Mumbai

After a short drive to the Gateway of India, Mumbai’s most famous landmark, you’ll board a motor launch for the hour-long trip to Elephanta Island.

Elephanta Island was named after the statue of an elephant was found near the landing area of the island. The caves date from the 8th century and house remarkable statues in bas-reliefs that unfold a story carved in stone. The guides will bring to life the panels as they elucidate stories from Indian mythology. The carvings centre on the life of Lord Shiva, The Destroyer, but the most impressive panel is that of the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva: The Creator, The Preserver and The Destroyer.

After your fascinating insight into the Hindu religion, the boat will return you to Mumbai, where your coach transfer will be waiting.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by coach, boat and on foot. This tour involves a considerable amount of walking on rough, rocky slopes and uneven ground with over 120 steps to climb. The steps are not steep and they are interspersed with landings, however the tour is quite strenuous. Comfortable, non-slip shoes are recommended and a sunhat and sunscreen should be worn. Video cameras are not permitted inside the caves and there is a charge for the use of video photography outside the caves.

As you travel to the Fort area of Mumbai you’ll pass many architecturally impressive buildings, including the General Post Office; Victoria Terminus; Municipal Corporation Building; St Xavier's College and St Thomas Cathedral.

Enjoy a brief visit inside St Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai’s first Anglican church, before beginning your historic walking tour. As you stroll through parts of the Heritage Precinct, your guide will regale you with stories and facts about this bustling city. You will see and learn all about the many buildings and monuments that contribute to the special history of Mumbai. These include the ornate Flora Fountain, the gothic style Mumbai University and High Court buildings. View the unusual façades of the David Sasson Library, Jehangir Art Gallery and the Prince of Wales Museum, with its carved features and elaborate brackets.

Absorb the local culture around you as the horns blare out from the passing traffic and spicy aromas waft from the food stalls. Watch the locals rushing about their daily activities and the ladies with their colourful clothing. As you reach the waterfront, you’ll notice the imposing Gateway of India. This famous monument, erected to commemorate the visit of King George V, combines both Hindu and Muslim architecture. You’ll have time to take a photo before boarding the coach for your journey back to the ship.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. There will be approximately 1½ hours of walking over some uneven ground. Flat, comfortable, enclosed shoes, water, sunscreen and a sun hat are recommended.

In the heart of the city, you’ll find some of the most beautiful buildings dating from the British period. A leisurely drive takes you along Marine Drive, a seafront promenade, past the Old Town Hall and the Mumbai University, dominated by the famous Rajabai Clock Tower. Past these landmarks, the High Court comes into view, topped with the statues of Justice and Mercy and then you’ll see the highlight of all the buildings from the Victorian era - the Victoria Terminus Station. This neo-Gothic building boasts flying buttresses, friezes and stained glass.

A short stop will be made to take a photo of the famous Gateway of India. Built to commemorate King George V’s visit to India in 1911, it is situated opposite the Taj Mahal Hotel. The Hotel was built in 1903 and is an architectural marvel, bringing together Moorish, Oriental and Florentine styles (exterior only).

The highlight will be the cultural dance performance held in the National Centre for Performing Arts. Enjoy the colours and sounds of the 5 different dances, each representing a different Indian State. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by coach. All sightseeing is conducted from the coach, with the exception of the photo stop. The National Centre for Performing Arts is wheelchair accessible.

Enjoy a visit to the former Mumbai residence of Mahatma Gandhi, Mani Bhavan. It is now a museum and memorial to Gandhi. The room he slept in has remained unchanged and still contains his bed and many of his personal possessions.

Continuing along Marine Drive, Mumbai’s seaside promenade, you will visit the Krishna Temple (ISCKON). This epicentre of spiritual activity has been modelled after the temples of Vrindavan and accommodates over 140 monks. Afterwards, you’ll stop at the Hanging Gardens, for some excellent views of the city. On leaving the Hanging Gardens you will hear about the unusual Parsi traditions as you pass the Parsi Towers of Silence.

En route, stop at the Dhobi Ghat. This fascinating open-air laundry employs hundreds of workers, who have devised their own system to code the laundry to ensure nothing is lost.

As you drive through Mumbai you will pass by monuments built during the British era, including the High Court; Crawford Market; Mumbai University and the Victoria Terminus Station before stopping at the famous Gateway of India, an Indo-Saracenic archway built in 1911.

Your tour ends with a visit to the Prince of Wales Museum, which contains a wealth of paintings, jewellery and artefacts collected from many different eras including the British reign.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. Mani Bhavan has 2 floors each with 20 steep steps. Approximately 45 minutes is spent at the Prince of Wales Museum. There is a fee to photograph (INR200) or video (INR1000) in the museum. Comfortable, non-slip footwear, water and a sunhat are recommended.

Begin your tour with a visit to Mahatma Gandhi’s former Mumbai residence, Mani Bhavan. The building has been maintained as a memorial to Gandhi and contains a vast amount of fascinating material, including a model exhibit detailing major events in his life, photographs, books and letters he wrote to Hitler. You’ll see his simple room containing the spinning wheel he used to spin yarn, and make the traditional Indian cloth, which he used for clothing.

The Prince of Wales Museum was built to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales. The building is primarily built in the indo-saracenic style of architecture but also incorporates elements of other styles such as Mughal, Maratha and Jain. The museum houses around 50,000 exhibits of ancient Indian history as well as objects from overseas which are categorised into 3 main sections: art, archaeology and natural history.

Enjoy a brief photo stop at the Gateway of India, before stopping for free time on Colaba Causeway. Colaba has a range of shops, restaurants and market stalls selling souvenirs, leather goods, shoes, jewellery, handicrafts and clothing. There is plenty to tempt you whether you prefer the air-conditioned comfort of the larger shops or bartering with the locals on the stalls.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. There will be approximately 1 hours of free time in Colaba. Mani Bhavan has 2 floors with a total of 40 steep steps. Approximately 45 minutes is spent at the Prince of Wales Museum. There is a fee to photograph (INR200) or video (INR1000) in the museum. Comfortable footwear, water and a sun hat are recommended.

This comprehensive tour of Mumbai begins at the Asiatic Library (Old Town Hall) and from here you will be able to see the beautiful monuments and buildings up close as you stroll through the bustling streets. A stop will be made at St Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai’s first Anglican Church, built in 1718. Absorb the atmosphere as you pass by buildings of different architectural styles including the ornamentally exquisite Flora Fountain, the gothic style High Court and the impressive Mumbai University with its decorative Rajabai Clock Tower.

A short drive through the Fort area will bring you to the Municipal Corporation Building, the Central Telegraph Office and the majestic gothic style Victoria Terminus Station. You will have the opportunity to visit the interior of this historic station, where India’s first train departed in 1853.

An delicious Indian lunch will be served at a restaurant, before visiting Mani Bhavan, the old Mumbai residence of Gandhi. This two-storied structure now contains a reference library, a photographic exhibition and other pieces of well preserved memorabilia, including Gandhi’s spinning wheel.

Before returning to the ship, there will be a photo stop at the regal Gateway of India and some free time to explore Colaba Causeway. This area has a range of shops and market stalls where you can browse for a bargain or simply soak up the sights and sounds of this interesting city.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. There is approximately 1 hour’s walking on the tour over slightly uneven ground. There are 160 steps in the Victoria Terminus. Comfortable, enclosed footwear, water and a sun hat are recommended.

Enjoy a walking tour of Banganga, a sacred water tank surrounded by 400-year-old temples. Part of an ancient temple complex, the water is believed to come from the Ganges. On occasions, thousands of people turn up to take a ritual swim. In the narrow streets, you’ll find the local barber, cobbler, blacksmith and residents of the area going about their daily lives.

The next stop on this ‘lifestyle-tour’ is a residential area called Kotachiwadi, cocooned amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. A community of Christians live here and they have preserved their heritage homes and culture. In the alleys, you will see their private chapel and their picturesque houses, built in typical Portuguese style with carved balconies and small gardens.

Finally, you will have the unique opportunity to sample local life, by visiting a local home where home-made refreshments will be served, giving you the chance to look around or chat to the residents about their life.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. This tour involves numerous steps, uneven ground and approximately 1 hour’s walking. Flat, comfortable, enclosed shoes, water, sunscreen and a sunhat are recommended.