Best of Goa with Aurangabad & Mumbai

Duration: 09 Nights / 10 Days
Destination Covered: Mumbai – Aurangabad – Mumbai - Goa – Mumbai Departure 

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Mumbai
Arrive by International flight, after traditional Indian style WELCOME at the airport by Exceptional Escapes representative, who would assist you at the airport & transfer to hotel for check in.
Mumbai is an entertainment as well as the commercial hub of India. Artifacts found that these islands had been inhabited since the Stone Age & documented evidence of human habitation dates back to 250 BC. In the 3rd century BC, the islands formed part of the Maurya Empire. In 1534, Portuguese appropriated islands from king of Gujarat later ceded to Charles II of England in 1661, as dowry for Catherine de Braganza. These islands were in turn leased to the British East India Company in 1668.
Overnight Hotel – Mumbai

Day 02: Mumbai – Aurangabad {9W313@ 0515/0615 Hrs}
Early wakeup would tough to board the flight to Aurangabad but you will forget everything once you will reach Ajanta Cave. Aurangabad; a village named Kirki where the city stands today. According to some historians, the city was founded in the year 1610 by Malik Ambar. He was the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah II of Ahmednagar, the then ruler of the Deccan (central parts of Southern India). In the year 1634, Aurangzeb was sent to Kirki as Governor of Deccan. In 1644, he moved to Agra to play an active role in Mughal politics. In 1681, the city again became the residence of Aurangzeb, who had now become Mughal Emperor. He lived there until his death in 1707. The modern name of the city was probably taken after his death.

Later Guide visit the Ajanta Caves (Closed on Monday) Nestling in an inner fold of the Sahyadri hills, 100 km from Aurangabad in the shape of a mammoth horse- shoe, are the 30 rock-hewn caves of Ajanta. The Caves date from the 2nd century BC. Discovered in 1819 by a group of British army officers, these startling achievements took around 600 years to create. Ajanta Caves have been an UNESCO World Heritage Site specifically nominated for the international World Heritage program.
Later drive back to Aurangabad.
Evening FREE.
Overnight Hotel – Mumbai (B)

Day 03: Aurangabad – Mumbai (Air India AI 441 @ 1720 / 1810 Hrs)
After early breakfast proceed to visit Ellora Caves (Closed on Tuesday) these enchanting caves were built in the time period between 5th and 10th century AD by the rulers of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty. They were built out of the vertical face of the Charanandri Hills and are 108 km from Ajanta Caves. The cave complex consists of 34 caves representing the three different religions of the world- Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism which is a proof that religious harmony existed during that time. It is also a World Heritage Site. There are temples as well as the monasteries inside the cave complex. The Kailash Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva inside cave 16 is the largest monolithic structure in the whole world.
Late afternoon transfer to airport to board the flight to Mumbai
Evening at leisure.
Overnight Hotel – Mumbai (B)

Day 04: Mumbai
Post breakfast Guided city tour of Mumbai;
Gateway of India, the entrance to the port of Mumbai. It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V in 1911.
Prince Wales Museum, built in a confluence of Gothic & Moorish styles. It boasts a collection of ancient Indus Valley artifacts dating 2000 BC, plus some priceless Tibetan & Nepali Art.
Elephanta Caves, houses rock cut temples dating back to 5th century CE. It was named by the Portuguese, after the statue of an elephant near the landing area of the island.
Marine Drive, which runs along the shore of Arabian Sea from Nariman Point past Chowpatty Beach to the foot of Malabar Hill.
Post lunch visits an unique feature of Mumbai Dhobi Ghat; is a traditional laundryman, who will collect dirty linen, wash it, and return it neatly pressed to your doorstep. All for a pittance. The "laundries" are called "Ghats": row upon row of concrete wash pens, each fitted with its own flogging stone. The clothes are soaked in sudsy water, thrashed on the flogging stones, then tossed into huge vats of boiling starch and hung out to dry. Next they are ironed and piled into neat bundles.
Rest of the time FREE.
Overnight Hotel – Mumbai (B)

Day 05: Mumbai – Goa {IndiGo 6E 416 @ 1145 / 1255 Hrs} 
Post breakfast transfer to airport to board the flight to Goa. On arrival after traditional Indian style ‘Swagat’ (Welcome) by Exceptional Escapes representative, he would assist you at the airport & transfer to hotel for check in. Goa, once a part of the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BC. From 580–750 AD the Chalukyas of Badami had their sway over Goa. It is also known for its world heritage architecture including the Bom Jesus Basilica. Goa also has rich flora & fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which are classified as a biodiversity hotspot rather an absolute paradise on earth.
Rest of the day at leisure on the beach shore.
Overnight Hotel – Goa

Day 06: North Goa
Post breakfast visit North Goa;
CALANGUTE TO FORT AGUADA;A Tour start off with a visit to Fort Aguada Candolim. Fort Aguada in Goa is one of the most important Fort in Goa and most crucial of all forts in Goa. Today it’s being used as a Goa jail.

SALIGAO CHURCH; Unique in its architectural design and is being illuminated throughout the tourist season.One of the most beautiful churches in Goa. It looks like a shimmering jewel in the fields as you drive by on the Chogum road from Panjim to Calangute.

MAPUSA CITY (BY PASS); Capital of Bardez and famous for its Friday bazaar, where people buy and sell everything from lime to livestock.

VAGATOR BEACH; A beach famous for its seclusion with the Chapora Fort, as its imposing back drop. Vagator beach is undeniably one of the best beaches in the world.

ANJUNA BEACH (View point); Popular among the traveler and is a beautiful picnic spot also known for Trance parties and Hippies in 60's and 70's.its also famous for night life.

CALANGUTE BEACH; Calangute Beach Widely known as queen of Goa's beaches, picnic and musical groups draw hundreds of people.
Evening FREE.
Overnight Hotel – Goa (B)

Day 07: Goa
Rest of the day at leisure on the beach shore.
Overnight Hotel – Goa (B)

Day 08: Goa
Rest of the day at leisure on the beach shore.
In the evening we will take for farewell dinner at the GOAN cuisine speciality restaurants.
Overnight Hotel – Goa (B)

Day 09: Goa
Rest of the day at leisure on the beach shore.
In the evening we will take for farewell dinner at the GOAN cuisine speciality restaurants.Overnight Hotel – Goa (B)

Day 10: Goa – Mumbai {IndiGo 6E-438 @ 1355 / 1505 Hrs}
Mumbai Departure
Transfer to airport to board flight for onward journey, taking back memory of entertainment city.
Tour Concludes: Exceptional Escapes Manager would assist you with your transfer to the airport for boarding onward flight.