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Offered languages
- English
Divar island sits in the middle of the Mandovi river near Old Goa. For decades the residents of the island have fiercely resisted successive governments' attempts to build a land bridge to the island because they believed that a bridge would ruin the social fabric of the island. They were right. While some villages in Goa are slowly turning into concrete jungles thanks to rampant construction, Divar island stands out as a village stuck in a time when the Portuguese ruled Goa. You will be transported back in time on this relaxed day tour and will experience a side of Goa that you never experienced before. By the end of this relaxed day tour, your impression of Goa will be changed forever.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The multi-level car park is opposite the river cruise jetty neat the Mandovi bridge
Itinerary
-
1
The ferry ride will expose a different side of Goa where life moves at a slow and peaceful pace.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included -
2
The Hospital da Santa Casa da Misericórdia was used as the campus of Goa Institute of Management until the college was moved to a hill in the interior of Goa. The imposing architecture of the structure brings back memories of Portuguese rule.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
This church is perched up on a hill and offers view of the Atal Sethu bridge across the Mandovi river at Panaji
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
The vehicle will pause at Divar Centre letting you walk around and take pictures of the beautiful Portuguese houses in the area. There is a restaurant closeby in case you want to have a tea and snack.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
The Sao Mathias church was built by the Portuguese over 400 years ago. The church ground is a good place to take pictures.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
This chapel is known for its unique dome shaped architecture which is very different from other chapels and churches in Goa.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7
The original Saptakoteshwar temple was completely destroyed by the Portuguese. What remains is the temple pool which fills up in the monsoons and serves as a local swimming pool.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8
Vaxim is a tiny island off Divar island which is connected to Divar island by a ferry. You will not take the ferry to Vaxim island since there is no way to get off the island on the other side. While you are here, you will be taken to a sluice gate where you will learn how the locals use the tides to trap fish in their nets.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9
When taking this ferry you will see a bridge of the Konkan railway that hops onto the island. There is another bridge that hops off the island on the far side.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
10
This brick and stone archway was used as the gateway to Goa when the Portuguese ruled and Old Goa was the capital. At that time Panaji was just a fishing village at the mouth of the Mandovi river.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
11
This stately 17th-century Catholic church features a facade resembling St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
12
This Hindu temple is located in a remote corner of of Divar island on the water's edge. This place is very quite and peaceful.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
13
Completed in 1605, the Basillica of Bom Jesus is a Baroque Catholic church which contains the tomb of Saint Francis Xavier. The Se Cathedral is a marvellous cathedral built in the 1600’s by the Portuguese. The place is a designated World Heritage site. The place is still used for church services , prayers and recitations. The main gate of the cathedral is an architectural masterpiece carved out of stone.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
14
The church was abandoned in 1835 after the Portuguese government of Goa began evicting many religious orders in Goa under its new repressive policies. The subsequent neglect caused the vault of the church to collapse in 1842. The body collapsed soon after and by 1871, the bell was moved from the tower. In 1931, the facade of the church and half the tower collapsed and by 1938, most of the other parts had also collapsed. Currently only half the tower remains, and it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Goa.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
15
Enjoy a traditional Goan lunch at a riverside seafood restaurant. If you are vegetarian, not to worry. The restaurant serves a variety of vegetarian dishes as well.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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