Known to many as one of the largest slums in Asia, Dharavi is Mumbai’s beating heart. Home to about one million of Mumbai’s inhabitants, its industries have an annual turnover of approximately $ 1 Billion. Learn the challenges of migrants as they settled into this community, their entrepreneurial stories and how to debunk the negative stereotypes of slums. For more insight, opt to have lunch as a family opens their home to you or go on a street walk tour to explore art. This walking tour takes care to be non-intrusive and community centric. Contrary to sensationalist media and films, Dharavi is an area of entrepreneurship, an estimated 20,000 businesses thrive here. Observe recycling, pottery-making, embroidery, bakery, soap making, leather tanning, poppadom-making and many more. Climb to a rooftop to get a view of the entire settlement. Navigate through the maze-like alleys and stop to talk to friendly locals. The tour will also visit the residential areas of Dharavi. People from all over India have come to live in Dharavi, making it a microcosm of India. This diversity is apparent in the temples, mosques, churches and pagodas that stand side by side. 80% of the profits from this tour are re-invested in educational community initiatives.

After hotel pick-up, explore the Gateway of India, a prime landmark of Mumbai. Opposite to the Gateway stands the Royal Taj Mahal Hotel. Board the ferry to reach Elephanta Island, and listen to an introduction to Hinduism. Hop off the boat and explore Elephanta Cave, a kilometers' stroll from the wharf. Ride a toy train from the jetty to the base of the hill. Trek the 120 steps to the caves. Step into an enormous hall upheld by a large pillar and see the vast Mahesamurti statue. The whole cave complex is around 60,000 square feet and is made out of natural rock. Capture excellent pictures with the Arabian Sea in the backdrop, and head out of the caves to see the beautiful Elephant-shaped rock structure.  After completing your Elephanta tour, head back to the ferry at 1:30 PM to travel back to India's Gate. On reaching the harbor, the chauffeur will drive you back to your hotel.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel / your location then take you on a city tour. Highlights of the tour include Marine Drive, Victoria terminus, the Gateway of India, Colaba Market, and Mani Bhavan. You will also get to go on a ferry tour at Colaba, cruising along Mumbai's city coast line. Next, you will learn about the Dhobighat. A dhobi is a traditional laundryman, who will collect your dirty linen, wash it, and return it neatly pressed to your doorstep. The laundries where clothes are taken are called ghats. Stop for a lunch break at a local restaurant. Go on a 2-hour Slum Tour with your guide. The Khumbarwada area is the place occupied by the potter’s community from Gujarat, and you will be able to see pottery being made here. Optinal Bollywood dance class with shooting studio tour irespective shooting happening or not but you can experience about shooting studio sets etc.

The first portion of the tour is by car as way we make our way north from Colaba to Dharavi. On the way you’ll receive some information on the history of Mumbai. As we drive past the historical textile mill area, for example, we’ll learn about this once crucial Mumbai industry and how it helped make the city what it is today. We’ll also discuss some of the city’s ongoing social issues as we pass by areas like the red light area of Kamathipura. This added information will help you better understand the historical and social context of Dharavi. We’ll also stop off at Dhobi Ghat, the largest open air laundry in the world. Known to many as ‘one of the largest slums in Asia’, we prefer to think of Dharavi as Mumbai’s beating heart. It houses about one million of Mumbai’s inhabitants and its industries have an annual turnover of approximately US$ 665 million. Through our educational walking tours, visitors experience a wide range of these business activities: recycling, pottery-making, embroidery, bakery, soap factory, leather tanning, poppadom-making and many more.

Dharavi is the second biggest slum in Asia and the third biggest in the world.The tour through the slum's narrow alleys is quite an adventure; you will undoubtedly feel the strong sense of community and special spirit that exists here. The total population of Dharavi slum is unknown, and estimates vary widely. Some sources suggest it is 300,000 to about a million. With Dharavi spread over 200 hectares (500 acres), this corresponds to an average population density estimate between 1500 and 5000 (600 to 2,000 people per acre). Due to its location and poor sewage and drainage systems, Dharavi particularly becomes vulnerable to floods during Monsoon and the slum is plagued by public health problems. Water access derives from public standpipes stationed throughout the slum. Toilets are limited limited, and are extremely filthy and often broken. Mahim Creek is a local river that is widely used by local residents for urination and defecation, causing the spread of contagious diseases Dharavi became famous through the worldwide hit movie “Slumdog Millionaire“ in 2008. You will find a wide range of activity in this mini-city such as plastic recycling, leather work, pottery, poppadom baking, soap production and more. In February 2016 Dharavis first Design Museum was opened.

Engage in an award-winning ethical tour through the slums of Dharavi. With an annual turnover of approximately $665 million, Asia's largest slum is home to more than one million people. Book a private walking tour with a convenient hotel pickup and drop-off facility. The first portion of the tour is by car as way we make our way north from Colaba to Dharavi. On the way you’ll receive some information on the history of Mumbai. As we drive past the historical textile mill area, for example, we’ll learn about this once crucial Mumbai industry and how it helped make the city what it is today. We’ll also discuss some of the city’s ongoing social issues as we pass by areas like the red light area of Kamathipura. This added information will help you better understand the historical and social context of Dharavi. We’ll also stop off at Dhobi Ghat, the largest open air laundry in the world. Your friendly local guide will help you navigate the narrow maze-like alleys of Dharavi as they recount the stories of entrepreneurship and community that define its inhabitants. Profits from this tour are re-invested in community initiatives such as education, skills development, and healthcare projects. The guide takes great care to ensure the walking tour is non-intrusive to local residents and safe for visitors. The area is home to more to more than 20,000 businesses. Observe recycling, pottery-making, embroidery, bakery, soap making, leather tanning, poppadom-making among other ways of living is done here. Climb on a rooftop to get a view of the entire settlement. Navigate through the maze-like alleys and stop to talk to friendly locals. The tour will also visit the residential areas of Dharavi. People from all over India have come to live in Dharavi, making it a microcosm of India. This diversity is apparent in the temples, mosques, churches, and pagodas that stand side by side. This private tour is ideal if you want a more personal interaction with your guide and the locals.

Meet your guide in the morning and get ready for a private full-day tour to Mumbai's most popular attractions. Visit the impressive arch-monument called the Gateway to India. Be stunned by the grandeur of the Taj Mahal Palace. Check out the Prince of Wales Museum, where you can learn about India's extensive history and see 50,000 exhibits of art, archaeology, and natural history.  Additional stops included on this tour is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Victoria Terminus, the Municipal Corporation Building, the Hanging Gardens, and Mani Bhavan, a museum dedicated to Gandhi. While exploring the vibrant city of Mumbai, learn interesting facts and history about the city. At the conclusion of your tour you will be returned to your pickup location.