Mumbai and Goa Tour

Mumbai
A cosmopolitan metropolis, earlier known as Bombay, is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. Mumbai was originally a conglomeration of seven islands on the Konkan coastline which over time were joined to form the island city of Bombay. The island was in turn joined with the neighboring island of Salsette to form Greater Bombay. The city has an estimated metropolitan population of 21 million (2005), making it one of the world's most populous cities.

Mumbai is undoubtedly the commercial capital of India and is one of the predominant port cities in the country. Mumbai's nature as the most eclectic and cosmopolitan Indian city is symbolized in the presence of Bollywood within the city, the centre of the globally-influential Hindi film and TV industries. It is also home to India's largest slum population.

There is a lot to see in Mumbai, but the typical "tourist" sights are concentrated in South Mumbai.

By Indian standards, Mumbai is a young city and much of the land comprising the city did not exist until it was claimed from the sea over three centuries ago. It is therefore, a pleasant surprise to find rock cut caves such as the Elephanta, Kanheri, and Mahakali within city limits.

Goa

A state on India's West coast, is a former Portuguese colony with a rich history. Spread over 3,700 square kilometres with a population of approximately 1.8 million, Goa is small by Indian standards. It has a unique mix of Indian and Portuguese cultures and architecture that attracts an estimated 2.5 million visitors each year (including about 400,000 foreign tourists).

Since the 1960s, Goa has been attracting a steady flow of visitors -- first the hippies and returning expatriate Goans, then the charter tourists (starting with the Germans in 1987), pilgrims visiting Catholic and Hindu shrines, those opting to settle in Goa as their home, people going for medical treatment, and a growing number of those who attend seminars and conferences in Goa.

Goa is visibly different from the rest of India, owing to Portuguese rule which isolated it from the rest of India for 451 years. The Goan population is a mixture of Hindus and Roman Catholics, the distribution being approximately 65% Hindu and 24% Christian. There is also a smaller Muslim population. Despite this, communal violence has been virtually non-existent and Goa is regarded as one of the most peaceful states in India.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Mumbai
Arrive at Mumbai's international airport. Thompsons Holidays representative will be waiting for you outside the exit gate of arrrival terminal, holding a placard. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2 Mumbai
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning ( Approx at 09h30) proceed for half day city tour of Mumbai visiting Mani Bhavan, the house where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay during his visit to Bombay which is now a Museum displaying photographs, letters, and personal items used by him. Visit the Prince of Wales Museum and the Jain Temple. Drive past the Towers of Silence, Kamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens situated on the slope of Malabar Hill offering a panoramic view of Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach. Drve through Crawford market, Marine Drive and commemorate the visit of King George V. Afternoon is at leisure in Mumbai. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 Mumbai / Goa (BY TEJAS EXP-05h00/15h30)
(This train operates only on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday). In the morning (Approx at 04h00) transfer to the railway station to board the train for Goa. Arrive in Goa, meet our representative and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 Goa
Breakfast at the hotel. Later proceed for half day guided sightseeing tour: Pillar monastery, Margao city, Colva beach. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5 Goa
Breakfast at the hotel. Day is at leisure. (No Transport Service) Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6 Goa
Breakfast at the hotel. Day is at leisure.(No Transport Service) Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 Goa - Mumbai (BY TEJAS EXP-07h30/19h25)
(This train operates only on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
In Morning (Approx at 06h00) transfer to railway station to board train for Mumbai. Upon arrival you will be driven to hotel and check in at hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8 Mumbai - Departure
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the time Thompsons Holidays representative will transfer you to airport to board the flight for onward destination.
Check in 12h00, Check out 12h00

Please note, the names of hotels mentioned above only indicate that our rates have been based on usage of these hotels. It is not to be construed that accommodation is confirmed at these hotels until and unless we convey the confirmations to you on receipt of your acceptance. However in the event of any of the above mentioned hotels not becoming available at the time of initiating the reservations, we shall book alternate accommodation at a similar or next best available hotel and shall pass on the difference of rates (supplement/reduction whatever applicable) to you.