Day 13. Mumbai
Overnight – The Taj Mahal Palace
Enjoy breakfast from the large selection of Indian and western options at the buffet, including scores of made to order delights. Proceed for a city tour of Mumbai. The tour begins with a short drive to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus).
From here you will enjoy a walk-through Mumbai’s most interesting area, stopping every few minutes to admire historic attractions, while being surrounded by local residents going about their daily activities. The next 2 to 3 hours can be an experience where you will walk under 2 miles, stopping frequently at the multitude of attractions, or you can ask to be driven for most, or all, of the stretch. You will stroll through busy street bazaars and public parks where cricket is being played on most days, stopping to take in the incredible architectural details of century plus old Gothic and Victorian buildings that were constructed during the British Raj.
You will admire the historic Flora Fountain, and then another short walk will take you to Horniman’s Circle. Next, after a 2-minute walk, is Mumbai’s Town Hall, situated by the Mumbai’s docks. After this you will take another short walk and stop to enjoy a brief tour inside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, which was known as the Prince of Wales Museum until very recently. This is Mumbai’s premier museum, designed in the Indo-Saracenic style, and includes sections of paintings, archeology, and natural history. Even if you are not into museums, a short exploration is recommended, or you can just admire the beautiful architecture from outside.
A ten-to-fifteen-minute walk from here, or a very short drive, will bring you to Mumbai’s landmark structure, The Gateway of India, situated overlooking Mumbai’s harbor and right across from your hotel. This structure was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai and India in 1905. After admiring the structure, you will cross the street to your hotel and proceed for lunch.
Lunch is at the Taj Palace’s top rated Fine Dining Indian Restaurant, Masala Kraft. You will select from their Masala Sketch Meals options, which are incredible multicourse meals. The preparation of the Sketch meals is done with you interacting with the chef, who will be happy to share their expertise and secrets as they go about the cooking. This lunch will be one of the most innovative and delicious Indian meals that you will eat on your journey.
After lunch you will drive to Mumbai’s main Dhobi Ghat where you will observe the Dhobi’s doing Mumbai’s laundry by flogging the clothes on stone in the same manner that they have for more than a century. Over 100,000 pieces are laundered every day and hung to dry on seemingly unending clotheslines, then ironed, and delivered to far reaching areas of Mumbai. The profession is passed on from generation to generation. Continue your exploration by driving further on Marine Drive and go up Malabar Hill where the Hanging Gardens provide a panoramic view of the city and bay. In the late afternoon you are driven back to your hotel in time to avoid the infamous Mumbai rush hour traffic.
Enjoy breakfast from the large selection of Indian and western options at the buffet, including scores of made to order delights. Proceed for a city tour of Mumbai. The tour begins with a short drive to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus).
From here you will enjoy a walk-through Mumbai’s most interesting area, stopping every few minutes to admire historic attractions, while being surrounded by local residents going about their daily activities. The next 2 to 3 hours can be an experience where you will walk under 2 miles, stopping frequently at the multitude of attractions, or you can ask to be driven for most, or all, of the stretch. You will stroll through busy street bazaars and public parks where cricket is being played on most days, stopping to take in the incredible architectural details of century plus old Gothic and Victorian buildings that were constructed during the British Raj.
You will admire the historic Flora Fountain, and then another short walk will take you to Horniman’s Circle. Next, after a 2-minute walk, is Mumbai’s Town Hall, situated by the Mumbai’s docks. After this you will take another short walk and stop to enjoy a brief tour inside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, which was known as the Prince of Wales Museum until very recently. This is Mumbai’s premier museum, designed in the Indo-Saracenic style, and includes sections of paintings, archeology, and natural history. Even if you are not into museums, a short exploration is recommended, or you can just admire the beautiful architecture from outside.
A ten-to-fifteen-minute walk from here, or a very short drive, will bring you to Mumbai’s landmark structure, The Gateway of India, situated overlooking Mumbai’s harbor and right across from your hotel. This structure was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai and India in 1905. After admiring the structure, you will cross the street to your hotel and proceed for lunch.
Lunch is at the Taj Palace’s top rated Fine Dining Indian Restaurant, Masala Kraft. You will select from their Masala Sketch Meals options, which are incredible multicourse meals. The preparation of the Sketch meals is done with you interacting with the chef, who will be happy to share their expertise and secrets as they go about the cooking. This lunch will be one of the most innovative and delicious Indian meals that you will eat on your journey.
After lunch you will drive to Mumbai’s main Dhobi Ghat where you will observe the Dhobi’s doing Mumbai’s laundry by flogging the clothes on stone in the same manner that they have for more than a century. Over 100,000 pieces are laundered every day and hung to dry on seemingly unending clotheslines, then ironed, and delivered to far reaching areas of Mumbai. The profession is passed on from generation to generation. Continue your exploration by driving further on Marine Drive and go up Malabar Hill where the Hanging Gardens provide a panoramic view of the city and bay. In the late afternoon you are driven back to your hotel in time to avoid the infamous Mumbai rush hour traffic.