Private tour
Elephanta Island Caves Tour
Ferry across the harbour to the UNESCO cave temples of Lord Shiva
- 5 hrsDuration
- Small groupor private
- Pickupincluded on some options
- English, HindiLanguages
- Free cancellationSee policy below
Led by one of our local guides
Meera, Rohan, Asha · all trained to lead every tour · Meet the team
Highlights
- Boat ride from the Gateway of India
- The 5.45-metre Trimurti Sadashiva
- Carvings of Nataraja and Yogishvara
- How Hindu and Buddhist art meet in the caves
About this tour
Leave the city's rush behind for a morning on Elephanta Island. A ferry from the Gateway of India takes you across the harbour to the UNESCO-listed cave temples, famous for their carvings of Lord Shiva.
Your guide brings the stone to life: the stories of Nataraja and Yogishvara, how Hindu and Buddhist art meet in the caves, and the meaning of the great Trimurti sculpture. Join the small group, or book privately with the start time that suits you.
Itinerary
5 hrs in all. Times are a guide: they shift a little with traffic and your group's pace.
-
1
Meet at Regal Cinema
15 min
Meet your guide outside Regal Cinema, Colaba, and walk a few minutes to the Gateway of India.
-
2
Ferry across the harbour
1 hr
An hour on the water, with the Gateway and the Taj shrinking behind you.
-
3
Up to the caves
20 min
From the jetty, a short toy-train ride and about 120 steps up past the market stalls.
-
4
The main cave and the Trimurti
1 hr 30 min
Your guide explains the 5.45-metre Trimurti Sadashiva, Nataraja, Yogishvara and the other great panels, and how Hindu and Buddhist art meet here.
-
5
The smaller caves and the cannon
30 min
Free time for the quieter caves and the colonial-era cannon on the hilltop, if you like.
-
6
Ferry back to the Gateway
1 hr
The tour ends at the Gateway of India.
What's included
- Return ferry tickets
- Elephanta Caves entry fee
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Bottled drinking water
- Personal purchases
Where we'll meet
Outside Regal Cinema, Colaba Causeway
Look for your guide holding a maroon Musafire flag. Please arrive 10 minutes early.
Hotel pickup available — add your address at checkout.
Reviews
This tour is new — be one of the first to review it!
Things to know
Guest requirements
- All ages welcome
- Child price: 6–12 years
- Bring: Comfortable shoes
- Bring: Water bottle
- Bring: Sun protection
Accessibility
Contact us about mobility needs; most tours can be adapted as a private tour.
Free cancellation
Plans change, we understand. Cancel for free until 24 hours before your tour and get every rupee back, or move to another date in two clicks from your booking page.
Good to know
- Children aged 6–12 pay the child price; under 6 travel free (please include them)
- Dress modestly for temple visits (shoulders and knees covered)
- Tours run in light rain
Questions about this tour
What days are the Elephanta Caves open?
Every day except Monday.
Where does the ferry depart from?
The Gateway of India, a short walk from the meeting point.
Often booked together
Booking more than one tour? Contact us and we'll build a combined itinerary with a single guide across your day.
Travel tips
Good to know before your tour
28 Sep 2026
Elephanta Caves from Mumbai: ferry, timings and tips
How to get to the Elephanta Caves from the Gateway of India, ferry times, the climb, what to see in the Great Cave, and tips for avoiding the crowds and the monkeys.
1 Sep 2026
48 hours in Mumbai: the perfect two-day itinerary
Two well-paced days in Mumbai: the Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves, Marine Drive, Dhobi Ghat, Dharavi, Bandra and the best street food, planned by local guides.
3 Oct 2026
Best time to visit Mumbai: weather and festivals, month by month
When to visit Mumbai: the dry season, the hot months and the monsoon, plus the festivals worth planning a trip around. A local's month-by-month guide.