Tour operator
Khaki Tours
A Mumbai walking tour company whose volunteer 'Ambassadors of Mumbai' lead heritage, bazaar, faith, food and ghost walks across the Fort, Bandra and beyond.
Reality Tours & Travel
An award-winning social enterprise running Dharavi tours, street food walks, bicycle tours and local transport tours, with most profits funding community projects.
At a glance
- Type
- Responsible tours and Dharavi walks
- Area
- Dharavi, Mumbai, India
- Official site
- realitytoursandtravel.com
Good to know
- Private and group tours
- Street food tour
- Bicycle tour
Why we recommend it
Reality Tours and Travel is a socially responsible tour company that has been running tours in Mumbai since the mid-2000s. It is best known for its tours of Dharavi, but it also runs food, cycling and transport tours around the city. The company states that 80 per cent of its post-tax profits go to fund community projects, and it has won five Responsible Tourism Awards. It is a member of the Indian Association of Tour Operators.
The Dharavi Tour is the company's signature experience. It lasts about two and a half hours, runs daily as a private tour, and gives visitors a guided introduction to one of the city's best-known neighbourhoods. The company's office is in Dharavi itself, which gives the tours a strong local connection. Expect to walk for most of the tour, and to come away with a more nuanced picture of the neighbourhood than films and headlines tend to give. Questions are welcome, so think about what you would like to learn before you go.
Other options include the Mumbai Street Food Tour, about three and a half hours, available as a private or group tour every day; the Mumbai Bicycle Tour, around three and three-quarter hours, also available daily; and the Local Transport and Dabbawalla Tour, around three and a half hours from Monday to Saturday, which combines the city's public transport with the story of its dabbawallas.
These tours suit curious travellers who want to understand how Mumbai works beyond its monuments, and they are a good choice for a first or second day in the city. Families with older children often find the Dharavi and transport tours eye-opening. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes you do not mind getting dusty, carry water, and follow your guide's advice about photography, particularly in residential areas. Book ahead online, especially for private tours and in the busy winter season.
Meeting points depend on the tour, so check your booking confirmation for details. The company can be reached by phone or email for questions about routes, accessibility and timings. Combining a morning tour with an afternoon at the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat or the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, both a short taxi ride away, makes for a full day in central Mumbai.
Reality Tours & Travel FAQs
What tours does Reality Tours and Travel run in Mumbai?
The Dharavi Tour, a street food tour, a bicycle tour and a local transport and dabbawalla tour.
How long is the Dharavi Tour?
About two and a half hours.
Where do the profits go?
The company says 80 per cent of its post-tax profits fund community projects.
Can you take photographs?
Follow your guide's instructions, particularly in residential areas.
Are the tours private or group?
Some are private only and others are available as private or group tours.
Does the transport tour run every day?
It runs Monday to Saturday.
Has the company won awards?
It has won five Responsible Tourism Awards.
How do you contact the company?
Call +91 98208 22253 or email [email protected].