From Mumbai to Goa

Your journey with "Best Travel Agents in India" begins today. Upon your arrival at Mumbai International Airport, you will be warmly greeted by our local representative. From there, you will be transferred to your hotel in the city for check-in and relaxation.

You can rest and recover from your morning flight. No excursions are planned. You can stroll along Chowpatty Beach (ideal for walking and enjoying the food stalls, so swimming is not recommended). You can also relax on your hotel terrace and admire the stunning views of the city and the sea.

In the afternoon, you will discover some of the must-see sights in downtown Mumbai. You will, of course, see the city's iconic landmark, India Gate. This triumphal arch was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. In the Malabar Hill district, you will also visit the famous Hanging Gardens, which offer spectacular views of the surrounding area.

In the morning, your private driver will pick you up and take you to the pier for a boat trip to the Elephanta Island caves. This 3-kilometer-long island lies off the coast of Mumbai and is well worth a visit. You'll find numerous Hindu temples carved into the rock. A relaxing day to get acquainted with this impressive city in every sense.

This afternoon, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at Mumbai's most famous industry: film! And it certainly is an industry, with over 1,000 films released annually (Hollywood only produces 500). The most popular film genres are characterized by a burst of color, with plenty of music and dance. You won't see a single kiss on the big screen, but you will see plenty of dancing in wet saris... These films arose from the need for movies that could be produced cheaply and were understandable to people with less education and those who were illiterate. In such a thriving industry, there's always something to do. You'll get to see a film studio in action, an empty set, a traditional Bollywood dance performance, the special effects room, the makeup room, and the wardrobe room. Afterward, you'll be completely up to speed. And who knows, you might even land a role!

Note: Elephanta Caves are closed on Mondays.

We will transfer you to Nashik in approximately 4 hours. Located on the banks of the sacred Godavri River, 565 meters above sea level, this city is centered around religious celebrations and wine production. It boasts beautiful temples and forts. It is a pilgrimage site for Hindus: the popular Kumbh Mela is held here every 12 years. This Hindu festival attracts—yes, really!—around 100 million pilgrims. The region is also known for its wines. An optional bicycle tour through the vineyards is available.

Today you will arrive in Aurangabad after a journey of approximately 4 hours. Tomorrow we will visit the caves that have made Aurangabad famous. Today, you will first visit the sights of Aurangabad with a guide. The city is named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. For history buffs: he was the son of Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, the man for whom the Taj Mahal was built. In the surrounding area, you'll find numerous historical monuments, such as Bibi Ka Maqbara, the tomb Aurangzeb built for his wife (undoubtedly with his mother's burial site in mind), and the Panchakki watermill.

After breakfast, you'll take an excursion to the Ajanta Caves, located about 100 km from Aurangabad. These Buddhist caves date back to the 2nd century BC but weren't discovered until 1819. The 30 caves are divided into chaityas (chapels) and viharas (monasteries). The exquisite murals and sculptures depicting the life of Buddha are world-famous. In the afternoon, you'll visit the Ellora Caves, located about 30 km from Aurangabad. The complex consists of 12 Buddhist temples, 17 Hindu temples, and 5 Jain temples. It is believed that up to 7,000 workers dedicated 150 years to the construction of the Kailash Temple. This temple is the most prominent and famous attraction.

Note: The Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays, and the Ellora Caves on Tuesdays.

Today is a travel day. Your driver will take you to Pune in approximately 5 hours. Of course, you can make stops along the way to enrich your trip. Pune is a melting pot of cultures. It is considered the cultural capital of the state and an educational and scientific center with numerous universities, industry, and art. Pune is undoubtedly a vibrant, ever-changing city!

You will visit the main attractions of Pune. You can visit the following sites: the Pataleshwar Cave Temple, the Osho Ashram, the impressive Shanivar Wada Fort, the Shinde Chhatri Memorial, the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, and the Aga Khan Palace (also known as the Gandhi National Memorial). You can also relax in the Bund Gardens. After this city tour, you will return to Mumbai in approximately 3 hours. En route, you will visit the Karla Caves, or Karla Cells. These consist of several Buddhist shrines carved into the rock. It is believed that the cells were excavated between the 2nd century BC and the 5th century CE. They were once located on a trade route, and many merchants and leaders contributed to their construction. These Buddhist structures not only served a religious function but also provided shelter for traveling merchants.

In Mumbai, you will stay in a conveniently located hotel.

You'll wake up early today. Before the city gets lively, you'll be taken to the beautiful train station. Here, you'll board the train that will take you to Goa. You've probably seen pictures of Indian trains where people literally and figuratively congregate. These are urban commuter trains. The train we've booked for you has excellent seat reservations. The coaches are old, and certainly not the cleanest in the world, but what an experience! All Indians traveling by train speak English, so it's easy to strike up conversations with fellow passengers and learn about each other's countries and cultures. Make sure you bring plenty of reading material and some snacks, though the train has numerous shops, and stops at many stations are long enough for you to get off and buy something on the platform. Trains have been running on these same tracks since the British built the Indian Railways in the late 19th century. The Indian Railways employs 1.4 million people and has a total track length of 115,000 kilometers. Upon arrival in Goa, you will be met at the railway station and taken to your hotel.

Note: The train departs at 5:25 am and arrives in Goa at 4:00 pm.

Goa is India's smallest state and lies on the western coast of the peninsula. It was long an important trading center and was formerly a Portuguese colony. The influence of the colonial era is still evident today. Goa's capital is Panaji, where you can see many old buildings and churches. Today you'll take a day trip to Old Goa, the former capital. Here you'll visit several churches, cathedrals, and temples. The three most important sights are the Basilica of Bom Jesus, St. Catherine's Cathedral, and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. What a wonderful place! You'll also visit the Jama Masjid and the Mahalaxmi Hindu Temple.

One free day in Goa, where you can enjoy the pleasant atmosphere and perhaps the beaches, the sea, delicious fresh food, and fresh juices. Have fun!

We will pick you up at Goa Airport for your domestic flight to Mumbai, where your return flight will depart for next destination.

Note 1: Depending on your flight time, we may include hotel accommodation or one night in Mumbai (not included).