ELEPHANTA CAVES

Introduction

Experience the beautiful boat ride on board when we head towards one of the Unesco Heritage sites of Mumbai, Elephanta Caves which is situated just 13 kilometres in the Arabian Sea from Gateway of India.

Description

The Elephanta Caves contain rock cut stone sculptures that show syncretism of Hindu and Buddhist ideas and iconography, The caves are hewn from solid basalt rock, The main temple’s orientation as well as the relative location of other temples are placed in a mandala pattern.

The carvings narrate Hindu mythologies, with the large monolithic 20 feet (6.1 m) Trimurti Sadashiva (three-faced Shiva), Nataraja (Lord of dance) and Yogishvara (Lord of Yoga) being the most celebrated. These date to between the 5th and 9th centuries, and scholars attribute them to various Hindu dynasties. They are most commonly placed between the 5th and 7th centuries. Many scholars consider them to have been completed by about 550 CE.

Highlights

1Early morning, we pick you up from the hotel and proceed to catch the ferry from the pier gateway of India to reach Elephanta port. (If opted for the transportation)
2The journey to Elephanta island via ferry is a beautiful journey by itself. You can enjoy the fresh morning breeze and the scenic beauty of the sea during this journey and capture moments with your camera.
3Once we reach Elephanta, we will walk or take a mini toy train to the foothill and then climb the staircase which is approximately 20 Minutes of Journey.
4On reaching Elephanta Hilltop we will proceed to explore the Caves with a Local resident and guide.
5If you have the energy, we will go on top of the hills to see some Cannons which were from the Portuguese era.
6Later we will take the ferry back to Gateway of India and end the tour.

Inclusions

  • A/C Vehicle (If opted for)

  • Ferry / Speed Boat (As per Package Selected)

  • A local tour guide (to support the local inhabitants)

  • Port and Island Entrance Fee

  • Monument Entrance

  • Fee

  • Packaged Drinking

  • Water/Soft Drink

  • Parking Toll

  • Our Female super guide

  • Cost includes all the taxes

    Instructions

    • Timings: Flexible ( However 8:30am-1:30pm Or 2 pm-7pm) From Gateway of India.
    • Hours: 5 hours
    • Start Point: Your hotel/Residence or Gateway of India
    • End Point: gateway of India or Your hotel/Residence
    • Tour Days: All Days except Mondays
    • Physical Activity: Moderate
    • Special Note: Comfortable Shoes are a mus

    Points to be noted

    We work on a 100% advance payment before the tour.

    The sequence of the tour is as per the location of your hotel and starting time.

    The Start and End timing can be changed based on your location and traffic situations.

    Cancellation Policy

    We work on a 100% advance payment for the tour. If the payment is not done before the commencement of the tour, Tours By Her can take a call of not conducting the tour.

    If the tour is cancelled within 5 days of the commencement of the tour: we will charge a 100% cancellation fee.

    If the tour is cancelled within 6 to 10 days of the commencement of the tour: we will charge a 50% cancellation fee.

    If the tour is cancelled 11 days before the commencement of the tour: there will be no retention.

    Extras

    If you are staying on the ship at the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal and need a pick-up from the port.

    You should be meeting our guides outside the green gate. For any tours in Bandra & beyond, away from South Mumbai, if you take our transport, you will be charged a toll on actuals. This amount is to be paid in cash to the guide or the driver at the start of the tour.