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Explore Goa’s pristine beaches, quiet backwaters and fascinating wildlife.
Goa is synonymous as the old Portugese colony with endless beaches, warm weather and the more recent “hippie lifestyle”. Come celebrate Goa beyond just the beaches on a road bike tour that circumvents the Goan state from South to North and back.
“A kaleidoscopic blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, sweetened with sun, sea, sand, seafood, susegad and spirituality, Goa is India’s pocket-sized paradise”, – Lonely Planet.
Goa is India’s pocket-sized paradise”, – Lonely Planet.
As aptly as lonely planet has described Goa there is more to this island beyond the beaches. Back in the early 50’s and all along to recent years, Goa was popular for being part of the Hippie trail with backpackers dotting this quaint little Portuguese influenced ex union territory for a taste of diverse India. They came looking for the elusive glimpse into the “meaning of it all”. Today, however, Goa is no longer just a hippie’s paradise but proudly showcases its unique wildlife, art with India’s leading cartoonist, culture that is truly Goan with language that has a twang with influences from its neighboring states and even some across the seven seas. When trailing through Goa, they say you trail through a state of mind. Get ready to experience the true spice of life while you ride from the hills to the backwaters and all along the beach with local connections, rich traditions and the all alluring “Susegad” way of life.
On this trail we have packed the right mix of riding that will test your endurance, take you up winding switchbacks, ride down thrilling downhills and along the way explore some historical sites and stay in local home-stays to heritage resorts tasting local delicacies, you’ll be taking home a bag full of unforgettable memories.
Who can do this tour?
This road bike adventure is for anyone with a keen interest in exploring and truly “travelling” through Goa. You will re-discover its culture, tradition, and history at a pace that allows you to stop, interact and enjoy the true Goan way of life. This is not a physically “intense” trail and anyone who is initiated to cycling and is keen on exploring and riding with a group of like-minded people can sign up. The terrain in Goa ranges from rolling countryside roads to moderate climbs. The distances pedalled daily will range from 60 to 100 kilometres on rolling terrain and the difficulty level will vary from being moderate to high as we trail along. What makes the tour tough is the humid weather and the hot days of ride will be worth it as you end the day’s ride with a beer!
On arrival in Goa at the Dabolim Airport, you will finish your immigration formalities (if you are arriving into the international terminal). Your guide will meet you outside at the arrivals gate. We will drive down to Palolem beach, 65 Kms from the airport, taking well over an hour. Today is an easy day of prepping your bikes, recovering from a jet lag as you watch the sun go down sitting by the beach shacks that you will be staying at. In the evening you will have a briefing session by your tour leader
Drive Distance : 65 Kms/ 1.5 hrs
Accommodation Type : Beach Resort.
Highlights:
– Arrive into Goa
– Meet and greet with your fellow travellers and your Unventured tour host
– Drive to Palolem
Post breakfast we will ride through small towns and the Goan countryside dotted with old Portuguese churches and ride into Velha Goa. This old town of Goa is popular with some of the grandest churches built by the Portuguese who ruled over Goa for over 4 centuries. Learn of their influences over a guided walk along the churches old Goa. Post lunch we will take the ferry into Divar Island. Your stay is in an old Portugese bungalow on the island. Equipped with a pool and a collection of Indian Gin and beers.
Ride Distance : 75 Kms
Accommodation: Island Resort
Highlights:
– A guided walk along the churches of Goa
– Scenic ride through Goan Villages with a chance to interact with the locals
– Stay in a heritage resort
Today we’ll ride from the Island of Divar getting across on ferries to the fort of Tiracol. originated from the Marathi tir-khol meaning “steep river-bank”. This fort served as a rebel stronghold during an uprising in 1825 against the Portuguese, from time to time this fort was also symbolic to freedom fighters. Your Unventured guide will share with you more stories of the fort along your 70 Kms ride through undulating terrain and quiet villages. There will be crossovers along the highway.
Ride Distance – 70 Kms
Accommodation – Heritage resort
Highlights:
– Ride through villages
– Rolling terrain
– Visit the fort of Tiracol for a vantage point view of the Arabian Sea
We will start post an early breakfast toward the lush green forests of Goa. This is the lesser known geography of Goa, seldom visited by avid ornithologists looking for the elusive hornbill. You will ride along rolling terrains to the Bhagawan Mahavir Sanctuary or Molem National park. Popular for its rich bird life, this place is also synonymous with leopard sightings and the commonly found macaque. Our accommodation is in the lap of nature, in a coconut grove by the edge of the sanctuary.
Ride Distance – 85 Kms
Accommodation – Jungle resort
Highlights:
– Rolling terrain ride from the fort to the wildlife sanctuary
– Look out for endemic avifauna
– Relaxed evening in the midst of the National park
Today, we wake up to the chirping of birds and we will step out with an expert guide on a bird watching session. After the session and hearty breakfast we saddle up to begin a climb up the hills toward Ganeshgudi, famed for water sports like rafting and kayaking. Our accommodation today is by the river Kali. Our 70 Kms ride will take us to the heart of Goa for an evening of fun sport activities or a restful barbeque by the river.
Ride Distance – 70 Kms
Accommodation – Jungle Resort
Highlight:
– Climb up to Ganeshgudi
– Enjoy rafting and kayaking in the Kali river
– Stay in a heritage Jungle resort
Today we begin our journey toward the coastline, which will also be our longest ride day. Post breakfast we will ride downhill through the dense forests and make our way to a quaint farm stay. You have truly trailed your way into Goa beyond the beaches. Depending on the ride time we will arrive late into the property and, take the evening out to enjoy a dip in the pool or simply stand under a refreshing water to cool off.
Ride Distance – 126 Kms
Accommodation – Farmstay
Highlights:
– Longest ride day
– Ride through the forest
– Stay in a farm stay
Today we have an optional ride/drive out to a secluded waterfall. We will then ride out towards the beach where we started the journey. It’s our last of riding and we ride from the hills to the beach. We’ll finish today;s ride by early afternoon to relax. We will be staying at beach cottages and enjoy a delightful sun set over the Arabian sea.
Ride Distance – 90 Kms
Accommodation – Beach Cottage
Highlights:
– Ride along the coastline
– Enjoy the sun set over the Arabian Sea
– Stay in a private Beach Cottage
What’s a cycling vacation without a recovery drink, today we take the day off to rest, relax, get a massage even. For the beach enthusiast you can rest by shore or go exploring Goa’s rich marine biodiversity, choose from snorkelling to dolphin watching (Humpback Dolphin) with a responsible marine bio-diversity community following international guidelines on Dolphin watching. We spend the evening celebrating Goa, the ride so far and each other.
Accommodation – Beach Cottage
Highlights:
– Explore Goa’s rich marine diversity
– Rest and relax by the beach
– Celebratory evening dinner.
Today we head back to our home countries/destinatios after bidding adieu to our fellow travellers. You will be informed by your guide regarding aiport drop off timings. If you would like to extend your stay and explore India, we will be happy to curate a unique expereince for you.
The Unventured Experience
On this Unventured Tour de Goa adventure, you will experience a diverse and unique side of Goa with the added adventure of riding through it all on a bicycle. All along your trail, you will be staying at beautiful heritage hotels, beach huts, eco-resorts in the midst of the forest, farm stays and also in a quaint village homestay in the Divar Islands.
Our ‘Tour de Goa Bike Tour’ is a good blend of nature, culture, history, local food, and real-world experiences. Whether you are a seasoned cyclist or a regular city commuter; this trail has a good combination of challenging climbs to downhills through quaint countryside roads, villages, and forest trails for you to trail leisurely as you interact with locals.
This tour is graded medium intensity in terms of distance and gradient climbing since most of the rides will be done on 100% tarmac roads. We suggest that our guests start biking in their own home country a month before this trip. This is to ensure you take away the unfamiliarity with bikes that occur due to lack of practice, physical unpreparedness, and that you don’t hold up the other prepared participants. This tour will include a tour leader/ mechanic, and a designated support vehicle with driver.
Cycling Support
This is NOT a bike inclusive tour, participants are required to carry their Road Bikes and necessary spares and supplies for the tour. Your tour will be supported by a well-trained tour deader/mechanic accompanying you, and a full repair kit with essential spares.
Accommodation: Accommodation will be in 2-3 star hotels and homestays with good hygienic bathrooms offered on a twin-sharing basis.
Transport: A team of 10-12 riders will be supported by 2 support vehicles for bike and participant transport. Through the day the support vehicles will trail with the riders.
