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Elephanta Caves is a quick getaway from the daily din of Mumbai. Planned properly, you can complete this trip in half a day. Here’s how.
Trip itinerary to Elephanta Caves
- Take the local and reach Churchgate Station by 08:15.
- Take a taxi (it’s a 5-minute ride) to The Gateway of India.
- Book tickets on the 09:00 ferry to Elephanta Island. Tickets are priced at Rs. 120 a head (return journey included) and can be bought at the counters near the entrance to The Gateway of India. You need to pay an extra Rs. 10 to sit on the top deck.
- Reach Elephanta Island by 10:15.
- Explore the ruins at your leisure. Don’t forget to trek up to Cannon Hill. It’s worth it.
- Catch the 13:00 ferry back and reach The Gateway of India by 14:15.
- Have a scrumptious buffet lunch at The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower (approx. Rs. 1100 per head).
- 16:00 – Catch the local back to your area.
It’s quite OK even if you miss the 09:00 and 13:00 ferries. There are regular departures and return trips throughout the day, spaced approximately half an hour apart. But it’s in your best interests to stick to the above schedule and avoid the mid-day heat.
Food, water, and even beer is not a problem on the island. There are quite a number of decent hotels where you can have a quick, clean bite. Light cottons, a cap, and sunglasses are recommended.
Elephanta Caves Photos
The entrance to the island. For Rs. 8 you can take a two-way ride on the toy train (faintly visible in the photo) up to the foothills.
Everything’s in complete ruin here. The Archaeological Society of India (ASI) is patching up the ruins thereby ruining it even more!
The entrance to the caves.
To be continued…
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{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
Unfortunate to see that such amazing sculptures were destroyed either by invaders or local elements. Even now, several heritage sites are in the same shape and the incredible Indian government is least bothered.
“Incredible India! But where is the credibility?” Remember that?
its bad to see that history is slowly getting erased but we as an individual should take responsibility to maintain sculptures of history because they r assets for us.
Hi, the photos are really very well taken. The information also seems to be very useful.
India is really a delightful destinations for visitors. There’s so much to see and explore and we at times are spoilt for choices.
I am planning to visit Mumbai soon.
gud help dear
Im taking my teenager niece there tomorrow and was surfing for more info, given that my last visit must have been more than three decades ago! Nice photos. It is a crying shame that the ASI have plastered instead of restoring these magnificent sculptures. Let me see how it is tomorrow. I wanted to take an early ferry before 9am but I am unable to find ferry timings anywhere, so anyway we will plan to be at the Gateway around 0815 and try our luck.
Thanks for the info..Useful indeed!
Thanks for the info, very useful
Thanks for the info
Hello, I have Visited the Alora Caves and really find its amazing. Rajasthan forts and palaces is also an amazing place to visit . India Has many delightful destinations for Travelers . There’s so much places to see and explore.
I am planning to visit Himachal and Rajasthan soon.
thanks for information.
thank you! this is a big help!
Thank you soooo much for your info and plan.
Thanks Dude… Big Help that!
can this historic place given to corporate and can be developed as good tourism destination , i think goverment should think about giving it to corporates to maintain it.
can this historic place given to corporate and can be developed as good tourism destination , i think goverment should think about giving it to corporates to maintain it.
Great, thanks for the help…..
Hope this will be use full for us to visit the place……..
nice job, thanks!
gud info yaar. i was palnning one day tour of elephanta caves n i was searching for the info………it’s realy usefull…………for those all who have never seen and palnning a visit to elephanta caves………mumbai.
Thanks its really usefull for all…
WE R GOING TOMORROW
these caves are slowly demolishing…how about govt getting skilled artisans and sculpting out newer rocks to have more for visitors to see…..giving to corporates to build tourist destination (wherein puting certain rules and guidelines and thereafter monitoring their actions) is a good idea. for example, the motor boats can become lot more classier and also the day long event can become lot more eventful by having a package lunch buffet on-site (imagine a superrrrrr wine and cheese luncheon) …. that way more tourist visits and also higher tourist revenues…. happier tourists, happier government, happier corporates, happier indians ….. what els do we need….
Nice help ……. keep it up………
Thanks its really usefull for all…
is their any hotel or lodge at elephanta island for hang up for 2-3 hours ? kindly reply
Thanks for this valuable information……..
Thanks for the information dude!!
hi,thnks……. big help.
Thanks for u valuebale information thanks alotttttttttttt
Hi and Namaste,
Nice reading your detailed info. The rates are revised. rs 130 for boat, 10 for train and a rs5 -panchayat tax.
Please feel free to give me a call on 9892910023. I am a freelance, licensed guide and would like to guide enthusiastic travellers like you. Spread yhe word and form a droup and contact me . I assure you a good time of Edu – tainmnet.
Why ?
-I am also a Professional, Licensed, Freelance ‘ Tourist Guide ‘ mainly ‘ guiding ‘ our foreign Atithees around Aamchee Mumbai and the never – to – be – missed UNESCO World Heritage Monument – The Elephanta Caves – the KAILAS of the WEST !. The Sculptures and the Mythological Stories of Lord Shiva here are replete with the Symbolisms implicit in the Hindu ( also other ) religion that enunciated the Values – Moral, Ethical, Religious, Spiritual and above all, Ecological – that ‘ guided ‘ Mankind on a Path of Eternally ( Sanaatan ) Holistic, Simple, Sustainable ( Balanced ) Living – with the noble intention of ensuring that Work became Worship ! The vested interests of ‘ religious heads ‘ in all religions, demanded and received ‘ blind, unquestioning faith ‘ in the Rituals and thus ‘ Worship became Work !’A host of rebellious, questioning ‘ spiritual masters ‘ started ‘ enlightening ‘ the masses and revealing the real, spiritual dimension of religion and enabling one to be a ‘ better human being ‘.
Here the message is
NAMASTE – BALANCE ( ‘tween the Opposites ) – SUSTAINABILITY –
MANAGEMENT !
For most Indians and Bhaaratwasis, a trip here is just a nice picnic on the sea and a
cursory peep into the
‘ toota phoota ‘ caves- uddhar koochh nahin hai !
Welcome to ELEPHANTA ! ! – a place for Holistic Edu – Tainment !
WHY with me ?
Consider my idea of organising a trip to Elephanta by Indians ( urban) and Bhaaratwaasis ( rural) who
would be open to a very down to earth undersatanding of the Sanaatan
Dharma -also called Hindu – ism. Is it really an -ism , one will
wonder. A retired Air Force Pilot came over one day when I was on
official duty, after inquiring with the India Tourism office.He began
listening to my commentary with a big question mark on his face. At
the end he opined that he had never experienced such an
interpretation, that connected religion, ecology, science and
spirituality.He offered to invite me to lecture at the Vignyan Bhavan
in Delhi ! By his own admission, he was sceptical, because he had
heard so many sant/ mahatmas speaking about Shiva. Again he enquired
if I would like to go to the North and explain these facts to the
believers/ devotees ! It is easy to see why foriegners get carried
away by the sights and the sounds there.But the appreciation of my
presentation by an experienced, sceptical Indian is certainly a
feather in my cap.and also a certificate/ testimonial. This emboldens
me to make this offer to you to get groups on a Teerthyatra/pilgrimage
to Elephanta – the KAILAS of the WEST.
Yours Nature – Ally,
Ramanand Kowta , Mumbai. ph , 9892910023
hurry.alley@yahoo.co.in ; wah_re_rama@indiatimes.com; ram.hey.anand@gmail.com;—
@ Ramchandra- i simply found you dumb ass! shut up.
@ Ramanand- i simply found you dumb ass! shut up.
@ Ramanand Kotwa- i simply found you dumb ass! shut up.
we want to details of elephanta caves
Dear Sir,
It is wonder full to read the info about Elephant Caves and comments by visiters. As you may awaire that most of the Indian and foreigners and not much happy after their visit n experience . They normally say its not worth. Wat I am planning is to make this trip worth (value for Money). which will be between 400-600 per person .
Including:
Return ticket to Elephanta, Wellcome drink Break fast in the Boat , D J Sound System, Ride by Well decorated super Deluxe Boat, Guide in the Boat to show points around Mumbai Horbour, Play games and music till u reach Elephanta, Train Tickets and Panchayat fee and Caves entry fee also included. Buffet Lunch at Elephanta or in the same boat. Return Jurney with full Dhamall music. Suggest time Boarding @ Gateway
between 9:30 am to 10:30 am return back at getway @ about 3:30 – 4pm
If you like this idea and fell its worth then pls advise wat kind of role you may play and support you may do , please call me on 9821337272 or 9773337272 Shankar Or Zameer
ohhh it sounds so funny…lmfao..why wud a guy spending money in taj hotel would even think of local trains????
you guys did a geat job can you teach me more
cool that
i love u guys
Hi Shawna,
You can contact me on 9892910023 -for a ‘guided trip’ to elephanta.I am a licensed guide. Please form your group of interested friends etc and contact me. We will make it a memorable tour .
Yours Nature -Ally,
Ramanand
VIP Trip booking on a Super Deluxe Ferry Boat From Gateway of India
We take our guest by well-decorated Super Deluxe boats to Elephanta Island with M.T.D.C. trained guide.
Time: 9:00 to 10:00 am @ Gateway of India, Gate No. 4
Provide Break Fast with Tea & Coffee and sight- seeing, Costal darshan
Time 10:00 to 11:00 am
Toy Train journey and Entry fee is included.
Detailed information about world heritage, the Elephanta Caves.
Lunch at M.T.D.C. Restaurant
Time 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm
D. J. & non-stop music until we reach to Gateway of India.
All the above @ Rs. 777/- per person.
We also arrange Boat party @ Rs. 900/- per person (min. 100 pax)
D. J. Music and Dance for 3-4 hours
Clean & friendly environment
Best value for money
The most unusual experience
for more info http://www.ocdcevents.com
or call 9773337272 zameer
hiee zameer .. i m planing to go to the elephanta island on 14 feb valentines day
i want to knw that is it possible that only two of us (m and my gf) can go on the ddeluxe boats.. cause i m planing to perpous her on boat … its a very wonderfull and romantic to perpous her in d mid of d sea… plz give m sum more info…
thanks
Thanks…for great help
VIP Trip booking on a Super Deluxe Ferry Boat From Gateway of India
We take our guest by well-decorated Super Deluxe boats to Elephanta Island with M.T.D.C. trained guide. Boarding Time: Fm. 9:00 to 10:00 am @ Gateway of India, Gate No. 4
Provide Break Fast, Tea or Coffee and sight- seeing, Costal darshan
Time 10:00 to 11:00 am
Toy Train journey and Entry fee is included.
Detailed information about world heritage, the Elephanta Caves.
Buffet Lunch on Boat , Time 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm
D. J. & non-stop music, Games etc., until we reach to Gateway of India.
All the above @ Rs. 799/- per person.
We also arrange Boat party @ Rs. 900/- per person (min. 100 pax)
D. J. Music and Dance for 3-4 hours
Clean & friendly environment
Best value for money
The most unusual experience
Looking forward to hear from, in the mean time, we remain,
Yours faithfully,
R. S. Zameer,
Proprietor
982 133 7272
977 333 7272
it was really very useful for us :)
thanks alot