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Gay India Travel: Mumbai Stopover Tour
Here's the city "Slumdog Millionaire" made famous. Actually, Mumbai was pretty famous already, considering the contributions made by Queen Victoria, Bollywood, Rudyard Kipling and even Shirley Temple. It's a pity that most visitors skip this most cosmopolitan of India's great cities. We think Mumbai is an ideal addition to your itinerary, whether this is your first or tenth journey through India.
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Important note: Tour guides in Mumbai are allocated from a "guide pool" by the government tourist office on a rotation basis and it is not possible to guarantee the quality of any guide in advance, although we do our best to request compatible guides.
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Don't skip historic Mumbai, India's Wall Street and BollywoodDon't call it Bombay. While New Delhi may be the administrative capital of the world's largest democracy, Mumbai is her economic heart, and quickly growing to be one of the world's largest centers of finance and technology. It is also India's gayest city. While Mumbai dates to the twelfth century, buildings and monuments from the Victorian British colonial era seems to overshadow all. Rudyard Kipling was born here, and Mahatma Gandhi initiated his Quit India Campaign here, which eventually ended British rule. Mumbai is still one of India's busiest seaports, and home to some of India's most modern architecture. Begin any day you like since this trip uses a private car, driver and guide.
Late evening arrival at Mumbai airport. We greet you and assist where necessary, then transport you to your hotel. If your flight arrives at a different time we will adjust the itinerary to accommodate you.
Start the day with a visit to the Elephanta Caves situated on an island and famous for the stone carvings inside. From the Gateway of India you will be ferried to the island. Climb the flight of stairs top reach Cave Temple, the pride of Elephanta. As you enter the cave observe the emotional nuances adorning the panels depicting Natraja, a vivid portrayal of Shiva, the god of destruction. Inside the cave gaze up in the large pillared hall with rows of columns that appear to hold up the roof of the cave. We will take you deep into the inner recesses of the cave to show you the famous Mahesamurti an exquisitely-carved three-headed representation of Shiva (also called Mahesha). You can also see some more mesmerizing panels in the cave. The statue of The Trinity, the three Indian Gods, Bramha (creation), Vishnu (preservation), and Mahesha (destruction). In the afternoon, visit the Gateway of India that was originally envisaged as a ceremonial disembarkation point for passengers alighting from P & O Steamers. Walk up to the Prince of Wales Museum, a distinctive Raj-era building housing a superb collection of diverse Indian paintings. Also visit Victoria Terminus, one of the world's great railway stations and the city's most exuberant Italian Gothic building, looking like a lavishly decorated cathedral or palace. Next, on to Crawford Market, where Bombay shops for fruits and vegetables. Dhobi Ghaat is where most of Bombay's clothes are still washed communally by hand. End the day with a memorable sunset drive through Marine Drive, one of Bombay's most popular promenades.
We deliver you to the airport for your onward flight to Udaipur, Jaipur, Delhi or beyond. If you are lucky enough to have the morning off there are quite a few things you can add to your Mumbai adventure on your own. Start with St. Thomas' Cathedral, which exudes the strong essence of the British Colonial life in Victorian times. You almost expect Shirley Temple to sit in the next pew. If you are in the mood to shop, head for either Fashion Street or Central Cottage Industries Emporium. (Your hotel will point you in the right direction.) You can even take in a cricket or polo match or check out the cruisy beach. For a taste of the good life, ask a taxi to take you around Bandra, Mumbai's Beverly Hills, where you might catch a glimpse of a Bollywood star.
Custom vacations are our specialty. If this travel package is not exactly what you are looking for, we may be able to modify it to make it a perfect fit. |
