DISCUSSION FORUM

Dharavi tour a must for Indians too

Chris Joseph — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:45:00 GMT

I did the Dharavi Tour with another Indian friend in May. Even though she worked in an office complex opposite Dharavi, she had never set foot in it - not untypical for most middle/upper class Indians like us. My interest stemmed from a show on another slum in India an MFA student of mine had done in the US. My anthropology students learned a lot from that show and I decided that I had to see things on the ground for myself. The tour exceeded expectations. I saw industrious individuals working hard at making a living just like the rest of us. I saw children playing happily, families going about their business like in any other neighborhood in the world. I also saw community activism and community service that brought a new respect for the people of Dharavi. I am indebted to Reality Tours and their excellent guides for allowing us to experience something that we may not have done on our own - to go beyond the word SLUM and see instead neighborhoods and communities.

Forum: Dharavi Slum Tours

A MUST experience

Travis Sherer — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:26:25 GMT

I spent a month in Mumbai, and travelled extensively throughout the city and quite a bit in south india. The few hours I spent on this "tour" and it remained the definitive highlight of my entire experience in India.

I was worried that a tour might be akin to watching the animals at the zoo, and felt that perhaps I was participating in something inappropriate. But immediately upon meeting Krishna, it was obvious that he and Reality Tours are highly committed to Dharavi and improving the lives of the residents there. He met as the train station, and prepped us before we descended the stairway into the slum. As we hit our last step, I prepared for an onslaught of locals stopping at us, and perhaps annoyed at our presence. But instead, many came up to Krishna, asked how he was, and welcomed him as a long friend. It was clear that not only was he an integral part of Dharavi, but that we were welcome as well. No one ever bothered us other than to say hello, and we never felt that we were rude or peering at their lives inappropriately. I learned so much that I clearly would not have gotten on my own (if even allowed in) or from reading a book. The sites, smells, and smiles of the people and location were exhilerating and educational. I wish everyone would take this tour-it should be required upon entry to Mumbai.

A great part of this experience is exactly that-the experience. You don't jump into a bus rambling throughout the slum looking at the locals separated by a glass partition. You will walk, in a very small group, throughout the slum. You will navigate your way through tiny alleyways, stop at a bakery, and take in the smells of a leather tannery for yourself. And that's just a small sample. But you WILL be up close and personal and you will take it all in and contemplate it while standing right there.

If you have found this webpage, and are reading this post, you are must be contemplating this tour for yourself. Do not hesitate any further and call Reality Tours and make this happen. You will NOT regret it.

Attached is picture of my group with Krishna at the station with Dharavi in the background.

Forum: Dharavi Slum Tours

Great Tour and Experience

Deborah — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:57:59 GMT

I wanted to post this for those travelers who are thinking about doing this slum tour. I *HIGHLY* recommend it. It was an eye-opening experience - one that I would not have wanted to miss and one I know I could not have experienced any other way in touring the urban areas of Mumbai. The slums seem to be a significant part of India and I am very grateful that I got to see it.

The tour guides were great, nice, knowledgeable, helpful, and interesting. I can not think of a better way to see this side of Mumbai.

I would recommend you wear sunscreen, wear closed-toed shoes, and bring a handkerchief as it can get quite hot and muddy. If you can, bring nothing with you (no bags, purses, etc) so your hands can be free. Have an open mind and enjoy!

Forum: Dharavi Slum Tours

Dharavi - Extended tour

Alan & Helen — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:05:25 GMT

We took the Dharavi extended tour last month and it was the most interesting part of our time in Mumbai.
The trip was informative and relaxed and at no time did we feel that we we "exploiting" the people living and working in the area.
The small group size helped us to make a less intrusive presence. Although the actual route of the tour may vary with date and time etc it was clear that our guide was known and well received by the communities we passed through.

Alan & Helen (UK)

Forum: Dharavi Slum Tours

Dharavi Slum Tour

Daniel M, London — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:41:36 GMT

I am writing to thank Krishna for a really informative tour of the slums in Dharavi. I did not know that tours like this existed and would not have thought about going on such a tour until I read about this in the Lonely Planet. You cannot help but notice the slums on arrival in Mumbai but this tour really does bring to life what actually goes on in the slums and certainly lets you see the industries that take place and how people actually live in Dharavi.

It helps dispels the myths about what life in a slum is all about and helps you better understand how these people live, turning what looks like a negative existence, turning it into a positive.

Krishna was really informative and enthusiastic and we had a great group too who were really interested in what goes on in Dharavi. It has made a lasting impression of my time in Mumbai and India overall and would thoroughly recommend this tour to anyone. I am so glad I did it.

Gray Line also do a tour of Dharavi for about $100 - not only do Reality Tours charge far less (closer to $12), most of the money goes to charity, rather than for their profit and I am sure Reality Tours are far more knowledgeable about the real life in Dharavi.

Its small groups help ensure that we are not "intruding" on people's lives in Dharavi and they also have a strict no cameras policy. If you do want photos of your visit, they can send you photos after the tour.

Forum: Dharavi Slum Tours

Dharavi long tour

Olga Janssen — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:11:18 GMT

This tour was unexpectedly uplifting. We were not exploiting the residents; they were not exploiting us. Despite their material poverty, Dharavi residents have dignity and pride. Their self sufficiency is impressive. The school children are a delight. This tour would have been impossible for us as independent tourists. We were impressed by the knowledge of our guide and the excellent personal relations and mutual respect that has been established between Reality Tours and the people of Dharavi. Educative travel at its best. It left a lasting impression on us and was a highlight of our 2 week visit to India.

Olga Janssen
date of tour 1/3/08

Forum: Dharavi Slum Tours

Slum tour - February 2008

Michael Chang — Thur, 20 Mar 2008 12:28:36 GMT

This was an absolutely fantastic tour - definitely a highlight of my two weeks in India. I would highly recommend it to anybody spending more than day in Mumbai. Our guide, Krishna, was friendly, informative, professional, and charismatic. Thank you for the great experience!

Forum: Dharavi Slum Tours

A wonderful trip! Highly recommended

Sandra Wolton — Thur, 06 Mar 2008 05:09:33 GMT

Rural Tour with more than a touch of Reality!!

I first took one of Realitys tours to Dharavi about a year ago attempting to acquaint myself with Mumbai. It was fabulous, interesting, informative worth every rupee so when I heard that Chris Way and Krishna Poojari were starting rural tours in Maharashtra I went along.

I can thoroughly recommend the tour. It is extremely well organized and Krishna is an excellent guide. We all met at the Gateway of India early in the morning alongside a local laughter group in the throws of their morning practice! We took the ferry and met Krishna about an hour later. The itinerary includes a mix of visits which give the visitor the feel of rural Maharashtra including a stop at a Buddhist village where we had a delicious meal with a family. Next we visited a Hindu village where again we were given the warmest welcome and enormous amounts of delicious food.

During the drive we made frequent stops to observe farmers working in the fields with Krishna giving us an outline of farming methods and also we had the opportunity to meet loads of local people. We visited several schools once again we were warmly welcomed with smiling children swarming around our group dying to start a game of cricket.

We visited Reigar fort reached by a perilous cable car an absolute wonder of the world situated on a mountain top covering acres and acres Chatrapati Shivagis domain and one gets the feeling of the might of the man and his kingdom. The feel of Maharasthra. Apparently there is a network of mountain top forts which he established amidst lots of battles.

As the light dropped we climbed a hillside and visited an Adavasi village the surroundings were breathtaking, the circumstances of the villagers basic with the people walking miles each day to fetch water while a film star lives in luxury at the top of the hill with her private water supply!

Early in the evening we visited an Ashram where a group of Adavasi children live and are educated. We arrived in time for evening songs and prayers.

An overnight stop was with a family in a village more delicious food huge quantities cooked by mother and daughter. mmmmm!! The tour was 2 days one overnight stop. The next morning we had an Indian breakfast, visited the village school, the boys played a lengthy game of cricket, the girls attempted to carry water on their heads without spilling a drop not altogether successfully!!! Driving the bullock cart proved to be a slow business- the beasts immediately recognized an amateur and refused to budge!! So all in all we had more than a taste of life in rural Maharashtra.

Forum: Rural Tour

Tour with Krishna and Sunil

Ulrik and Ida — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:16:47 GMT

If you are in Mumbai for more than one day - make sure to put a tour with
these guys on the very top of your to-do-list. After returning to Denmark,
this is the one experience that we keep talking about and return to in
telling friends and familly about our trip to India. We started of a little
sceptic about the whole concept of slum tours and there ethical
justification. However after meeting the founders of Reality Tours, it
quickly became clear that they are not in this to make money - they do it to
help the Dharavi Slum (among other things by financing schools and teaching
local children themselves). Furthermore the fact that our guides where well
known and liked by the locals made us feel comfortable and prevented the
locals or us from feeling that we where tresspassing in any way. The guides
are extremely knowledgeble, not only about Dharavi, but about Indian culture
and Mumbai in general, making you feel that the 6 hour tour is to short. We
will definately go again when we return to Mumbai. So once again thanks to
Krishna and Sunil from the Danes, Ida and Ulrik

Forum: Dharavi Slum Tours

Dharavi

Helen — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:19:29 GMT

I did the short tour on 28 January. I travelled by train from Churchgate station to Mahim, where I met my guide Ravi. The tour was exceptional. Anyone who wants to learn about the culture of Mumbai and see beyond the tourist locations should consider this tour. Disregard any guidebook which questions whether the tour is ethical - the company's work is based on the wish to educate and inform and its integrity is rooted in that aim.
The tour is conducted with huge sensitivity and respect for the residents. The aim is to dispel preconceptions about such slums. By showing the extent of enterprise and small industry, the education programme, the school, and the spirit of the community, it provides visitors with a true impression of life here. The development of the education centre and the school stand as recognition that education is central to helping people to effect change in their lives.
My guide was young and enthusiastic, yet very experienced in all aspects of his job. He engaged with the customer in a friendly and interested manner while also being clearly connected to the community in a way which showed that he was respected and trusted. One cannot fail to be humbled by the character and fortitude of this community.
I came away feeling that this was the single most worthwhile experience I had during my visit to Mumbai and that feeling remains now I am home. I have given it much thought since, have spoken about it in my capacity as a teacher in the UK, and hope to return one day.
For anyone with a real interest in peoples lives and culture this tour is unmissable.

Forum: Dharavi Slum Tours

please continue your great job

tine Deboosere — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:47:54 GMT

We took the Dharavi tour on 7 december 2007. It made a big impression on us. The fact that our young guide was one of the Dharavi people, made it all the more interesting. We will never forget. If you still hesitate do take this tour: just do it. It is a one time occasion to get in touch with a way of living of a million people, away from the beaten touristy track. The fact that part of the price of the ticket goes to the local school, gives us a very good feeling. Johan & Tine

Forum: Dharavi Slum Tours

Great information tour

rbugblatter — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:01:44 GMT

This is a good informative tour of Dharavi, and I highly recommend it. Both guides are articulate, and have strong connections with the local population, which greatly facilitates access. Our tour was in December 2007. The tour was very useful to get a sense of the sentiment on the ground regarding the upcoming urban development plan intended for Dharavi. I was struck by the diversity of opinion among the population regarding what is being touted by the government as a "slam-dunk" plan. Also useful was getting a perspective on the kind of "bottom-of-the-pyramid" innovation occuring at Dharavi. Overall, an educative experience, and a day well spent.

Forum: Dharavi Slum Tours

Slum Tour, Environment

Jakub Ner — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:39:45 GMT

Two topics that interest me are population and it's effect on the environment we create for ourselves and live in.

I have done many interesting things in Mumbai. Pretty much all the touristy things. The slum tour was by far the most informative and interesting.

I have a much better understanding of how slums come to be. Dharavi is an old established slum. But the "pavement dewllings" described during the long tour was an excellent addition, thank you. To me it showcases how a slum establishes itself today. Dharavi as well as the other slums also point out the cultural division of neighbourhoods. And the recent tension in Mumbai further go to show the issues the new immigrating poor have to always deal with.

I'm glad to see that the city is trying to provide for sanitation. And trying to rebuild the slums.

In the West we do have squatters, but the difference in scales is immense.

I will remember this tour much longer than my visit to Ghandi's residence or Gateway of India.

The samosas were really quite good too :).

- Jakub

Forum: Dharavi Slum Tours

Great Impressions

Johanna & Matthias — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:23:08 GMT

Back in Germany we joyfully remember our time in Mumbai, especially the long slum tour. First we thought, slum is just made of litter and the people do not do any senseful (from our western kind of view) things, but we experienced that that is absolutely wrong. We saw the slum from inside, houses made of stone with working people, most of them working on recycling, and it was not that dirty like we expected.We saw happy people, charismatic children running around, more happy than lot's of the sofa-pc-kids in Germany. Do we really need all the materialistic things we have here?
In addition we also saw the red light-district and the open-laundry-area, both were not mentioned in our tourist-travel-books. Moreover we visited a slum school, powered by reality tours, we hope you can offer the people more classes, so that they learn and will be able to help themselfes in the future.
There were great impressions and so we wish the friendly reality tour team much success and many visitors for the future! Take care and keep enjoying your work!

Forum: Dharavi Slum Tours

Dharavi Tour

Sigrid — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 07:17:54 GMT

I did the Dharavi tour in december 2007 with an Indian friend from Mumbai and it was a very important and interesting experience for the both of us.

When I first saw the advertisement in Colaba, my first thought was, that this is something for sensation seeking tourists and a new idea to make money.

But since I was always seriously interested in the way of life of the slum dwellers , I looked for more information on the website and asked in the office.

I appreciate the way the tour was done, very knowledgeable and sensitive.

I learned so much about the coherences and I was also sometimes very surprised.

This tour is highly recommendable and when I visit Mumbai next time I surely will do the tour again.

I will always remember the tour, it also comes to my mind, when I go to H&M for example....

I wish realitytoursandtravel all the best and I also suscribe the mail from jelebi 16/07/07.

Forum: Dharavi Slum Tours