Mumbai & Varanasi: A trip for the Photographer in you

Mumbai is the financial capital of India. It’s a melting pot where people from different states, castes, creeds, sects, all come together and live in absolute harmony. With a population of around more than 10 million, this place is one of the most populated places on earth. They say this city attracts people like a magnet and doesn’t let them leave. You will witness this yourself.

• Meet & Greet at airport. Proceed and Check In to your hotel. Relax for sometime.
• In sometime, head to Juhu Beach and check out the vibrancies of this place.
• Later, proceed the famous Iskcon Temple of Juhu – a temple created by the devotees of Lord Sri Krishna.

Be ready for a day long sightseeing of this city. The car driver has a lot to cover today. Few places worth mentioning here – 

• Bandra Fort – an old fort to capture the beauty of this sea side city
• Bollywood Star Bungalows - can be seen on the way
• Dhobi Ghat (Open Air Laundry) - Called the world's largest outdoor laundry, Dhobi Ghat is a very popular attraction among foreign tourists. For 18 to 20 hours each day, over 7,000 people flog, scrub, dye and bleach clothes on concrete wash pens, dry them on ropes, neatly press them and transport the garments to different parts of the city. Over one lakh clothes are washed each day.
• Mani Bhavan (Gandhi House Museum) 
• Shri Shri Radha Gopinath Iskcon Temple
• Babulnath Shiva Temple (Optional)
• Kamla Nehru Park / Hanging Garden (Shoes House)
• Antilla (Billionar Mukesh Ambani House)*
• Haji Ali (Floating Mosque) - unbelievable scenes during the dawn

Post breakfast, check out a bit early and head to Ajanta Ellora Caves. You would be stunned at the brilliance of this cave, which was hand carved into a hill side rock. They date back to 2^nd Century BC and are a UNESCO heritage site. Ideal spot for photography.

Later proceed to the busy and bustling Crawford Market, one of the world’s largest consumer market. Want some souvenirs? Head to to Colaba Causeway. The vibes of this place is infectious.

Here are other spots which we cover today -

• Gateway of India 
• Taj Hotel - the iconic hotel where the infamous shootout took place.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Victoria Terminus) – Get amazed at this gothic architecture
• Marine Drive (Queens Necklace) – The skyline of Mumbai
• Girgaum Chowpatty 
• Antilla (Billionar Mukesh Ambani House)*
• Haji Ali (Floating Mosque)
• Prince of Wales Museum (Optional Entrance fees Extra) 
• National Museum of Indian Cinema (Optional Entrance fees Extra) – usually loved by the photographers, artists, designers etc.

Please note: at some places, camera entry would be charged separately.

Dharavi – The world’s largest slums. While we see them as slums, be surprised to see the contrasting life of this place. 2 hours of Guided tour of this place where you cover following places -

Recycling Area

Metal and plastic comes from all over the world to Dharavi to be recycled. See the entire recycling process from sorting to the finished plastic pellets.

Rooftop Visit - The tin hutments that house so many human lives stretch on as far as you can see. You will never forget this view!

Community Centre - Supported by funds from the tour, this centre provides education in English, computers and life skills to the teenagers and young adults of Dharavi.

Popaddom Making - Two tons of food is produced every day in Dharavi and a large part of that is popaddoms, the essential appetizer or side dish of many Indian meals. They are typically made by women in Dharavi in the residential areas.

Kumbharwada Pottery Colony - The Kumbbharwada neighborhood is more than 150 years old and is the oldest part of Dharavi. Artisans create various types of earthen pots that are shipped all over India.

Bollywood Studio Tour: 3 Hours guided tour. Here are things which you will cover :

Bollywood Studio Tour: 3 Hours guided tour. Here are things which you will cover :

• Escorted to a specially created studio.
• Documentary on Bollywood industry & 100 years of Bollywood Cinema
• LIVE BOLLYWOOD STYLE DANCE
• Visit a live shooting set.
• Peek at the behind-the-scenes activities of movie making.
• See the technicians at work and if possible, look into the star`s makeup rooms. We might also try to have you clicked with a Bollywood Actor.
• VFX, Croma effect, cinematography etc.
• Arrive at Bollywood Museum where you will get a glimpse of famous Bollywood actor’s posters and photographs and then you will be escorted to an air-conditioned Dance Hall with decorated stage and music system in Bollywood style.
• Bollywood Broadway.

After Breakfast drive to the Kanheri Caves with Sanjay Gandhi National Park & also visit Global Vipassana Pagoda, Gorai

Post breakfast, relax at the hotel. We drop you to Airport for Departure for Varanasi(2 hrs prior departure time).

Our representative greets you at the Varanasi airport and further takes you to the hotel for check in. We have carefully chosen a beautiful accommodation which is on the banks of the Ganges.

If you reach on time, you can a chance to watch the Ganga Aarti at Dashwamedh Ghat. 

Post breakfast, visit the Gurukul. Unwind at this place. By afternoon visit local market & streets to learn more about people, culture and food.

Visit the Manikarnika Ghat to see the cremation ceremony of Hindus. Witness the faith system of the local people, the ceremony, the chanting and much more. This spot offers you a sea of human emotions.

In the evening, take a boat ride and see the Ganga Aarti from the deck of your boat. The sight is breath taking, the feeling is even more superior.

You will be accompanied by a local guide who will be instrumental in local know-how and enable you to click pictures at locations of your choice.

Post breakfast, we head out to Sarnath - a place where Buddha first taught the Dharma. Later half of the day, visit “Loom to Luxury” to learn more about local saree artisans. Witness the craftsmanship of these artisans. They have been doing this since multiple generations, and the knowledge on this subject makes them the pundits of textile. You will remember this experience for lifetime.

You will be accompanied by a local guide who will be instrumental in local know-how and enable you to click pictures at locations of your choice.

Enjoy the breakfast at leisure. This is the last day and our representative will drop you at the airpot for flight back to Mumbai.

We hope you fly back home with some beautiful memories and lots of pictures.