Private Experiences

Engage in an award-winning ethical tour through the slums of Dharavi. With an annual turnover of approximately $665 million, Asia's largest slum is home to more than one million people. Book a private walking tour with a convenient hotel pickup and drop-off facility. The first portion of the tour is by car as way we make our way north from Colaba to Dharavi. On the way you’ll receive some information on the history of Mumbai. As we drive past the historical textile mill area, for example, we’ll learn about this once crucial Mumbai industry and how it helped make the city what it is today. We’ll also discuss some of the city’s ongoing social issues as we pass by areas like the red light area of Kamathipura. This added information will help you better understand the historical and social context of Dharavi. We’ll also stop off at Dhobi Ghat, the largest open air laundry in the world. Your friendly local guide will help you navigate the narrow maze-like alleys of Dharavi as they recount the stories of entrepreneurship and community that define its inhabitants. Profits from this tour are re-invested in community initiatives such as education, skills development, and healthcare projects. The guide takes great care to ensure the walking tour is non-intrusive to local residents and safe for visitors. The area is home to more to more than 20,000 businesses. Observe recycling, pottery-making, embroidery, bakery, soap making, leather tanning, poppadom-making among other ways of living is done here. Climb on a rooftop to get a view of the entire settlement. Navigate through the maze-like alleys and stop to talk to friendly locals. The tour will also visit the residential areas of Dharavi. People from all over India have come to live in Dharavi, making it a microcosm of India. This diversity is apparent in the temples, mosques, churches, and pagodas that stand side by side. This private tour is ideal if you want a more personal interaction with your guide and the locals.

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.