Kanheri Caves Tour
About this tour
An hour and a half north of the Gateway of India, inside a national park that shares its boundary with the city, 109 caves are cut into a basalt hillside. Monks began carving them in the 1st century BCE and did not stop for a thousand years.
Kanheri was a monastery, a university and a stop on an ancient trade route that reached Persia and Rome. Most visitors to Mumbai never hear of it, which is part of why it is worth the drive.
What you will experience
- Kanheri Caves: 109 caves cut into a single basalt hillside between the 1st and 10th centuries
- Cave 3, the great prayer hall, with 34 stone pillars and two standing Buddhas over five metres tall
- Ancient rainwater channels and rock-cut cisterns that still hold water today
- Stone benches, beds and staircases carved from solid rock where monks lived and studied
- A drive through Sanjay Gandhi National Park, a rainforest inside a city of twenty million
- Deer, langurs and hundreds of bird species along the forest road
- Optional stop at the Global Vipassana Pagoda, one of the largest stone domes in the world
What is included
- Private air-conditioned car and driver for the full six hours
- Expert English-speaking local guide
- Hotel, Airbnb, airport or cruise terminal pickup and drop-off
- National park entry and Kanheri Caves entrance fees, paid by us
- All parking charges, tolls and fuel
- Bottled drinking water
Meeting point
Common questions
The earliest date from around the 1st century BCE and carving continued into the 10th century. For a thousand years this was a working Buddhist monastery and centre of learning.
About 40 kilometres north, roughly ninety minutes each way depending on traffic. That is why we run it as a private car tour rather than expecting you to find your own way.
There are stone steps between cave levels and some uneven ground. The main caves, including the great prayer hall, are reached without a hard climb. Tell us about any mobility concerns and we will advise honestly.
Yes. National park entry and the cave entrance fee are charged per person and are included in the price. There is nothing further to pay.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park has deer, langurs, butterflies and hundreds of bird species. Sightings are never guaranteed but the drive through the forest is worth it in itself. Leopards live in the park and are almost never seen.
Yes. Children usually enjoy the forest drive and exploring the caves. Closed-toe shoes and water are essential.
Yes, and it fits the day well. Tell us when booking and we will build it in.
The park and caves are open daily, though timings can change on public holidays. We confirm before your booking.
Often booked together
Booking more than one tour? Contact us and we will build a combined itinerary with a single guide across your day.