elephanta island guide scam

hazyjane

At the end of February I showed up in Bombay all wide-eyed and innocent to start my southern India tour. First stop was Elephanta Island. I bought a "deluxe" ticket for the ferry over and printed on the ticket it said a guide would be provided included in the price. My lonely planet had also said this would be the case, so I wasn't surprised when I got off the boat and a man approached my travel companion and me claiming to be the guide. If it hadn't been my first day in India, it would have rung some alarm bells that no one else on the boat, all Indian folks, got approached.

The two hour tour was fine, not spectacular and not very informative but he carried my daypack for me which was kind of heavy so I was appreciative. At the end he said "lets get a drink" so we went in the restaurant at the bottom of the hill and my friend and I ordered a big Kingfisher to share and the guide ordered a large beer too plus some snacks. After we finished I turned to him and thanked him for the tour, handing him 200 rupees for a tip. He then acted like he couldn't believe it, and said his fee was 1200! When I told him it said on my ticket that a guide was included he acted like he didn't know what I was talking about.

We had an argument in the side room of the restaurant (where he'd made sure we were seated) and I felt pretty uncomfortable because the waiter was looking on suspiciously, and I still don't know what would have happened if we hadn't sorted it out amicably. I got my stuff and started walking away without giving any money. Hower, my friend, who's even more of a sucker than me, ended up giving him 500 rupees and paying for his food and drink.

So, I'm posting this as a heads up to anyone else who goes to Elephanta - if you want a guide, make sure you reiterate what you think the terms are before you set out! Sounds pretty obvious I know - again, in my defense, it was my first day in the country (which is probably true for many of the western tourists who turn up at Elephanta).

LuAnnandJawahar

My first time out to Elephanta, a "guide" approached me. I said no thanks repeatedly and he followed me to the the first shack on the pier where some policemen were hanging out. I acted like I was going to approach them, and he disappeared. However, going up the hill he was on me again. He followed me the entire hour I was on the Island, talking the entire time, and only left me when I started my descent. I never saw another policeman or I would have approached them.

But...I've been back several times and never had a problem. BTW I don't remember any of the tickets ever including a guide. You did the right thing to give Rs 200 and walk away. Very good for your first day!

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bingleypeabs

When I went to Elephanta, thankfully someone warned me to wait until I got through the gateway at the top of the hill. A beautiful government guide was there and took three of us round the caves on a full and interesting tour and refused any tip at the end.