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

Experience India's amazing history and culture.

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

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

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

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.

Ancient caves and Buddhist tour

Karla and Bhaja are 2000 year old Buddhist caves. We had a fantastic time exploring the remarkable sculpture and ancient architecture. Both caves are located on top of hills and the set in idyllic village. The scenery was breathtaking and the guide was very knowledgeable about Buddhism. We learnt a lot about the origin of Buddhism and it's philosophy and it's dynamics with Hinduism the dominant religion of the land. The highway is very good for the drive and the people super friendly. Highly recommended

Karla and Bhaja Buddhist tour

This was our second tour with this company. Our first tour to Kanheri caves was amazing and kindled our interest on learning more about the fantastic ancient Buddhist caves around Mumbai. So we went out of Mumbai on a day trip to Karla and Bhaja caves in the picturesque hill station of Lonavla. Madhu was phenomenal again as in Kanheri. The sculpture here were much more beautiful and detailed as this was the latter period when Buddhism started accepting idols. Both the cave systems were on top of hills in a scenic location. The level of detailing in the sculptures was amazing. Our day was very enjoyable due to the immensely knowledgeable Madhu who told us everything we needed to know about Buddhism and how it coexisted with Hinduism. The best part of the day was discussing the different philosophies of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism sitting in a 2000 year old cave! What better way to understand India?!

Stimulating heritage tour

We came by cruise ship and were received at the port. This is a fantastic tour of the countryside and about Buddhist history, art, architecture and way of life. We learnt so much during this tour. Narayanan was amazing and on a mission to send us back enlightened! He was patient and tailored the tour as per our ability and interests. At the end of it we were overwhelmed and felt we should have spent more time In Mumbai! This tour would be an amazing one for anyone looking to better understand the rich cultiural heritage of India, Buddhism especially. The caves and sculptures are 2000 years old and simply magnificent. You will not forget this tour for a long time!

Kanheri caves and Mumbai: best tour experience ever,

On the recommendation of a friend, himself an experienced traveler in India, we contacted Five Senses. Their director, Narayanan, responded to our request for a shore excursion to the Kanheri Caves NW of Mumbai. The advance communications were so clear and thoughtful we knew we were in for something good, but the tour far exceeded every expectation. Narayanan himself collected us at the port and drove us to the Kanheri caves, then guided us through this wonderful site with the help of his colleague Douglas, both of them expert and generous in their guidance. The day amounted to a brief and stimulating course in Indian cultural traditions, and our questions took us into current events as well. Our guides were both candid and tactful, and remarkably well informed. Sensitive to the needs of older travelers (we are 71 and 69), they took us on a walk through this ancient Buddhist "university," a site of great artistic and historical significance. Their explanations were both complex and clear, learned and memorable, unlike the usual tourist fare of simplistic tales. The drive to and from the site was as instructive as the site itself, partly because the guides shared information and answered questions so generously, and also because they spoke so perceptively about the Mumbai we saw out the windows of the very comfortable SUV. I would confidently, no, eagerly ask Narayanan to arrange travel for us anywhere in India. This travel company gave us not just a very insightful tour of an extraordinary place. It gave us contact with exceptionally knowing and thoughtful people. We have traveled so much in the last few years that I had to replace my passport four years early because the visa pages were full. No tour company on five continents has come close to this one day in my experience.

Kalra Caves

We have visited the old heritage site, we family enjoyed there and worth to visit the place.You must visit before lunch time which is very good.

Ancient Buddhist cave trail

Karla and bhaja was a great day spent away from hassle and bustle of Mumbai. We drove to the countryside and the landscape was incredibly beautiful. The caves were 2000 years old and we had a great time exploring them. The guide was phenomenal and we learnt a lot about Buddhism as well. the lunch was local cuisine and very delicious. If you have a full day free then this is the best way to spend it.