• Karla Caves - 7:30 AM - Hotel pick-up

9:45 AM – Arrival at the base of Karla Caves. From the parking area, there are 200 steps to climb.

Karla Caves were constructed between the 2nd and 5th centuries with the support of the ruling kingdoms of the time. These caves served as a significant center for Buddhism in Western India. There are 16 impressive Buddhist caves, with the oldest dating back to AD 160. The initial caves were created by the Theravada sect, an ancient group of Buddhists, while the Mahayana Buddhists constructed the later caves. The sculptures within the caves are extraordinary. Horseshoe-shaped windows allow sunlight to illuminate the caves, creating a refreshing atmosphere.

The main attraction of this visit is the prayer hall in the main cave, which is one of the largest rock-cut structures in India. At the end of the prayer hall is a Stupa, the object of worship.

Cave No. 12 offers another unforgettable experience. It features a unique characteristic: wooden ribs on the ceiling that have endured for two millennia!

• Bhaja Caves - After lunch, the tour continues to Bhaja Caves, another significant Buddhist center in this region. Visitors must climb 200 intricately carved steps to reach this magnificent example of rock-cut Buddhist caves. The site includes 22 caves located 400 feet above the village of Bhaja, dating back to the 2nd century BC and constructed by the Hinayana Buddhists. Ten of these caves served as Viharas, or residences for monks, while the remaining 12 are Chaityas, or prayer halls.

Cave 12 is a remarkable example of wooden architecture with a vaulted horseshoe ceiling. It also features a pillar depicting Buddha in various forms, such as the Bodhi tree, lotus, elephant, wheel, and throne. One of the carvings at Bhaja Caves depicts a woman playing a Tabla, a classical Hindustani musical instrument, which has reshaped the understanding of the Tabla’s origins in Ancient India.

7:30 PM - Conclusion of the Karla & Bhaja Caves tour, with a return to the hotel.

• Local guide
• GST (Goods and Services Tax)
• Hotel & Cruise Terminal pickup and drop-off
• Lunch

• Drinks

Two millennia ago, Buddhist monks established monasteries along the trade routes of the Western Ghats to provide shelter for the merchants who supported them. The caves above Lonavala are the remnants of this history. Within Karla’s grand prayer hall — the largest rock-cut chaitya in India — the original wooden ceiling ribs remain intact after two thousand years. At Bhaja, a carving depicts a woman playing an instrument identified by historians as a tabla, extending the known history of India’s renowned drum by over a thousand years. This tour of the Karla and Bhaja Caves from Mumbai includes both sites, guided by an expert who vividly narrates the story of Buddhist trade-route monasticism and ancient Indian music history. The tour includes a private car, expert guide, all entry fees, and lunch. 5 Senses Tours is recognized by the Department of Tourism and has received the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.

• A moderate amount of walking is involved. 200 steps each in Karla and Bhaja

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.