The Slum tour (An Insight of Dharavi slum in Mumbai)

Duration: 2h
Languages: English
Guru: Balaji
Registered on February 12, 2023

Here, the story starts in the year 2011 as a learner tour guide (my name is Balaji I am from Dharavi slum ), with no knowledge of guiding a tour but, had a passion to meet new people and talking to them, a sudden opportunity to meet a foreign traveler for the first time with an open mind. Boosted me with an immense amount of self-confidence, that I can make this tour with my broken poor English. This continue for more than 10 years, and over 28000 visitors on various different tour, the most popular and my all-time favorite Dharavi slum tour is the best of all I do as it is my home and a community where I was born and raised in my childhood while walking along with me through Dharavi slum. I have hundreds of little stories to tell my visitors at every single stop on my tour which inspires them, and a nice little break for tea adds up more sweetness to my stories that you will never forget and it will become your life experience for sure. I welcome you to join my journey through the Dharavi slum and you decide what you feel about this place through your eyes.

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  • No minimum number of attendees
    No minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free

Tour description

SLUM TOUR: (An insight into Dharavi slum in Mumbai city)
Together Dharavi with its strong community and business makes 

annual revenue of $800 million and a doubtable five-star slum in Mumbai. There are thousands of small-scale businesses you can see on every walk, in tiny single-room factories working with an enormous amount of energy from the local people.

And the spirit of Dharavi keeps people as one strong community, with many families from small village groups around the different regions of India speaking all regional languages. On all our special slum walk at Dharavi in Mumbai, the guest will get to see the sense of enterprise in every single individual along with the strong community which makes people show and feel proud of what good work they are doing for society.  


Highlights: 

  • Recycling factory: Here at this recycling we can see old audio/video castes, some floppy discs, aluminum beer cans, etc. all kinds of scrap from all around the globe for recycling with hard-working rural employees. 
  • Alleyway: This will take you back to your childhood, make you play maze around the narrow alleyways, and you can see the smallest houses of Dharavi. 
  • Leather factory: It is the first and the biggest business in Dharavi, also a major exporter of all products such as belts, volutes, shoes, jackets, etc. globally.
  • Street market: A walk through the Dharavi market where we get to see the vendor selling fruits, vegetables, groceries, etc.    
  • Community: Feel the sense of community by walking around many families of different language and different village who lives in their own families and village groups around its temple mosque and church.
  • Pottery industry: The only place to get pots in Mumbai, with people's endless traditional art and magical hand-creating oil lamp, lights millions of houses in Mumbai during Diwali, a Hindu light festival.

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  • Meeting point:
    Tip Road,Unit no.58, Ground floor Ram...
    Tip Road,Unit no.58, Ground floor Ram Mahal Building, Senapathi, Senapati Bapat Marg, Marinagar Colony, Station, Mahim, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400016, India
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    you can meet me at the third wave cafe opposite the Mahim junction station ( west )

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

24 ratings
5.0
By category
Professionalism
4.96
Fun
4.79
Expression
4.92
Quality
4.83
Route
4.74
Generic
5 stars
23
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Sheetal 27 Nov 2023
Bengaluru

Verified booking
Travelled in family - Nov 2023
Nothing really prepares you for the grit and scale of enterprise in Dharavi. Balaji was a great guide, very authentic, friendly, easy with facts and so respectful. He took us through the industrial recycling business area of Dharavi and this was an absolute highlight and so inspiring. There are other parts too (leather, pottery) and it’s a fair bit of walking but very worth it and highly recommendable. Thank you Balaji!
Adam 27 Nov 2023
Bournemouth

Verified booking
Travelled in group - Nov 2023
Had a brilliant time with Balaji around the area. Great host and was able to give in-depth information. Was also very patient as we played cricket with the children in the slum’s park!
Pauline 26 Nov 2023
Lafayette

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Nov 2023
Balaji was fantastic! He grew up in the slums and was able to give us a unique experience and navigate us through the narrow streets of Dharavi, explaining everything about their lifestyle and industry, and the opportunity that the slum provides. I highly recommend this eye opening experience where Balaji shows you around his home!
Kenny 22 Nov 2023
Toronto

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Nov 2023
Balaji is a wonderful tour guide to Dharavi. He is truly and local and help me learn so much about this important area of Mumbai. He was also very attentive and made sure I was on my transport home before saying goodbye. Definitely a 5 star experience!
Jeannette 17 Nov 2023

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Nov 2023
Balaji ist ein großartiger Guide😊 Er ist hoch professionell, kann alle Fragen beantworten, erklärt alles verständlich, integriert jeden in der Gruppe, gibt fachliche aber auch persönliche Geschichten wieder. Ich würde immer wieder eine Tour mit ihm machen.
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Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Not suitable for pets.

What should you know?

Minimum of attendees
There is no minimum number of people required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Only cash payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
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