Skip to main content
  
POINT OF INTEREST

Kanheri Caves

Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400101

Deep in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the Kanheri Caves comprise 109 basalt grottos that were carved between the first century BC and the 10th century AD. The caves served as Buddhist monastic dwellings for many centuries, and some of the newer ones feature intricate carvings, pillars, and even rock-cut cisterns.

The Basics

The Kanheri Caves are accessible by steep stone steps. The first cave visitors reach is Great Chaitya, featuring a large meditation hall full of intricate stone carvings and pillars. The two caves on both sides of Chaitya contain small stupas and more beautifully preserved carvings. The caves can be visited on a dedicated half-day excursion or as part of a larger tour of Mumbai-area attractions.

Things to Know Before You Go

  • A must-visit for history buffs and art lovers.

  • The caves are only accessible via stone-cut stairs, so wear solid footwear and be prepared to walk.

  • Bottled water is available for purchase near the site, but sunscreen and insect repellant are not.

How to Get There

The caves are located in Sanjay Gandhi National Park on the northeastern outskirts of Mumbai, about an hour from the airport (depending on traffic). The nearest railway station is Borivali, with regular connections to the Andheri West commuter train station. Shuttles run from Borivali to the caves every hour.

When to Get There

The Kanheri Caves are open Tuesday through Sunday from 7:30am to 6pm, though the last entry is at 4pm. Travelers are welcome year-round, but the caves are best visited in the cooler, drier months (October to March). However, if travelers are in the area during the sweltering months of May and June, the caves do provide relief from the heat.

Brahmi India’s Ancient Script

Many of the inscriptions on the cave walls are in the Brahmi script, which was likely at its peak at some point in the fourth and fifth centuries BC. Many of the myriad scripts used in India today descended from Brahmi, including Devanagari, which is used for writing Hindi and Sanskrit.

Things To Do Available (33)

View all Things to Do
From $69
THING TO DO

Sanjay Gandhi National Park(SGNP) + Kenheri Caves + Lion Safari + Jain Temple

Duration: 5 hours to 6 hours

From $216
THING TO DO

Private Tour: Customizable Mumbai Sightseeing Including Elephanta Caves or Kanheri Caves

Duration: 8 hours

From $65
THING TO DO

Kanheri Caves Experience

Duration: 3 hours

From $182
THING TO DO

Private Full-Day Mumbai City Tour with Kanheri Caves Excursion

Duration: 9 hours to 10 hours

From $133
THING TO DO

Private Half-Day Kanheri Caves Excursion from Mumbai

Duration: 4 hours

From $88
THING TO DO

Excursion - Kanheri Caves & SG National Park

Duration: 5 hours to 7 hours

From $100
THING TO DO

Kanheri Caves and Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Duration: 5 hours to 6 hours

From $86
THING TO DO

Kanheri Caves, Crawford Market, and Kala Ghoda Art District Tour

Duration: 6 hours to 8 hours

From $42
THING TO DO

Experience the Monsoon in Mumbai in Private Vehicle

Duration: 6 minutes to 8 minutes

From $84
THING TO DO

South Mumbai City with Kanheri Cave Tour in Private Vehicle

Duration: 8 hours to 10 hours

THE VALUE OF TRIP CANVAS

Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas

Get Ideas from the Pros

As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.

Build and Research Your Options

Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.

Book Everything in One Place

From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!

BACK TO TOP