 Day
01: The tour begins with a morning pick-up to begin
the drive inland towards the eastern border of Goa. Stopping
en-route at the temple town of Ponda with time to visit the
vibrant local market and purchase bananas or vegetables to
feed to the elephant at the camp.
Continue on to a remote basket weaver's hamlet to see a demonstration
of a traditional village craft, unchanged for generations.
Drive on into the wildlife sanctuary, keeping your eyes open
for Langure and Macaques (species of monkeys found in Goa)
along the roadside.
 Your
home for the night is in basic two bedded tented accommodations,
each with electric light and fan and attached bathroom facilities.
Nestled amidst the trees in a tranquil forest clearing, set
against the backdrop of the scenic Western Ghats, it's of
feeling of getting back to nature.
Arriving midday for a lunch of local
dishes cooked and served in clay pots.
After lunch head off for a refreshing swim in the clear waters
of a nearby stream, with the chance to give the elephant named
Sarawathy a scrub.
After a short rest during the heat of the day a photo opportunity
dressed in the traditional attire of India sari for ladies,
dhoti and kurta for men. Also for the ladies it's a chance
to have the palms of your hands painted with the natural dye
henna.
 Spend
the remainder of the afternoon visiting the nearby village,where
you will be able to see inside a traditional mud-built village
home and enjoy an evening cup of chai or coffee and sample
onion bhajis cooked over firewood. Entertained by the children
of the village who enjoy practicing the English songs they
learn in school.
 As
dusk falls we take a short walk to an atmospheric forest clearing
which houses one of India's National Monuments dating back
to the 13th century
the Lord Mahadeva Temple at Tambodi Surla, dedicated to the
Hindu God Lord ShivaBack at camp, enjoy dinner followed by
a taste of locally distilled Cashew Feni, the famous Goan
firewater followed by a campfire beneath the stars with lively
local entertainment and Konkani songs.
Day 2: After a good night’s sleep
in the peacefulness of the forest, wake up to the sound of
birdsong and monkeys chasing through the trees.
For the naturalists of the group a nature walk will introduce
some
of the regions flora and fauna before morning tea and coffee,
followed by elephant back ride along forest tracks.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before departing for the drive
back to the chaos of the coast. Stopping en-route at a place
of interest i.e. a small cashew nut factory where a guided
tour will illustrate the amount of work that goes into processing
one of Goa's main crops, with the opportunity to buy roasted
nuts fresh from the oven (or similar visit). Arrive back to
Calangute area by lunchtime with some unique memories of a
wonderful experience in a region of Goa so different from
the coastal belt.
Cost per person (based on twin sharing) £ 45
Single supplement of £13 applies
Price includes: transport in non air-conditioned
vehicle, basic tented accommodation, lunch, dinner, breakfast
at the camp. All forest entries, elephant ride and services
of a guide throughout the tour.
Price does not include: wildlife sanctuary
camera fees, drinks and items of a personal nature i.e. tips
etc. |
