports. Manohar International Airport at Mopa (GOX) is in the far north and suits a North Goa stay. Dabolim Airport (GOI) near Vasco suits South Goa. From Candolim, Mopa is about 32 km and Dabolim about 41 km. Check your ticket for the airport code before you book.

No. The Goa Forest Department closes the Dudhsagar jeep circuit for the monsoon. In 2024 it closed from 1 June. It opens again after the rains, usually in October. In 2022 the season opened on 2 October. Never try to reach the falls by walking on the railway track.

You cannot drive your own car to Dudhsagar. You go in an authorised forest jeep from Collem, with up to seven adults per jeep. In the 2025 and 2026 seasons, bookings ran through the GTDC online portal, and reports gave the Collem gate hours as 8 am to 3 pm. Please confirm the current rate on the official portal.

The Ponda area, inland, has the best-known temples of Goa. Shri Mangesh temple at Priol worships Lord Shiva as Manguesh. The Ministry of Tourism lists Shri Shantadurga temple at Kavlem as open from 6 am to 8:30 pm. Goa Tourism also lists the Mahalsa temple at Mardol, Shri Ramnath at Ramnathi and Shri Gopal Ganapati at Farmagudi.

Yes. Shri Mangesh temple has kept a dress code since 2011. Wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees at both temples and churches. A saree, salwar kameez, kurta or long trousers are best. Avoid shorts and beachwear. Carry a stole, and remove footwear at temple gates.

November to February is the best time, with dry days and a calm sea. March to May is hot but quieter. June to September is the monsoon, when swimming is unsafe and the Dudhsagar circuit is closed. Book early for Christmas, New Year and the feast of St Francis Xavier on 3 December.

It is safe only in the right place and season. Swim only in the zone marked by red and yellow flags, and never where a red flag flies on its own. Lifeguards watch from 7 am to sunset. Do not swim after dark or after a drink. The safe months are November to early May. In an emergency, call 108.

Yes. Most restaurants serve a veg thali. In Panaji, Cafe Tato is a long-running vegetarian cafe for bhaji and pao. It is usually closed on Sundays. The spice farm lunch in Ponda comes on a banana leaf with vegetarian dishes. Tell your hotel at check-in, and they can plan a veg breakfast.

Buy Goan cashews, bebinca and kokum. Goa Cashew got a GI tag in October 2023, and Goan bebinca also has a GI tag. Buy sealed packs with a printed price from a proper shop, and check the packing date. Cashew feni has a GI too, but carry alcohol only within the legal limit.

His body rests at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, and you can pray before the tomb on any visit. The church opens the relics for close public viewing only once in about ten years. The last exposition ran from 21 November 2024 to 5 January 2025.

Before you book

Cancellation & Refund Policy

As per the cancellation terms shared at booking. Please ask our team for the full policy.

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