ferry to Elephanta Caves

just wondering if it's true all the hawkers at Gateway of India charge same fee (ie my host said it's govt regulated trip) and if so how much should I be paying to get to the caves, and I would assume it's round trip

once there is it self guided and can I return at my leisure or must I stay w/ same group & return same boat?

tia

Yes dear, its a round trip. You have to buy ticket from gateway of India, take a ferry and visit elephenta caves. you can return by any ferry with tickets.

regards
Udai,Jaipur

Hopefully someone who has been recently can confirm but I'd say around Rs 150 round-trip for the ferry ride (about 1 hour) to the island.
There's no official group, just a bunch of people who bought a ticket to ride the ferry, that's it. Also not exact same boat but launch/ferries usually run every 1/2 hr from Gateway of India and same for return in the afternoon. Check timings b/c the last one leaves Elephanta around 5ish p.m. or at least used to.

It's self-guided, but watch out for touts or "guides" coming right for ya as soon as the launch arrives. If you decide to get a guide, negotiate the price beforehand. Bargain hard.

Don't take food or drinks because the place is crawling with monkeys. I've seen families on the boat who've packed lunches and expect to have a picnic there. The monkeys end up with the food! I don't begrudge them the food, but some can get pretty aggressive.

thanks for the tips about the monkeys!
it's so hot you nearly need to take a bottle of water but...??

still wondering if anyone has gone lately and knows price and whether "touts" compete with price (for the ferry itself) or if the price is fixed (so many came up to me trying to get me on different boats the other day when I had other plans)

The best way is to go to the counters near the Gateway of India where they sell the tickets in a few kiosks. There is a fixed rate for the two types of ferry boats that take you to the Elephanta Islands and the cost is Rs100 and Rs120. Take the higher priced boat as it is safer and better. It is the price for a return ticket but when returning do not take the cheaper priced boat even though it is possible to do so. The price for the caves entrance ticket is Rs250 and a small tax of Rs5 is to be paid at the entrance gate to the islands as soon as you get off the ferry. There is a small toy train that takes you up to the steps from the jetty but it is not worth taking it. The climb up to the caves via a lot of stone steps is full of small stalls selling all kinds of souvenirs and it is best to avoid buying them from here unless you know how to bargain very well and also know the actual price of the item you are buying. At the entrance of the caves there is a small museum which has a nice introduction to the caves and also has a few sculptures from the caves complex. It also has a lovely collection of photographs of the other caves in Maharashtra and India. Before you enter the caves complex there will be many unofficial guides offering to explain the caves to you but steer clear of them since there is a free official guide provided by the government of India inside the caves complex and s/he takes trips around the caves every half hour in the mornings till about 2pm. The guide explains everything in English as well as Hindi depending on the tourists visiting at the time but you will always find some foreigners around so go together to the guide to get an explanation in English. There is a small guide book available at the small stalls along the steps which is not worth more than Rs20 at the most so do not pay anything more than that even if they show you a printed price of Rs100 on it!!! There are several small restaurants at the entrance of the jetty as well as just before the caves entrance and you can get your mineral water bottles as well as some light snacks if you feel hungry. The monkeys are pretty smart so don't carry any food items open in your hands. Carry your own water and don't buy it on the boat or island as it costs much more there. Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Aadil.

wow thanks aadil that is awesome info exactly what I was looking for

thanks!
I may go tomorrow

Ha ha, i remember

My wife had to throw away her fried corn cause a monkey was attacking her. Well thats her side of story...


Remember to go early as this trip will take time

Good to hear that, hope you leave early in the morning and reach the caves before it gets too hot. Ask for the free government appointed guide at the caves to explain the panels at the main cave.

Cheers,
Aadil.

Did you make it to the Elephanta Caves? The huge stone elephant after which the caves were named is now at the Byculla Zoo in front of the Bhai Daji Lad Museum (erstwhile Victoria & Albert Museum) along with a few of the statues from the British Era like Queen Victoria and some of the other British statesmen. The museum is lovely with with lots of old models, pictures and maps depicting the history, culture and people of Mumbai city. Hope you find this interesting too.

Cheers,
Aadil.

Aadil has given very good information. Further to caves, there are some more things to see once on the islands. This island consists of 2 hillocks. You can climb upto Canon hill to see the canons posted there and to get a spectacular view of Mumbai & the sea.

You'll find many nimbu-pani walas on the way up.

P.S.- If you want to see pictures and some more info, you can visit my site. I have written a complete travelogue there.

Adding to the excellent details provided by Aadil, the guide book published by the ASI [Archaeological Survey of India] at Rs100/- is well written and worth buying. It is available at the caves ticket counter. Agree with Nisha, Cannon Hill is worth the climb. There is an interesting alternate pathway to get there, which begins after the last cave of the main caves complex. Diya cha Dongar has ancient Buddhist finds for those who have the time and inclination; and a walk down to the check dam or around the island in the morning is good for birdwatching - of the feathered variety!

can i still visit the caves during august

Erm! Why would it not be possible then?

The ferry services are suspended during monsoons.

No, you can not. Ferries do not ply during monsoons. Read here for details.