Guided tour

Dharavi Walking Tour with Options

Guided tour

Dharavi Walking Tour with Options

Activity provider: Reality Tours and Travel

From US$ 43 per person

Experience Asia's largest slum in a personal and responsible way. Participate in a private walking tour for yourself or your own group, and engage with locals in a respectful way to learn more about the realities of India's slums.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 2.5 - 3.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English
Pickup optional
Churchgate Station - There are four entrances to Churchgate Station, including two subways. Once inside the station, go to “Wheeler” Convenience Store, about 30 metres before the platforms OR Mahim Station - We meet at the main entrance and ticket office on the West side of the station. To check if you are in the right spot, verify that V-Jai Restaurant and Bakery is opposite and Cafe Coffee Day is diagonally opposite.

Experience

Highlights
  • Observe the various businesses that flourish here, including recycling, food production, and leather
  • Participate in an award-winning activity that is non-intrusive and educational
  • Benefit from hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Choose from additional options to gain deeper understanding of the community
Full description
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.
Includes
  • English-speaking guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food
Not suitable for
  • People with mobility impairments
  • Wheelchair users

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Water

Not allowed

  • Cameras
  • Baby strollers
  • Luggage or large bags
  • Sleeveless shirts

Know before you go

  •  Please wear modest clothing, no low-cut or sleeveless tops or short shorts are allowed
  •  Guests are recommended to wear comfortable closed-toe walking shoes as some areas can be dirty, especially during the monsoon months from June to mid September
  •  This is a private activity and can be booked for up to 4 people in a single booking
  •  This tour is not recommended for people with limited mobility.
  •  This tour has a strict no-photography policy to respect the privacy of local residents
Customer reviews

Overall rating

5 /5

based on 3 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    5/5
  • Transportation
    5/5
  • Value for money
    5/5
  • Service
    5/5

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Star rating:

A slum is a dangerous image, but the slum here did not feel that way. It has become one city, and I got a positive impression of doing various jobs and businesses in the slums. I saw many small children, and they were all cheerful. I had a cute smile. I hope it gets better and better.

February 18, 2020

August 15, 2019

A great onsite to how Indian’s in slums live

Loved the tour and was very informative and enlightening. We understand no not taking of photos but also felt it was a pity as we would have liked to have shared what we saw and experienced as it is very inspirational

August 21, 2019

Product ID: 260117