Day 1 is reporting day at the base camp at Sports Authority Ground near Miramar Beach in Panaji. The first ride, on Day 2, is a short 30 km loop out to Divar Island, up to the viewpoint on the hill at Naroa, then across to Old Goa to see the Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral churches before heading back.

Day 3 is 50 km and takes in Dona Paula, Bambolim, Siridao, Goa Velha, Bhati Lake, Talaulim, Pilar, Mandur, Dongri and Neura, with a stop at Karmali Lake to look for crocodiles, then the UNESCO site at Old Goa and back to Panaji via Ribandar. Day 4 is 60 km north along the coast: the Panaji ferry point, Betim, Verem, Reis Magos Fort, Kakedevli beach, Candolim, the lighthouse and Fort Aguada, Calangute, Baga, Chapora Fort, Vagator, Anjuna, Saligao and Porvorim.

Day 5, at 62 km, heads for the islands and lakes. You take the Ribandar ferry point, visit the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary on Chorao Island, then ride through Khaturli to Mayem Lake, Paira, Corjuem island and fort, over the Aldona cable-stayed bridge, on to Pomburpa springs and Britona, and back by the Betim ferry point. Day 6 is another 60 km, this time inland to the temples and spice country: Old Goa, Dhulapi, Kundai, Mardol, the Mahalsa Temple, Priol, a spice farm, Keri, the Vijaydurga and Anant temples, Savoi Verem, Khandola, Marcel, the Devki Krishna and Mallinath Temple, Dhauji, and back to base via Old Goa and Ribandar. The valedictory function is that evening.

Day 7 is check-out after breakfast. The organisers say they can change the itinerary or routes at any time for safety, weather or other reasons, including turning a circular route into a radial one, without notice.

The trip is led by experienced camp leaders, with Rohidas Naik and Kiran Natekar named as coordinators for the Goa State Branch. Routes are checked in advance by field staff. You are not allowed to leave the set route.

What separates this from a commercial cycling tour is the price and the setup: ₹7,500 covers tented accommodation, all vegetarian meals, the geared cycle and helmet, camp leader guidance, forest entry fees and insurance. It is a members' expedition, so you need to be a YHAI member to take part.

What's included

- Tented accommodation at the base camp - Nutritious vegetarian meals: morning tea, breakfast, lunch or packed lunch, evening tea and dinner - Geared cycles and helmets - Guidance from experienced camp leaders - Forest entry fee - Insurance

What's not included

- Travel to and from Panaji - Personal travel insurance beyond the group cover - Biking gloves, knee caps and personal kit - Medicines and personal expenses - Anything not listed as included