Mumbai: Gateway to India
Three nights in India's coastal metropolis, with the rock-cut caves of Elephanta Island.
3 Nights, 4 Days
Duration
1
Destinations
A three-night extension in Mumbai, from the Gateway of India and Elephanta's caves to the city's markets and seafront.
Overview
This three night extension is a fast, satisfying introduction to Mumbai, India's largest city and its glittering commercial and cultural capital, perfect for guests looking to bookend a longer India journey with a taste of the country's coastal metropolis.
The extension opens with a boat crossing to the rock-cut cave temples of Elephanta Island, one of India's great treasures of ancient sculpture, before returning to the mainland for the Gateway of India, Mumbai's grandest colonial-era landmark.
A full day of city sightseeing follows, taking in the Victorian Gothic splendour of CST, the bustle of Crawford Market, the causeway shrine of Haji Ali, the tranquil Hanging Gardens, the revered Siddhivinayak Temple and an evening stroll along Marine Drive, with an optional Bollywood studio tour for guests who want a peek behind the scenes of the world's largest film industry.
Designed as a tailor-made add-on, this extension pairs naturally with the start or end of a longer India itinerary, particularly for guests flying in or out through Mumbai.
Highlights
- A boat crossing to the ancient rock-cut cave temples of Elephanta Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The Gateway of India, Mumbai's iconic waterfront monument
- CST, a UNESCO-listed masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture
- The Haji Ali Dargah, a mosque and shrine reached by a causeway across the Arabian Sea
- A sunset stroll along Marine Drive, the curving seafront known as the Queen's Necklace
- An optional Bollywood studio tour, a behind-the-scenes look at Indian cinema
Itinerary
A suggested journey
This is one way to experience the journey, not a fixed itinerary. Your specialist will adjust the pace, order and stops around you before anything is confirmed.
- Mumbai
Day 1Arrival in the City by the Sea
Touch down in Mumbai, India's vibrant coastal metropolis and the city that never quite stops moving. You will be met on arrival and transferred straight to your hotel, where the rest of the day is yours to settle in, unwind after your flight, or step out into the city's energy at your own pace.
- Airport meet and greet with private transfer to your hotel
Day 2Shiva's Island Caves and the Gateway to India
This morning, board a boat for the crossing to Elephanta Island, home to a network of rock-cut cave temples dating back to around the sixth century (allow around half a day for the round trip, sightseeing included). Inside, beautifully carved panels tell the story of Lord Shiva, and the undisputed highlight is the main cave's towering Maheshamurti, a three-faced sculpture of Shiva as creator, preserver and destroyer of life, and one of the finest examples of rock-cut art anywhere in India. Back on the mainland this afternoon, visit the Gateway of India, the grand basalt archway built to commemorate a royal visit in the early twentieth century and today one of Mumbai's most photographed landmarks, looking out over the harbour and the Arabian Sea.
- Boat crossing to and from Elephanta Island
- Elephanta Caves
- Gateway of India
Breakfast
Day 3Gothic Spires and the Queen's Necklace
Spend today exploring the landmarks that give Mumbai its unmistakable character. Highlights include Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of Victorian Gothic architecture in India, and the bustling stalls of Crawford Market close by. The day continues to the Haji Ali Dargah, a mosque and tomb built on a tiny islet in the Arabian Sea and reached by a causeway at low tide, and the leafy, hedge-sculpted Hanging Gardens on Malabar Hill. You will also visit the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple, one of Mumbai's most revered Hindu shrines, and, time permitting, Snow World, an indoor snow-themed attraction that makes for a fun contrast to Mumbai's tropical warmth. Round off the day with a stroll along Marine Drive, the sweeping seafront promenade known as the Queen's Necklace for the glittering curve of streetlights along its length, especially beautiful at sunset. For film lovers, an optional Bollywood studio tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at Indian cinema.
- CST and Crawford Market
- Haji Ali Dargah and the Hanging Gardens
- Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple and Snow World
- Marine Drive
- Bollywood studio tourOptional, at extra cost
Breakfast
Day 4A Fond Farewell to Mumbai
All good things must come to an end. After breakfast, check out and transfer to Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in good time for your onward flight, taking with you memories of Mumbai's ancient caves, grand landmarks and glittering seafront.
- Airport transfer
Breakfast
Accommodation
Where you'll stay
The hotels we recommend for this journey are shown below. Your specialist will confirm the most suitable options and availability when your journey is planned.
Mumbai
3 nights
A choice of 2
Two Five Star hotels are offered at the same price. Hotels are as listed or similar, subject to availability at the time of booking.
The detail
What the price covers
Included
- 3 nights' accommodation at the hotels listed, or similar, on a twin sharing basis
- Breakfast daily
- Airport transfers with staff assistance
- All transfers and sightseeing by private, air-conditioned Toyota Innova Crysta
- A local English-speaking guide for sightseeing
- An exclusive boat for the Elephanta Island crossing
- All entrance fees to monuments
- Two bottles of packaged water per person per day during drives and sightseeing
- All currently applicable taxes (5% GST at the time of writing, subject to change)
Not included
- Travel insurance and visa services
- Personal expenses such as drinks, telephone calls and laundry
- Tips and porter charges
- The optional Bollywood studio tour on Day 3
- Any additional costs arising from flight delays or cancellations, weather, political closures or technical faults
- Any other service not listed as included
When to travel
October to March, when Mumbai is cooler, drier and far more comfortable for sightseeing. Mumbai is warm and humid for most of the year. October to March brings noticeably cooler, drier weather that is far more comfortable for sightseeing than the intense heat of April and May or the heavy monsoon rains from June to September. The tour is not offered from 15 December 2026 to 12 January 2027 (Christmas and New Year). Private departures from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, except 15 December 2026 to 12 January 2027 (Christmas and New Year).
3 Nights, 4 DaysPrivate
Mumbai and Elephanta Island
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