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Entrepreneur’s Entourage – The story of a 1 Billion Dollar Economy of Dharavi

Unlike Popular nomenclature, we don’t call Dharavi a slum. It’s an informal urban settlement, full of hope, aspirations and industrious people working together to create an informal urban economy  of over 1 billion. The behind the greatest business ideas in the city are not found in big corporate boardrooms, but inside tiny 100 sq. ft. homes.
The epicentre of Mumbai’s dizzying economic growth doesn’t lie behind glass facades of skyscrapers, but in a run-down neighbourhood of Mumbai. The people here might not be your suit-clad businessmen, but are owners of multi-million dollar companies. These are the people of Dharavi – One of Asia’s largest slums.

  • Book This Tour

    Tour Timings: 0900 AM or 1400 PM | Tour Duration: 3 Hours

    We will manage your transportation, as per the guests you choose below.

    • Cost per guest - 9,430/-

    You will manage your own transportation, as you've opted No for Transport, You need to keep one seat for the guide, so choose your vehicle accordingly!

    • Cost per guest - 5,750/-

    This tour now includes Transportation

    Transportation - Innova

    This tour now includes Transportation

    Transportation - SML

    This tour now includes Transportation

    Transportation - Mini Coach

    This tour now includes Transportation

    Transportation - Large Coach

    Pick-up Location

    Address of Hotel/Location you want us to pick you up from (Mention Hotel Name as well - if applicable)

    Meeting Point

    Since you've opted for your own Transportation, you have to meet us at the following address
    "Cafe Coffee Day @ Mahim Station", West, Shahu Nagar, Mahim East, Dharavi, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400016

Category:

In spite of the all the grunginess and squalor, Dharavi is the most bustling and economically proficient part of Mumbai. With thousands of small scale industries thriving in the area, Dharavi generates revenue of a staggering billion US Dollars annually.

An erstwhile marshy fishing village, Dharavi creek dried up when a dam was built in the neighbouring area. This gave way for the migration of potters from Surashtra, Tanners of Tamil Nadu and Artisans of Uttar Pradesh to practise their art and run their business, while setting up homes in Dharavi. As years rolled on, communities thrived economically, which is seen even today in the labyrinth of Leather Goods, Embroidered Dresses and Clay pots of various designs, among others cottage industries. Apart from the mentioned industries, you will also tour the cardboard industries, recycle industry and the Poppaddam industry, to understand the indispensable contribution of Dharavi to Mumbai’s well-being.

Dharavi nurtures a thousand migrant dreams, making it possibly the only slum in the world where people come in vast numbers to make a living. Exploring this part of Mumbai gives insight in the industrious nature of the people, and zeal for life coupled with a hope for a better future.
Your co-explorers, who are natives of Dharavi, are educated, employed, speak impeccable English and more importantly, are very happy.

We assure you, after the tour, you won’t call Dharavi a ‘slum’, but a land of opportunity.

Inclusions

  • Transportation (if you have booked it via us)
  • Private Explorer
  • Refreshments
  • Entrances, Parking
  • Toll, Guide costs
  • Interactions

Instructions

Timings:

  • 0830hrs – 1330 hrs – South Mumbai Hotels
  • 0830 hrs – 1330 hrs – Central Mumbai hotels
  • 0830 hrs – 1330 hrs – North Mumbai Hotels

Starting Point:- Mahim Station
End Point: Sion Bridge
Tour Days: All Days of the week
Physical Activity: Moderate
Special Note: Comfortable Shoes are a must
Additional Services: If you want to do a Dharavi activity with art, do get in touch.

Tour Video

Points to be noted

  • The taxes are currently at 5%
  • We work on a 100% advance payment before the tour
  • If you want us to arrange for transport – please contact us  for availability and costs
  • The sequence of the tour is at the discretion of No Footprints and its guide on-ground
  • The tour can be cancelled based on the discretion of No Footprints. The partners will be informed in advance of the same
  • The taxes might be subject to change
  • The Start and End timing can be changed based on discretion and traffic situations

Cancellation Policy

  • We work on a 100% advance payment for the tour. If the payment is not done before the commencement of the tour, No Footprints can take a call of not conducting the tour
  • If the tour is cancelled within 7 days of the commencement of the tour: we will charge 100% cancellation fee
  • If the tour is cancelled within 8 to 14 days of the commencement of the tour: we will charge a 50% cancellation fee
  • If the tour is cancelled 15 days before the commencement of the tour: there will be no retention

Extras

  • If you want to do a Dharavi activity with art, do get in touch.
  • If you are staying at the ship at the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal and need a pick-up from the port, there are an additional cost of Rs 1000/- per person. This amount is to be paid in cash to the guide or the driver at the start of the tour.
  • For any tours in Bandra & beyond, away from South Mumbai, if you take our transport, you will be charged a toll on actuals. This amount is to be paid in cash to the guide or the driver at the start of the tour

Covid Precautions

Post lockdown, we’re super stoked to announce our on-ground tours with proper social distancing measures as made mandatory by the Government of India. The safety of our patrons is our topmost priority and hence we request you to always wear a mask.

  • All our tour leaders are double vaccinated
  • Our cars are sanitised and the best hygiene practices are followed
  • For groups of over 15, we use an audio guide. This helps the guests hear the tour leader, while maintaining social distancing
  • We start the tour 30 minutes before in order to avoid crowding wherever possible
  • Our tour leaders will wear a mask at all times
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