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Tour Overview
Embark on the "Mumbai Express" tour and dive into the vibrant heart of India. This immersive journey offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and modernity. Begin your adventure at the iconic Gateway of India, followed by a heritage tour through Mumbai's architectural marvels. Experience the magic of Bollywood with a studio tour, where you might catch a live shoot and enjoy dazzling dance performances. Witness the incredible efficiency of the Dabbawalas, explore the bustling Dhobi Ghats, and stroll through the colorful Flower Market. A visit to the Dharavi Slums will challenge perceptions and reveal a thriving community. Enjoy comfortable accommodations in a 4-star hotel and seamless transfers in air-conditioned vehicles, ensuring a hassle-free experience. With expert local guides and a comprehensive itinerary, this tour promises an unforgettable exploration of Mumbai's dynamic spirit. ...more ...less
Highlights
Gateway of India, Mumbai City Tour
Bollywood Studio Tour with live shooting and dance performances
Experience the Dabbawalas' tiffin delivery system
Visit the Dhobi Ghats, the largest open-air laundry in Asia
Explore the vibrant Flower Market
Walk through the Dharavi Slums, as seen in Slumdog Millionaire
Itinerary
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Day 1
:
Welcome to Mumbai, transfer to hotel included
Location: Mumbai
Accommodation Name: Mumbai hotel
Once you arrive in Mumbai, you'll be met by one of our local staff, who will transfer your hotel. Once you're settled in, we'll run through the tour itinerary for the next few days, brief you on the local area and arrange a time to collect you tomorrow.
Day 2
:
Gateway of India, Heritage driving tour and Bollywood Studios Tour
Location: Mumbai
Accommodation Name: Mumbai hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your day begins at Mumbai's majestic symbol, the Gateway of India. Stand in awe of this grand archway built overlooking the Arabian Sea, a legacy of the British Raj. Take some pictures and soak in the bustling energy around this landmark. Next we embark on a scenic drive through the heart of Mumbai's heritage district. Admire the architectural marvels that speak of the city's rich history. You'll witness gems such as the the Flora Fountain (A beautifully sculpted fountain in the vibrant Fort area), Rajabai Clock Tower (a Big Ben-inspired clock tower, a prominent landmark of Mumbai), High Court (An imposing Victorian Gothic structure of the Bombay High Court) and the Victoria Terminus. In the afternoon, prepare to be immersed in the enchanting world of Hindi cinema! On your studio tour, you might get lucky and witness a live shooting in progress. Explore elaborate film sets that transport you to different worlds and get a behind-the-scenes look at the filmmaking process. To top it all off, be dazzled by lively Bollywood dance performances that will get your feet tapping! This action-packed day offers a wonderful insight into Mumbai's historical grandeur and the magic of its film industry. Get your cameras ready, you'll be making memories to cherish!
Day 3
:
Experience the efficiency of the Dabbawalas, Visit Dhobi Ghat and the Dharavi Slums
Location: Mumbai
Accommodation Name: Mumbai hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we'll board a local train to witness the extraordinary efficiency of Mumbai's Dabbawalas, an intricate network of lunchbox delivery men. Marvel at their precision and teamwork as they navigate the city's chaotic streets to ensure thousands of hot meals reach office workers on time. Later, we'll visit Dhobi Ghat, the world's largest open-air laundry. Be amazed by the sheer scale of operation, where thousands of clothes are washed, dried, and pressed with meticulous care each day. The next stop is the Flower Market where you'll witness the bustling trade of blooms and garlands, a testament to the city's rich cultural traditions. Our last stop is the Dharavi Slums, which became famous after being featured in Slumdog Millionnaire. Embark on a walking tour of Dharavi, one of Asia's largest slums. Challenge the stereotypes portrayed in "Slumdog Millionaire" as you discover a self-sustaining community filled with industriousness, resourcefulness, and incredible human spirit.
Day 4
:
Bon voyage! Airport transfer included
Location: Mumbai
Accommodation Name: N/A
Meals Included: Breakfast
You have some free time to buy any gifts for your loved ones back home before we transfer you to the airport to catch your flight back home.
What's Included
Accommodation
Mumbai Accommodation in a 4-star hotel is included.
Transport
All transport and transfers in air-conditioned vehicles are included.
Airport Transfers
24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service is included.
Sightseeing Tours
Sightseeing tours and activities as per the itinerary are included.
Mumbai City Tour
Mumbai City Tour featuring Gateway to India, Flora Fountain, the Rajabai Clock Tower, the High Court, Mumbai University, and the Victoria Terminus is included.
Bollywood Studios Tour
Bollywood Studios Tour including live shooting, Rehman Wall, SJ Wall of Fame, Bollywood Gallery, Bollywood Dancing, Bollywood Famous Costumes, and a Set Tour is included.
Dabbawalas Train Ride
A short train ride to see the Dabbawalas delivering tiffins to the workers of the city is included.
Dhobi Ghats Visit
Visit to the Dhobi Ghats, thought to be the largest laundry in Asia, is included.
Dharavi Slums Walk
Walk through the Dharavi Slums, made famous on Slumdog Millionaire, is included.
Local Guides
Services of a local tour leader and specialist local guides are included.
Entrance Fees
Entrance fees for the included sightseeing are included.
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What's Not Included
International Flights
International flights are not included but are available on request.
Visa Fees
Visa fees are not included.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory and not included, but available on request.
Personal Expenses
Drinks, snacks, and other personal expenses such as laundry are not included.
Tips
Tips for the driver and/or tour guide are not included.
Unmentioned Items
Any other items not mentioned above are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style and comfort with all transport and transfers provided in air-conditioned minivans or minibuses, ensuring a smooth journey throughout Mumbai.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at a 4-star hotel in Mumbai, offering a relaxing retreat after a day of exploration.
Check out our Q&As
What type of transportation is used during the Mumbai Express tour?
The tour uses air-conditioned minivans or minibuses for transportation.
What kind of accommodation is provided on the Mumbai Express tour?
The tour includes accommodation in a 4-star hotel in Mumbai.
Are airport transfers included in the Mumbai Express tour?
Yes, the tour includes 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer services.
Will there be a guide during the Mumbai Express tour?
Yes, the tour includes the services of a local tour leader and specialist local guides.
What meals are included in the Mumbai Express tour?
Meals are provided as indicated in the itinerary, which includes breakfast on Days 2, 3, and 4.
Is there an opportunity to see a live Bollywood film shooting during the tour?
Yes, the Bollywood Studios Tour may include witnessing a live shooting in progress.
What unique local experiences are included in the Mumbai Express tour?
The tour includes a visit to see the Dabbawalas delivering tiffins, a visit to the Dhobi Ghats, and a walking tour of the Dharavi Slums.
Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure.
Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Reviews from travellers on this tour
EdinburghBlair
Tailor made tour of India
February 2017
This is our fifth trip orgainsed by Encounters and the very efficicient and thougtful Anthony Horrobin and his colleages in India. We travelled in Rajastan and the Punjab. All the key sites eg Taj Mahal, Amber Foort etc are amazing of course but sometimes people do not go further afield. You should! Johdpur and Udaipur have beautiful sites and very attractive hotels and restaurants. They are also excelllent for shopping! Udaipur's lake setting is utterly beautiful. The Amet Haveli on its shores is one of the lovelies hotels I have every stayed in
Amritsar and the Golden Temple are too little visited. They are extraordinary and so full of history.
The Encounters arrangements went without a hitch. Two of the gudes were quite outstanding but all were good. The cars and drivers superb and attentive.
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EdinburghBlair
Encounters Travel - India Temples and Palaces
January 2015
We have just returned from a 15 day tour of Rajastan, Varanasi, Khajuraho and Orcha organised by Encounters. This was brilliantly organised and planned. The staff in the UK (Anthony Horrobin in particular) and India could not do enough to help us. For eg when we were disappointed with one hotel they arranged another heritage one for us. The briefing material was also impeccable.
We were met all over India by helpful courteous people; everything ran like clockwork. The excellent drivers (who have to negotiate some mad traffic and some difficult roads) looked after us as if we were part of their family eg checking we were happy with our hotel, making sure we were not too tired (we are quite old!) They would also show us some of their favorite spots not on the itinerary; special thanks to Man Singh who was with us for a week.
Our guides were also excellent. Of course some were more skillful than others in picking up what we already knew and tailoring their accounts accordingly - (special credit to Vikram Singh Rathore in Jaipur) but all were informative. In response to our questions we also learned a lot about contemporary politics, their own families and aspirations. We particularly enjoyed this and it added to our admiration of this extraordinary country which is achieving so much and has so much still to do. We were sorry to say goodbye to all these people who had helped and entertained us; and we wish we could meet them again.
The hotels we stayed in (some of which we will review separately) were all comfortable and all had excellent staff. Some were beautiful and/or extraordinary eg the Amar Mahal in Orcha (a new hotel built in Mughal style in the enchanting little town of Orcha) and the Malji ka Kamra ( a converted palace) in Churu.
We had booked to go on a group tour but in the end we were the only people on it. So we appreciate we had the huge bonus of exclusive treatment and all the flexibility of a private car. However, even without this all the basic components of the holiday would have been the same.
We will definitely travel with Encounters again (and had already traveled to Egypt with their sister firm Uncover the World). In fact so enthused have we been by this trip that we are asking Encounters what additional trip they can organise to India before our visas run out!
Go for it! You will not be disappointed.
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ccollins2015
India express tour with ranthambore extension
November 2014
My husband and I went on this tour in November 2014. It was an amazing experience. We had never been to India before and I think this was the perfect introduction to the country. Everyone involved with the tour were friendly, informative and helpful. Our driver throughout the nine day india express portion was a consummate professional and lovely person. Everyone has their own idea of what they want in a hotel and in my opinion all the hotels were great and very different from each other. I would say the Jaipur hotel we stayed in was the winner for charm and the Churu hotel the winner for quirkiness. It was certainly a whirlwind nine days and I loved that the company gave us the option to see rural life as well as the more tourist heavy areas( or touristic as the locals called it). The Ranthambore extension gave us another view of the country. We travelled by train and and although we were most interested in seeing tigers, they did not cooperate with us. Everyone said this was a sign that we had to return....and we agreed! We will return to India and it will definitely be through Encounters. We had only ever travelled in Europe and North america before and were nervous about how well organized this trip would be but it ran like clockwork and we quickly relaxed into enjoying the experience. This was the best trip we've ever been on.
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CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of
55%
or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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