2000 year old Buddhist trail to Karla & Bhaja Caves as a day trip from Mumbai | 12 hours

11 Reviews | Mumbai
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Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
cruise terminal pick up drop
2 Adults x $231.70
$463.40
Approx Total
$463.40
car
Pickup included

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • Local guide
  • Hotel & Cruise Terminal pickup and drop-off
  • Lunch
  • GST (Goods and Services Tax)
  • Drinks

Overview

Karla & Bhaja Caves is a day tour from Mumbai where we go back 2000 years to explore rock cut Buddhist caves on an ancient trade route. Whats in store are magnificent monasteries up in the hill, prayer halls, exquisite sculptures carved on rocks, residences of monks of the first century as well as shelters made for weary travelers of the ancient trade routes between the Arabian Sea and the Deccan Plateau.

Itinerary

  • Karla Caves

    730AM- Hotel pick up 945AM– We reach the base of Karla caves. There are a set of 200 steps to be climbed from the parking area. Karla Caves wee built between the 2nd and 5th centuries under the patronage of the Kingdoms of the day. These caves were a key centre for Buddhism in Western India. There are 16 magnificent Buddhist caves with the oldest one dating back to AD 160. The first set of caves were built by Theravadas, an ancient sect of Buddhists while Mahayana group of Buddhists built the later set of caves. The sculptures in the Caves are remarkable. Horse shoe shaped windows bring in the sun light into the cave providing a refreshing environment. The highlight of this visit will be the prayer hall in the main Cave, which is one of the largest rock cut structures in India. The object of worship is a Stupa right at the end of the prayer hall. Cave no 12 is the other unforgettable experience. It has a very interesting characteristic. The ceiling of this Cave has wooden ribs on the ceiling. The wood has survived for 2 millenia!

    2 hours

  • Bhaja Caves

    After lunch, we visit Bhaja Caves, the other important Buddhist centre in this part of the world. 200 intricately carved steps need to be surmounted before we reach this magnificent specimen of rock cut Buddhist caves. We visit a set of 22 caves located 400 feet above the village of Bhaja, dating back to 2nd century BC and built by Hinayana group of Buddhists. While 10 of these caves were Viharas or residences for the monks, the other 12 are Chaityas or prayer halls. Cave 12 is a splendid specimen of wooden architecture and vaulted horseshoe ceiling. It also has a pillar which shows Buddha in different forms like Bodhi tree, lotus, elephant, wheel and throne. One of the carvings at Bhaja caves show a woman playing a Tabla the classical Hindustani musical instrument. This has pushed back the current understanding of origin of Tabla as an instrument in Ancient India. 730 PM- End of Karla & Bhaja Caves tour and we drop you back to hotel

    2 hours

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • A moderate amount of walking is involved. 200 steps each in Karla and Bhaja

Free Cancellation

June 19100% refund
June 20No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.9

11 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    10
  • 4 stars
    1
  • 3 stars
    0
  • 2 stars
    0
  • 1 star
    0

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 10 reviews with 5 stars

Excellent

Published on Dec, 2024

The trip was well panned. The guide was very knowledgeable. We had a great time. It was a detailed trip showing us all the different caves and their history. Will definitely repeat.

Experience India's amazing history and culture.

Published on Apr, 2024

Our guide Pankaj from 5 Senses Tours created a truly memorable experience. Not only did he provide valuable insight into the development of Buddhism in India but he also gave great descriptions of the amazing artistry of these 2000 year old carved Caves. Pankaj introduced us to some delicious local cuisine at a popular Lonavala restaurant. On our drive back to the Colaba area of Mumbai, he pointed out important attractions and recommended restaurants and monuments. He also ensured that we got properly checked in to our hotel.

Amazing historical experience with great pictures and delicious food

Published on Dec, 2023

Ajit our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable not just about the Karla, Bhatia caves but the Maratha empire, the Buddhist religion spreading throughout India and a deep dive of the Indian freedom movement and Pune, Maratha empires role in it. Akshay our driver was really good as well. After taking many tours throughout India, in Rajasthan, etc, I found 5 senses to be one of the best companies so far - from professional tour guides to great attention to detail.

Great experience with a lot of history

Published on Aug, 2023

We went to visit Bhaja and Karla caves. Our tour guide pankaj was a huge help in learning more about these caves and how they have changed throughout the years. He was also extremely helpful in choosing a great restaurant as well as picking out some of the best local food options!!! At the end of the tour he mapped out other sites and hidden gems for us that were in walking distance to our hotel! Great experience all around

History and culture

Published on Feb, 2023

I highly recommend this tour. The guide was wonderful and was able to provide a lot of insolite and history because of his experiences you couldn't get if just doing the Caves by yourself. Both Caves are very different. Our favorite was Karla since more peaceful but Bhaja had beautiful artwork and a huge hall. We went to elephanta Island on our own the day before and that was very different then both of these. There isn't a lot of walking but what walking they did have was very steep and so some older members of our group had a difficult time but even with having a knee surgery 2 months ago was doable for them. The vehicle was very nice for india and we had plenty of legroom which isn't always the case The guide went out of his way when I had a crazy request for some salt and pepper shakers at a place we stopped to eat and when restaurant wouldn't sell them (understably) he was able to find out where they got them from which happened to be near our hotel. We also hadn't eaten breakfast and guide stopped so we could get a bite and made sure we tried something local to mumbai area we couldn't get somewhere else Recommend if you are ok with a little bit of physical activity and are into history and culture.

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