Panjim Trip Overview
Goa to Belgaum, Kolhapur & Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary 2 days private extension tour will begin with pick up from your hotel in Goa. You will visit the large Belgaum Fort, ancient Kapileshwara Temple & St. Mary’s Church in Belgaum. Then Kolhapur a city known for ancient Mahalakshmi Temple & The Bhavani Mandap an imposing old palace with a small museum displaying stuffed wild animals. You will also explore the Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary a natural World Heritage Site in Sahyadri hills on the Western Ghats. 1 Night accommodation, private AC vehicle for 2 days, 1 time jeep safari in RWS and local English speaking guide service during sightseeing is well included in package.
Additional Info
Duration: 2 days
Starts: Panjim, India
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
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What to Expect When Visiting Panjim, Goa, India
Goa to Belgaum, Kolhapur & Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary 2 days private extension tour will begin with pick up from your hotel in Goa. You will visit the large Belgaum Fort, ancient Kapileshwara Temple & St. Mary’s Church in Belgaum. Then Kolhapur a city known for ancient Mahalakshmi Temple & The Bhavani Mandap an imposing old palace with a small museum displaying stuffed wild animals. You will also explore the Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary a natural World Heritage Site in Sahyadri hills on the Western Ghats. 1 Night accommodation, private AC vehicle for 2 days, 1 time jeep safari in RWS and local English speaking guide service during sightseeing is well included in package.
Itinerary
Day 1: Goa – Belgaum – Kolhapur (225kms/ 5hrs approx)
Pass By: Belgaum, Belgaum, Belgaum District, Karnataka
Pick up from your hotel in goa and drive to Kolhapur via visiting Belgaum. In Belgaum visit-
Stop At: Belgaum Fort, Belgaum 590001 India
Belgaum Fort- believed to have been built by the rulers of Ratt Dynasty in 1204 AD. With shrines of Goddess Durga and Ganapati at the entrance, the architecture fort features a fusion of Chalukyan, Deccan and Indo-Saracenic art forms and the incredible lotus design at the Mukhamantaapa leaves everyone awestruck. There are numerous Hindu and Jain temples and mosques, located inside the fort area. Fort served as an impenetrable barricade against the violent attacks of the enemies. It has undergone many renovations and additions throughout its existence because it played host to a legion of dynasties. The Belgaum Fort shot to fame when Mahatma Gandhi was captured here during the Freedom Movement of India. The fort was constructed after demolishing 108 Jain temples and 101 Shiva temples. Some of the stones and pillars can be seen as a part of the religious shrines over here, like the Jamia Masjid.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Sri Kapileshwara Devasthana, Kaplieshwar Rd, Shastri Nagar, Shahapur, Belagavi, Karnataka 590001, India
Kapileshwar Temple – a holy shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva considered as the southern Kashi. The temple is located beside the Shahpur Flyover which connects the central city of Belgaum to Shahpur. It is believed that the visit and darshan of the 12 Jyotirlinga scattered all over India will remain incomplete unless started from Kapileshwar Temple. There is a rare cluster of Banyan, Peepal and Ficus trees in the Compound of the Temple. The temple is open for devotees from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day. St. Mary’s Church one of the peaceful places to visit in Belgaum The church was built during the time of Britishers thus gives a reminiscence of the past of this city.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Kolhapur, Kolhapur, Kolhapur District, Maharashtra
Continue drive to Kolhapur check in at hotel.Later city tour of Kolhapur.
Stop At: Shree Mahalakshmi Ambabai Temple, Kolhapur, Mahadwar Rd, B Ward, C Ward, Kolhapur, Maharashtra 416012, India
Visit ancient Mahalakshmi Temple, a Hindu pilgrimage site. Built in the 7th century by Chalukya rulers it is one of the six abodes of Shakti (Goddess of Power).
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Bhavani Mandap, Near Mahalaxmi Temple, Kolhapur India
The Bhavani Mandap an imposing old palace used to be the court and palace of Chhatrapati Maharaja in the yesteryears now been converted into small museum. The palace houses sculpture of Shahu Maharaj, stuffed animals, wooden throne etc and is an famous sightseeing attraction in the city. New Palace built between 1877 to 1884, an excellent specimen of Indian architecture built in black polished stone. It has extensive premises with a garden, fountain and wrestling ground. The whole building is eight-angled and has a tower in the middle. The clock on it was fixed in 1877. At separate distances there are small towers. On every glass are painted the events in Chhatrapati Shivaji’s life. There is a zoo and a ground lake. Even today, it is the residence of Chhatrapati Shahu, the direct descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Maratha Empire.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Kolhapur – Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary – Goa (260kms/ 5hrs approx)
Pass By: Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary, Radhanagari, Main Rd, Kolhapur, Maharashtra 416212, India
Early morning leave for jeep safari in Radhanagari Wild Life Sanctuary (Wildlife Sanctuary remain closed on every Tuesday). This is a natural World Heritage Site notified by UNESCO as Sahyadri sub cluster of Western Ghats. The Krishna River tributaries, Bhogavati River, Dudhganga River, Tulshi River, Kallamma River and Dirba River flow through the sanctuary’s area.
Stop At: Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary, Radhanagari, Dajipur, Kolhapur India
Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary contains tropical evergreen forests typical of the northern Western Ghats. 425 species of plants have been recorded in the sanctuary. The main species found over here are Anjani, Jambul, Hirda, Awala, Pisa, Ain, Kinjal, Amba, Kumbha, Bhoma, Chandala, Katak, Nana, Umbar, Jambha, Gela, Bibba and banana. Karvi is found over almost the entire area. Climbing plants such as shikekai and garambi are common. Shrub species and medicinal plants such as karvand, vagati (candy corn plant), ranmiri (orange climber), Tamalpatra Cinnamomum tamala, (toran), dhayati (fire-flame bush), kadipatta (curry tree), narkya, murudsheng (Indian screw-fruit) and a small amount of bamboo are also found. Large numbers of ephemeral bulbs of seasonal plants are also found here. Many sacred groves or devrais have been protected as a result of the efforts of the local communities.
Duration: 4 hours
Pass By: Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary, Radhanagari, Dajipur, Kolhapur India
Sanctuary contains 47 species of Mammals, 59 species of reptiles, 264 species of birds and 66 species of butterflies. Amphibians are most visible in the rainy season. 20 species from 2 orders, 5 families and 10 genera are listed in the sanctuary. Indian bison or gaur have a population around 610 in 2004, is the flagship species of the area. Other mammals, living in the sanctuary are Indian leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, barking deer, mouse deer, sambar, giant squirrel and wild dogs. Birds seen here include: vultures, eagles, jungle fowl, quails, plovers, sandpipers, owlets, doves, owls, nightjars, kingfishers, bee-eater, hornbills, woodpeckers, bulbul, flycatchers, warblers, wagtails, sunbirds are commonly seen. This sanctuary is designated as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International and is home to the rare and globally threatened Nilgiri wood-pigeon (Columba elphinstonii).
Pass By: Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary, Radhanagari, Dajipur, Kolhapur India
Other species found here include the Ceylon frogmouth, yellow-browed bulbul, dusky eagle-owl and great pied hornbill and one of India’s most admired songbirds, the Malabar whistlingthrush. Two species endemic to the Western Ghats: the small sunbird and the Malabar grey hornbill have been sighted here. This sanctuary is a favorite nesting place for the speckled piculet, Malabar crested lark, and some species of Himalayan birds such as the Indian blue robin during the winter months.
Threatened species of reptiles and amphibians seen in this sanctuary include: Malabar pit viper, Deccan ground gecko, Gunther’s cat skink, Beddome’s lacerta, Bombay bush frog and Humayun’s wrinkled frog.
Pass By: Goa, Goa
After Jeep safari in Wildlife Sanctuary drive to Goa and drop off to your hotel.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
