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Welcome to Hipfig's Travel Guide series
on Mumbai, India. We are happy that we can
share our Mumbai experiences with you
through Hipfig's video guide series on
Mumbai. In this Elephanta Caves video
guide we'll be sharing how to get to
elephanta caves, things to see, and useful
tips for visiting travelers to Elephanta
Caves. The Elephanta Caves are a unesco
world heritage site that is comprised of
a collection of cave temples dedicated
to the Hindu gods like Shiva. The
elephanta caves are located on Elephanta
Island locally known as Gharapuri
elephanta island is located in the
mumbai harbour ten kilometers east of
Mumbai. The only way to get to elephanta
caves is by public ferry or private boat
you can catch a ferry from the Gateway
of India. To get to the Gateway of India
you can easily take a taxi. You can also
take the train and exit at Churchgate train
station which is the closest to the
Gateway of India or CST station. You can
walk about 25 to 30 minutes from the
train stations to the Gateway of India
or you can catch a taxi from Churchgate
or CST train station. We took a train to
CST train station and then took a taxi
from there to the Gateway of India. You
can also take a bus from the churchgate
or CST station towards Navy Nagar or
Colaba and exit at Regal Cinema stop in
Colaba and then walk towards the
waterfront. For more detailed information
on the Gateway of India see our Gateway
of India video guide. The elephanta ferry
services operate from the Gateway of
India Ferry point in the area known as
Apollo Bunder. You can buy tickets to
elephanta island at a kiosk near the
ferry point adjacent to the Gateway of
India
you can also buy it from a person selling
tickets at the jetty. If you're not sure
there's always someone who can point the
way. Public ferries are open decked
wooden passenger only ferries which are
slower and can be rocky during rough
seas. The ferry tickets are pretty
affordable. there will also be an
additional ten rupees if you want to sit
on the top upper deck. We've ridden on
both decks and either deck is fine but
there's a chance you can get wet on the
lower deck and the upper deck is less
crowded. The ferry ride takes about an
hour one way. The first ferry from the
Gateway of India starts around 9:00 a.m.
and the last ferry to elephanta leaves
at 2 p.m.. The first ferry from elephanta
island starts around 12:00 p.m. and the
last ferry back to the Gateway of India in
Mumbai leaves at 5:30 p.m.. Keep this in
mind and be aware that the later ferries
are usually crowded. The ferries run
usually every half hour. The caves are
closed to the public on Mondays however
the ferry still runs. We went on a Monday
by mistake and took the ferry. No one
told us that the caves were closed on
Monday until we got to the entrance of
the caves. We suggest taking the early
morning ferries. The crowds and the heat
will be less. The boat sells snacks and
drinks and there's a bathroom if you
really need it. Once you arrive an
elephanta Island you can walk to the
caves or you can take a small train ride
to the base of the caves for a small fee
it's not a long walk down the pier to
the main entrance so we just walked as
you walk along the pier to the
entrance you'll see stalls selling
trinkets and food and many stray dogs
please be careful where you step. At the
end of the pier is the village entrance
you'll have to pay the village entrance
fee which is about 10 rupees per adult
and 5 rupees for children from the
village entrance gate
you'll walk up 120 plus steep narrow
stairs to the top of the hill where the
caves are located. Thankfully there's an
awning above the stairway and you can
stop on the way up at the makeshift
stalls which sell all sorts of trinkets
and souvenirs. There's a dolly service
available which are wooden chairs that
men will use to carry you up the stairs
for a fee. From this point there are many
monkeys please make sure all your things
are secure and that you do not have food
or loose items out. The monkeys are
aggressive and wild so please keep your
distance. Once you reach the top of the
stairs you'll find the entrance of the
main caves. At the cave entrance you'll
have to pay another entrance fee. The
cost for Indians and Saarc citizens is
different than for other foreign
citizens, foreign entrance fees are much
higher. Since we went to elephanta caves
on a Monday when they're closed, we
couldn't go into the caves this time
we've been here to the caves before but
we did not take videos of the caves at
the time, sorry
the elephanta caves date between the 5th
and 9th centuries there are seven caves
but the easiest and largest cave to
access and the most popular are caves
one through five which are lined up next
to each other. We suggest starting your
exploration from cave one and end with cave
five. The route is paved and shaded by
the trees. You can also get a panoramic
view of the foothills and the sea below
at the end of the trail if needed there
are restrooms located between cave four
and five and there are also grassy areas
to sit on and watch the monkeys
frolicking in the trees. Guidebooks are
sold for a small fee. If you would like
more information on each cave and the
carvings inside. Once you are done with
your exploration, make your way back down
to the pier. Remember the last ferry
leaves at 5:30 so plan accordingly. Once
you're back on the ferry returning to
Mumbai enjoy the lovely sea breeze and
the views of the Mumbai Harbor, Gateway
of India, and the skyline of Mumbai
if the day is clear you'll be treated
with a great view of the Mumbai harbour
and its many fishing boats and yachts
moored in the sea against the backdrop
of the Mumbai cityscape. A trip to
elephanta caves is a day well spent
viewing the past and present of India
Happy Travels. Go to hipfig.com for
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Travel Channel on YouTube and be sure to
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