CULTURAL & HISTORIC DAY TOUR ATTRACTIONS - Churches, Temples & Spice Plantation
Description
A unique tour of the beautiful Panjim city, the magnificent Old Goa churches, the architectural beauty of temples. All tours booked for Shore Excursion (Pick up from Port) will be considered as group tour SIC basis upto 15 pax using a mini van, and all tours booked for FIT (Pick up from hotel or airport) will be considered as private tour using a car.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Start with Panaji city, also known as Panjim, is the state capital of Goa, in southwest India. Located on the banks of the Mandovi River, the city has cobblestone streets lined with colorful villas an buildings from the Portuguese colonial era. Palm-fringed Miramar Beach sits at the confluence of the river and the Arabian Sea. Set on a hill overlooking the city is the baroque Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, built in 1619.
Walking tour in Fontainhas is an old Latin Quarter in Panjim, capital city of the state of Goa, India. It maintains its Portuguese influence, particularly through its architecture, which includes narrow and picturesque winding streets like those found in many European cities, old villas and buildings with projecting balconies painted in the traditional tones of pale yellow, green, or blue, and roofs made of red coloured tiles. Fontainhas’ heritage ambiance represents the traditional Portuguese influence in the area
Old Goa, also called Velha Goa, is beside the Mandovi River in the western Indian state of Goa. The former capital of Portuguese India, it’s known for colonial-era monuments like the Basilica of Bom Jesus, with the remains of St. Francis Xavier, and the domed Church of St. Cajetan, inspired by St. Peter’s in Rome. Nearby, the vast Se Cathedral, built in the 16th–17th centuries, has ornate chapels and a bell tower.
Shri Mangesh temple is located at Mangeshi Village in Priol Goa. This temple is one of the largest and most frequently visited temples in Goa.
The splendor of nature goes well with ancient traditions. At The Spice Plantation we nature have strived to maintain traditions in harmony with nature. We welcome our guests in a traditional way by offering Aarti, Kumkum, and a garland of flowers. Then the guests are served with herbal tea. Healthy and nutritious food is served in a traditional manner on a banana leaf.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick up points - Hotel lobby, Airport arrival paging area & Sea Port car/coach parking area. Clothing attire - Shorts below knee level, skirts below knee level & sleeveless clothes are not allowed. All tours booked for Shore Excursion (Pick up from Port) will be considered as group tour SIC basis upto 15 pax using a mini van, and all tours booked for FIT (Pick up from hotel or airport) will be considered as private tour using a car.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(56)
My friend and I booked this cultural day tour in June, and despite it being the start of the monsoon season, it was a fantastic experience! This tour perfectly captures Goa's diverse heritage, showcasing both the historic Basilica of Bom Jesus and gorgeous Hindu temples. A few practical tips for a June visit: The spice plantation is at its best: The June rains make the spice plantation incredibly lush, vibrant, and green. Walking through the tropical canopy smelling the fresh rain and plants was so therapeutic, and the traditional buffet lunch on-site was delicious. Be prepared for sudden downpours: Monsoon weather is highly unpredictable. Always pack a sturdy umbrella or poncho in your bag. Also, wear waterproof sandals with good grip, as the stone pathways around the temples can get slippery when wet. A great escape from the heat: Compared to the scorching summer months, June actually brings a welcome drop in temperature when it rains. It's much cooler and more comfortable to sightsee as long as you don't mind a bit of rain. Overall, it's a wonderfully comprehensive tour that perfectly blends history, religion, and nature. Highly recommend for a rainy season itinerary in Goa!
This is the best tour of the lot. I highly recommend this tour. Jonas, my guide, provided historical, cultural, political perspectives plus he addressed my onward travel issues - train schedule, shops for good Goan goodies etc. so I could relax and enjoy the day. For my next day, Jonas gave me tips on great shops and restaurants to enjoy. I noticed that Goans are more like islanders than other Indians. Goans have a joyful and happy demenour which could be the food, sandy beaches, beautiful sunsets or other things. When I shared photos with my family, my niece said that she has been to Goa - from her US navy post in Kuwait and she also loved Goa. My thanks to Viator, Jonas, and the Goan people for a great experience. Yes, you may publish my words. Judi Ann Carlsson 713.854.2710
Our guide and driver was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed learning about Goa. The last stop at the Spice Plantation was over crowded with tour buses. The tour was with a larger group with a plantation guide and its basically a garden with examples of all the spices. It was not a plantation or at least we did not get to see a large plantation. Lunch at the plantation was unexciting. Also ladies need to have shoulders and knees covered for these churches and temples.
Mario knows everything. And everyone. He provided a delightful, fun in-depth day around Old Goa and the surrounding area. The spice plantation was a nice add-on. And if you need tips on where to go next...ask Mario.
I had a great experience with a private tour guide Socorro who explained the history of Goa and showed me all the important sights. I particularly enjoyed the spice plantation. The lunch was great and I loved smelling all the different spice plants!
A really interesting and well planned tour. Joaquim, our guide was excellent and very entertaining. Our driver Marlon also did a fine job with both being real gentlemen. This is a perfect tour if you want to see a bit more of Goa outside the hotels, with lots of additional information on Goan history, life in Goa and India also included.
Great trip that captures the key sights in both old and new Goa as well as an educational spice plantation tour and local lunch. Our guide Joaquim was extremely knowledgeable and pleasant and answered every question we had with in-depth responses. For the Hindu temple you do need to remove shoes and socks to enter the complex. The spice plantation offers both veggie and non veggie options for lunch.
Caesar (tour guide) and Shivam (driver) were amazing! They picked us up and showed us all the Goan delights. Caesar has a wealth of knowledge when it came to the churches and temples and also gave me a little time off to get some shopping done. My partner's mother is Goan and Caesar kindly made a detour to show us around that area. The Spice Plantation is a very interesting stop too; Caesar and Pooja gave us the VIP treatment and the lunch was very tasty! Highly recommended tour to get an overview of Goa!
Our guide Jonas was one of t he very best we've had! He was extremely engaging and informative! A wonderful day and tour!
Great way to see & experience Goa with a very knowledgeable guide. Xavier was fantastic & adjusted the tour to suit us. Very comfortable, air conditioned car with a great driver too.
