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 ARRIVAL AT GOA. (Goa
Tour: Day 1)
On arrival at Dabolim airport you will be met by one of our representatives.
A taxi will bring you to Cavelossim where you will meet the rest
of the Cycle Goa team and be booked into your accommodation. The
remainder of the day has been left free allowing you to explore
the local area and to relax and unwind from your flight. In the
evening we will go to one of the many excellent local restaurants
giving everybody the opportunity to get to know each other in
a nice relaxed environment.
 STAYING LOCAL. (Goa Tour:
Day 2)
After breakfast at the hotel there will be an informal meeting
with some useful information and a few do's and don'ts . This
will be followed with the bike fitting. You will keep the same
bicycle for the duration of your stay so hopefully know further
adjustments will need to be made. We then have a nice easy day
of cycling through the beautiful paddy fields and villages of
south Goa. This is an excellent introduction to Goa as we leave
the "tourist" areas behind and give you a glimpse of true Goan
life. Our local guides are extremely knowledgeable about all things
Goan and will be able to answer all of your questions. This is
a gentle ride to allow everybody to become more acclimatized to
the heat and the laws of the road. Evening meal will be taken
in a local restaurant.
ROUTE: Cavelossim - Fartrade - Pedda - Benaulim - Varca - Orlim
- Carmona - Cavelossim
DISTANCE : 30k (flat)
 FUN IN THE SUN. (Goa Tour:
Day 3)
After breakfast we undertake a longer ride, but it's a favourite
for all. The time that we ride is dependant upon the tide as half
of the ride will be along the beautiful unbroken sandy coastline
of Salcete. We start on the road travelling through Fartrade,
Varca, Benaulim, Colva, Betul Batim, Majorda, Utorda, Cansaulim
and finally Velsao. At Velsao we will stop for refreshments, food
and a cooling swim. We then start our beach ride back to Cavelossim.
This is designed to be a long fun ride with plenty of refreshment/swimming
stops.
DISTANCE : 60k (flat)
 REST DAY. (Goa
Tour: Day 4)
Relax on the beach, try some more of the local food, or if you
wish we can take you to our local city-Margao. It really is a
true working Indian city completely mind boggling. There is a
lot to see and experience. Also Margao has excellent opticians
selling designer frames at a fraction of the cost of the same
in Europe.
 CAVELOSSIM - OLD GOA - PANJIM (Overnight). (Goa
Tour: Day 5)
Hopefully the jetlag would have worn off and today we will aim
to make an early start. This is a slightly tougher ride with a
few hills thrown in for good measure. Old Goa was once the capital
of Portuguese Goa, but the City was completely wiped out by tropical
diseases and plague. The Portuguese ruled Goa for 450 years and
have definitely left a large imprint on India's newest state.
Old Goa is famed for its cathedrals and "St Francis Xavier" who's
body is still kept on show in "The Basilica Of Bom Jesus". Panjim
then was chosen as the new capital and still remains so today.
Again as with all of our rides you will be completely guided with
our guides on hand to answer all of your questions. The back up
vehicle will carry all of your luggage and be at hand with a steady
supply of refreshments. We will be staying in the "Panaji Residency"
hotel. Our evening meal will be taken in what is considered to
be the best restaurant in the whole of Goa.
DISTANCE : 60k (Not so flat)
 PANJIM - FORT AGUADA - ANJUNA - MANDREM (Overnight).
(Goa Tour: Day 6)
Again we aim to leave early catching the ferry across the Mandovi
River where we will first visit the fort at Aguada. You will then
have the opportunity to shop until you drop at the legendary Anjuna
market. Bargains galore. It is a bit hectic but again if you come
to Goa you have to go to Anjuna. From Anjuna we then cross the
Chapor river travelling via Mandrem to Junas Beach where we will
stay at the Dunes Beach Resort. This is the first of a two- night
stop in Mandrem.
DISTANCE : 40k (flat)
 MANDREM - TIRACOL FORT - MANDREM (Overnight) (Goa
Tour: Day 7)
A nice lazy day with some cycling is definitely in order. Mandrem
is in the Pernem region of Goa and is very untouched by mass tourism.
The beaches are beautiful and peaceful. Feni (the local poison!)
and fishing are the main industries of this beautiful region.
We will be cycling to Tiracol fort crossing the Tiracol River
for lunch at this fort, which has now been converted to an Hotel.
It is a small piece of Goa in the state Maharastra and is the
northern border of Goa state. The rest of the day is yours to
enjoy the beautiful beaches and scenery.
RIDE DISTANCE : 30k (Hilly, but fun)
 MANDREM - CAVELOSIM (Goa
Tour: Day 8)
Early start. A long day in the saddle, but a good challenge and
there to set you in good stead for the hillier rides to come.
The back up vehicle is always near by for those who need some
rest, but everybody always enjoys the challenge.
RIDE DISTANCE : 80k (hilly to start last 30k totally flat)
 CAVELOSSIM - SHREE CHANDRESHWAR TEMPLE - CHANDOR
- CAVELOSSIM. (Goa Tour: Day 9)
The Shree Chandreshwar Butnath temple is said to be one of the
original places of Hindu worship and thousands of pilgrims travel
to the sight every year for it's festival. The temple is situated
at the top of a 5km long hill climb and is a fantastic challenge
for all cyclists. The views from the top are spectacular and the
historical aspect of the temple also interesting. We then travel
to Chandor to visit the Braganza House. The Braganza's were a
wealthy Portuguese family that fought for the freedom of Goa from
Portuguese rule. They also mixed Marati (the language of Maharastra)
with Portuguese words and grammar giving Goa it's own language
and Konkani identity. The house is now a museum and the last existing
member of the family will give you a guided tour.
RIDE DISTANCE : 50k (Flat apart from a very big hill!)
A NON CYCLING 2 DAY EXCURSION KNOWN AS "THE JUNGLE BOOK EXPERIENCE
(As shown on BBC Holiday programmed) (Goa
Tour: Day 10 & Day 11)
This is a very special experience. We don't want to give too much
away, but it really is special. There is some involvement with
elephants. I shall say no more. Make sure you have your cameras
ready at all times.
 CAVELOSSIM - CABO DE RAMA - PALOLEM (overnight).
(Goa Tour: Day 12)
We start the day with a gentle ferry ride across the river Sal
and a lovely flat warm up ride through the beautiful fishing villages
that sit on the river. We then hit the hills as we cycle to Cabo
De Rama. In the Hindu religion the sight of Cabo de Rama is believed
to be the place of exile of Lord Rama and his child wife Sita
(hence the name) The Portuguese took the Fort and built it into
a large fortification and prison). The views are spectacular and
on a good day you will see troops of wild monkeys and pods of
Dolphins. (However we cannot guarantee this!) A picnic lunch is
taken inside the Fort). We then climb over the Ghats to Palolem
Beach. A truly beautiful place.
RIDE DISTANCE : 57k (Very hilly-sorry I can't lie about it!)
 PALOLEM - CORTIGAO WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
- PALOLEM.
(Goa Tour: Day 13)
Cortigao wildlife sanctuary is beautiful and traffic free. For
some reason tourists do not go so it is always quiet. There are
still working villages within the sanctuary and hunter-gatherer
tribes people still live in the hills. There is an optional hill
walk that will take us to a height of around 870m above sea level.
However it is very demanding and purely optional. We then take
the same route back to Palolem. A beautiful ride but demanding
as the hills are rolling and it is never flat for long.
RIDE DISTANCE : 50k (Tough)
PALOLEM - CAVELOSSIM. (Goa Tour:
Day 14)
We will depart from Palolem at around 9a.m aiming to be back in
Palolem before lunch time leaving you the rest of the day to relax
and pack ready to leave. A sad time for all, but we will endeavour
to make the last night fun .
DISTANCE : 47k (Remember that hill you came over on the way?!!!?)
DEPART(Goa Tour: Day 15)
Airport drop. Goodbye, but we hope to see you again as we do with
many of our clients.
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