Caving · AJANTA, ELLORA & ELEPHANTA CAVES

Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta Caves: the 11 Best Guided Trips

11 tours  ·  from $23 a head

These are caves cut by hand rather than water: temples carved down into basalt over centuries. The 11 below compare guides, the ferry to Elephanta, and the long drive that Ajanta and Ellora both need.

Elephanta Caves & Island Guided Private Tour - Starting at Regal Cinema and crossing Mumbai Harbour
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Elephanta Caves & Island Guided Private Tour

1.Elephanta Caves & Island Guided Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,327 reviews · from $42Our pick

Review of Mumbai’s private Elephanta Caves tour, with ferry, local guides, hotel pickup, UNESCO temples, costs, steps, and practical tips.

“We are so glad we booked this tour. It's totally worth the price. Our guide Rajat (a local of Elephanta Island) was early to our meeting point. He was very friendly and accompanied us on the ferry ride and to the caves answering all questions we had on Mumbai. Once there, he captivated us with the stories of each and every sculpture at the site. He also took some amazing pictures of us and was kind enough to wait for us buy local souvenirs. We were really impressed with his knowledge and are very grateful to him for making this tour memorable for us. Thankyou Rajat !”

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Mumbai: Elephanta Caves Half-Day Guided Tour with Expert - The ferry from Mumbai takes about an hour
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Mumbai: Elephanta Caves Half-Day Guided Tour with Expert

2.Elephanta Caves Half-Day Guided Tour with Expert

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,032 reviews · 1.5 - 6 hours · from $30

Review of Mumbai’s Elephanta Caves tour, covering ferry logistics, Hindu and Buddhist art, guides, costs, walking demands, and booking advice.

“We had an amazing experience visiting the Elephanta Caves in Mumbai, and a big part of that was thanks to our guide, Dave. He was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and explained the history and symbolism of the caves in a very clear and engaging way. He also has taken amazing pictures. I would highly recommend Dave to anyone visiting the Elephanta Caves.”

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All inclusive Elephanta Caves Guided Tour - The climb up 120 steps
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All inclusive Elephanta Caves Guided Tour

3.All inclusive Elephanta Caves Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 386 reviews · from $50

Review of Mumbai’s Elephanta Caves tour, with ferry details, guide tips, walking demands, value, itinerary, and booking advice.

“Really good experience. Our tour guide was really knowledgeable and didn't waste time. Really on point with everything and loved the short cut back against the high holiday traffic trying to leave the caves”

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From Mumbai: Half-Day Elephanta Caves Tour with Ferry Ride - The ferry ride across Mumbai’s harbor
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From Mumbai: Half-Day Elephanta Caves Tour with Ferry Ride

4.Half-Day Elephanta Caves Tour with Ferry Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 284 reviews · 4 hours · from $26

Ride from Mumbai to Elephanta Island, explore remarkable rock-cut temples, and return by ferry on this practical four-hour guided tour.

“He was very informative and friendly, he had introduced us to a secondary tour guide on the Elephanta Island who was great too. We both had felt very safe with him and had learnt a lot would definitely recommend.”

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Mumbai Elephanta Caves Private Half-Day Tour including Guide - Walking Up Through Elephanta Village
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Mumbai Elephanta Caves Private Half-Day Tour including Guide

5.Mumbai Elephanta Caves Private Half-Day Tour including Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 150 reviews · from $105

Review of Mumbai’s private Elephanta Caves tour, with ferry tips, guide details, costs, cave highlights, drawbacks, and booking advice.

“Tour was very informative, the ferry ride was very calming and a different view of Mumbai from the water and the price was right. The guide on Elephanta was very professional and personal, taking pictures for us and showing us the best place to shop.”

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Private Full-Day Mumbai City Tour with Elephanta Caves Excursion - Gateway of India and Mumbai Harbour
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Private Full-Day Mumbai City Tour with Elephanta Caves Excursion

6.Private Full-Day Mumbai City Tour with Elephanta Caves Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 113 reviews · from $192

Explore Mumbai and Elephanta Caves by private car and ferry, with hotel pickup, a local guide, and major sights in one full day.

“Highly recommend this tour. Our guide for the day, Chetan, was absolutely brilliant. He had a wealth of knowledge about all the sights we visited during the day and provided deep insights to all of our questions. We have been to Mumbai many many times but we learned so much about the city that we never knew. Thank you Chetan. Also the local guide we had at the Elephanta caves was amazing. He provided a thorough and detailed explanation of everything and not only was he a great guide but also a superb photographer. I will be recommending this tour to all my frlends and family that plan to visit…”

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Full Day Mumbai Sightseeing With Elephanta Caves Private Tour - Gateway of India and the harbor setting
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Full Day Mumbai Sightseeing With Elephanta Caves Private Tour

Elephanta Caves & Island Guided Tour - The ferry from Gateway of India
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Elephanta Caves & Island Guided Tour

8.Elephanta Caves & Island Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 59 reviews · 4 - 9 hours · from $39

Review of Mumbai’s Elephanta Caves guided tour, with ferry tips, cave highlights, guide quality, price value, and practical advice.

“Rajat was great. He gave us a really comprehensive tour, and took some great photos of us. Really brought the history alive.”

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Mumbai Kanheri Caves & Golden Pagoda – A Buddhist Settlement - The trip through Sanjay Gandhi National Park
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Mumbai Kanheri Caves & Golden Pagoda – A Buddhist Settlement

9.Mumbai Kanheri Caves & Golden Pagoda – A Buddhist Settlement

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 2.5 - 7 hours · from $23Best value

Review of Mumbai’s Kanheri Caves and Golden Pagoda tour, with Buddhist history, park wildlife, transport details, value, and practical advice.

“Loved the trip. Ravi is an amazing guide, with lots of knowledge about the Kanheri caves and Mumbai in general. He offered a lunch and local train experience which were not included in the trip description for no additional pay. He really cares about his customers and is able to answer any questions they may have. 10/10 would recommend”

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Elephanta Cave Tour with Bollywood Tour - Starting at the Gateway of India
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Elephanta Cave Tour with Bollywood Tour

10.Elephanta Cave Tour with Bollywood Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 18 reviews · from $204

Combine Elephanta’s ancient caves with a Bollywood studio visit, coastal ferries, private transport, and a full day of Mumbai sights.

“it was the highlight of our time in mumbai. Rahael was an excellent guide. He bought energy and joy to our trip. His time and humour were fantastic to our experience”

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Elephanta caves tour in Mumbai - Group & Private Options - The Ferry Ride: Scenic, Useful, and Not Luxurious
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Elephanta caves tour in Mumbai – Group & Private Options

11.Elephanta caves tour in Mumbai – Group & Private Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 14 reviews · 5 hours · from $40

Ride from Mumbai to Elephanta Island for ancient Shiva carvings, a guided cave visit, and practical tips on cost, walking, ferries, and access.

“We had two tourist guides. Eka Lavya and Pankaj. Both of them were excellent and provided very good service. They explained all the main attractions and they were extremely easy to work with. I couldn’t be more happier. Thanks a lot for your assistance.”

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