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. If you need additional help, please reach out to us on WhatsApp.
Description
This Elephanta Caves Mumbai tour stands out for its unmatched combination of expert storytelling, smooth logistics, and a deeply immersive cultural experience. Unlike standard ferry trips, this guided tour is led by a knowledgeable local expert who explains the history, mythology, and symbolism behind the ancient rock-cut temples. Travelers gain a clear understanding of the Shiva Trimurti, the massive pillars, and the detailed carvings that make this UNESCO World Heritage Site so significant. The experience includes a scenic ferry ride with beautiful views of Mumbai Harbour, a curated walking route through Elephanta Island, access to the best photo spots, and time to explore local markets. With personalized attention, accurate historical insights, and a comfortable pace, this tour ensures visitors enjoy the most informative, engaging, and memorable way to explore Elephanta Caves Mumbai.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, and Sun
Start times
13 times a day, 8:00 AM–2:00 PM
Next available
Thu, Oct 8
Adult (ages 1+)
$27
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $53.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Private Tour of Elephanta Cave
Pickup included
Elephanta Caves Speedboat Tour
Choose the speedboat option: to reach Elephanta Caves in just 20 minutes each way instead of 1 hour 15 minutes, avoiding long queues and heavy crowds.
Pickup included
Elephanta Caves with Lunch: Enjoy a delicious local village meal on Elephanta Island after exploring the historic caves.
Pickup included
Elephanta Caves Cruise Tour
Pickup from The Cruise Port: Discover the historic Elephanta Caves with a guided tour, ideal for cruise passengers visiting Mumbai.
Pickup included
Itinerary
Elephanta Caves
Admission included300 min
Discover the rich history and incredible rock-cut architecture of Elephanta Caves Mumbai on this guided island experience. Travelers begin with a scenic ferry ride across Mumbai Harbour, offering views of the skyline and the Gateway of India. On Elephanta Island, your expert local guide leads you through ancient cave temples carved between the 5th and 7th centuries. Explore the grand Shiva Trimurti, impressive pillars, detailed sculptures, and chambers dedicated to Hindu mythology. Walk through lush pathways, learn fascinating stories behind each carving, and understand the cultural importance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travelers also get time to enjoy local shops, viewpoints, and photography spots. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, storytelling, and scenic beauty—ideal for travelers wanting to experience one of Mumbai’s most iconic heritage sites with deep insights and comfort.
What's included
Included
Bottled water
All Fees and Taxes
Pickup Locations & Times
Guide will contact You Via WhatsApp. Please Ensure WhatsApp is Installed in your mobile.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
30 reviews
5
27
4
3
3
0
2
0
1
0
How it compares in Mumbai
Starting price $27 is 61% below the typical $69 for tours of similar length in Mumbai
Excurgo comparison of 957 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Elephanta Caves Tour from Mumbai take?
Elephanta Caves Tour from Mumbai lasts about 5–6 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Elephanta Caves Tour from Mumbai cost?
Prices start at $27 per person for this Mumbai experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $53. There are 5 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Elephanta Caves Tour from Mumbai run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with 13 departures a day between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Can I cancel Elephanta Caves Tour from Mumbai for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Guide will contact You Via WhatsApp. Please Ensure WhatsApp is Installed in your mobile. Pickup points include FabHotel Adore Palace.
What languages is Elephanta Caves Tour from Mumbai offered in?
The experience is available in HI, MR, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Elephanta Caves Tour from Mumbai worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 30 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Explore Mumbai Tours.
Reviews(30)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
7
72Deedee
April 8, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great Local guide!
Both the guides we had Subhan and Pankaj were very helpful. Pankaj in particular did a great job and explained things in a way that was very informative, interesting and easy to understand. He was able to answer any questions without any problems. The home cooked meal we had which was prepared by Pankaj’s family was very delicious!.
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that Subhan and Pankaj took such good care of you during your tour. It’s especially great to know that Pankaj’s clear and engaging explanations made the experience informative and easy to understand, and that he was able to answer all your questions with ease. We’re also very happy that you enjoyed the delicious home-cooked meal prepared by his family — it’s always special to share authentic local hospitality with our guests. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you again for another memorable experience in Mumbai!
E
eli0ttp
March 24, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great service and comfortable
A bit expensive for what it is (6000 rp) as I could just have taken the boat myself to Elephanta Cave, but giving it 5 stars as the service by Deepak (the driver), the guides Pankaj and Javed was exceptional 👏 and beautiful tour!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your honest and thoughtful review! We truly appreciate you sharing both your perspective and your positive experience.
We completely understand your point, and we’re very glad to hear that the service provided by Deepak, Pankaj, and Javed made the experience feel special and worthwhile. Our goal is always to make the journey smooth, comfortable, and enriching by taking care of the logistics while also adding local insight and personal attention throughout the tour.
We’re so happy you still found it to be a beautiful experience, and we truly appreciate your 5-star support. We hope to welcome you again for another memorable time in Mumbai!
S
stefanomS4263DB
March 7, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great experience, super smooth
Overall a very good trip, our guide Yash has taken care of us from the very first moment until the last one. The visit at the caves was in depth and allowed us enough time to enjoy the great place. Best thing they did not pressure us to buy anything at the various shops along the way, which is very appreciated.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a good experience and felt well taken care of by Yash from beginning to end.
It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed an in-depth visit to the Elephanta Caves and had enough time to truly appreciate such a remarkable place. We’re also especially glad to hear that you valued the relaxed and pressure-free experience along the way—that’s something we always aim to provide for our guests.
We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you again for another memorable experience in Mumbai!
F
fran_oisc252
December 26, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Elephanta caves discovery
Great visit of the caves with Jay and Pankaj - super attentive and knowledgeable about the place and its history. Do not miss it!
P
pascalrT958ZD
December 12, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Elephanta private tour
Had a tour with Pankaj. It was awesome must recommend. He gave me a great introduction into the history of the place as well as cultural background
M
meganmT9029WD
December 2, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Five Stars
The caves were amazing, I highly recommend this tour. Priti and our driver, Saddam, picked me up and Priti was with me on the way there on the ferry, over to the island, and on the way back. For the tour itself, someone on the island has to guide. His name was Trikal and he was a little difficult to understand. Saddam was a great driver and Priti got me everywhere seamlessly. She's also great to talk to, with a wealth of information.
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for highly recommending the tour! We’re thrilled to hear that you found the caves amazing and that Priti and Saddam made your journey smooth, informative, and enjoyable from pickup to drop-off. Priti’s company and knowledge are truly appreciated by many guests, and we’re glad you connected with her as well.
We’re also happy to know that Trikal guided you through the caves on the island — he’s incredibly knowledgeable as a local expert, though we understand that sometimes accents can be a bit difficult to follow. Your feedback is valuable and noted.
Thank you once again for choosing to tour with us. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for more Mumbai experiences in the future! 🙏✨
E
E5993FKpeggyp
November 19, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Excursion to Elephant cave
The trip to the Elephant Cave was sublime. Our guide, Subhan Sayyed, guided us perfectly to and from the island. The boat ride takes about an hour. On the island, we were given a wonderful tour by a local guide who lives there. This excursion is truly enriching - highly recommended.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! We’re delighted to hear that your trip to Elephanta Caves was such a sublime and memorable experience. Subhan is excellent at ensuring a smooth journey to and from the island, and we’re glad you enjoyed the relaxing boat ride as well.
It’s wonderful to know that the local guide on the island added even more depth to your visit with his insights and lived experience. Elephanta truly is a special place, and we’re happy the tour felt enriching for you.
Thank you for the high recommendation — we truly appreciate it and hope to welcome you back for more experiences in Mumbai!
N
NaurV1
November 8, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
A sweet and warm experience
Having done many guide tours in different cities and countries, I can really say that my guide in this one, Priti is the sweetest girl in the world. She welcomed me with a beautiful smile and explained me the itinerary. Then in every stop she explained all about the sites we visited. On top of that Dipak the driver was also kind and warm, always on time to pick up and drop off. I highly recommend this tour.
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that Priti’s warmth and knowledge made your tour special, and that Deepak ensured everything was smooth and comfortable throughout the day. Your recommendation means a lot to us. We’re glad you had such a memorable experience!
R
River S
September 18, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
lovely guides and sights, misleading timing
we did enjoy our tour, but we had to cut out a lot of it as the “2 hour” elephanta trip took up 5 hours of our time. the caves were beautiful, but we wish we’d known how long it would take
luckily our guides helped us determine the best stops, which were some absolutely gorgeous buildings with rich history behind them.
Sharon and Prithi (really sorry if i’ve misheard these; Mumbai is loud!) were both absolutely lovely guides. incredibly kind and clever people who offered us so much information and made us feel welcome in this country
Operator response
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the beautiful buildings and the insights from Sharon and Prithi. We appreciate your note about the Elephanta trip taking longer than expected and will make sure to set clearer expectations for future guests. Your kind words about our guides mean a lot—they’ll be thrilled to hear they made you feel welcome and informed.
L
Leslie S
September 18, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Great tour of Mumbai and Elephant Caves
Great tour of the city Including Elephant Caves. Even through the traffic is horrendous in the city, there was no rush to end the tour, and we ended up extending late into the evening.
Operator response
Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the city tour and Elephanta Caves, despite the traffic. It’s great to hear that you felt no rush and were able to make the most of your day. We truly appreciate your comments and hope to welcome you back for another memorable experience in Mumbai!
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