Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour

$1380

per person

On this private full-day tour, you will see the highlights of Goa. Visit Panaji, Goa’s capital, as well as the charming Latin Quarters and the historic churches and temples of Old Goa. Finish the cultural experience with a visit to a plantation and a local lunch.

The Fort, originated as an armed outpost of the Adil Shah of Bijapur in 1493. When Bardez was conquered by the Portuguese in 1541, the Fort was built along with the church. From 1900, it lost its defensive role and was used as a jail and was finally abandoned in 1993 after which it was at the mercy of the elements, and had begun to crumble. Restoration work on the fort began in 2008 with the funds being provided by the UK-based Helen Hamlyn Trust, INTACH – a non-governmental organisation dealing with restorations of monuments, and the Government of Goa. Renowned architect Gerard da Cunha was hired to restore the fort.[1] The fort is now converted into a cultural centre, besides being used a tourist attraction.

FORT AGUADA
The fort was constructed in 1612 to guard against the Dutch and the Marathas. It was a reference point for the vessels coming from Europe at that time. This old Portuguese fort stands on the beach south of Candolim, at the shore of the Mandovi River. It was initially tasked with defense of shipping and the nearby Bardez sub district.

A freshwater spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships that used to stop by. This is how the fort got its name: Aguada, meaning Water. Crews of passing ships would often visit to replenish their fresh water stores. On the fort stands a four-storey Portuguese lighthouse, erected in 1864 and the oldest of its kind in Asia. Built in 1612, it was once the grandstand of 79 cannons. It has the capacity of storing 2,376,000 gallons of water, one of the biggest freshwater storages of the time in whole of Asia. This fort is divided in two segments: the upper part acted as fort and watering station, while the lower part served as a safe berth for Portuguese ships. Whereas the upper part has a moat, underground water storage chamber, gunpowder room, light house and bastions, it also has a secret escape passage to use during time of war and emergency. The lighthouse at initial stage is used to emit light once in 7 minutes. In 1834 it was changed to emit light creating eclipse every 30 seconds, however it was abandoned in 1976.

Fort Aguada was the most prized and crucial fort of Portuguese. The fort is so large that it envelops the entire peninsula at the south western tip of Bardez. Built on the mouth of river Mandovi, it was strategically located and was the chief defence of Portuguese against the Dutch and Marathas.

CALANGUTE BEACH
Calangute ([kɔɭoŋɡuʈ]) is a town in North Goa, famous for its beach. The beach is the largest in North Goa and visited by thousands of domestic and international tourists alike. The peak tourist season is during Christmas and New Year, and during the summer in May. During the monsoon season, from June through September, the sea can be rough and swimming is prohibited. The beach offers water sport activities like parasailing and water skiing, among others.

BAGA BEACH
Baga Beach is a popular beach and tourist destination in North Goa.[1][2] Baga is located at the north end of the contiguous beach stretch that starts from Sinquerim, Candolim, leads to Calangute and then to Baga.

Dolphins can be located at around 1–2 km from the shoreline Parasailing in Baga Beach

The beach contains rows of shacks and fishing boats, and at high tide the beach is narrow.[3]

The beach is named after the Baga Creek, which empties into the Arabian Sea at the north end of the beach.[4]

Baga Beach is also famous for water sports such as parasailing and banana rides, and dolphin cruises. In Baga Beach, new parking has been constructed for around 800 cars or more, and there is baga creek bridge which connects northern part like Arpora, Anjuna etc..

ANJUNA BEACH
Anjuna ([ɦɔɳzuɳẽ]) is a village located on the coast of North Goa, India. It is a Census Town, one of the twelve Brahmincomunidades of Bardez. It is mostly a tourist destination.

Its church, St. Michael’s Church, Anjuna, founded in 1595, is dedicated to S. Miguel, and celebrates the feasts of S. Miguel (29 September) and Nossa Senhora Advogada (second week of January). There are three large chapels in the parish: the one to S. Antonio (Praias), to Nossa Senhora de Saude (Mazalvaddo), and to Nossa Senhora de Piedade (Grande Chinvar). The chapel at Vagator became the church of the new parish of Vagator, dedicated to S. Antonio, in the twentieth century.

Like all of Goa, Anjuna was long held by the Portuguese. In 1950, it had a population of 5,688,[1] and in 2011 it had 9,636.

Historian Teresa Albuquerque, reports that the village’s name is derived from the Arabic word ‘Hanjuman’ (meaning merchant guild). Other say, it comes from an Arabic word for “change” – as people were arriving at Anjuna from the sea, and were looking to change money.

It was discovered by the hippies during the 60’s, then was a center of backpackers and trance parties lovers, and lately became a popular destination for young big-city Indians.

VAGATOR BEACH
Vagator Beach is the northernmost beach of Bardez Taluka, Goa. It is located on the opposite bank of the Chapora River from Morjim in Pernem. To the south of Vagator is Anjuna, one of the first hippie haunts of Goa.

Vagator Beach has dramatic red cliffs looking down on the shore and two fresh water springs within a stone’s throw of the sea. But Vagator has little by way of seaside accommodation. Vagator beach Goa 180 Panorama

Vagator Beach is split into two main beaches by a seaside headland which holds the car park and lots of stalls selling trinkets, clothes, soft drinks and snacks. As you face the sea, on your right is North Vagator Beach (Big Vagator) and on your left Ozran Beach, more commonly known as Little Vagator Beach.
Vagator is a little more laid back, though still pretty much steeped in the rave culture. The tourist traffic is predominantly Western backpackers, however it has also become popular with Indian tourists, who particularly come to watch the sunset from the rocks. The sunset through rocks is breathtaking from Vagator Beach.

Vagator Beach There are a number of places playing to a dance & trance crowd during the tourist season. These include: Nine Bar located just above Little Vagator, Hilltop (a little back from Little Vagator) and Primrose back towards Big Vagator beach, they play different types of trance and psychedelic music from different DJ’s from around the world. Disco Valley of Vagator Beach is a place that used to be the place for Goan trance parties starting from very early 1990s.

Also there are a number of Mediterranean and Indian Cafes/Hotels serving a variety of food and drink.

2013 saw the popular Sunburn Festival shift its base to Vagator from Candolim Beach.