Project Tag: slum tour

Dhobi Ghat

Dhobi Ghat Tour

Discover Mumbai’s Iconic Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat with a Guided Tour

Immerse yourself in Mumbai’s culture and history with a guided tour of the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat, the city’s largest open-air laundry facility.

Discover the traditional way of washing clothes in Mumbai with a guided tour of the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat. This iconic open-air laundry facility has been in operation for over a century and provides a glimpse into the city’s history and culture. Additionally, Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat Mumbai is the world’s largest open-air laundry. People bring dirty clothes from all over Mumbai. And hundreds of washermen and women – dhobis, work their shifts through the day to get the clothes back to their fresh, crisp, and spotless state.

However, During the tour, you’ll learn about the history and significance of the Dhobi Ghat. While some dhobi families take help from machines too, much of the activities at this Dhobi Ghat of Mumbai are taken care of by hand. Every family member takes care of their part. One person flogs the clothes in the washing trough, while others hang them out to dry. Then someone will mint the clothes using bulky charcoal irons.

Things to do at Mumbai Dhobi Ghat

1. Watching the organized chaos at the laundry – Dhobi Ghat laundry in Mumbai is one of the top tourist destinations in the city. It buzzes with washers and the smell of washing soda and other chemicals all day long. Moreover, You can watch the well-managed manual laundry system here. While one dhobi sorts the clothes as per their colors and types, another one will beat the stains out of clothes; and yet another member of the family hangs them on the lines to dry.

Mumbai Dhobi Ghat also has separate sections to boil water and wash infected clothes from hospitals. And while the washed clothes are being ironed before delivery, more porters come in with fresh piles of dirty clothes.

2. Knowing about the life of washermen and women – This Dhobi Ghat in Mumbai is managed by the people who work there, and they’re more than eager to share their stories with travelers. Learn about the entire process, hear about their daily struggles at work, and play a game or two of marbles with the kids there. You might also grab some helpful washing tips to take back home.

3. Clicking colorful photographs of clotheslines – Dhobi Ghat Mumbai sightseeing is also popular among photographers. Rows of colorful clothes drying in the sun streamlined displays of monochrome linens from hospitals and hotels, and happy faces behind the water splashes are all different frames you can capture. In addition, The patient photographers can also click piles of clothes loaded on porters’ backs, their cycles, and handcarts wheeled in and out.

Time: Morning 9 am the best time to start.

Tour Duration 30 mins

Cost: INR 600/- Per Person ( Group Tour )

Meeting Point:

Labela Collection at the Tea stall opposite of Dhobi Ghat Entrance

26-40, Anandilal P Marg, Dhobi Ghat, Shanti Nagar, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400020

How to Reach Dhobi Ghat Mumbai?

Dhobi Ghat is in proximity to many other tourist spots in Mumbai. To reach Dhobi Ghat, Mahalaxmi Mumbai station is the nearest local railway station here are the various ways to reach Mumbai –

By Road – Mumbai has regular buses to various parts of India. The Mumbai Central bus stop is only about 2 km away from Dhobi Ghat.

By Rail – Railways are the lifeline of Mumbai, and regular trains connect it to different corners of India. While Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is 6 km away from Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai Central is at a distance of 3 km. Suburban railway stations like Bandra Terminus, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, and others also have many trains coming from different towns.

Note: you can add the Dharavi slum tour with local train ride experience it will be INR 1000/- per person extra

CLICK HERE FOR BOOKINGS!!

Some Pictures of Dhobi Ghat Tour

> For any Further Queries please connect with us and we shall be glad to assist You.

Contact us at +91 900413 5215

Email: info@mumbaidreamtours.com

FAQs

How do I get to Dhobi Ghat in Mumbai?

Dhobi Ghat is approximately 25 km away from Mumbai and is well connected by train. You need to take a local train and get down to Mahalaxmi station.

What does Dhobi Ghat mean?

Dhobi Ghat is a place where the washerman and women wash clothes. A person washing the clothes is known as Dhobi and the ghat is the ultimate source of water that they use to ensure clothes are properly washed. In Mumbai, more than 50% of the population’s clothes are washed here.

Where is dhobi ghat?

Dhobi Ghat is located at a distance of 25 km away from Mumbai that is at Mahalaxmi. This place is right in the heart of Mumbai and is easily accessible.

What is the story of Dhobi Ghat?

Dhobi Ghat was started 140 years ago by an association of washermen in the Victorian era. Earlier there were only a few people working but in later years the entire region turned it up into their occupation. This is the only place from the British era whose name was not changed as is the same for about 140 years.

Dabbawala Tour

Dabbawala Tour

Meet The Dabbawalas of Mumbai! The real Hero of Mumbai.

For anyone who has ever been to Mumbai, the Dabbawala Tour is a special class of people who everyone knows! For the uninitiated though – Who is a Dabbawalla?

The word “dabbawala” in Hindi when literally translated, means “one who carries a box”. “Dabba” means a box (usually a cylindrical tin or aluminum container). The closest meaning of the dabbawala in English would be the “lunch box delivery man”

Each day throughout the city of Mumbai, 5,000 of the dabbawalas deliver some 130,000 dabbas to offices throughout the metropolis. In the nearly 120 years of this service, the dabbawalas’ approach has remained consistent: a semi-literate workforce (the dabbawalas) pick up the filled dabbas from the households that prepare them and deliver the boxes to the requisite offices; they then retrieve the empty dabbas from these delivery points and returned them to the originating households, in order to begin the process again the next day. Roughly 260,000 transactions are completed within 6 hours each day, 6 days a week, 51 weeks a year, and operating at a quality level comparable to Six Sigma processes. 

Moreover, this operational excellence is accomplished in the absence of technology, such as computers or even cell phones. Stories – like the remarkable one that the Dabbawalas have, inspire teams to relook at their own paradigms with fresh new eyes.

>Dhobi Ghat ( Open Air-Laundry )

(Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat) is a well-known open-air laundromat in Mumbai, India. The washers, locally known as Dhobis, work in the open to wash the clothes from Mumbai’s hotels and hospitals. There are rows of open-air concrete wash pens, each fitted with its own flogging stone. Called the world’s largest outdoor laundry, Dhobi Ghat is a very popular attraction among foreign tourists.

The word Dhobi Ghat is used all over India to refer to any place where many washers are present. It is located next to Mahalaxmi railway station on the Western Railway’s Saat Rasta roundabout. It can be easily seen from the flyover bridge of Mahalaxmi station.

In 2013, World Records India and World Amazing Records honored World Record Certificate to Dhobi Kalyan.

>Why Dharavi is the heart of Mumbai? ( Slum Tour )

Dharavi slum was founded in 1882 during the British Raj yet remains to be an iconic destination for city lovers. Asia’s largest slum Dharavi lies on prime property right in the middle of India’s financial capital, Mumbai.  Dharavi is much more than a historic area of Mumbai’s poverty. Most of these things are created innovatively, in very small spaces!

We are pleased to welcome you to witness the hidden treasures of Mumbai. Our walking tours through the industries and residential areas of Dharavi show the unique strengths, opportunities, and challenges of the community. Our aim is to raise awareness while dispelling the negative attitudes many people have about slums. The tour offers walking through the narrow alleyways of Dharavi for 2.5 hours. The tour will then end with visiting a KumbharWada pottery colony, where visitors will get to have a unique glimpse of artisans creating all types of pots out of unfired, sun-dried clay.

Some of the areas will be familiar if you have seen the film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ as much of the film was shot in Dharavi.

>TOUR HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DABBAWALA TOUR
  • Dabbawala ( Real Hero )
  • Dhobi Ghat ( Open Air Laundry )
  • A place where Slumdog Millionaire was shot
  • Leather Industries
  • Pottery
  • Making of soap
  • Bakery 
  • Color Dye
  • Small Alley
  • Schools & Hospitals
  • Houses in Slum
  • Plastic Recycling
  • Muslim people making a shrine for Hindus
  • Recycling of veg oil can
  • The most interesting thing is that Guide himself lives in slums
  • Slum market
.>PRICING:
  • Group Tour: INR 2000/- Rupees per person. (minimum 2 people for Booking) You will be accompanied by up to four other travelers.
  • Private Tour: INR 3000/- Rupees Per Person.
>Extra Things to Add:
  • Pickup and Drop: INR 6200/- You can bring a maximum of six people on your private tour. (For larger groups, please get in touch)
  • Learn Pottery: INR 300/- per person (Get hands-on with pottery Making. by visiting a local potter’s workshop—where we’ll get a general overview of pottery making and have a go at wheel throwing and making a piece of Kumbharwada art )
  • Lunch with Family: INR 300/- per person ( End of the tour, lunch with a nearby family home for a Vegetarian Meal. Get comfortable and feast the local way, sitting on the floor and eating with your hands )
  • Mehendi artists ( Henna ): INR 500/- per Hand (one side)  The blushing moment you found in Our Dharavi community with a Professional Henna artist.
>TIME:
  • Operates Monday to Saturday ( you will not see Dabbawalas on Sunday )
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Morning Tour: 11 AM from ( Churchgate Ticket counter Near Book Stall )
  • Afternoon Tour: 1:30 PM (13:30) Churchgate Ticket Window Near Book Stall
>MEETING LOCATION:
  • Morning Tour: Churchgate Railway station Near the Ticket window.

Meeting Point:

CLICK FOR BOOKINGS!!

Some Pictures of Our Dabbawala Tour

> For any Further Queries please connect with us and we shall be glad to assist You.

Contact us at +91 900413 5215

Email: info@mumbaidreamtours.com

Mumbai City Tour

Explore the Best of the Mumbai Sightseeing Tour

Our Mumbai City Tour is the best in town, led by expert English-speaking tour guides who know the hidden history of Bombay that you won’t find in any books. With years of experience, our guides are well-equipped to lead Western tourists on guided tours for both business and leisure.

Featuring British Monuments, Markets, Laundry, and Temples, this is one of the top Mumbai City Sightseeing tours. Our private Mumbai tour guide and car transfer will ensure you have the best experience possible.

Mumbai is a city that is best explored by a guide. Our guided tour of Mumbai City takes you to all the major landmarks and sights. Experience the journey from real to reel, where you can see the best of Mumbai. It’s the ultimate dream come true!

Highlights of the Mumbai City Tour

  • Gateway of India – built to welcome King George V and Queen Mary into India
  • Taj Mahal Palace Hotel 
  • Mumbai University – British heritage building built in 1857
  • Rajabai Clock Towers – Big Ben of India
  • Watson’s Hotel Ruins – Tata was refused entry into this hotel and so he built the Taj Mahal Hotel
  • Oval Cricket Ground – The place where we play the most beloved sport in India
  • Bombay High Court – Beautiful British Heritage Building
  • Victoria Terminus Train Station (CST) – UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Municipality Building – Another marvelous Colonial building
  • Drive past Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach
  • Mani Bhavan – Gandhi Musume
  • Kamala Nehru Park – Skyline view of the city & Old Woman’s shoe
  • Hanging Gardens – Gardens built on top of water tanks near the Tower of Silence (Parsi burial place)
  • Dhobi Ghat – Open Air Laundry where clothes are washed in full view of the public
  • It also includes driving past many British Heritage Buildings like Flora Fountain & Hutatma Chowk, Telegraph Office, India Post Office Building, and Kala Ghoda Area.

>PRICING:

  • Up to 2 Person: INR 6000/-
  • Up to 3 Person: INR 7000/-
  • Up to 5 Person INR 9000/-
  • Contact us for larger Groups

>TIME:

  • Operates Every Day
  • Duration: 5-6 Hours
  • Private Time: Flexible – Suggested at 8:30 AM or 2 PM (14:00)
  • End Time: Flexible – Depending on the pre-arranged start time

>Inclusions

  • Entrance fees to all site attractions
  • Cultured, professional, highly qualified, and knowledgeable Guide
  • Hotel/Airport/Cruise pickup and drop-off
  • Transport by air-conditioned vehicle

>Exclusions

  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Food and drink

>Suggitions:

CLICK FOR BOOKINGS!!

Mumbai City Sightseeing Tour Review

Some Pictures of the Mumbai City Tour

Some frequently asked questions:

What are the must-visit attractions in Mumbai?

Some of the must-visit attractions in Mumbai include the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Elephanta Caves, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and Mani Bhavan

What is the best time to visit Mumbai?

The best time to visit Mumbai is from November to February when the weather is pleasant and comfortable for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

What is the local cuisine in Mumbai?

Mumbai is famous for its street food, which includes vada pav, pav bhaji, bhel puri, and sev puri. It’s also known for its seafood and Parsi cuisine.

Is it possible to customize a Mumbai city tour?

Yes, some tour providers may offer the option to customize your itinerary based on your preferences and interests. It’s best to check with the provider beforehand to confirm if customization is possible.

How long does a Mumbai city tour take?

A Mumbai city tour can vary in duration depending on the itinerary and the provider. Typically, a full-day tour lasts around 8-10 hours, while a half-day tour lasts around 4-5 hours.

> For any Further Queries please connect with us and we shall be glad to assist You.

Contact us at +91 900413 5215

Email: info@mumbaidreamtours.com

Website: www.mumbaidreamtours.com

Dharavi Slum Tour

  • Mumbai Dharavi slum Tour
  • Mumbai Dharavi slum Tour

Visit Asia’s Largest Slum, DHARAVI: The Heart of Mumbai. 

Why is Dharavi the heart of Mumbai?

Dharavi is one of the largest slums in Asia. Dharavi’s economic output is estimated to be approximately 1 billion US dollars annually much of that revenue is generated by Rubie’s informal recycling industry over 20 million people live in Mumbai they produce over 6,500 tons of garbage every single day over 85% of that waste is recycled. Normally people think slum is all poor people left there but we are trying to show the different set of Dharavi slums which is a sense of community and friendly and hard work hard-working people have is a place where many different kinds of people live there are very poor people and also very very rich also people who export stuff from here who make millions of rupees so it’s a city within the city.
We love doing these tours in Dharavi because this is not a monument where information is always the same here we meet the real people and the real side of the slum and this is how we are trying to change the legend about the Dharavi slums in Mumbai.
Dharavi slums in Mumbai the DHARAVI’s one of the most vibrant centers for extreme entrepreneurship on our Planet. It has a large number of thriving small-scale industries that produce Plastic Recycling, export quality leather goods, pottery, embroidered garments, and many more. Most of these products are made in tiny manufacturing and sold in domestic as well as international markets. Most of these things are created innovatively, in a very small space!
The most interesting thing that guides him is living in the Dharavi slum

Highlights of the Dharavi Slum Tour

  • The place where Slumdog Millionaire was shot
  • Leather Industries
  • Pottery
  • Making of soap
  • Bakery
  • Color Dye
  • Small Alley
  • Schools & Hospitals
  • Houses in Slum
  • Plastic Recycling
  • Muslim people making a shrine for Hindus
  • Recycling of veg oil can
  • The most interesting thing is that Guide himself lives in slums
  • Slum market
>PRICING:
  • Group Tour: INR 800/- Rupees per person. You will be accompanied by other travelers.
  • Private Tour: INR 2,000/- Rupees per person
  • For larger groups, please get in touch
>Extra Things to Add:
  • Pickup and Drop: INR 3500/- swift car upto 3 person 
  • Learn Pottery: INR 300/- per person (Get hands-on with pottery Making. by visiting a local potter’s workshop—where we’ll get a general overview of pottery making and have a go at wheel throwing and making a piece of Kumbharwada art )
  • Lunch with Family: INR 300/- per person ( End of the tour, lunch with a nearby family home for a Vegetarian Meal. Get comfortable and feast the local way, sitting on the floor and eating with your hands )
  • Mehendi artists ( Henna ): INR 500/- per Hand (one side)  The blushing moment you found in Our Dharavi community with a Professional Henna artist.
>TIME:
  • Operates every day
  • Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours
  • Morning Tour: 10:00 AM
  • Afternoon Tour: 2:00 PM
  • Evening Tour: 5:00 PM
>MEETING LOCATION:
  • Third Wave Cafe Shop is Just opposite Mahim West Railway station.
  • Tip Road, Unit no.58, Ground floor Ram Mahal Building, Senapathi, Senapati Bapat Marg, Station, Mahim, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400016 (Google Map) https://goo.gl/maps/qet1YSS94CUeJ8eb8
>What To Wear:
  • Please wear modest clothing (for women: no sleeveless shirts, short shorts, or low tops) and closed-toed shoes.
>Suggitions:
  • You can Book Dabbawala Tour so You can get two more spots to explore: Dhobi Ghat & Meet Dabbawalas with Mumbai Local Train Ride.
  • you can also combine your slum tour with the Mumbai city Tour or other Tours in Mumbai.

Meeting Point:

CLICK FOR BOOKINGS!!

Dharavi Slum Tour Review

Some Pictures of the Dharavi Slum Tour

> For any Further Queries please connect with us and we shall be glad to assist You.

Contact us at +91 900413 5215

Email: info@mumbaidreamtours.com

FAQs

Where is Dharavi?

Dharavi is situated between Mahim and Sion – two areas at the northern tip of South Mumbai, just before the suburbs commence (Bandra and Kurla). It is sandwiched between the Western and Central Railway lines. It is about 10km south of the International Airport and 18km north of Colaba, the main tourist area.

What will I see in Dharavi?

We focus on the small-scale industries in Dharavi, such as recycling, the making of clay pots, embroidery, bakery, soap factory, leather tanning, papad (poppadom) making, and many others, most of which take place in very small spaces. We also pass by the residential areas, where you really get a feel of how the people live and the sense of community that exists in the area.
People from all over India and from all religions live in Dharavi, and you will see this diversity. On the tour, you will pass Hindu temples, mosques, and churches in the area.

Is Dharavi safe?

Although we cannot take responsibility should anything happen, we believe that the places that we visit are very safe. There are a lot of people in Dharavi (one million approximately in an area of 0.7 square miles) and there is a strong police presence in the area. Dharavi is generally full of hard-working, honest people, although for security purposes we ask you not to take valuables with you on the tour.
In the small alleys, you have to be careful of low-hanging roofs, open drains, and occasionally exposed electric wires. Also, in some of the factories that we visit, there are fumes that can be hazardous.

Is Dharavi hygienic?

With the very high density of population and the limited infrastructure and sanitation facilities, there are areas that are quite dirty and smelly. We ask you to wear covered shoes.

What clothing should be worn on the slum tours?

We recommend that you wear covered shoes as some areas can be dirty, especially during the monsoon months from June to mid-September. We request that you do not wear clothes that might offend the residents such as low-cut shirts, short shorts/pants, etc.