Haji Ali Dargah

See the best of Mumbai while traveling the local way on this authentic tour. Ride the famous suburban train, hop on a classic red bus, cruise around town in a typical black and yellow taxi, and look on as millions of Mumbai’s working-class head out in the morning. Markets such as the Dadar Flower Market and the world famous Dabbawallahs (the workers of India’s intricate lunch delivery system) will also be explored. For lunch, a special tiffin (lunchbox) lunch will be delivered by a dabbawallah, with which you will enjoy a picnic at a nearby park. Following the picnic, you will receive an overview of religion in India (which is integral to the lives of most Indians), and you’ll learn about Hinduism and Islam, as well as Jainism. You will then admire the Haji Ali in the middle of the sea, enjoy views from Mahalaxmi Temple, and receive a one-of-a-kind perspective of Mumbai (and Marine Drive) from the Hanging Gardens. Later on, you experience Dhobi Ghat, the world’s largest open-air laundry.

Your journey will start with a dedicated hotel pickup, before visiting the Gateway of India and the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Following this, you will head to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Train Station, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then you will head to the Crawford Market, a British-era market that has been standing for over a century and is a great place to see an array of spices. Following this, you will enjoy an insider's tour of the Dhobi Ghat, a colorful open-air laundry.  Next will be a 2-hour exploration of the Dharavi Slum, the largest slum located in a megacity in Asia, now well-known thanks to the Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire".  Visit Mahatma Gandhi's residence, where the famous "Non-Cooperation" started. Just off the coast of Mumbai, you'll also visit the iconic Haji Ali Dargah mosque. You will then head to Malabar Hill, before seeing the Banganga water tank and having a stop at Marine Drive, where you'll see a spectacular panorama of Mumbai. The guide will also take you for a short train ride on the Mumbai Local to experience the so-called "lifeline of Mumbai". You'll also be visiting the cow shelter or "Panjrapole". Finally, take a look at the famous Mumbai dabbawallas, who drive around the city delivering lunches from homes to workplaces. The guide will take you to the assembly point of the dabbawalas, where you can take photos and learn about their interesting business model. You'll be amazed at how much they can carry by themselves. After a day of exploring Mumbai, you will be dropped back to your hotel.