Goa Tour Package – Dudhsagar Falls, River Cruise & Beaches (4N/5D)
Overview
This five-day Goa tour package brings together the coast, the old colonial quarter around Panjim and the forests of the Western Ghats. You begin with a one-hour sunset cruise on the Mandovi River with Goan folk music and dance, then spend a day on North Goa's forts and beaches – Aguada Fort, Calangute, Baga and Candolim.
Day three covers the classic Panjim and Old Goa circuit: Dona Paula and Miramar Beach, the streets of Panjim, the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the other churches of Old Goa – together a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and the Shantadurga Temple near Ponda. On day four you head inland to Dudhsagar Falls, the four-tiered 'Sea of Milk' on the Goa–Karnataka border, and the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary that surrounds it.
The package is ideal for couples, families and first timers who want a bit more than just beaches on their one trip. You stay four nights in a 3-star hotel with daily breakfast, travel by private vehicle, and are picked up and dropped at Goa airport or railway station. If Dudhsagar is a priority, plan for October to May, as jeep access to the falls usually closes during the monsoon.
Package Features
One-hour river cruise with Goan folk song and dance.
Aguada Fort, Calangute, Baga and Candolim in one day.
Basilica of Bom Jesus and the UNESCO-listed churches of Old Goa.
Colonial city streets, Dona Paula and Miramar Beach.
Four-tiered waterfall on the Goa–Karnataka border.
Forested Western Ghats reserve around Dudhsagar Falls.
Included
- 4 nights' stay at a 3-star hotel in Goa on double occupancy
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
- Pick-up and drop at Goa airport or railway station
- All transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle as per the itinerary
- One-hour Mandovi River sunset cruise with folk performances and the Dudhsagar Falls excursion, as listed in the itinerary
- GST
Excluded
- Flights or train tickets to and from Goa
- Lunch and dinner
- Monument and sanctuary entry fees and camera fees, unless specifically included
- Water sports and any other optional activities
- Personal expenses including shopping, laundry, phone calls and tips
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed under Included
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Goa – Sunset Cruise on the Mandovi River
- Your trip begins in Goa, known for its coastal charm and Portuguese colonial legacy.
- On arrival at Goa airport or railway station, our driver meets you and takes you to your hotel for check-in and rest.
- In the evening, enjoy a one-hour sunset cruise on the Mandovi River, with traditional folk songs and dances performed by local artists. Overnight stay in Goa.
- Highlights of the Day: Mandovi River Sunset Cruise, Folk Performances
Day 2 North Goa Sightseeing
- After breakfast, set out to explore North Goa, known for its lively energy and scenic coastline.
- Start at Aguada Fort, a 17th-century Portuguese fort with wide views over the Arabian Sea.
- Continue to Calangute Beach and then Baga Beach, popular with beach lovers and for its nightlife.
- End the day at Candolim Beach with a relaxed walk along the beach as the sun sets. Overnight in Goa.
- Highlights of the Day: Aguada Fort, Calangute Beach, Baga Beach, Candolim Beach
Day 3 South Goa Sightseeing
- After breakfast, head out on a full day of sightseeing among the calm beaches, colonial streets and places of worship.
- Visit Dona Paula (a headland viewpoint with a very romantic local legend attached) and Miramar Beach (where the Mandovi meets the sea).
- Walk the colonial streets of Panjim, then head to Old Goa and the churches (the Basilica of Bom Jesus is the one that contains the relics of St Francis Xavier).
- End the day at the Shantadurga Temple, one of Goa's most revered Hindu temples. Overnight stay in Goa.
- Highlights of the Day: Dona Paula Beach, Miramar Beach, Panjim City, Old Goa Churches, Shantadurga Temple
Day 4 Dudhsagar Falls Excursion – Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary
- After breakfast, set off on an excursion to Dudhsagar Falls, one of India's tallest waterfalls, on the Goa–Karnataka border.
- Watch the four-tiered cascade pour down the Western Ghats in a milky rush that gives it the name 'Sea of Milk'.
- Later, explore the forests of the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, home to a wide range of plants, birds and animals.
- Return to your hotel in the evening. Overnight stay in Goa.
- Highlights of the Day: Dudhsagar Falls, Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary
Day 5 Departure from Goa
- After breakfast, check out from your hotel.
- Transfer to Goa airport or railway station for your onward journey, taking home the colours, flavours and coastline of Goa.
- Highlights of the Day: Check-out, departure from Goa
Payment Policy
- An advance payment is required to secure your booking; the balance is paid as per the schedule in your booking confirmation.
- Your booking is confirmed only after the itinerary is agreed, the advance is received and Luxe Trail Holidays sends you a written confirmation.
- Full payment may be required at the time of booking for peak season dates, special hotel rates and certain activities.
- If payment is not received by the due date, the booking is subject to the applicable cancellation terms.
- Price per person on double sharing (includes GST)
Refund Policy
- Cancellation charges will vary depending on when we receive your request, the hotels and transport suppliers' own policies and any peak season restrictions. The applicable charges are shared with your quotation.
- Refunds are processed once the relevant suppliers approve them, so timelines can vary.
- Refunds are made to the original payment method or another method agreed with you.
- Non-refundable amounts, supplier fees and bank or payment-processing charges may be deducted.
- If a service cannot be provided because of weather, road closures, government orders or other events beyond our control, a refund or an alternative arrangement is offered as per the supplier's terms.
Policy & Important Terms
- Every traveller must carry a valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence). Foreign nationals need a passport with a valid Indian visa.
- Dudhsagar Falls is reached by licensed forest jeep from Collem; the route usually closes during the monsoon (roughly June to September) and can close at short notice after heavy rain.
- At the churches in Old Goa and at the Shantadurga Temple, dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered).
- The sea is rough in the monsoon (water sports are suspended during this period); swim only where the lifeguards permit it and obey their flags.
- The order of the sightseeing may vary due to traffic, weather, local events or monument timings.
- The vehicle is provided for the routes in the itinerary. Any extra trips or detours will be charged separately.
- Standard check-in and check-out times apply. Early check-in and late check-out are possible subject to availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time for this Goa and Dudhsagar Falls tour?
October to May is the best time to go, as jeep access to the Dudhsagar Falls usually reopens after the monsoon. The falls are at their fullest in October and November (immediately after the rains), and November to February provides the most pleasant beach weather and the calmest seas.
How do you reach Dudhsagar Falls?
The falls are within the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary some 60km from Panaji. You'll be dropped off at Collem, and the remainder of the journey is undertaken in a licensed forest jeep on a very rough track. You then do a short walk to the viewing point at the base of the falls.
Is the Mandovi River cruise part of the package?
Yes, the one-hour sunset cruise on the Mandovi River on your first evening is included (with Goan folk songs and dances performed by local artists on board). Any food and drink or other purchases you make on the boat are of course paid for separately.
Is this package suitable for families and older travellers?
Yes, the drives are generally short on most days. The Dudhsagar day involves a fairly bumpy jeep ride on a forest track and a short walk to the falls (most families and older folk cope with this quite readily). If anyone has any back or mobility issues, then please let us know, and we can suggest an alternative for that day.
Can I customise this Goa package?
Yes, you can go up to a 4-star hotel or beach resort, add on nights or add on the Grand Island boat trip, the water sports at Calangute or a visit to a spice plantation. Just let us know your travel dates, and we'll send you a revised quotation.