Private Elephanta Caves UNESCO World Heritage Site Tour
Description
Elephanta Caves, is an UNESCO World Heritage site. Elephanta Caves have five Hindu caves, two Buddhist caves. The Hindu caves contain rock cut stone sculptures, representing the Shaiva Hindu sect, dedicated to the Lord Shiva. The caves are hewn from solid basalt rock. All the caves were also originally painted in the past, but now only traces remain. The main cave (or the Great Cave) was a Hindu place of worship until Portuguese rule began in 1534, after which the caves suffered severe damage. This cave was renovated in the 1970s after years of neglect, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 to preserve the artwork.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Elephanta Caves contain rock cut stone sculptures that show syncretism of Hindu and Buddhist ideas and iconography. They were named Elefante – which morphed to Elephanta – by the colonial Portuguese when they found elephant statues on it. They established a base on the island, and its soldiers damaged the sculpture and caves. The island is 2.4 km (1.5 mi) in length with two hills that rise to a height of about 150 m (490 ft). A narrow deep ravine separates the two hills and runs from north to south. On the west, the hill rises gently from the sea and stretches east across the ravine and rises gradually to the extreme east to a height of 173 m (568 ft).
The Gateway of India is a monument built during the 20th century in Mumbai. The structure is a basalt arch, 26 m high. It was a crude jetty used by the fishing community which was later renovated and used as a landing place for British governors and other prominent people. In earlier times, it would have been the first structure that visitors arriving by boat in Mumbai would have seen. The structure was erected to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder, when they visited India in 1911. Built in Indo-Saracenic style. The Gateway was later the ceremonial entrance to India for Viceroys and the new Governors of Bombay. It served to allow entry to India.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Guide and driver will pick you from Your Hotel, Residence or Port.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(34)
An excellent,well informed, friendly elephanta tour. A must for all visitors to mumbai. Thanks to rahul, our great guide.
Dear Rajesh Bhai, Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Elephanta tour and found it informative, friendly, and a must-do experience for visitors to Mumbai. Special thanks for your appreciation of Rahul will be very happy to hear your kind words. We truly appreciate you choosing Young Tours and Travel. Please know that your booking also supports our NGO, Young Cares Foundation, which works for the education and welfare of children in Dharavi. Thank you for helping us make a positive impact. We hope to welcome you again for more memorable tours! Warm regards, Young Tours and Travel
Pleasant activity although the boat ride is a bit long. The walk up the steps is not too bad and the caves are nice and cool. Lots of intersections information from the local guide.
Dear Kasia, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the activity and found the Kanheri Caves cool, peaceful, and informative with the help of our local guide. We understand the boat ride can feel a bit long, but we’re happy it still led to a pleasant outing overall. We truly appreciate you choosing Young Tours and Travel. A part of your tour amount also supports our NGO, Young Cares Foundation, which helps empower local women and children in Dharavi. Warm regards, Young Tours and Travel
Great day tour - all was nicely arranged for us, starting with hotel pick-up and ferry transfer. The guide, Hardik, was super friendly and shared many interesting stories. Sameel at the caves made the tour more informative with a lot of additional information. Highly recommended
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that you had a great day tour and that everything from hotel pick-up to the ferry transfer was smoothly arranged for you. We’re glad Hardik made your experience enjoyable with his friendly nature and stories, and that Sameel added so much depth and knowledge during the Kanheri Caves visit. Your recommendation truly means a lot to us. Thank you once again for choosing Young Tours and Travel. A part of your tour amount also supports our NGO, Young Cares Foundation, helping children and women in Dharavi. Warm regards, Young Tours and Travel
All very good; the guide (Sameer) pick me up from hotel and did all the tour explaining and taking good photos of the landscape and monuments.
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re happy to hear that you had a great experience with Sameer. He’s not only a knowledgeable guide but also always goes the extra mile to make sure guests feel comfortable and take home beautiful memories—literally, with great photos! By booking your tour with Young Tours and Travel, you’re also helping support our community initiatives through our NGO, Young Cares Foundation, working to uplift underprivileged communities in Dharavi. Best regards, Team Young Tours and Travel
Great Tour!! Our guide Sameer was not only extremely knowledgeable but also a whizz with the camera making sure that we have many photos to look back on. I had been previously but this time I learnt so much more. Highly recommend
Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for sharing your delightful experience with Young Tours and Travel. We’re thrilled to hear that Sameer not only enriched your tour with his extensive knowledge but also ensured you captured memorable moments with his photography skills. It’s wonderful that, despite having visited before, this tour offered you new insights. Your high recommendation means a lot to us. We’d also like to inform you that a portion of your tour fee supports our NGO, Young Cares Foundation, dedicated to empowering underprivileged communities. Your patronage not only enriches your travel experiences but also contributes to meaningful social initiatives. Thank you for choosing us and for making a positive impact through your journey. Warm regards, Young Tours and Travel
I give this tour 3 stars, only because we really enjoyed the company of our "tour guide," Anmol, who was very nice. Otherwise, it would be 2 stars. Anmol basically acted as a chaperone from hotel to ferry to the caves and reverse. At the caves, with some confusion, we met up with a local guide as required by the island, for a GROUP tour. The ferry on the return had some mechanical issues and so we arrived back very late, but that of course, is not the tour company's fault and I'm not removing any stars for that. What I am removing stars for is that I wish we had been given information on the Gateway to India and India in general from our guide, and for the non-private tour of the caves. Anmol was very cordial. I love that he bought me a snack on board the ferry for me to try after I enquired as to what it was. He took some nice photos of my husband and I together and he was willing to answer questions we had. The car ride was clean and comfortable. But, in comparison to tours we've taken around the world, this tour was not worth the money we paid and the tour description is not accurate.
Dear Karen, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We truly appreciate your honesty and are glad to hear that you enjoyed Anmol’s company and hospitality during your tour. He always strives to make our guests feel comfortable and provide a warm, welcoming experience. We’re sorry to hear that certain aspects of the tour did not meet your expectations. On the day of your tour, we had a large number of cruise ship passengers in Mumbai, and all our private guides were fully booked. To accommodate your booking, we had to arrange a group tour at Elephanta Caves, as it was the only available option. We understand that this may not have matched your expectations, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. While certain elements, like the ferry operations and local guide requirements at Elephanta Island, are beyond our control, we will work on improving communication so future guests have clearer expectations. We’re happy that you appreciated the effort Anmol made in capturing special moments and introducing you to local flavors. Your support also helps us give back to the community through Young Cares Foundation, our NGO dedicated to empowering underprivileged communities in Dharavi through education and skill development. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again and provide an experience that exceeds expectations. Thank you for choosing us! Best regards, Young Tours and Travel
The sheer beauty of this place is worth the visit alone, but above all else is the spiritual aspect of Elephanta Caves, this is not just a photo opportunity but a place to reflect and admire the carvings painstakingly executed over 4 generations. I came away feeling awe struck and humbled. My guide is from here so his knowledge was second to none. I absolutely loved this trip and would highly recommend this company. Well done Samir and co for making this one of the most memorable experiences of my life Thankyou and please keep up the good work you are amazing
Dear Dee, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for choosing Young Tours and Travel for your visit to the Elephanta Caves. We are thrilled to hear that the spiritual essence and intricate carvings left such a profound impact on you. Samir and our team truly appreciate your kind words, and we’re delighted to have been part of making this experience so memorable for you. Your support not only helps us but also contributes to the initiatives of our NGO, Young Cares Foundation, dedicated to uplifting lives in Dharavi. Thank you once again for your business and recommendation. We look forward to welcoming you on another journey soon! Best regards, Young Tours and Travel
Booked through Young's Tours and had a fantastic afternoon. Firstly getting to see the iconic Gateway was such a thrill and the seagulls provided the entertainment on the ferry crossing. Both our guides were very accommodating and knowledgeable and helped take some innovative photos! ,😃 (It amazes me how such sculptures and uniformed building work could possibly have been done best part of 1400+ years ago!)
Dear Visitor, Thank you for sharing your fantastic experience with Young Tours and Travel! We’re thrilled you had such a memorable afternoon, starting with the iconic Gateway of India and the lively seagulls on the ferry ride. It’s wonderful to hear that the guides were not only knowledgeable and accommodating but also helped capture some creative moments for you—what a nice touch! Indeed, the ancient sculptures and architectural marvels are truly awe-inspiring, showcasing the ingenuity and craftsmanship of over 1,400 years ago. What makes your tour even more special is that Young Tours and Travel is affiliated with the Young Cares Foundation, an NGO dedicated to supporting educational initiatives for children in Dharavi. Your tour not only gave you a glimpse into history but also contributed to a meaningful cause. Thank you for choosing us, and we look forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon! Best Regards Young Tours And Travel
Memorable experience with a very endearing guide, Samir, native of the island who knows it perfectly and has communicated his knowledge with great generosity and passion
Dear Michel, Thank you for sharing your memorable experience! We’re thrilled to hear that Samir, with his deep knowledge and passion for the island, made your tour so special. His dedication and generosity in sharing insights truly make every visit unforgettable. By booking with Young Tours and Travel, you also support the Young Cares Foundation, which works to educate and uplift children in Dharavi. We hope to welcome you again for more enriching adventures! Best Regards Young Tours And Travel
I had a great experience on the Private Elephanta Caves tour! My guide, Samir, was fantastic—he shared many fascinating details about the religious significance of the site, making the visit even more meaningful. The tour itself took about two hours
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the Private Elephanta Caves tour and found Samir’s insights about the site’s religious significance meaningful. It’s always our goal to make your visit both informative and memorable. By booking with us, you’re also supporting Young Cares Foundation, our NGO dedicated to empowering underprivileged children in Dharavi through education and opportunities. Thank you for making a difference while exploring the beauty of Mumbai! Thank You Young Tours And Travel
