Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 68 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop worth booking?
Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop is a 3-hour experience in Mumbai, India, from $28 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 68 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 81 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (68)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $28 per person
Step beyond the headlines and explore the real Dharavi on our Dharavi Slum Tour with local residents who call it home. Led by a responsible travel company, this tour directly supports local development initiatives. Visitors experience a wide range of these business activities: recycling, pottery-making, leather tanning, poppadom-making, etc. We’ll also visit the residential areas of Dharavi. Kumbharwada is one of Dharavi’s oldest and most compelling communities, home to its thriving pottery industry. Spend a few hours with us learning about the community’s rich history and how it became the hub of pottery making in Mumbai. You will see where the material comes from, how it’s prepared, moulded into shape and finally baked. We will also get hands-on, visiting a local potter’s workshop—where we’ll get a general overview of pottery making and have a go at wheel throwing and making a piece of Kumbharwada art.
What you get
About this experience
Step beyond the headlines and explore the real Dharavi on our Dharavi Slum Tour with local residents who call it home. Led by a responsible travel company, this tour directly supports local development initiatives. Visitors experience a wide range of these business activities: recycling, pottery-making, leather tanning, poppadom-making, etc. We’ll also visit the residential areas of Dharavi. Kumbharwada is one of Dharavi’s oldest and most compelling communities, home to its thriving pottery industry. Spend a few hours with us learning about the community’s rich history and how it became the hub of pottery making in Mumbai. You will see where the material comes from, how it’s prepared, moulded into shape and finally baked. We will also get hands-on, visiting a local potter’s workshop—where we’ll get a general overview of pottery making and have a go at wheel throwing and making a piece of Kumbharwada art.
What's included
Included
- Local English speaking guide
Not included
- Hotel/Residence pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Dharavi
Known to many as ‘one of the largest slums in Asia’, we prefer to think of Dharavi as Mumbai’s beating heart. Through our educational walking tours, visitors experience a wide range of these business activities: recycling, pottery-making, embroidery, bakery, soap factory, leather tanning, poppadom-making and many more. We’ll also visit the residential areas and get a glimpse of street art in Dharavi. People from all over India have come to live in Dharavi, making it a microcosm of India. This diversity is apparent in the murals, temples, mosques, churches and pagodas that stand side by side.
150 minutes here
Guests can enjoy a soft drink and learn more about how funds are re-invested back into the community.
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Mumbai
We meet at the main entrance and ticket office on the West side of the station. To check if you are in the right spot, verify that V-Jai Restaurant and Bakery is opposite and Third Wave Coffee is diagonally opposite.
Meeting point
Mumbai
There are four entrances to Churchgate Station, including two subways. The first photo shows the station as you approach from Colaba, and where the entrance is. Once inside the station, we meet in front of “M/S Maa Tara Enterprises Multipurpose Stall,” located just opposite the ticket counter.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
At the end of the tour, your guide will help you with transport, such as a taxi, to wherever you want to go
Options you can book
Private Pottery-Meet:Mahim
Private: We meet at the main entrance ticket counter on the West side of Mahim Junction Railway Station, opposite V Jai Bakery Starting point: Mahim Junction Railway Station, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Group Pottery Tour- Meet:Mahim
Shared: We meet at the main entrance ticket counter on the West side of Mahim Junction Railway Station, opposite V Jai Bakery Starting point: Mahim Junction Railway Station, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Private Pottery-Meet:C/gate
Private: We meet at the “Wheeler” Convenience Store, about 30 metres before the platforms and take a train to the slum Starting point: Maharshi Karve Rd, Churchgate, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400020, India
Group Pottery Tour-Meet:C/gate
Shared: We meet at the “Wheeler” Convenience Store, about 30 metres before the platforms and take a train to the slum Starting point: Maharshi Karve Rd, Churchgate, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400020, India
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Reality Tours & Travel Pvt Ltd
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 66 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
66 verified traveler reviews for Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Memorable journey to mumbai
It was truly an informative and eye-opening journey. The experience helped us understand the lesser-known and often misunderstood side of Dharavi in a completely new way. The food at Chowpatty was delicious and added a lovely touch to the experience. The professional and knowledgeable guides made the journey even more meaningful by sharing interesting insights and stories throughout. Most importantly, as girls, we felt safe, comfortable, and well-guided throughout the entire experience. Overall, it was a lifetime experience—memorable, insightful, and something we would definitely recommend to others!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your lovely review! We are very happy to hear that the tour gave you a new and meaningful view of Dharavi. It’s great to know you enjoyed the food at Chowpatty and found our guides friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. We are especially glad you felt safe and comfortable throughout the experience. Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to see you again on another tour! 😊
via Tripadvisor
Bipin Excellent Tour Guide
Excellent tour with Bipin. He gave us a very insightful tour allowing us to gain a better understanding of what life is like for people living and working in the Dharavi slum. We saw a mixture of everything and the pottery workshop was a fantastic addition that we would highly recommend.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear you had an insightful experience with Bipin and enjoyed learning more about life in Dharavi. We will be sure to share your kind words with him. We are also glad you loved the pottery workshop. Thank you for your recommendation!
via Tripadvisor
The orignal, and best, slum tour.
Excellent tour of Dharavi slum with Chetan. For those who don't know, Reality Tours is the original slum tour, and is run by a charity that provides job education for residents of the slum. So you can get a cultural education and help the people of Dharavi at the same time. The tour takes you through shops and residential areas, and then some of the many "factories" that operate out of Dharavi. You finish up at a pottery workshop where you can try your hand at throwing some jars -- as an experienced potter, the unfamiliar clay and tools made that more of a challenge than I expected. Chetan was very knowledgable about Dharavi (he used to live there) and keen to show all the parts of the "slum". Note that a Mumbai slum isn't like an American slum; it's more like a Mexican maquiladora. Wear very study shoes for this one.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your thoughtful review! We are so glad you enjoyed your Dharavi tour with Chetan and appreciated learning about the community and its industries. We will be sure to share your kind words with Chetan. Thank you for supporting our mission, and we hope to welcome you again on another tour!
via Tripadvisor
Great tour educational and inspiring
Great tour and great to see that slum doesn’t have to mean crime and poverty. People live full, employed lives, children are educated - but living conditions are so cramped. Wonderful that our tour actually benefits the slum community. Thank you. Highly recommend.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your thoughtful and heartfelt review. We are really glad the tour helped show a different perspective — that a slum is not defined by crime, but by hardworking people, strong communities, education, and resilience, even in very challenging and cramped living conditions. That understanding is exactly what we hope every guest takes away. It also means a lot to us that you value the fact that the tour directly benefits the local community. Supporting education and community initiatives is at the core of what we do. Thank you for your recommendation — we truly appreciate it and hope to welcome you again in the future.
via Tripadvisor
Tour of the slums and pottery
The tour was amazing, Rehana shared so much information with us and I love how the profits go back to the community - definitely worth the add on of the pottery too!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review ❤️ We are delighted to hear you had such an amazing experience and that Rehana shared so much insight during your visit to Dharavi. It means a lot that you value how the profits support the local community — that’s at the heart of what we do at Reality Tours & Travel. And we are so glad you enjoyed the pottery add-on too — it’s such a special way to connect even more closely with local craftsmanship! We hope to welcome you back again someday 🌟
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $28 to $7,700
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 24
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Reality Tours & Travel Pvt Ltd, who run 20 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 72.8 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Reality Tours & Travel Pvt Ltd runsWhy this scores 81
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Mumbai.
How much does Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop cost?
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Prices start at $28 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Mumbai usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Mumbai is not rushed.
Is Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 68 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Mumbai, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop?
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Around 24 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Mumbai can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Mumbai and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Mumbai within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Mumbai?
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On Outty we rank every Mumbai experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Group Guided Walking Tour in Fort and Colaba, Elephanta Caves & Island Guided Private Tour, Dharavi Slum Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Mumbai?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Mumbai?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop?
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Included: Local English speaking guide. Not included: Hotel/Residence pickup and drop-off; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop?
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We meet at the main entrance and ticket office on the West side of the station. To check if you are in the right spot, verify that V-Jai Restaurant and Bakery is opposite and Third Wave Coffee is diagonally opposite. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Mumbai. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop?
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Across 68 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, good for families. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Dharavi Tour & Pottery Workshop?
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There are 4 options to choose from, including Private Pottery-Meet:Mahim, Group Pottery Tour- Meet:Mahim, Private Pottery-Meet:C/gate, Group Pottery Tour-Meet:C/gate. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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