Elephanta Caves Tours from Mumbai: The 15 Best

1.Elephanta Caves & Island Guided Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,327 reviews · from $42Our pick

From Mumbai, travel by car and ferry to Elephanta Island for a guided visit to its rock-cut Hindu temples and Buddhist remains. The private tour includes transfers, ferry tickets, cave admission, and water. Island guides such as Rajat and Manoj are known for explaining the carvings and helping with photos. Allow five to six hours, including a steep, hot climb.

“We are so glad we booked this tour. It's totally worth the price. Our guide Rajat (a local of Elephanta Island) was early to our meeting point. He was very friendly and accompanied us on the ferry ride and to the caves answering all questions we had on Mumbai. Once there, he captivated us with the stories of each and every sculpture at the site. He also took some amazing pictures of us and was kind enough to wait for us buy local souvenirs. We were really impressed with his knowledge and are very grateful to him for making this tour memorable for us. Thankyou Rajat !”

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2.Elephanta Caves Half-Day Guided Tour with Expert

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,032 reviews · 1.5 - 6 hours · from $30

Sail from Mumbai to Elephanta Island, climb about 120 steps and explore three cave temples with an English-speaking guide. Hear the stories behind the Hindu and Buddhist carvings, including the monumental three-headed Shiva. Ferry tickets, cave admission, the island toy train and water are included; hotel pickup is optional.

“This is a great way to see the Elaphants Cave Temple, which would be difficult to navigate otherwise. The craziness at the boat docks is intense, so was good to have a guide to take us through the process. The boat ride is about an hour each way. We met the local guide, Dave, on the island, and he was fantastic! Thorough, professional yet funny, and informative. Was great to hear the history, and he took some AMAZING photos for us. Overall, a great tour. Would recommend highly!”

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3.Private Elephanta Caves & Mumbai Sightseeing Tour with AC Car

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 389 reviews · from $29

Spend 8 to 9 hours seeing Mumbai’s headline sights and Elephanta Island’s rock-cut temples. An English-speaking guide helps with the city stops and ferry arrangements; guides on the island may be different. Choose a private or small-group option, and check whether your booking includes hotel pickup. The $8 cave admission fee is extra.

“This tour was excellent and our guide Nisar did a very nice job. We did book this with the Elephanta Caves as a priority, but were not told that the Caves are closed to tours on Mondays until we were picked up by the van. The city tour was faRead more”

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4.All inclusive Elephanta Caves Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 386 reviews · from $50

Meet near Mumbai’s Gateway of India for a ferry ride to Elephanta Island and a guided visit to its 6th- and 7th-century caves. Expect about 120 steps, carved Hindu and Buddhist figures, and the famous three-headed Shiva. Guides have included Harish, Daivat, Krupesh, and Samir. Ferry and cave entry fees are included; food is not.

“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.”

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5.Half-Day Elephanta Caves Tour with Ferry Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 284 reviews · 4 hours · from $26

From the Gateway of India, cross the harbor by ferry to Elephanta Island, then walk or take the small toy train toward its rock-cut temples. An English-speaking host such as Danish or Hamid may help with the journey, while a local guide explains Cave 1’s great Trimurti and other carvings. Entry, ferry, water, and optional hotel pickup are included.

“Danish DK was a GREAT guide. Helpful in identifying us all and making sure we got through the gates and on to the boat. Helped us find excellent seats and delivered us on and off the Island. I recommend Danish if you book this fun 1/2 day trip.”

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6.City Tour, Elephanta Caves, Dharavi Slum W/Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 198 reviews · 4 - 10 hours · from $32

Choose a private Mumbai outing of 4 to 10 hours, from a city overview to a full day combining Elephanta Caves and Dharavi. Depending on your option, expect an air-conditioned car, ferry ride, local guides and stops such as Dhobi Ghat and Mani Bhavan. Guides such as Daivat at the caves and Lokesh in the city have led past tours.

“David was an excellent guide through the elephant caves. Very knowledgeable and a great photographer”

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7.Elephanta Caves & Island Tour with Multiple Options

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 171 reviews · from $27

From Mumbai’s Gateway of India, take a ferry to Elephanta Island for a guided visit to its 5th- or 6th-century rock-hewn cave temples. The 5-to-6-hour tour includes an English-speaking guide and hotel pickup and drop-off if selected. Ferry and cave tickets cost extra. Guides vary, with names including Ashmita, Shivam, Shuaib, and Imran.

“Our guide Sahil and driver Sam were good company and very knowledgeable. We learned a lot about Mumbai from them and they kept us entertained. At Elephanta caves we had another local guide who gave us detailed information about the carvings . Overall our experience was very good and I highly recommend the two for Mumbai trips. Great job!👍”

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8.Mumbai Elephanta Caves Private Half-Day Tour including Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 150 reviews · from $105

Take a public ferry from Mumbai’s Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, then explore its UNESCO-listed caves with a guide. The main Shiva Cave holds a towering Trimurti and carvings of Shiva’s stories. Guides such as Sameer, an island local, may lead the cave visit, while another guide handles the Mumbai-side transfer.

“This was an incredible experience! Our guide lived on the island, was very knowledgeable, and helped us capture so many great photos along the way! Highly recommend!”

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9.Private Full-Day Mumbai City Tour with Elephanta Caves Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 113 reviews · from $192

Start with pickup by private air-conditioned car, then cross Mumbai Harbour by ferry to Elephanta Island and its carved Hindu temples. After returning, visit landmarks such as CST, Crawford Market, Marine Drive and Mani Bhavan. A private guide can adjust the day; guides associated with the tour include Naina, Subha, Rupali and Chetan. Expect about nine to ten hours, plus extra costs for admission and lunch.

“This tour was perfect for me. I had short time in the city, and on top of that.. I was travelling alone. My guide Nina was the real deal. She knew everything about EVERYTHING! I was so impressed with her and our driver. Highly recommend this tour for anyone who wants an elevated touring experience in Mumbai.”

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10.Full Day Mumbai Sightseeing With Elephanta Caves Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · from $98

Pair Mumbai’s grand city landmarks with four hours at the rock-cut Elephanta Caves on a private, 7 to 8-hour tour. An English-speaking guide and air-conditioned vehicle are included. Shruti and driver Pravin are names associated with past tours, but assignments can vary. Pickup is offered; check how the island transfer is arranged.

“It was a great your and a hi did such a great job. He was kind, knowledgeable, & patient. We would recommend him. The driver Pravin was great & so patient. Than you guys.”

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11.Mumbai City Sightseeing with Elephanta Caves Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 95 reviews · from $89

Spend 8 to 10 hours with a private guide and driver, crossing by ferry to Elephanta Island before seeing Mumbai landmarks and markets. The caves date from the 5th to 8th centuries, and city guides such as Sharon and Priti have been praised for clear explanations and a considerate pace. Expect steps, a busy schedule, and no meal included.

“Our fantastic guide throughout the day was Priti. She was top notch ! Pankaj, our guide on Elephanta Island was superb. He actually lives there. The whole day was unforgettable and were are so happy that we selected this tour.”

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12.Mumbai Gems: 2-Day Private Tour with Elephanta, Slum & Dabbawala

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · from $23Best value

Start at Churchgate to see dabbawalas at work, then tour Mumbai’s landmarks, outdoor laundry and Dharavi. On day two, travel from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves and its village. The private tour includes an English-speaking guide and air-conditioned transfers; cave entry and lunch cost extra.

“Learning how industrious the people are and how much recycling is done particularly in the poor areas.”

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13.Elephanta caves by Premium Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $109

Meet at the Taj Mahal Palace at 9:00 am for a premium speedboat ride to Elephanta Island. A licensed guide leads a small group through the UNESCO-listed rock-cut caves and Hindu sculptures. You’ll have about two hours at the site, with a roughly 20-minute stair climb or a paid carriage option, then return by boat to Mumbai.

“My husband and I were very happy that we spent a little extra to go on this tour! Having the speedboat take us to the island meant that we arrived well before the crowds and had the Caves all to ourselves for most of the tour. It also meant Read more”

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14.Elephanta Caves & Island Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 59 reviews · 4 - 9 hours · from $39

Ride the ferry from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, then explore its rock-cut Hindu cave temples with an English-speaking guide. The tour includes cave entry and ferry tickets, with hotel pickup available on some options. Guides such as Rajat, Sam, and Manoj have been praised for explaining the sculptures, island life, and Hindu stories.

“Very pleased with Manoj’s tour , he explained us in detail the history of the caves , took nice pictures and answered any questions we had. Recommended !”

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15.Mumbai Heritage Walk and Elephanta Caves Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · from $29

Spend about six hours crossing Mumbai Harbour by ferry to Elephanta Island, then walking through southern Mumbai’s landmarks and markets with an English-speaking guide. At the caves, look for carvings of Shiva in forms including Kalyansundara, Gangadhara, and Ardhanariswara. The tour costs $29, with an additional $8 monument fee.

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