Dharavi Community Insight: Guided Tour Through Mumbai's Heart with Local Experiences
4.9
62 Ratings
Mumbai
Immerse yourself in the heart of Mumbai's Dharavi slum through our guided tour led by local guides. Discover the vibrant culture, interact with residents, and support community empowerment.
Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Dharavi - Asia’s largest slum, Dharavi, lies on prime property right in the middle of India’s financial capital, Mumbai (Bombay). It is home to more than a million people. Many are second-generation residents, whose parents moved in years ago. In a city where house rents are among the highest in the world, Dharavi provides a cheap and affordable option to those who move to Mumbai to earn their living. Daily wages here can be as low as 185 rupees ($4/£2.20) per day. As Dharavi is located between Mumbai’s two main suburban rail lines, most people find it convenient for work.

Dharavi also has a large number of thriving small-scale industries that produce embroidered garments, export quality leather goods, pottery, plastic and many more. Most of these products are made in tiny manufacturing units spread across the slum and are sold in domestic as well as international markets. The annual turnover of business here is estimated to be more than $650m (£350m) a year.

The state government has plans to redevelop Dharavi and transform it into a modern township, complete with proper housing and shopping complexes, hospitals and schools.

What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Bottled water
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
Additional Information

Join us on our original and genuine tour through Mumbai’s lively Dharavi slum, conducted by local guides who were raised in the same community. Our guides provide more than textbook knowledge; they recount their personal encounters and narratives to give you an authentic glimpse into the Dharavi lifestyle.

Throughout the tour, you’ll get to immerse yourself in local households and firms, interact with the dwellers, and see the vibrant customs and industrious spirit characteristic of the slums. Our tour package includes a bottle of water and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, complete with hotel pick-up and drop-off for added convenience. Choose our tour for a genuinely captivating and memorable Dharavi experience that outperforms other options.

Through our non-profit organisation, the Young Cares Foundation, we take pride in supporting the Dharavi community. A share of our income is dedicated to advancing education and other ventures to help uplift and enable the Dharavi residents.

Location
Dharavi
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(62 Ratings)
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Richardpg6597rm
Jun 1, 2024
This is the one to book! - Fantastic tour! Alkam, my guide, was very attentive and knowledgeable. Mumbai is a hectic and busy place to visit, but at no time did I feel unsure or worried about my surroundings.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trip14149021127
Apr 26, 2024
Dharavi wow - Amazing experience with a great understanding of life and culture. The tour guide was also very knowledgeable about the history of this region.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dimashchepin
Dec 24, 2023
Dharavi slum tour - Wonderful and a very informative tour done by a very knowledgeable and courteous guide who actually grew up in this area and knew first hand what he was talking about.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Climber54134979168
Nov 17, 2023
Thanks for open new wonderful world - We had great experience in slum. It's was so interested guides show for us all specter life people who lives and works in slum. When we go inside we feeling safety. Thanks for this great experience quys
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sono2023
Oct 26, 2023
Slumtastic - Great tour. Our guide was friendly, fun and informative. He lives in the slums. We learnt a lot while being respectful of residents and people working. I highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Harih442
Oct 16, 2023
A must visit tour and I recommend young tour and travels - Once in a lifetime experience. Rahul was very kind in taking us through the different zones in Dharavi. And finished the tour with a cup of chainat his home. Will definitely recommend this experience through young tour and travels.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chandniarun
Oct 15, 2023
Excellent tour of Dharavi - Absolutely amazing! The guide Mayur was so helpful, speaks excellent English and showed us every nook and cranny with so much patience. Loved the experience and is a must visit !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E3205ftjeffp
Oct 9, 2023
Mind blowing how well the place works - What a relief to hear our guides first words in clear english and also be able to ask questions and be understood. He knew almost everyone we passed as he lives there and I felt completely safe as we worked our way through an absolute maze of narrow laneways and tiny businesses. It completely changed my view of a place to avoid to a place where they all look after each other.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
788elizad
Oct 3, 2023
Amazing - It was amazing! So insightful and a lovely guide. Thank you would very much recommend. Don’t miss out!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jet34820970611
Nov 2, 2023
An okay tour of Dharavi. - Rahul went out of his way to be helpful in many ways. He’d assigned us another guide, but upon hearing that we’d specifically picked him given the reviews that mention him, he rearranged his schedule to accompany us. He kindly helped with my phone recharge as well, and was thoughtful and pleasant throughout the tour. He took us through the different sections of Dharavi, both commercial and residential, and provided light commentary along the way. Unfortunately, having done this tour a few years ago with a different company, we were disappointed by the lack of substance and knowledge imparted. We also paid extra for a 3-hour tour including Dhobhi Ghat, but that was merely getting out of the train, taking a couple photos, and hearing about it for a few minutes before we were back on our way. We were done with the full tour, meetup downtown to goodbyes, in 2 hours on the dot. At the end, Rahul welcomed us into his home and asked us to take a few minutes to leave the review, which may explain a lot of the glowing commentaries. Overall, he is a positive force in his neighborhood (particularly with schoolchildren for whom he arranges free teaching) and the money is for a good cause, which is why we have no regrets. Note, however, that most of the genuine Dharavi tours also give back a significant portion to their community.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
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June 2024
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