Goa Wildlife & Birding 4N: Salim Ali Sanctuary & Cotigao Trails | 4 Nights and 5 Days Goa Package
- Transfer Included
- Stay Included
- Meals Included
- Sightseeing Included
Overview
Itinerary
Arrival, Transfer to Panaji & Mandovi Riverside Orientation
Arrive at Goa (Dabolim Airport / Madgaon Railway Station). Meet and greet, then transfer to your accommodation in Panaji / Chorao area (approx. 30–45 mins from the airport). Settle in and enjoy a short orientation with your naturalist guide. Late afternoon optional Mandovi River sunset cruise to spot riverine birds and enjoy panoramic views of the estuary.
Evening: Relax at the hotel. Tip: Keep binoculars handy for riverside birding during the cruise.
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary — Boat Safari & Local Sightseeing
Early morning transfer to the jetty for a guided boat safari into Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (Chorao Island). With an experienced birding guide you will look for species such as cormorants, kingfishers, egrets, herons, terns and migrant waders. Return to Panaji for breakfast.
Afternoon visit to Fontainhas (Panaji Latin Quarter) for heritage walks, colorful Portuguese-era houses, and local cafés. Evening at leisure or optional short walk along the riverside promenade.
Transfer to South Goa — Arrival at Cotigao Region & Evening Trail
After breakfast check out and drive south toward Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary / Canacona (approx. 2.5–3 hours). En route optional stop at a beach or spice plantation for brief exploration. Arrive, check-in and freshen up.
Late afternoon guided short nature walk along the easy Cotigao trails; first measures to spot resident birds, butterflies and small mammals. Brief briefing on the next day's early morning trail. Important: Carry light rain protection during monsoon months.
Full-Day Cotigao Trails & Birding — Watchtowers and Forest Walks
Start early with a guided forest walk on the Cotigao Trails; explore primary and secondary forest patches, marshy stretches and lookout points. Focus on spotting species such as Malabar pied hornbill, woodpeckers, bulbuls, raptors and endemic passerines, plus reptiles and amphibians.
Midday: Return to lodge for rest. Afternoon visit to a nearby beach like Palolem or a community village to observe local life. Evening optional guided spotlight walk to try for nocturnal species (subject to permissions).
Note: Trails are moderate — good walking shoes, sun protection and insect repellent recommended.
Morning Birding, Check-out & Departure
Optional early-morning short birding walk around the lodge grounds to catch any missed species and enjoy the dawn chorus. Return for breakfast, check-out and transfer to Goa Airport / Madgaon Railway Station for your onward journey.
Trip ends with memories of Goa's quieter wildlife-rich corners.
Tip: If you have extra days, consider adding a day-trip to Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary or a mangrove tour for more biodiversity exploration.
Inclusions
- 4 nights accommodation in comfortable, family-friendly lodges (2 nights in Panaji/Chorao area + 2 nights in Cotigao/Canacona)
- Daily breakfast and 3 dinners (as per itinerary)
- Guided boat safari at Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (shared)
- Guided Cotigao Trails and forest walks with an experienced naturalist
- Transfers within Goa as per itinerary (airport/rail transfers on specified timings)
- All sanctuary / guide entry fees as mentioned
- Binoculars on request and basic birding handouts
Please confirm exact meal plan and room sharing options while booking.
Exclusions
- International / domestic flights to Goa and airport taxes
- Meals not mentioned in inclusions (lunchs, additional dinners, snacks)
- Personal expenses: tips, laundry, phone calls, minibar
- Travel insurance and medical expenses
- Any optional activities (river cruises, beach boat rides) not specified as included
- Government service tax, if applicable
Note: Entrance to some protected areas may require prior permits; these will be handled with advance notice and may incur additional fees.
Starting from
Get in touch with a travel advisor
We process your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy
Planning Your Goa Trip?
From handpicked experiences and personalized plans to hassle-free bookings and the best deals — we turn your Goa travel dreams into reality.
Related Goa Packages
Similar Packages from Other Destinations
Why Choose TourGrids?
End-to-end trip planning — customised itineraries, handpicked hotels, cabs, and a dedicated coordinator on WhatsApp from booking to your return home.
Expert-Guided Planning
Dedicated travel experts craft your perfect itinerary, from first call to last day.
Customisable Packages
Tailor every detail — dates, hotels, experiences, add-ons — exactly how you want it.
Hassle-Free Booking
Book over call or WhatsApp — no confusing forms, no hidden steps, no stress.
Best Price Guarantee
Transparent pricing, zero hidden charges. Best value for every rupee you spend.
Recent Goa Reviews
Goa With My Wife, Zero Second-Guessing
Honestly, handing over an entire trip to a company you've never used before feels risky. But my wife and I wanted Goa done properly this time — no last-minute scrambling, no random hotel surprises. TourGrids sorted the flights, cabs, and hotel over a couple of WhatsApp calls, and the coordinator actually remembered the small things we mentioned, like wanting a sea-facing room. Everything was laid out clearly before we paid — no hidden charges that showed up later. The hotel was proper good, transfers were on time, and whenever we messaged, someone replied quickly. First time trusting an outside company for a trip, and it went better than trips we've planned ourselves.
Custom Goa Itinerary Built Around Our Schedule
We wanted a Goa trip that didn't feel like a copy-paste package, and TourGrids actually listened. I spoke to their team twice on call before booking — told them we're a couple, not big on beach parties, more into quiet stays and good food spots. They adjusted the itinerary accordingly, swapped one property we didn't like on the list, and confirmed everything on WhatsApp within a day. No back and forth, no confusing emails. The hotel was proper good, cab driver was on time throughout, and the pricing was transparent from the start — no hidden charges showing up later. Honestly the planning part felt easier than I expected it to.
