Mumbai & Cochin

[AKletzelman]

We will have one day in Mumbai & Cochin on an Oceania cruise this December & would like to do private tours. Can anyone recommend a tour operator based on their own experience?

[Ruthie2]

I think we are on the same sailing (Rome to Singapore, Nov. 25). I am interested to see what response you get. Our concern is getting back to the ship on time.

[happyglobetrotter]

We will have one day in Mumbai & Cochin on an Oceania cruise this December & would like to do private tours. Can anyone recommend a tour operator based on their own experience?

 

 

In Cochin. we rented a taxi from a booth installed at the port. Official rate - prepaid - it was $15 for 3 hours. We saw the Chinese nets, the fish market, the Dutch palace, the portuguese church and cemetary, the Jewish quarter, etc. The taxi was an Imperial Ambassador from the late 50s, corduroy worn out seats, but air conditionned and you had to push the door handle up and down to lock and unlock the doors. Also the car was stalling...but we enjoyed it tremendously, quite an adventure that made you really feel in India.

 

In Mumbai, we took a $1 taxi to go to the Taj hotel in front of the Gateway to India monument. The taxis right outside the ship wanted $10 for that short ride but the Tourism bureau lady inside the terminal suggested we walk at the end of the port - about 3 minutes walk and she confirmed that the rate there was $1.

 

We had to ask 3 taxis before one said yes for $1 but there are 60,000 taxis in Mumbai so... with the $1 tip we added, he was very happy.

 

DO NOT hire a taxi for a tour. They are too small for 4 and the drivers are not fluent in English. GO FIRST CLASS. Ask the taxi to take you the Taj Hotel, walk to the concierge desk and ask for one of their limo to take you on a 4 hour intensive tour of Mumbai. The livered chauffeur and the recent luxurious aiir conditionned van (leather seats) will be ready for you instantly. The cost : a mere $60 and the van can take 6 (so $15 a piece for 4 or $10 if you are 6) The driver took us everywhere in class and comfort and made us feel like one million dollars.

 

In Mumbai, we also did Elephanta Island on our own by ferry the next day. However I see that you only have one day on Mumbai. If interested about the details of that second tremendous expedition, please email me at lvoyer at canada dot com

 

 

Louise:o