Elephanta Caves Private Half-Day Tour from Mumbai
Activity Highlights
- This activity will be conducted in English language(s).
- Explore Elephanta Caves, carved into basaltic mountains in the 5th to 7th century for Hindu and Buddhist worship.
- Wander among vast columns and arched colonnades, marveling at intricately carved shrines to deities.
- Visit the Shiva Cave, featuring carvings of Lord Shiva's life, including a stunning 20-foot Trimurti sculpture.
- Discover additional wings with shrines dedicated to Shiva's sons, Kartikeya and Ganesh, adorned with remarkable statues.
- Benefit from a local guide's expertise, providing insightful commentary on Elephanta Caves, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
- Enjoy a ferry ride back to the harbor, reflecting on 1,500 years of history, before returning to your hotel, concluding an enriching tour.
Overview
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.
What's included
Itinerary
- 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
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 canceled. When possible, the tour operator will communicate this in advance or the activity may be rescheduled.
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 tour
Things To Carry
Meeting And Pickup
Frequently Asked Questions
The tour is conducted in English.
Explore ancient caves carved into basaltic mountains for Hindu and Buddhist worship, visit the Shiva Cave with a 20-foot Trimurti sculpture, and discover shrines dedicated to Shiva's sons, Kartikeya and Ganesh.
The tour includes a knowledgeable guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance tickets, ferry tickets, but does not cover meals, drinks, or souvenirs.
The Elephanta Caves are closed every Monday. Additionally, the ferry operation may be affected by high tides or rainfall, potentially leading to tour cancellation or rescheduling.
Participants are advised to bring a passport or ID card, wear comfortable walking shoes, and provide detailed pickup location information, including a local contact number at the time of booking.
Redemption Process
- Upon completing your reservation, anticipate receiving a comprehensive email and SMS containing booking details. Present your SMS or booking confirmation email at the reception counter during check-in.
- Access your booking information easily by logging into your account on Explorebees.com and navigating to the "Active Bookings" page in the dashboard.
Environmental Note: In the spirit of environmental consciousness, please refrain from printing unless explicitly specified. Let's be mindful of our impact— trees have feelings too!
Cancellation Policy
- No refund if cancelled : We know plans can change, and we're here to help. Unfortunately, no refunds are available once a booking is confirmed. Your reservation is final, and modifications or reschedules can't be accommodated. In case of cancellation, a 100% cancellation fee will apply.
- Unforeseen Circumstances : This activity requires good weather. In cases of unforeseen weather conditions or government restrictions leading this activity cancellations, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- Refund Process : Refunds will be credited to the original booking payment source within 10 business days, and cash refunds will not be issued
Learn more about cancellations
