Private tour

Elephanta Caves: Private Half-Day Tour from Mumbai

4.1 / 5

16 reviews

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    Private tour

    Elephanta Caves: Private Half-Day Tour from Mumbai

    4.1

    16 reviews

    From $60.78 per person

    Hop on to the ferry to Elephanta Island to explore over 1,500 years of history. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site with an experienced guide. Learn about Hindu and Buddhist practices as you gaze upon stunning statues of deities.

    About this activity

    Free cancellation
    Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
    Covid-19 precautions
    Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
    Mobile ticketing
    Use your phone or print your voucher
    Duration 5.5 hours
    Check availability to see starting times.
    Instant confirmation
    Live tour guide
    English, German, Spanish
    Pickup included
    Pickup available from airport, train station, or hotel located within Mumbai city limits. Please wait at the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Kindly provide detailed address of the pickup location and a local contact number at the time of booking. Please check your email inbox and spam/junk folder for any communication from the local tour operator one day prior to the activity.
    Wheelchair accessible
    Private group

    Experience

    Highlights
    • Marvel at the intricate carvings of the Elephanta Caves
    • Learn about Hindu gods and culture from an expert local guide
    • Enjoy the personal attention of a private guide
    Full description
    To start off your tour of Elephanta island, choose a pickup time that fits your schedule, though it’s best to get an early morning start. Take a beautiful, hour-long ferry ride across the bay from Mumbai to Elephanta Island, and begin your exploration of a labyrinth of caves, temples, and shrines with your own private guide. An elaborate system of man-made caves cut directly into solid basaltic mountains, the Elephanta Caves were used as sacred places of Hindu and Buddhist worship starting in the 5th to 7th century. Amble through the vast columns and arched colonnades, gazing at elaborately carved sacred shrines to deities.  The main cave, otherwise known as the Shiva Cave, contains numerous carvings depicting various aspects of Lord Shiva including his wedding, his slaying of Andhaka, and more. The most significant sculpture in the cave is the 20-foot-tall, three-headed Shiva, known as the Trimurti. Other wings of the caves have shrines dedicated to Shiva’s sons, Kartikeya and Ganesh, with similarly spectacular carved statues.  All the while, enjoy insightful commentary from a local guide, expert in the history of the Elephanta Caves, as well as Hinduism and Buddhism as a whole. After touring the magnificent island, you will be ferried back to the harbor. From there, your driver will drop you back at your hotel, marking the end of a memorable tour through over 1,500 years of history.
    Includes
    • Tour guide
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • Entrance tickets
    • Ferry tickets
    • Train tickets
    • Meals and drinks
    • Souvenirs
    Covid-19 precautions
    Safety measures in place
    • All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
    • You must keep social distance while in vehicles
    • The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
    Traveler requirements
    • You are required to bring and wear a mask
    • You will receive a mandatory temperature check

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    Prepare for the activity

    Important information

    What to bring

    • Passport or ID card
    • Comfortable shoes

    Not allowed

    • Sleeveless shirts

    Know before you go

    • The caves are closed to visitors every Monday.
    • In case of high tides and high rainfall, the ferry may not operate and the activity may be cancelled. When possible, the tour operator will communicate this in advance or the activity may be rescheduled.
    • Appropriate clothing is required for entry, including no sleeveless shirts.
    • Videography is not permitted on the island.
    • Wheelchair hire is available on-site, with an extra charge to be paid directly at the counter.
    Customer reviews

    Overall rating

    4.1 /5

    based on 16 reviews

    Review summary

    • Guide
      3.8/5
    • Transportation
      3.5/5
    • Value for money
      3.9/5
    • Safety
      4.8/5

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    Star rating:

    Get your guide ran a faultless tour. Fantastic experience to travel from the picturesque dock near the Gateway to India and Hotel Taj. We were first promptly transported from our hotel by a nice young man who guided us to the ferry. The travel over on the large wooden ferry was a great way to interact with many Indian people who were lovely. On arrival at the Elephanta Island we were greeted by the guide who was fantastic. We caught a small train from the dock to the stairs area where some of our party were carried up the steep stairs on a seat carry system. He guided us thru the aspects of the main cave and it’s history. It’s amazing, but a little ruined by the Portuguese who used it as target practise. Many giant Indian deities carved in the walls. Had a brief shop at the market, which has great souvenirs on then returned back by ferry. Many ferry’s come and go so don’t panic about pissing one.

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    March 15, 2020

    D
    Doug – Australia Verified GetYourGuide customer

    Helpful?

    We were welcomed on the island by a local guide, until then we had been accompanied by a guide from Mumbai who was supposed to be waiting for us at the port. Shortly before the caves was a box office where we should pay 600 rupees pp. We declined on the grounds that entry was included according to get your guide. It was said that the colleague had the money, that he would refund it to us afterwards. We said that the colleague should call so that he brings the money, he did not do it but paid. So yes! Should it be a trick? We don't know, the topic was off the table. The tour of the main caves was informative and good, and the guide wanted to bring us back immediately. We noticed that visitors took a different route and therefore asked to go it too. In fact, there were other older caves and a panoramic view from the other side of the island. Again, why not right away?

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    November 18, 2019

    A
    Anonymous – Germany Verified GetYourGuide customer

    Helpful?

    Really good private guide

    I came without specific knowledge about India history, the guide introduced me to India history and culture. The guide Samir is really pleasant, he is native from the island and he is also fond of photography. He helped me to get good pictures during the visit. The local company used whatsapp to contact me. I asked for a pickup at the hotel, the local company took it in charge (they sent me the otp via WhatsApp). Once at the meeting point someone took me in charge to the boat. Samir was waiting me at the arrival.

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    March 18, 2019

    Benoit – France Verified GetYourGuide customer

    Helpful?

    Organized by
    Mystical Mumbai

    Product ID: 262147