North India Highlights

Flying from Goa to Delhi this two-night, three-day tour includes a train journey to visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort plus a guided tour of the sites of India's historic capital city.

GOA BLOG

BLOG HOME

Off-the-beaten-track experiences in Goa

Updated on Feb 17, 2025 by Stacey Parsons

Blog > Off-the-beaten-track experiences in Goa

Even if you’re a self-confessed beach lover, you don’t have to simply stay along the sands when holidaying in Goa.

With so many different opportunities to embark on adventures, you’d be forgiven for not wanting to spend the entirety of your holiday on the famous palm-backed beaches of Goa. When you arrive in India’s richest state, you’ll find it hard to ignore the wonderful Portuguese influence, the beautiful natural landscapes and the colourful, eclectic culture – so why not get out and explore off the beaten track?

Escape to The Postcard Cuelim

The Postcard is the perfect place to unwind and soak up pure tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

With strong roots within its Goan heritage, this historic boutique hotel is home to just eight rooms, offering an intimate and off-the-beaten-track feel.

The Ayurvedic spa offers a range of traditional massages and treatments from Ayurvedic experts, indulge during your stay for a true escape.

Get back to nature with Wildernest

Adding an overnight stay at Wildernest to your holiday in Goa means you can discover the state’s more rugged and natural side, where deep green valleys meet impressive waterfalls. Making your way into the Sahyadri Valley, you’ll get the opportunity to embark on guided forest treks, wildlife talks and birdwatching trails, allowing you to learn much about the area and the biodiversity of the state.

Maharaja Night

If camping on a rugged and untouched beach sounds like your idea of fun, our Maharaja Night excursion will not disappoint. Staying in a private safari tent under the palm trees that line the sand at Cola Beach in South Goa, you’ll be able to spend the day relaxing under the sunshine, or fishing, dolphin spotting, enjoying a walk – the choice is yours. When the sun starts to set, you’ll enjoy a Goan buffet dinner, and later a drink around the campfire before it’s time to head off to bed.

If you’d like to know more about off-the-beaten-track activities, have a look at our excursions and tours. We also offer some fantastic boutique and unique accommodation, if you would like to bring something a little different to your holiday experience.

Posted in Holidays, Stacey Parsons | Tagged Excursions, The Goa Experience

⬤

FEATURED

Best authentic Goan restaurants to visit during your holiday Read more

Exploring Fontainhas, the Latin Quarter of Panjim Read more

Day 1: Departing Goa for Delhi our representative will meet you in the arrivals area of the airport. They will assist with your private transfer to your Delhi hotel which will be your base for two nights.

Day 2: This morning, you will depart Delhi railway staion to Agra. Once a small village on the banks of the Yamuna, it was transformed by two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and his grandson Shah Jehan into the second capital of the Mughal Empire, Dar-ul-Khilafat, or ‘seat of the Emperor’ in the 16th and 17th century.

When you arrive in Agra you will be met by our representative who will introduce you to your guide who will take you to Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). On the inner walls, jewel-like stones create beautiful designs in white marble. The Mughals perfected the art of embedding semi-precious stones into marble and the Taj is the finest example of this special process called pietra dura. It begins with a marble plate, varying in size. Then jewels are sliced paper thin and embedded in the marble with such precision that the joints are invisible to the naked eye. Continue for a visit to the Agra Fort, a walled city constructed of red stone which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Construction of the fort was originally started by Emperor Akbar in 1565, but his son, Jahangir, and grandson, Shah Jahan, later made valuable additions to it.

You will also visit Itmad ud Daula, also known as Baby Taj. This tomb was built in 1622 for Ghiyas Beg, father of Empress Noor-Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir. It is beautifully conceived in white marble, mosaic and lattice and set a precedent as the first Mughal building to be faced with white marble inlaid with contrasting stones.

Later, you will be driven back to Agra Cantt railway station, where you will board your train back to Delhi.

Day 3: After breakfast, proceed for the orientation city tour of Old and New Delhi including a visit of the 17th-century Jama Masjid and enjoy a rickshaw ride through the narrow, winding lanes of colourful and bustling Chandni Chowk. Stop in front of the Mughal Empire’s most opulent fort, the Red Fort for a photo opportunity.

Later proceed to New Delhi where you will be taken for a drive past the Presidential Palace, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys, the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of fallen Indian soldiers and a drive along the Rajpath past the Parliament House and secretarial buildings. You will also visit Qutab Minar, the 12th-century tower of victory built by a slave king and prototype of all minars (towers) in India.

After the tour you will be transferred to Delhi Airport to board your short flight back to Goa.

Two-night price from £825 per person

Prices are based on two people sharing including internal flights and two nights' accommodation on B&B and include transfers.
A choice of superior or deluxe accommodation is available.
You will be able to book this excursion either in the UK or on arrival / during your holiday to Goa.
Operates any day (subject to availability) except for Friday due to closure of the Taj Mahal.