Goa to Mumbai coastal ride
| Trip package cost on twin sharing basis:- USD 4200 Per Person Single supplement USD 800 Extra |
|---|
Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights
Level: Moderate
Tour Starts: Goa
Tour Ends: Mumbai
Total distance cycled : 570 km
The hippies of the 60s and 70s probably traversed the same route before pitching for
months in the sandy stretches of India’s favourite beach destination, Goa. In this cycling
tour, unassuming villages, and thickly green hillsides start in Goa. The trip is designed to
take you through the vibrant coastal side trails, rich in enthralling landscapes, local
interaction, cultural experiences, monuments and temples and a distinct array of food.
Besides seeing India at close quarters, you will also encounter a multitude of cycling
challenges. We will end at Bombay, which represents Incredible India !
Are you excited to ride this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Let’s start.
Travel: It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.
Day 1: Goa
You arrive at Goa International airport and later get transferred to a Hotel. Throughout these
first two days, you will see how Goa itself wears many beautiful beaches, old churches,
stunning forts and coastal life. This afternoon you will check in. Our guide meets at your
hotel, in the evening gets acquainted with the entire team and a quick orientation to the
route for the trip, safety tips and more. you have a bike allotment and fix your accessory.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Goa
This morning you have your first day of cycling as a test ride and explore the city on two
wheels, starting from the hotel and heading toward Fort Agoda explore the portuguese town o
two wheels.
Fort Aguada was the most prized and crucial fort of the Portuguese. The fort is so large that it
envelops the entire peninsula at the southwestern tip of Bardez.
An excellent example of Portuguese architecture, it was built in the year from 1609 to 12. This
fort was constructed with the purpose of restricting entry into the River Mandovi, so as to
control the political threats.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cycled distance : 28 km
Elevation Gain : 270 metre
Day 3: Tiracol
After breakfast you set on the bike for first long day of cycling, start cycling in the bank of
Baga river, cycle toward Siolim enroute you will see many churches on your left and right later
you cycle towards coast line and heading towards Morjim, in a few kilometre you will cross
Aronda river bridge between Goa and Maharashtra, then you will be officially enter into
Maharashtra state territory.
The fort Tiracol was built in the 17th century by the Raja of Sawantwadi, However, after a war
between the Maharaja and the Portuguese, this fort came under the control, Later in 1764, it
was renovated and eventually became an inevitable part of their marine defences
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cycled distance : 51 km
Elevation Gain : 490 metre
Day 4: Malvan
This morning we have to go uphill for a few kilometres to warm up your body. Later, we rode
along the breezy Konakan coastline to our next destination. Known for its famous coastal
cuisine and natural beauty, it sits at the edge of the Arabian Sea. Food wise, coconut, rice
and fish will take over the palate on this day. The water is pretty clear here and one can see
corals and colourful marine life.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cycled distance : 63 km
Elevation Gain : 891 metre
Day 5: Devgad
Today we hit the road early on this day to reach the gastronomically famous town of Malvan
have a stop there will take small ferry to visit Sindhudurg fort later heading towards Achra
river bridge The route is most scenic of the trip, flanked by the sea on one side and casuarina
stands on the other, we stop at Kunkeshwer beach and Temple which is second highlight of
the day after Sindhudurg fort today is the first day you cycle through mango orchid and this
region has world class mango variety. The constant sound of the sea is therapeutic as you
settle with a good book in the breezy verandah. You stay very close to the windmill garden.
Sindhudurg fort:- During 1600 the British and the Portuguese merchant tried annexing
territories through intimidation techniques along the Maharashtra coastal line. Chhatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj chanced upon this island Kurte and decided to build a fort to fortify these
areas. Construction began in the year 1664.
This fort witnessed many battles and remained with the Marathas for many years. The British
captured it in 1765.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cycled distance : 57 km
Elevation Gain : 590 metre
Day 6: Kasheli
Today you start the cycle from Devgad through Coconut palms, fishing villages and sections
along the coast to keep us company till we reach Kasheli. Enroute we will have a lunch stop
with a family run restaurant at Katra Devi, the last patch of cycling will be on a busy main
road. The village is known for its easy going ‘do nothing’ aura. Another day of relaxing by the
very authentic maratha palace.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cycled distance : 65 km
Elevation Gain : 895 metre
Day 7: Ganpatipule
Today you can plan your own day. Lots of up and down hills make your ride a thrilling
experience. One of the most popular getaways from Mumbai, Ratnagiri is a short distance
from where we stay. It used to be a small inconspicuous seaside town. We pass through a very
busy coastal town Ratnagiri we need to mentally prepare for traffic or we can avoid traffic
taking short transfer later continuous cycle till our stay at Malgund As you trail the paths of
Ratnagiri, you will notice how fertile the town is; Mango orchards, rice fields, coconut and
cashew stands make the topography lush and therapeutic.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cycled distance : 62 km
Elevation Gain : 1226 metre
Day 8: Ganpatipule
You have a free day to relax at Malgund beach, you have a very peaceful stay in a coastal
village. You can give your laundry.
During the day you can visit Ganpatipule temple, Prachin konkan, Keshavsut smarak,
Ganpatipule beach, Malgund beach, watersports, paramotoring activities as per your wish.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Dapoli
Today you have the most challenging ride because of western ghats. It is also an interesting
and unique experience of the trip because you have two ferries to move from A to B.
After a few kilometres of cycling you will take the first ferry at Jaigarh with your bike and
complete logistics. Later we continued cycling towards a beautiful coastal town called
Guhagar where we will have lovely lunch then go for another ferry and cycle towards Dapoli
which is a small town in the coastal line.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cycled distance : 86 km
Elevation Gain : 2030 metre
Day 10 : Aravi
Aravi is a fishing village and the most spectacular scene here is when hundreds of bright
colourful boats come in with the catch in the evening – give them a hand pulling in the heavy
nets or use this as a great photo-op to capture the flurry of activity.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cycled distance : 73 km
Elevation Gain : 1530 metre
Day 11 : Murud
The beach town of Murud is one of the most unassuming and relaxing destinations,
Start cycling from our beach resort and continue towards Kelshi village through the most
beautiful village and coastal road later. We take a short ferry from Vesvi and then hop onto
the bikes. We continue to cycle towards Shrivardhan to Dighi port and finish your cycle of the
day. Later we took another ferry to Janjira fort.
Janjira Fort : The origin of this majestic fort can be traced down to the 15’th century when
some local fishermen of Rajapuri constructed a small wooden fort on a huge rock to protect
themselves and their families from the pirates. It was captured by mughal invader Pir Khan, a
general of Nizamshah of Ahmednagar.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cycled distance : 40 km
Elevation Gain : 1200 metre
Day 12 : Alibag
The easy and relaxing last day of cycling towards a busy town enroute Enjoy the paddy fields,
green countryside, mild hillocks in the distance. You know you’ve hit Alibag when you can see
busy towns and more commercial activities on the road side.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cycled distance : 50 km
Elevation Gain : 338 metre
Day 13 : Mumbai
After breakfast we leave our stay and heading towards Malvan port by a hour of travel time
later we take ferry to Gateway of India with our luggage and we enter the economical capital
of India by sea route as first time british came through same route, enjoy visit the Gateway of
India and many old buildings during colonial time then transfer to hotel and explore
surrounding.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14 : Mumbai
Today we have a dedicated day to explore the city with a great combination of heritage town
with great history and real world with reality, Asia’s biggest slum and densely populated
colony called Dharavi. Will be a very busy and interesting last day in Mumbai city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 15 : Shuttle to Mumbai Airport
Our trip leader transfers you to the Mumbai International Airport to let you depart with a bag
full of happy memories.
Meals: Breakfast
MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
On the first day of the trip, Your Trip Leader will meet you at Goa Airport.
You will need to obtain a VISA to enter the country.
CLIMATE
January marks the middle of winter in Goa and Maharashtra. Though maximum
temperature can touch 32 degrees celsius towards mid-day, early mornings and late
evenings are cool and pleasant. As we are mostly along the coasts expect high levels of
humidity.
PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP
Getting Active
TERRAIN AND CONDITIONING TIPS
To get ready for this trip, we suggest biking regularly beforehand and hitting a few hills
whenever you can. We want you to have the best possible vacation, and while there’s no
need for hardcore training, you should feel comfortable riding at least 20–40 miles each
day and still have the strength and enthusiasm to get up and do it all over again the next
day.
To ride safely along the narrow and sometimes trafficked roads, it is important to ride
single file and to develop good balance on your bike. Balance can only be developed by
riding on the road. We recognize that not everyone lives in an area conducive to outdoor
riding, but please keep in mind that while running, riding a stationary bike, spinning and
other aerobic exercise will help improve your strength, endurance and cardiovascular
health, these activities will not help with balance.
BRINGING YOUR OWN GEAR
Don’t forget to bring your helmet and water bottle !
You are welcome to bring your own gear, such as pedals, seat, helmet, toe clips and
cyclometer, to use with a bicycle. However, please inform us in advance if you choose to
bring any of your own things.
STAYING COMFORTABLE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
● How do I prevent soreness while bicycling? Think padding! Padded shorts make sitting on
the bicycle seat a lot more comfortable, and padded.
● Should I buy a pair of biking shoes for my trip? Rigid shoes maximise the power of your
pedalling stroke, but there’s really no need to purchase a pair of biking shoes just for this
trip. Any athletic shoes — provided they have stiff soles—will be sufficient.
● It’s not really going to rain, is it? As much as we don’t like to think about it, rain is possible
no matter where you travel. Your best bet for staying comfortable during a shower is to
wear quality rain gear that is both waterproof and breathable. A jacket and pants made of
Gore-Tex will keep you dry even in the fiercest downpour.
● Does wearing layers really make a difference? Yes! The trick for staying comfortable in
fluctuating temperatures is to wear three basic layers of lightweight clothing: underwear
(to wick moisture away from your skin), insulating garments (for warmth) and outerwear (to
protect against wind or rain) .
RULES OF BICYCLING SAFETY
● Wear a helmet. Riding without a helmet is extremely dangerous. Our company requires
that all guests wear helmets while cycling.
● Ride predictably, defensively and in a straight line.
● When riding with others, ride single file and maintain several bike lengths between
cyclists. Allow more distance when riding downhill.
● Do not use headphones while riding; you might not hear traffic coming up behind you.
● Be as courteous to motorists as you would like them to be to you, and get completely off
the road when you stop.
● Keep your speed under control on down hills. Use both brakes simultaneously, but be
aware that the front brake is more powerful than the rear. Gently pump your brakes on long
descents for maximum effectiveness. Check brakes frequently to make sure nothing is
loose or dangling.
● Wet slippery roads require extra caution and greater stopping distance —especially on
Down hills. Wet brakes must be dried by pumping before they have an effect, so start
braking early in damp weather.
● When riding on sand or gravel, downshift into low gear so you can spin your pedals
faster while still going slow.
● Obey all traffic regulations. Stop at all stop signs and red lights, yield the right-of-way
and use hand signals when turning, slowing down or stopping. Ride on the extreme left
side of the road, at a safe distance from traffic
● Be cautious around road obstacles. It is safest to dismount and walk your bike across
railroad tracks and cattle guards. If you decide to bike across them, do so at right angles.
Avoid potholes, metal grates, glass, rocks and thorns. Ride at a safe distance from parked
cars and watch for vehicles pulling out and/or doors opening in your path.
● You must yield the right of way to pedestrians. Do not ride on sidewalks.
● When making a right turn, it is safest to pull off the road, dismount, look both ways for
traffic and then walk your bike across the road. Never follow other cyclists when turning
without confirming for yourself that it is safe to do so.
● Listen carefully to approaching motorists. (Look over your shoulder only if you can do so
without swerving.)
● We do not cycle after dark on trips. If you decide to do so on your own, you must bring
your own bike equipped with a white light on the front, a red light on the rear and
reflectors on the spokes and pedals.
● If a dog chases you and you are not able to ride away quickly, stop your bike and walk
out of the dog’s territory, keeping the bike between you and the animal.
● Wear appropriate clothing for bicycling. Brightly coloured clothes make you more visible
to motorists.
● Double-tie shoelaces and tuck them inside your shoes.
● You should wear corrective lenses while bicycling if you use them while driving.
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST
ESSENTIAL BICYCLING CLOTHES & GEAR
✓ bicycling shoes or stiff-soled sneakers
✓ bicycling shorts
✓ short-fingered cycling gloves
✓ brightly coloured cycling jerseys or synthetic T- shirts
✓ lightweight jacket or vest
✓ non-cotton base layers of varying weights (tops & bottoms); choose a fabric such as
polypropylene, Capilene or Coolmax
✓ synthetic bicycling socks
✓ sunglasses
✓ breathable windproof jacket
OTHER NECESSITIES
✓ wallet (credit cards, bank cards, ID, cash)
✓ one quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag to carry all liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-
on luggage (and liquids, gels and aerosols must be in 3-ounce or smaller containers)
✓ medications and copies of prescriptions
✓ toiletries
✓ insect repellent
✓ sunscreen and lip ointment
LUGGAGE
Please limit your luggage to one soft-sided medium-sized suitcase and one carry-on bag.
Mark your luggage with your name, address and phone number.
RECOMMENDED CLOTHES & GEAR
✓ mid-weight short-sleeved, synthetic undershirt (base layer)
✓ appropriate clothing for restaurants, villages and temples
✓ fleece jacket/vest or warm sweater
✓ synthetic mid-weight socks
✓ arm and knee/leg warmers (for biking)
✓ bicycling tights
✓ long-fingered gloves
✓ windproof outer gloves (worn over biking gloves)
✓ heavier-weight long-sleeved, synthetic undershirt
✓ long-sleeved cycling jerseys and synthetic T-shirts lightweight but warm cycling cap that
fits under helmet (skullcap)
✓ headband that covers ears (wear under helmet)
Please Note our company recommends that you not bring valuable personal electronics
including, but not limited to, IPAD, laptop computers and expensive cameras. While we will
transport them from place to place during the trip as a convenience, we do not assume
responsibility for any damage, loss or loss of function to the devices. This policy also
applies to other items such as expensive jewellery, fur coats and fragile and delicate
accessories, whether purchased on the trip or otherwise.
● Comfortable hotels & resorts with breakfast as mentioned above.
● Charter comfortable vehicle for the complete tour, (SAG vehicle following the riders)
Support car for bike and travel both
● Tour Captain– An accompanying well experienced cyclist, who has sound knowledge
of all major routes, regularly doing adventure tours, cycling tours, well to do in First aid
and on spot cycle maintenance.
● Hybrid / Mountain bike
● Local Guides
● Monument entrance ticket with camera charges.
● All breakfast with Lunch & Dinner
● Refreshments, mineral water, fruits, cookies, juices, re-hydration supplements during cycle ride
● Essential first-aid kit
● All transportation from rendezvous to final drop-off
● Crew stay and their meals
● Tip* for crew members and hotel staff
● Domestic flights
● Vaccinations and personal medication.
● Travel insurance policy , visa.
● Alcoholic beverages
● Drinks in hotels
● Expenses of personal nature e.g. Telephone bills, laundry and spa, massage etc.
● Any adventure activity like Paragliding, rafting, rope way etc
● Immediate expenses raised due to natural occurrences – landslides, weather, etc.
● Any items/activity not mentioned above.
Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights
Level: Moderate
Tour Starts: Goa
Tour Ends: Mumbai
Total distance cycled : 570 km
