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Private Elephanta Caves UNESCO Tour
4.9
34 Ratings
Mumbai
Explore the ancient Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and marvel at the stunning rock-cut stone sculptures dedicated to Lord Shiva. Discover the rich history and cultural significance of these Hindu and Buddhist caves.
Explore the ancient Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and marvel at the stunning rock-cut stone sculptures dedicated to Lord Shiva. Discover the rich history and cultural significance of these Hindu and Buddhist caves.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
-
Elephanta Caves - 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…
-
Elephanta Caves - 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). - Gateway of India - 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.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- All fees and/or taxes
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- All fees and/or taxes
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Air-conditioned vehicle for Group Tour
- Lunch
- Air-conditioned vehicle for Group Tour
Additional Information
The Elephanta Caves are recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage location and consist of five Hindu and two Buddhist caves. These Hindu caves house rock cut sculptures executed in solid basalt rock, symbolizing the Shaiva Hindu sect dedicated to Lord Shiva. Previously, all caves were adorned with paint, but only remnants persist today. The primary cave,…
The Elephanta Caves are recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage location and consist of five Hindu and two Buddhist caves. These Hindu caves house rock cut sculptures executed in solid basalt rock, symbolizing the Shaiva Hindu sect dedicated to Lord Shiva. Previously, all caves were adorned with paint, but only remnants persist today. The primary cave, also regarded as the Great Cave, served as a Hindu worship area until the inception of Portuguese rule in 1534, which led to significant damage to the caves. Following years of disregard, this cave was restored in the 1970s and claimed the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 to conserve the art within.
Location
Regal Cinema
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(34 Ratings)
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1 star
Rajuuuu
Dec 15, 2025
Elephanta adventure - An excellent,well informed, friendly elephanta tour. A must for all visitors to mumbai.
Thanks to rahul, our great guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kasia_k
Nov 14, 2025
Nice visit to the Elephanta Island - 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.
Review provided by Viator
Daytrip45878241470
Nov 13, 2025
Great day tour from Mumbai - 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
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Podchibiakin
Apr 6, 2025
Great experience - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Climber172133
Mar 8, 2025
Elephanta - 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
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Davesedgwick
Jan 12, 2025
Unforgettable, truly amazing, wonderful and highly professional and knowledgeable guide Samir - 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
Review provided by Tripadvisor
235colinj
Jan 8, 2025
UNESCO were SO right...! - 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!)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelbt3019df
Jan 1, 2025
Memorable experience - 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
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ashatanchik
Nov 19, 2024
Wonderful Tour of Elephanta Caves - 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
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karen_m
Feb 21, 2025
Disappointed - 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.
Review provided by Viator
