5 Experiences that Give You a Real Feel of Goa

Goa has been evolving as a tourist destination. The state’s hinterlands and villages have come under the radar for all kinds of offbeat local experiences. There are so many things one can experience in the state that go unnoticed under the more popular experiences. Several startups in the state are now rerouting tourists to an offbeat Goa that is slowly making itself seen. There is the food you can try, markets to visit, waterfalls to trek to, and things you can do that offer you the “real feel of Goa” that is to say, a Goa the way its locals know it. This is a state that has broken free from the stereotypical ways of travelling and is inculcating slow travel as part of its tourism. 

There are some experiences that define Goa and make it what it is and are integral to its narrative. Here are some that will give you the real feel of the state and should not be missed-

Feni Tasting

Feni is Goa’s pride. This popular drink of Goa has a strong, distinct fruity smell with an acidic taste. Like wine, Feni can be aged and paired with multiple foods to enhance its flavour. Every March, the distillers collect the cashew apples, separate the fruit from the seeds, squash them by foot, and then collect their juice. This juice is then left to ferment in mud pots that have been buried in the ground for ages. The fermented liquid is then distilled once to get urrak and twice or even thrice to get Feni. 

A lot of local distillers, especially Cazulo Feni located in Cansaulim conduct Feni tasting experiences. The experiences involve a deep exploration of the story of Feni, how it’s distilled, and how to best enjoy it. Feni’s taste can be enhanced by pairing it with certain foods like cheese, fruits, or even local delicacies like sorpotel. Moreover, the spirit itself is available in about 25 flavours. The spirit is infused with spices like jeera, ginger, bitter gourd, garlic, and so on. It was believed that the liquor when infused with different spices could help cure certain ailments like cold, diabetes, an upset stomach, and son. Apart from that, Feni is also made from toddy i.e. coconut sap and Sarsaparilla root. If you’re up for experiencing different shades of Feni, you should definitely go find a Feni Tasting Experience for yourself.

Guided Walking Tours

With its scenic village roads and engaging history, Goa makes for an ideal destination for walking tours. In the past few years, locals have been coming up with initiatives to bring forth the state’s rich heritage and history to tourists. They are now focusing on building a love for slow travel and creating space for experiential tourism in Goa through their guided walking tours. You could walk through the Latin Quarters of Fontainhas, meet a resident and listen to his/her experiences. You could take a boat into the backwaters of Chorao and spend hours birdwatching with nothing but the sound of the water to give you company. Or visit one of Goa’s many forts. If you’re into art and history, you could take a walk through Old Goa to explore the many churches there and the history they carry. If you’re a foodie, some organisations like Soul Travelling even conduct secret food trails and tavern trails in Goa to give you the best of its local gastronomy.

Some of the most well-known organisations are Make It Happen and Soul Travelling which curates offbeat Goan experiences. By undertaking a guided walking tour in Goa, not only do you get the real feel of the state but also take your own sweet time exploring it. 

Cycling Around

If you’re not much of a walker, maybe you can try cycling. Goa has some really beautiful villages draped in lush green fields, roads lined with palm trees swaying against the golden rays of the sun, and an irresistible peaceful quiet. The most perfect way to indulge in the Goan countryside is by hopping onto a cycle and embarking on an adventure. 

BLive, Cycling Zens and Pahiyaa are some well-known organisations that rent out e-bikes for you to cycle around in the countryside. They also offer guided cycling tours that take you through a village, its stories, its history, and its culture. Most of them also offer food tasting experiences on the tour. Generally, most Goan village roads are free of heavy traffic but the most ideal locations to cycle would be the islands of Divar and Chorao, the villages Saligao, Assagao, Aldona in the North, and Cansaulim, Majorda, and Benaulim in the South.

Trekking

Trekking is a monsoon special that should not be missed. Goa has its own fair share of natural pools, lakes, waterfalls, rivers, and even quarries that thrive during monsoons. Some of them are pretty easy to find on your own but some might require help from locals to be found. Trekking can get a little daunting in some places so it is advisable to stick with an expert who can guide you. Local Beat is one such organisation that does some really fun treks and experiences. You’ll come across some of the most amazing waterfalls in the Chorla Ghats, Valpoi, Canacona, and Quepem. The most popular ones are the Dudhsagar, the Netravali Falls, the Tambdi Surla Falls, Kesarval, Kuskem, and Sada Falls. We suggest you don’t venture into these locations by yourself and without any preparation.

Exploring Goa’s Backwaters

This one’s for those who hate crowds and who are into exploring something completely offbeat. Goa’s backwaters are a sanctuary to a rich biodiversity and that can open up doors to some very unique experiences. Birdwatching in Chorao’s backwaters is recently gaining popularity. You just hop onto a boat and the boatsman takes you around, showing you not just the different species of birds but also crocodiles, crabs, and mangroves. You can just stay afloat peacefully in the still waters in just the company of the birds and the sound of the waves. The most ideal time to go would be during the winters when some really interesting birds like Herons, Egrets, Cormorants, and Kites migrate to Goa for a vacation. If you’re someone who’s into a little bit of adventure, you can go Kayaking in these backwaters as well. Goa Kayaking is one of the well-known organisations and you can go experience the backwaters of the rivers Sal, Nerul, Mandovi, and Zuari.

There’s a lot to do besides indulging in the most popular things to do in Goa. We hope you enjoyed this blog post. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information on Marquis Beach Resort.