Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Join Bengaluru high schooler Dia Z. Panakkat on a walk through Ejipura slums - perhaps Bengaluru's largest disadvantaged neighborhood. The challenges of poor infrastructure, unchecked development, and large scale urban migration come to focus here. Poverty and associated effects are all around.
Yet, this is also a place where the human spirit triumphs over adversity.
We will stop at the Swabhimaan community center - where children of all ages from the neighborhood come for curricular tuitions and after school programs.
We will then stop at the Swabhimaan Clinic - where doctors consult and distribute medicines for an all inclusive price of Rs. 10 (12 cents) per visit.
Finally we will stop by at the Swabhimaan grocery distribution center where free staples are served to the most in need.
Dia and another Swabhimaan volunteer will walk you through the sites. All proceeds are given back to people in the community through Swabhimaan Trust, a non-profit working in Ejipura since 2002.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Ejipura slums is perhaps Bengaluru's largest. The challenges of poor infrastructure, unchecked development, and large scale urban migration come to focus here. Poverty and associated effects are all around. Yet, this is also a place where the human spirit triumphs over adversity. We will stop at the Swabhimaan community center - where children of all ages from the neighborhood come for curricular tuitions and after school programs. You will meet the teachers and volunteers working hard to improve student performance. We will then stop at the Swabhimaan Clinic - where doctors consult and distribute medicines for an all inclusive price of Rs. 10 (12 cents) per visit. Finally we will stop by at the Swabhimaan grocery distribution center where free staples are served to the most in need. A Swabhimaan volunteer will walk you through the sites. All proceeds are given back to people in the community through Swabhimaan Trust, a non-profit working in Ejipura since 2002
Options
Guided Walk through Bengaluru's Ejipura Slums
What‘s Included
Drinking water is available. We encourage you to carry a bottle
A guide who is a community leader intimately familiar with Ejipura
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
26 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Once in a lifetime tour…incredible!
Molly S,May 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is an incredible tour opportunity. You get to meet people in the community who are running businesses, volunteering with a healthcare team, leading in the daycare program. You also get to meet and talk with the organization helping to care for and inspire these local families. I got to meet with the director of the NGO and one of his partners and got to talk with the healthcare volunteers and ask them questions. If there’s any tour that you take in Bengaluru, please include this one in your list. It’s truly special and eye-opening. Highly recommend!!
Very nice experience with Ashif
Joerg F,Feb 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The walk through Ejipura was a unique experience. We got to see a school class and interact with the kids from the 9th grade. They asked questions, we asked questions, the kids were very interested and very cute. We also got to see a health station, and many more things. Our guide Ashif was a very nice person and told us many things about Ejipura. When you visit Bangalore please go to this tour. It helps the community there and you will learn a lot about slums in India.
Wonderful expérience
Agathe B,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The work done by the association Swabhimaan is amazing, we had a very good (and emotional time) together, I strongly recommand you to do this visit when visiting Bangalore. No doubt I will come back when I come back to Bangalore.
If you only do one tour...
Kathryn C,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00If you only do one tour when you are in Bengaluru then this is the one. It’s a very informative, respectful and compassionate glimpse of real life for many people in the city and the work that is done to help support people living in poverty. The people involved in the project are incredibly empathic and passionate about supporting the community and they have a great rapport with residents and visitors. It isn’t at all voyeuristic, and it is a great opportunity for visitors to learn. It’s going to take some time to process. Thank you so much to all involved.
Wonderful experience!
C1644DOmaxg,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It has been a wonderful experience to hear from all these people that have such a heart for this place and all the good work they do. They are so ingrained into the community that is was very interesting to hear from them. It was very enlightening to also see the other side of this city and get a feeling how people live in these areas. Thank you all for the amazing experience! It has been amazing. Definitely a must do if you are in Bengalore.
Wonderful way to witness life and hope within Bangalore's slums
Maree C,Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I highly recommend taking this walking tour through Ejipura Slums. I am aware that very often a slum tour can feel patronising and voyeuristic but this entire experience was incredibly raw, and passionately genuine. Overall, it is a must do if you want to see real people rising above their situation with hope and determination. The NGO is superbly managed by the amazing Venkat. What a truly inspirational man! The gentle and enthusiastic way he greeted members of the community spoke volumes about his respect and dedication to this project. Equally as impressive was the tour leader Sharif who was warm, knowledgeable and entirely committed to the community of Ejipura. I left feeling totally in awe of the work that is being done to empower all of the community to rise above their poverty through education and initiaves far superior to work I have observed in other NGO’s. Please support this project by taking the tour and educating yourself about the situation here. I can assure that you will leave feeling you have gained knowledge, compassion and total admiration for both the community and the incredible Sharuf and Venkat.
Amazing experience seeing the real Bangalore
Voyager23948241784,Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I highly recommend taking this walking tour through Ejipura Slums. I am aware that very often a slum tour can feel patronising and voyeuristic but this entire experience was incredibly raw, and passionately genuine. Overall, it is a must do if you want to see real people rising above their situation with hope and determination. The NGO is superbly managed by the amazing Venkat. What a truly inspirational man! The gentle and enthusiastic way he greeted members of the community spoke volumes about his respect and dedication to this project. Equally as impressive was the tour leader Sharif who was warm, knowledgeable and entirely committed to the community of Ejipura. I left feeling totally in awe of the work that is being done to empower all of the community to rise above their poverty through education and initiaves far superior to work I have observed in other NGO’s. Please support this project by taking the tour and educating yourself about the situation here. I can assure that you will leave feeling you have gained knowledge, compassion and total admiration for both the community and the incredible Sharuf and Venkat.
Ashif and Dia were...
Yang X,Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Ashif and Dia were exceptionally knowledgeable and generous in sharing their insights into the story of Ejipura. As a solo female traveller, I felt deeply privileged to experience such an authentic and often unseen side of India — one I might never have discovered on my own. The most meaningful part of the tour was meeting and speaking with members of the community — hearing how they make their living, support one another, and find dignity and resilience in their daily lives. It was a humbling and eye-opening experience. Thank you for offering such a unique adventure.
This tour was great! The...
Tiffany C,May 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was great! The guides Ashif and Dia are so knowledgeable, and we were able to ask about everything from the social structures in India to the practicalities of construction in a slum. A highlight of the tour was meeting the school kids, watching them learn, and hearing what they’re passionate about. The charity is clearly doing great work. We left so much more informed about Bengaluru and India. Before a tour like this, you always wonder if you’re exploiting the local community. However, that wasn’t the case. It was good for the school children to learn about us and where we’re from, and our guides were longtime volunteers in the area and friends of the locals.
A truly interesting and rewarding tour
Paul S,Mar 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a highlight of our time in Bangalore. Ashif and his daughter Dia were excellent guides, and it was lovely to be able to chat and ask questions of such dedicated people who are really making a difference to the lives of others. Visiting the school and talking with the pupils was something we will always remember fondly.
Related Experiences
Operated by Bengaluru Lights