Private Full-Day Mumbai Tour: City Highlights & Elephanta Caves Excursion
4.9
108 Ratings
Mumbai
Explore the captivating city of Mumbai on a private full-day tour. Visit iconic landmarks like the Gateway of India and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and marvel at the intricate rock-carved temples of Elephanta Caves.
Duration: 10 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Elephanta Caves - Your day starts with morning pickup at your hotel, airport or cruise port and transfer by private air-conditioned vehicle to the Gateway of India and harbor. There, board the ferry for the ride to Elephanta Island, home to the World Heritage-listed Elephanta Caves. The ancient cave temples date to the fifth century, carved with stunning reliefs and statues that honor the Hindu god Shiva.
  • Gateway of India - Return to the city and visit the Gateway of India, This bold basalt arch of colonial triumph faces out to Mumbai Harbour. It was built to commemorate the 1911 royal visit of King George V but wasn’t completed until 1924. Ironically, the British builders of the gateway used it just 24 years later to parade the last British regiment as India marched towards independence.

Later stop for lunch at a local restaurant (own expense).

  • Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus - View the UNESCO-listed Victorian Gothic masterpiece of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST), Imposing, exuberant and overflowing with people, this monumental train station is the city’s most extravagant Gothic building and an aphorism of colonial-era India.

  • Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market - Previously known as Crawford Market is the largest in Mumbai, and contains the last whiff of British Bombay before the tumult of the central bazaars begins. Fruit and vegetables, meat and fish are mainly traded, it’s also a touristy spot to stock up on spices.

  • Hanging Gardens - Also known as Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, are terraced gardens perched at the top of Malabar Hill, on its western side, just opposite the Kamala Nehru Park. They provide sunset views over the Arabian Sea and feature numerous hedges carved into the shapes of animals.

  • Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum - As poignant as it is tiny, this museum is in the building where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during visits to Bombay from 1917 to 1934. Exhibitions include his personal room, a photographic record of his life, along with dioramas and documents, such as letters he wrote to Adolf Hitler and Franklin D Roosevelt and tributes from Ho Chi Minh and Albert Einstein.

  • Dhobi Ghat - This 140-year-old dhobi ghat (place where clothes are washed) is Mumbai’s biggest human-powered washing machine, every day hundreds of people beat the dirt out of thousands of kilograms of soiled Mumbai clothes and linen in 1026 open-air troughs. The best view is from the bridge across the railway tracks near Mahalaxmi train station.

  • Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya - Formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum, it was designed by George Wittet

  • Marine Drive - Photo stop at Marine Drive - Lined with flaking art deco apartments, it’s one of Mumbai’s most popular promenades and sunset-watching spots. Its twinkling night-time lights have earned it the nickname ‘the Queen’s Necklace’.

After touring Mumbai’s most magnificent sights, your tour concludes at the starting point or other desired location in Mumbai.

What's Included
  • Toy Train ride to reach Elephanta Caves steps
  • Round-trip ferry ride to Elephanta Caves
  • Professional local private tour guide
  • Airport / Hotel / Cruise Port Pickup and drop-off
  • Bottled water
  • Transport by private air-conditioned vehicle
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Entrance fees
  • Gratuities
  • Anything not mentioned in Inclusions
Additional Information

Unearth the magic of Mumbai by visiting its famous sites. The trip includes a visit to the complex rock sculptures of Elephanta Caves and the key sights of Mumbai like The Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) previously known as Victoria Terminus, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandai Market (Crawford Market) earlier called Arthur Crawford, Marine Drive also called Queens Necklace, The Hanging Gardens or Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, Mani Bhawan that illuminates Gandhi’s life, Dhobi Ghat, a renowned open air laundry center in Mumbai, and Prince of Wales Museum.

  • Dress code is smart casual
  • The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
  • At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
  • Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
  • Pick-up Time is subject to change depending on the pick-up location, the same will be advised one day before the pick-up
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
  • Elephanta Caves are accessible only by ferry. Ferry ride operation is subject to clear weather conditions
  • Travelers should be vaccinated and carry the covid vaccination certificate
  • Note: Hanging Gardens is currently under reconstruction project and is closed for general public
Location
Elephanta Caves
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(108 Ratings)
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Jay_n
May 27, 2024
Very pleased with an outstanding tour and exceptional guide. - Our guide Subha was exceptional. Not only did she have an excellent understanding to the sights of Mumbia and history of the many sights we visited, but she seemed to have a connection with many of the people responsible to the attractions. She would say “just a minute” and she would speak with the site people to ensure we had excellent treatment. When I booked this tour with Viator I had a list of the many sites my wife and I wanted to see This was not a short list. We had a tour hard stop time when we need to be back on our cruise ship. Subha was able to get us to see and explore every requested site be we made it back to the ship on time with no problems. If you are a photographer like me, Subha with the help of her great drive, she took me to the perfect spots to get that perfect picture.
Review provided by Viator
Saradi9725dn
May 6, 2024
Great way to see the highlights of Mumbai in one day - I was in Mumbai for a short time and wanted to see the famous Elephanta caves, as well as other highlights of the city to get a feel for Mumbai. Throughout the day, my guide Anand Sharma did an excellent job explaining the history, architecture, and daily life of the city, and was personable and welcoming. The tour was also organized well to maximize places visited without feeling rushed, while also providing a good variety of experiences - ancient history, colonial history, markets, daily life, museums, and religious sites. I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to make the most of a short visit to Mumbai, and would also recommend Anand as an excellent guide to the city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cheryldd2033vr
May 5, 2024
Awesome Experience! - We took this tour with Ida who was a wonderful guide. She was so knowledgeable, sweet and flexible. She catered to our interest, provided snacks and water and helped us with handling vendors. She could navigate large crowds and got us where we needed to be efficiently and effortlessly. We learned so much from our day with her!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Phil
May 5, 2024
Great tour for our brief stay in Mumbai - Our guide, Ida picked us up promptly from the cruise port and gave us a great tour of Elephanta and Mumbai. All of our tickets and admissions were included, and our guide pointed out and explained everything in great detail. Our guide was super knowledgeable shared tons of information and tidbits, and easily answered all our questions. With only 7 hours available to us before our cruise departed, this was a perfect way to see a lot in a such a short time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vikash
Apr 5, 2024
Couldn’t have been better - The guide was amazing and very knowledgeable. My parents are older and move a little slow and she paced the day perfectly. Thank you your company and the best guide Nayana
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Takeatripwithtipp
Mar 4, 2024
Mumbai Tour - Great tour of the city with Sudha. She knows the history of Mumbai very well and takes the time to explain the origins. She allows free time and is with you on every step of the tour. It’s a great personal and private experience for you or a few others. Definitely recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Williamscew
Feb 23, 2024
Marathon mumbai - Sub and our driver awesome!! They informed us just enough and kept us safe.suba was our guide. She is a force of nature in taking control and getting things done. Our driver kept us on schedule and safe in the crazy mumbai traffic. Wau better than a cruise ship tour.
Review provided by Viator
Freedom642569
Feb 23, 2024
Marathon mumbi - The caves and boat ride was great. Our guide Sub was awesome. She was informative but not intrusive. Our ship eas two hours late but she still got a stops done on the itinetary. I would recomend this trip. Well worth the money and ask for Sub. Our driver was also great at keeping us safe without wasting time. He also took us to the airport. Very couteous.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sheilaoc17
Feb 20, 2024
Fabulous city tour - This tour covered what we wanted to see in Mumbai. Our guide was Nayana and our driver was Rafeek. Both were excellent. Nayana was so knowledgeable and we learnt so much about Mumbai. She was very friendly and nothing was too much trouble! Woukd highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Passenger817470
Feb 20, 2024
Accomodating and friendly! - Our guide and driver were just brilliant! Very knowledgeable and friendly. Met us on time and accomodated us on requests. Great way to see a busy city 👏. Thanks again !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1
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June 2024
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