Goa Tour Packages From Ahmedabad

Every friend group in every corner of India has had a conversation about the ever-elusive “Goa trip”. For good reason, too. The nightlife in Goa is among the most vibrant in the country, explaining its appeal among the youth. National Geographic even went so far as to rank it 6th out of the top 10 Nightlife Cities in the world. Besides, who doesn’t like a late-night walk along the beach? With the sea breeze gently caressing your face? All of the reasons that make Goa a conventionally popular destination are true, and if that’s what you’re looking for in your holiday, Goa will deliver in spades. However, there is so much more to Goa. The rich heritage, with a fascinating blend of Indian and Portuguese architecture, the magnificent forts, and the diversity in wildlife that this state holds are often overlooked. Residents of Ahmedabad, who wish to experience the vastly different coastal climate, may want to seriously consider all of this. So, take your time, hash out all the details, and plan a Goa trip from Ahmedabad. What could you say about Goa that hasn’t already been said? The beaches, the cool air, it’s the ultimate weekend destination. So start planning this out with your friends and make some memories.

Places to Visit on a Goa Trip From Ahmedabad

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is a relic of the past, that is part of Goa’s history of being a Portuguese colony, the Basilica of Bom Jesus started construction in 1594. It was consecrated 11 years later, in 1605, by Dom Fr. Aleixo de Menezes, the then Archbishop of Goa, making the monument more than 400 years old. The church is said to be the final resting place of St. Francis Xavier, the founder of the Society of Jesus, whose members are referred to as “Jesuits”. Every 10 years, the saint’s body used to be displayed to the public, along with all his belongings, but this practice ended back in 1994, as the body had decomposed a lot. However, the Feast of St. Francis Xavier still takes place every year on December 3rd. The structure of the church is, in a word, elegant. The marble floors have precious stones inlaid in them, while the church’s altar holds a massive statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola, another founder of the Society of Jesus. Through a Goa trip from Ahmedabad, you can also visit the Bom Jesus Basilica Art Gallery, which looks out onto the St. Francis’ tomb from above. It holds the works of Dom Martin, a Goan surrealist painter.

Once the Portuguese empire’s greatest defense against the Dutch and Maratha empires, Fort Aguada is not the grand structure it once was, about 400 years ago, but it is still one of the most well-preserved Portuguese forts and an icon of the era. The fort was built at the mouth of the Mandovi River, at its confluence with the Arabian Sea, and the sprawling fortress covers the entirety of the Bardez Peninsula. “Agua” means “water” in the Portuguese language, while “Aguada” is a place where water is stored. This name is perfectly descriptive of the role that this Fort played for many Portuguese ships that would come here for respite. A massive tank, that was supplied with fresh water from the underground springs it was built on, could hold more than 2,000,000 gallons at a time. So, Portuguese sailors would come here for respite, as they filled their water supply on the upper levels, while their ships lay anchored in the fort’s lower level. Over 200 cannons once lined the fort’s ramparts. During the rule of Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, this fort was also used as a prison for protesters who wished for Goa to join India, after it gained its independence from the British. Another feature of the fort is a now-defunct lighthouse, decommissioned from use in 1976. A popular spot to watch the sunset from, the fort is open for visitors from 9:30 am to 6 pm, and there are two routes to reach the top - a 4 km road from Sinquerim beach, or a 2 km trek up a steep incline.

Best Time to Visit

Summer

From March to June, the scorching heat during the afternoon and evening, with temperatures going as high as 40 °C, as well as the humidity brought on by the coastal winds, the weather in Goa is not as comfortable as it is otherwise. However, during the morning, and later towards the end of the day, when the sun isn’t out in full force, the breezy beaches are still wonderful for a walk. Depending on the tides, the sea may not be as friendly, but the temperature is still agreeable in the mornings for a quick dip. Since this isn’t peak season for tourists, Goa isn’t so crowded, so If you’re in a pinch and are working on a tight budget, a Goa trip from Ahmedabad in the summer may still be worth it.

Monsoon

We’re still not in peak season yet, and considering that Goa is famous for its sunny beaches, it is easy to understand why the cloudy monsoon that lasts from July to September is not so appealing to people. That being said, there’s still plenty to enjoy here. Due to the overcast skies and the harsh seas during the rains, going out to the beaches may not be a good idea. However, Goa’s natural splendor is in full bloom, so nature lovers will be able to witness the state at the top of its serenity. Dudhsagar Falls is especially amazing this time of year. Temperatures don’t go beyond 30 °C either, so the weather is also pleasant.

Post Monsoon

Goa experiences the “October heat” phenomenon that other states in this region experience, too, where temperatures actually go up a bit. A Goa trip from Ahmedabad during this time will let you experience the rising heat in the temperature after the monsoon. This is a strange period of time when the rains have subsided almost entirely, but the weather isn’t quite wintry just yet. Despite all of this, it’s still a great time to visit the place, with the beaches now more accessible than they were during the monsoon, while still maintaining the green luster that has coated the surroundings.

Winter

This is it, this is the best time to visit Goa, and there are so many reasons why. The climate is perfect, with temperatures hovering around 22 °C, the beaches are their sunny best, and the waters are finally open for all manner of activities and adventure sports. Scuba diving, surfing, water skiing, it’s all open for your enjoyment. On top of that, November to February is packed with events, from music festivals to various end-of-the-year celebrations. If you’re looking to close out the calendar on a high note, spending your winter in Goa through a Goa trip from Ahmedabad will offer you with a blast.

How to Reach?

By Air

AIr travel to Goa is quite convenient since it has its own airport. It is located in the city of Dabolim, which is just 4 km from Vasco da Gama, and about 30 km from state capital Panaji. Flying from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to Dabolim Airport takes about 2 hours in a direct flight, but there are plenty of indirect flights that stop in Mumbai which will take upwards of 5 hours. Making it into the city from the airport is also a painless process with plenty of taxis available at the taxi stand.

By Train

Traveling from Ahmedabad to Goa is a long journey. On a direct train, of which there are 10 available each day, the 1000 km train ride from Ahmednagar Junction to Madgaon Junction is a 17-hour commitment at least. The 27 indirect trains between the two stations take even longer, with some journeys taking up the entire day.

By Road

A road trip from Ahmedabad to Goa is, simply put, an Odyssey. With more than 1000 km to cover, it takes over a day to reach the finish line. Bus journeys last about 27 hours. If you happen to have a private car of yours and decide to take it on this marathon of a drive, you will have a decent chunk of Gujarat and Maharashtra to explore on the way there.

Ideal Duration:

Goa has plenty of locales that are perfect for a quick weekend getaway. However, if you’ve decided to make the trip all the way from Gujarat and cut across the entirety of Maharashtra, why not stay a bit longer and see more of what it has to offer beyond the usual beaches and nightlife? It will make your Goa trip from Ahmedabad worthwhile.