Experience Off the Beaten Track in Mumbai with Withlocals

"Gautam was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable, great English, very accommodating and helpful throughout. He actually met us at the hotel and took us to the Dhobi Ghat laundry by local bus and then train we probably wouldn’t have otherwise experienced. The tour of Dharavi was really good and definitely took us to places we wouldn’t have found or been comfortable visiting on our own. Highlight was the Dharavi leather shop which was featured on James May’s tour of India on Amazon Prime and meeting the owner. My kids especially liked that they had AC in the shop which was a lovely respite from the hot weather that day! Too many other interesting things to mention, but Gautam was an amazing tour guide throughout!"

"We had a wonderful time on our Dharavi walking tour. A very memorable experience! Highly recommended for anyone who wants to get up and close to this very interesting part of Mumbai!"

"I had a truly eye-opening and memorable experience visiting the Dharavi Slum in Mumbai, thanks to Gautam, my incredible guide. From the start, it was clear he was deeply familiar with the area—not just the layout, but the history, the industries, and the rich cultural backgrounds of the people who live and work there. His knowledge added so much depth and context to what we were seeing, and I learned a great deal throughout the tour. What really stood out was how respectful he was to the residents and the businesses we encountered. He moved through the community with care and thoughtfulness, always prioritizing the dignity and privacy of the people who call Dharavi home. It was a powerful experience, handled with sensitivity and insight. I had a great time and would highly recommend doing this tour with Gautam to anyone looking to understand more about this vibrant and resilient community."

"Gautam is not only extremely knowledgeable of history of India and different religions, was instrumental to guide us at the proper times to the different areas of the city from the port to downtown to the Laundry and slums. I even enjoyed a magnificent haircut and head massage in the slums for US$2, a great and interesting experience! Not only this, took and shared with us excellent professional quality pictures and videos of our tour."

"We had such a great day exploring everything Mumbai had to offer with Shrikanth. We did both the off the beaten path tour & then the food tour. It was a wonderful experience to visit the communities in Dharavi and each place we stopped at for food, we felt like locals. Couldn’t recommend enough! "

"We did the "Off the Beaten Track in Mumbai - Dharavi Tour" with Chandramohan. It was a very interesting, intense and unforgettable tour. You might wonder if it is ethically correct to visit a place where rather poor people live in challenging circumstances and if you are save there. The clear answer is YES - if you choose this tour and this guide. Chandramohan introduced us to many different aspects of the Dharavi slum and showed us how lively as well as busy this area is. We were impressed by what we saw and gratefull to him for directing our eyes to the details and the stories behind. With him we didn't feel as spectators to see "how poor people live", but got insight into how clever as well as pragmatic they manage their lifes and business. We didn't feel unsecure or unsafe for a moment , he is a very experienced guide and took good care of us. So don't worry at all. Chandramohan has a good sense of humour so we had quite some fun together. Communication with Chandramohan was pleasant, he is absolutely reliable. Excellent experience, we highly recommend him as a guide!"

"I recently had the opportunity to participate in a guided slum tour in Mumbai, led by a local, Shrikanth R. Poojari, committed to responsible tourism. This was a profoundly eye-opening experience that offered a unique perspective on life in one of Mumbai’s most densely populated areas, while maintaining a tone of respect and dignity for the residents. The tour was thoughtfully organized and carefully designed to avoid exploitation. Our guide, a resident of Mumbai provided an authentic and insightful narrative about life in the slum. He shared stories of resilience, community spirit, and innovation that painted a far more nuanced picture than the stereotypes often associated with these neighborhoods. One of the most impressive aspects of the tour was how it highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit and resourcefulness of the residents. We visited small-scale industries such as recycling units, pottery workshops, and food stalls, which contribute significantly to the local economy and even to the broader city. The guide ensured we understood the importance of these industries and their role in empowering the community. The experience was interactive, allowing us to ask questions take pictures/video and even engage with some of the residents. The people we met were warm and welcoming, and their stories were both inspiring and humbling. However, the tour also did not shy away from discussing the challenges faced by the community, such as limited access to basic services and infrastructure. One aspect I particularly appreciated was Shrikanth R. Poojari commitment to ethical tourism. If you’re considering a slum tour in Mumbai, I highly recommend choosing a reputable and community-focused operator. This is not a tour for entertainment—it’s an educational and transformative experience that challenges preconceptions and fosters a deeper understanding of the complexities of urban life. It left me with a profound sense of admiration for the resilience and resourcefulness of the people living there. Thank you 🙏 Paul "

"Shrikanth is a really kind and joyful person that would not hesitate to show you the real life of India. He’s really helpful and full of knowledge. During the visit of Dharavi slum, we learned so much, it was a life experience that we would cherish the rest of our life, all this because of Shrikanth. Thank you for all the memories Shrikanth!! "

"Thanks again Chandramohan. I have already written a review for one of our two trips and again I just want to say thank you it was amazing!"

"Shrikanth took me on a great tour of Dharavi. He was really knowledgeable and thoughtful and explained the different communities of people living and working in this area. We saw all sorts of manufacturing in progress - pottery, glass cutting, textiles, leatherwork, baking. He was very kind, considerate and courteous, and even took me for some food at the end of our tour as he knew I was hungry. Then he helped me to get a train back to the place I’m staying, which was an experience in itself. Definitely recommend."