Day trip to Elephanta Caves
MUMBAI – ELEPHANTA CAVES
Pick up from hotel in Mumbai/ Airport and transferred to the Gateway of India to take the ferry for Elephanta Caves
FERRY RIDE TO ELEPHANTA
First boat departs. It takes an hour to reach the Elephanta Island through sea, often called as Gharapuri in Mumbai harbor. Day trip to Elephanta caves starts.
ARRIVES ELEPHANTA
On arrival, sightseeing tour of Elephanta Caves begin.
One needs to go to the Gateway of India in Mumbai to get the tickets for ferry to Elephanta caves. One has to journey through sea route. Elephanta Caves are unprecedented sculpted caves located at a distance of 10 km to the east of Mumbai. Caves are closed on Monday. On reaching to an Island, there are two groups of caves found.
One big group of five Hindu caves located on the western hill of the Island while a smaller group of two Buddhist caves located on eastern hill of the Island. These two groups of caves attribute the different styles of architecture dating back to the 5th to 8th centuries AD. The large group of five caves has rock cut stone sculptures dedicated to Hindu god Shiva, depicted in widely celebrated carvings. The small group of caves contains Buddhist monuments.
These caves are absolutely worth visiting as no inscriptions have been discovered till date about the original builders or about the timing of an excavation of the caves. The historical significance of Elephanta caves is conjectural.
RETURN TO MUMBAI
After having enjoyed the sighseeing and visiting all the caves, board on to ferry back to the dock at Gateway of India as last boat leaves at 17:30 Hrs. Upon arrival in Mumbai. Transfer to your pre-booked hotel or transfer to Airport.
