Although Mumbai has many places to see, but this blog is about places me and my family visited in Dec 2023, over period of 4 days. Thus, this can be potentially your itinerary, if you cannot make out a plan for Mumbai darshan (Mumbai sight seeing).
Mode of transport: Everything in car. Although, Mumbai has local train options, but it can be exhausting tiring and challenging for a tourist.
Following can be a 3 day schedule;
Day -1: Elephanta caves, Gateway of India, Marine drive, Girgaon Chowpatty.
Day-2: Siddhi Vinayak temple, Smaash (Lower parel), Sea link, Iskcon, Juhu Chowpatty.
Day-3: Water kingdom in Gorai, Pagoda (Myanmar style), Gorai beach.
Elephanta Caves:
If you have historical place taste, then Elephanta caves is good place to go from Mumbai. It is 1.5-2 hrs boat ride (only option) from Gateway of India. The hill-lock island caves can be explored in 1-2 hrs.
Parking facility is available near Gateway of India, but ready to shell out Rs 500.
Elephanta boat ride is Rs 260 per person (return). Boat has light refreshment options and Elephanta caves have few restaurants options (MTDC Chalukya restaurant, just before ticket counter of Elephanta caves is best)+ walkway full of refreshments. Boat journey will be exciting, as one sees skyline of Mumbai, many important landmarks, oil ships, birds.
Entry to Elephanta caves is like ~20-40 per person (Indian citizens). Washroom, drinking water and light refreshment facilities is also available within premises of Elephanta caves.
Elephanta caves are many centuries old and used to be worship places for hindu/buddhist monks. There are number of caves in different stages of completion (/incompletion). The oldest ones are more complete, with gigantic rock cut images of Lord shiva in it’s various forms. Adding a link (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/244/) for more details, rather than me giving a poor description.
Smaash (Lower Parel): Nested within the costliest real estate pocket of India, Smaash is famous for its indoor games and entertainment. It has bowling, box cricket, guided rock climbing, go karting and many other games. It is costly (by Indian middle class standards) and easily cost Rs 2000-3000 per person. It has got parking facility with great views of surrounding skyscrapers (Trump tower, Lodha ).
Siddhivinayak Temple, Dadar: The main temple of Mumbai dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is usually crowded and has problem of parking facility. Free Shoe stands are there after temple security check.
Gateway On India, Taj Hotel: More than 100 years monuments and are Mumbai postcard. Parking is available. Boats for Elephanta caves, Alibaug starts from here.
Water Kingdom, Gorai:
It is water park nestled in green lush of Gorai village. The famous Essel world of 90s is now closed and only water park operates. Rs 1300 per person, it is a descent one day spent with family. It has got all that is required: parking facility, restaurants, lockers (Rs 200 per locker), washrooms, changing rooms. It can reached by road or boat that operates from Borivali.
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