Bombay Dreams

Arrive Mumbai and transfer to your hotel for the remainder of the day is at leisure.

Mumbai - or Bombay, as it was formerly known, remains India’s city of dreams. Despite extreme poverty and eye-watering pollution, it is so dynamic that paupers still flock there in the hope of becoming successful entrepreneurs. Built largely by the British around one of the best-protected natural harbours in the world, Mumbai is India’s strategic economic centre. The city is also is home to the country’s prolific Bollywood film industry, which cranks out more feature films than any place in the world and of course the setting for the hit film ‘Slum Dog Millionaire’.

The main draw of Mumbai, like much of India, remains its contradictions. Within minutes (or a few miles) you can be awestruck by the palatial houses on Malabar Hill and then depressed by the makeshift shacks and the children in the city’s poverty-stricken neighbourhoods.

Enjoy a cruise to the Elephanta Caves this morning. The island of Elephanta is about 10 kms from Mumbai. The 4 rock-cut temples are believed to have been cut between 450-750AD. After an hour’s boat trip to the island, walk the steps up the hillside to the caves, Shiva is the most depicted form.

This afternoons city tour leads us to the Gateway of India – a former colonial monument and now a popular emblem of the city and a hubbub of life. The gate was built 1924-1927 to commemorate King George V’s visit in 1911. The biggest museum in India is next door - the Prince of Wales Museum. Sample bhelpuri (Mumbai’s favourite snack) at Chowpatty Beach along what is known as Marine Drive, it’s one of the city’s most popular promenades.

No visit to Mumbai is complete without a visit to the bazaars of Kalbadevi and Bluleshwar, north of Crawford Market. Crawford Market is also worth a visit.

Today is a free day for you to explore independently. There’s plenty to see and do in Mumbai, maybe go in search of wildlife at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park - home to leopards, cobras and more, or feed the holy cows at Bombay Panjrapole trust. You can also take a scenic horse and buggy ride along Marine Drive towards Chowpatty Beach.

Morning is at leisure. Later check out of hotel and transfer to Mumbai Airport for your onward fight.

If you'd like to extend your stay, we offer a variety of hotels, short stays and add-ons for you to choose from. Please read our best places to visit or best things to see each month for suggested places to visit on your holiday. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please let us know so we can accommodate your request.

For information about visas, top travel tips, best time to travel and much more, browse our travel guide.