WAN 2009 - Welcome

Goa is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located on the west coast of India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its western coast.
Panaji is the state's capital, while Vasco da Gama is the largest city. The historic city of Margao still exhibits the influence of Portuguese culture, who first landed in the early 16th century as merchants, and conquered it soon thereafter. The Portuguese overseas territory existed for about 450 years, until it was annexed by India in 1961.
Renowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture, Goa is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year. It also has rich flora and fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which is classified as a biodiversity hotspot..

GOA

2 Nights / 3 Days

The Portuguese called it Goa Dourada, Golden Goa; others called it the Pearl of the Orient. Lying between lush forested hills and the sea, Goa offers not only stunning beaches and swaying coconut palms but also a rich multi-cultural and historical heritage, including the World Heritage Site of its Churches and Convents.

04 Dec 2009 (Friday) HYDERABAD - GOA

Fly to Goa.
Check in at Hotel
Evening at leisure, overnight at hotel

: Morning transfer to airport for flight to Goa.

: Arrive at Goa. Meeting and assistance on arrival, then transfer to hotel.

: Reach and check in at the hotel.

7h00 :	Evening free for leisure and to explore the hotel, beaches and surroundings.
20h00 :	Overnight at hotel.

05 Dec 2009 (Saturday) IN GOA

Visit to Ponda - Mangueshi and Shantadurga temples
Drive to Sahakari Spice Plantation
Visit to Old Goa
Drive to Panaji - Capital of modern Goa - for shopping

08h30 :	Breakfast at hotel
09h30 :	Depart from hotel for Ponda to see the Hindu temples.
10h15 :	Arrive Ponda, the temple city, to visit the Mangueshi and Shantadurga temples. Mangueshi Temple: This Hindu temple is famous for its pristine glory, which attracts thousands of visitors every year and is gifted by the Welcome Gate, an elegant lamp tower, a `Noubatkhana´ overlooking the temple tank and Agrashalas or guest houses on three sides. Inside, the floor is paved with marble, and bands of decorative tiles emblazon the white walls. Flanked by large 'Dvarpala' guardians, embossed silver doorways with florite designs lead to the sanctum. The structure visitors see today dates from the 1700s. Shantadurga Temple is dedicated to Sri Shantadurga, the goddess of peace, who is said to have settled a quarrel between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The 18th century temple complex lies on the foothills of Kavalem surrounded by lush vegetation.
	There is a main temple with pyramidal roofs with an interesting dome, and three smaller temples of other deities which have been built on three sides. The pillars and floorings are made of Kashmir stone. The temple has a huge tank, a Dipa Stambha and agrashalas (guest houses)
11h30 :	Drive to Sahakari Spice Plantation. Guided tour of the plantation followed by Goan buffet lunch served on banana leaves.
13h45 :	Drive to Old Goa to see the old capital of Goa.
14h15 :	Visit the famous churches at Old Goa - the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral. The churches in Goa were built mainly in the 16th and 17th centuries. A legacy of the Portuguese rule over the area, they are architectural masterpieces recognized today as a World Heritage Sites.
	The Basilica of Bom Jesus, which contains the relics of St. Francis Xavier, Patron Saint of Goa, is a stunning example of Baroque architecture in India. The facade is a visual delight with a combination of Ionic, Doric and Corinthian styles in the columns. The construction of the church began on the 24th November 1594 AD. The interior is rich with gilded altars and an elaborately carved pulpit.
	Nearby Se Cathedral is the largest church in Asia and was dedicated to St Catherine. It took almost three-fourths of a century to complete the magnificent structure which is Portuguese Gothic in style with its Tuscan exterior and Manueline square tower and Corinthian interior.
	It is the seat of the Archdiocese of Goa. The cathedral has fifteen altars and eight chapels, of which two, the Chapels of Blessed Sacrament and the Miraculous Cross are adorned with very fine filigree work.
15h30 :	Drive to Panaji - the capital of modern Goa.
16h15 :	Tour the capital city for shopping
17h15 :	Drive back to hotel.
19h30 :	Overnight at hotel.

06 Dec 2009 (Sunday) LEAVE GOA

Morning at leisure for beaches.
Board flight for respective destination.

08h30 :	Breakfast at hotel.
09h30 :	Relax at the nearby beach / time free.
12h00 :	Check-out and transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.
14h30 :	Transfer to airport .
16h15 :	Board flight 9W 474 for Mumbai (optional).

Tour Ends.

Tour Cost:

	COMBINATION I	COMBINATION II
PAX - Twin sharing basis	INR 25900 Per Person	INR 16962 Per Person
Single	INR 14680 Per Single	INR 8270 Per Single

Additional:

Airfare: Economy Class -Hyderabad-Goa.

INR 7290 per person

(Airfare / timings currently applicable and subject to change without notice)

Hotels Envisaged:

CITY	COMBINATION I	COMBINATION II
Goa	Taj Exotica	Country Inn & Suites

The tour cost includes:

Arrival/Departure transfers, sightseeing, excursion as per programme by an air-conditioned MINI coach with services of an English speaking guide for city tour.
Hotel accommodation twin sharing at the hotels envisaged above or similar per respective combinations in standard room, with breakfast.
Monument entrance fee wherever applicable.

The tour cost does not include:

Meals (except those specified above).
Personal expenses like laundry, extras at the hotel, phone etc.
Any other services does not specified above.
Govt. Service tax - currently @ 2.58%. The tax prevailing at the time of billing will be charged.