All inclusive Elephanta Caves Guided Tour
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Mumbai, India
- 4 to 5 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
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Overview
Situated on an island a short boat ride from Mumbai's Gateway of India, the Elephanta Caves feature some beautiful and well-preserved cave structures from the 6th and 7th centuries. On this tour, take a ferry out to the caves, where you'll tour three caves featuring Hindu and Buddhist religious sculptures, including a huge, unusual three-headed Shiva. Ferry and entry tickets are included.
- Admire the sculptures in the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Elephanta Caves
- Take a round-trip ferry ride from Mumbai to Elephanta Island
- Learn more about the caves by touring with a guide
- Entrance fees to the caves are free under-15s
What's Included
- Tour guide
- Ferry Tickets and Elephanta caves entrance fees
- Entrance free to caves for Children under 15 years old
- Food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- PizzaExpressDhanraj Mahal, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Marg, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India
outside Pizza express restaurant, near gateway of India
End point
- Elephanta CavesGharapuri, Maharashtra 400021, India
The guide will help you get in the ferry from Elephanta Island
Itinerary
1
Gateway of India
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Elephanta Caves
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 2 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Starting point : Outside Pizza Express Restaurant, Opposite Royal Bombay Yacht Club, Colaba
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- If pick-up drop option selected, we will pick you up from your hotel
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 410 reviews
Vivienne_C, Mar 2026
The Elephanta Caves are fabulous. Well worth the visit. Krupesh was our English speaking guide. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Pam_H, Feb 2026
Tour was well organized and the guide was very knowledgable about the caves and the island. It was helpful to have a guide escorting us onto the ferry and through the cave.
Priyangu_P, Feb 2026
Loki and Dave were professional guide and were knowledgeable about the caves
Would recommend the trip
Ozan_Y, Dec 2025
Dave is a very enthusiastic guide. Told us interesting and elaborate stories about the cave. Higly recommended tour.
Jamie_D, Nov 2025
It’s a very interesting tour to a magnificent place, full of mysteries and stories. The monument itself impressive and kept in great condition despite the Portuguese occupation and destruction of the same for religious reasons. It’s a bit long , lots of walking and claiming stairs but definitely worthwhile !
Go and have a great time.
Kristin_J, May 2025
The elephanta caves are an impressive historical monument to the gods. The scale and detail is especially inspiring given the age it was build (700 AD). Our guide Harish provided great context for the carvings throughout the cave, giving us greater appreciation for both the carvings and the 9 faces of Shiva.
Minh_T, Feb 2025
Krupesh is so nice. I had a great time and learned a lot from the history, culture. Thanks for the great experience!
Harry_C, Jan 2025
Very interesting tour of the island. Dhaivat was knowledgeable about the history and the design. Definitely recommend this as a half day trip from Mumbai
Keith_M, Jan 2025
This is a work of art, what it took for them to make this is amazing. Only one of the five caves has statutes in it, but imagine making these with a hammer and chisel. If does take an hour each way to get there and the tour of the caves is about 1.5 hours so it’s a relaxed day.
Frederic_G, Jan 2025
My guide was kind, patient and really knowledgeable. The cave were beautiful and I would recommend the tour
Ashish_S, Jan 2025
Overall excellent. The ferry ride is a bit long (1 hr there and back) and not much to see given the fog/smog but the island itself is awesome and worth it. Our guide was very knowledgable. Loved it!
Samuel_L, Dec 2024
This site is a must see while touring Mumbai! Beautiful, historic and a marvel of craftsmanship from a different time. I would say it is best to not rush, would will take about 4-6 hours once at the ferry. Harish was an amazing guide! We were in a bit of a time crunch and he was outstanding in catering our experience to match our tight time window. RECOMMEND- try to get the earliest time slot you can, the first ferry is at 9 and the island/steps may get crowded as more boats arrive. Would recommend
Laurent_I, Nov 2024
It was a very interesting visit and Harish was a super guide explaining us all the stories about Éléphant caves. Organisation was also very good
Anna_S, Nov 2024
Fantastic afternoon with David who shared cave stories and make the experience really interesting. Caves from architectural perspetive are very interesting, and you can get that insight only if you have a guide. Totally recommending getting one, to understand history of this place.
Rob_G, Jun 2024
Daivat was great! It was hot that day but we made the most of the trip. He also knew great photo opportunities.
Ashton_A, May 2024
I had a fantastic time at the island with a great tour guide, David. I definitely think a tour is worth it to visit this island, as although there are signs, we were able to gain further insight into Hinduism and the carvings and their history. David was pleasant, funny and knowledgeable about the island and the caves within. I would definitely recommend this experience to my family and friends and a big thank you to David as a fabulous tour guide!
Scott_G, May 2024
Easy to find meeting place in front of the Pizza Express.
Simple walk down past the Gateway to India and onto the ferry. The ferry ride takes about 1 hour out to the island.
First guide hands you off smoothly to the island guide, who ha actually been born and grew up on the island. No one better to tell you about the place then.
The climb up to the caves is a little taxing but there are plenty of opportunities to stop along the way.
The cave itself is quite spectacular and to see the work that must have been done to carve it out of the solidest of rock is quite impressive.
Watch out for the very cute monkeys that will attempt to take anything you are not hanging on to.
The ferry back took a little over an hour as we seemed to be into a headwind.
This tour makes the visit to Elephanta Island go very smoothly.
Zachary_M, Apr 2024
Our guide was great! Super easy to meet and get on the ferry. The caves were amazing and was very nice to have someone explaining the history and construction
Ashanti_C, Mar 2024
The hike up the hill was worth it to see such beautiful artwork. Just remember to bring ice cold water.
Oliver_F, Mar 2024
Great tour we were extremely well looked after by our excellent guide Krupesh. He was most informative and catered to our needs wonderfully. Just did not get the opportunity to say goodbye as our ferry left. Really recommend this trip
aubreybarker, Mar 2024
It was a great experience. We took the ferry to the caves and our very knowledgeable tour guide ( Said at Vishnu Patil ) made it fun by explaining the story of everything to us and he was a local in the area just making it better.
Lydia_H, Mar 2024
What a fascinating tour of this UNESCO site! I ended up going on the busiest day of the year, Mahashivratri, but Daviat and Krupesh made sure we were able to navigate the crowds, stayed hydrated and gave excellent explanations of the carvings within the cave. That added to a delightful ferry ride back and forth, 10/10 recommend!
Benjamin_R, Mar 2024
Guide was born on the island which added some interest to the usual overload of Hindi stories and legends. Caves were a nice respite from the mid day sun. Good indirect lighting for photography.
Peter_G, Feb 2024
Mr. Daivat was a great guide--not only knowledgeable about the specifics and the overall cultural/historical context, but also always watching out for everyone and making sure we were okay. He helped with all the small logistical issues every step of the way. The one caveat I'd make is that because the meeting time was not until 10:30 and we ate a (quick) lunch after the caves, this was not the half-day excursion you may see mentioned here and there, but fills up most of the day, so plan accordingly.
Stephen_J, Jan 2024
Our tour guide David was born on the island and therefore his insight into the structure itself and his explanation of the various carvings and idols was facinating. Pity about the slow boat but definitely worth the visit. 120 years to complete starting from the top and working down in solid rock using hammer and chisels, incredible workmanship..
Mychelle_B, Jan 2024
Our tour guide was really great, very friendly and informative! The island is beautiful and has a lot of history
Anila_G, Jan 2024
Really good experience. Our tour guide was really knowledgeable and didn't waste time. Really on point with everything and loved the short cut back against the high holiday traffic trying to leave the caves
Yutaka_N, Dec 2023
I joined this tour as solo. Although nine persons joined the tour totally.
When we got on a ship and cross the Elepanta Island from the Gate of India Mumbai, we were excited because the scenery was good.
On the ship on the way to the island during 1.5 hour, some persons bought snacks and fed to seagull.
After we arrived at the island, we separated into two team with a tour guide. We went to walk on the railway track. It was not so long.
After we went up stairs took about twenty minutes, we found a plate named 'World Heritage' with many people.
The tour guide told overview and history of this place. He could answer anything when we asked questions.
In the Caves, we found many Sculptures made of volcanic rock. These Sculptures shows Hindu gods. We found some destroid sculptures dameged by people who came here about five hundred ago. They should have saved everything because they have been created in this Caves during thousand years.
We watched four Caves. The tour guide told some Caves are used for meditation.
On the way back to the port in the island, we got on a train. We felt well with a cooling sea breeze.
We recommend to join this tour.
Emma_R, Dec 2023
The caves on Elephanta Island are a must see!!! They are truly spectacular. Probably the most impressive caves and carvings I've ever seen.
Go early in the morning as the crowds start to build up around 11.00am.
Our guide Samir was so great and so knowledgeable! AND he's something like 4th or 5th generation born and living on Elephanta Island. So I'm really glad he was our tour guide.
It's a must see! Great half day tour. We left at 9.30am and I arrived back to my hotel at 2.30pm.
Stephen_C, Dec 2023
The guide was very informative, and we spent just about the right amount of time in the caves. They weren't as spectacular as I had imagined, but worth a short visit.
From $50.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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