Mumbai City Sightseeing with Elephanta Caves Full Day Tour

See Mumbai's colonial landmarks and ancient caves in one day, with a guide who knows the stories behind them.

A full-day guided tour of Mumbai that combines a ferry trip to Elephanta Island and its 5th–8th century rock-cut temples with a city route covering the Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Crawford Market, and the Hanging Gardens. Hotel pickup, an English-, Hindi- or Marathi-speaking guide, all entry fees, water and air-conditioned transport are included. The itinerary runs 8 to 10 hours total, including travel time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Gateway of India15m
2. Elephanta Caves2h · entry included
3. Dhobi Ghat10m
4. Churchgate5m
5. Bombay High Courtpass by
6. Hanging Gardens10m
7. Kamala Nehru Park5m
8. Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum30m · entry included
9. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus10m
10. Crawford Market15m

Mumbai city and Elephanta Caves tour

• Hotel pickup by guide and driver
• Visit Gateway of India
• Board ferry to Elephanta Island
• Ride toy train to Elephanta Caves
• Explore Elephanta Caves with guide
• Return ferry to mainland
• Visit Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
• See Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
• Visit Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
• Explore Crawford Market
• Shop at Colaba Causeway
• Return to hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel and a drive to the Gateway of India, the colonial arch that anchors Mumbai's waterfront. From there you board a ferry for the crossing to Elephanta Island, where a short walk and climb bring you to the Elephanta Caves: a UNESCO World Heritage Site carved between the 5th and 8th centuries. Your guide walks you through the rock-cut temples and sculptures, explaining the history etched into the stone. The return ferry gives you a second look at Mumbai's coastline before you head back to the city.

The afternoon covers the landmarks that define Mumbai's skyline and street life. You'll see the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Victorian Gothic railway station built in 1887 and now a UNESCO site itself, then move through Dhobi Ghat (the open-air laundromat where hundreds of washermen work using traditional methods), and past the Bombay High Court and the University of Mumbai's Rajabai Clock Tower. The route takes in Oval Maidan, the green space ringed by colonial buildings, and the Hanging Gardens on Malabar Hill, where terraced lawns and topiary overlook the Arabian Sea.

Crawford Market, built in 1869, closes out the tour. The Gothic-and-Norman marketplace is a maze of stalls selling spices, produce, clothing and souvenirs: a place where the sights, sounds and smells of the city concentrate. Your guide is there throughout, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. Water is provided, and all entry fees are covered, so you move through the day without stopping to arrange tickets or navigate logistics on your own.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transportation from your hotel.
• in-person guide in English, Hindi or Marathi.
• all entry fees to the Elephanta Caves and city sites.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• all taxes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English, Marathi or Hindi6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 13:00

Guide in English, Marathi or Hindi6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 13:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to Sunday6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 13:00

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “The meetup spot is PizzaExpress, located next to The Gateway of India.The guide will be present there 15 minutes before the tour to meet you. The tour will commence from this point.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Explore Mumbai Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to combine the Elephanta Caves with Mumbai's colonial landmarks in one day. The guide handles the ferry logistics and timing so you move seamlessly between the island and city sites.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Hindi and Marathi.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What is inside the Elephanta Caves that makes them worth the ferry ride?

The Elephanta Caves hold rock-cut temples and sculptures carved between the 5th and 8th centuries, with your guide explaining the history and religious significance of each chamber as you walk through.

How much climbing is involved to reach the caves on Elephanta Island?

There is a climb from the ferry landing to the caves, described as steep enough to be worth the effort but manageable for visitors of all fitness levels. The guide leads the way.

Does the tour include lunch or meals?

Lunch and meals are not included in the tour. You'll have time to eat at Crawford Market or elsewhere during the day, but you'll need to arrange and pay for food separately.

Is hotel pickup included, and does it work for cruise passengers?

Hotel pickup is included in the standard full-day tour. If you're arriving at a cruise port, there's a separate "City Elephanta For Cruise Port" option designed around ship timing and port locations.

How long is the ferry ride to Elephanta Island?

The ferry crossing is a scenic ride to Elephanta Island. The total time on the island, including the walk, caves and return, is roughly 5 to 6 hours, with the full tour running 8 to 10 hours including city stops and travel.