Join a pilgrimage of a different kind: the Mumbai Xpress Autorickshaw Rally promises to be an adrenalin rush on the back of a three-wheeler run by CNG (compressed natural gas), all in the name of charity. The 13-day, 1,900km Chennai-to-Mumbai route extends through four states – Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra – coursing along spectacular coastlines, through flooded streets, valleys and the bustle of the ubiquitous Indian crowd. Party people will be pleased to know that this includes a tasty dose of Goa’s notorious nightlife. The organiser (Indian Autorickshaw Challenge), besides pegging this as ‘an amazing race for the clinically insane’, conceived the event to help eradicate child labour and promote adventure tourism and road-safety awareness in India. The race kicks off on 3 August – anyone is welcome to join this worthy puttputting cause.
Registration closes 1 Jul (+91 44 4284 9875, www.indianarc.com).

What to see: Mumbai, a city of stark contrasts, where slums perch alongside skyscrapers, is addictive and pleasures as it pains. Amid the traffi c, smog and heat, contend with the precious madness that is Crawford Market, an enduring image of the British Raj, selling everything from mangos and Kraft cheese to saris and backpacks. Hail an autorickshaw or take the suburban rail on the central or harbour line to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (aka Victoria Terminus), and head north. For a retreat into the past, take the launch (INR120/ S$4 return-trip, departing every 30 minutes) at the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, where the Elephanta caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, contain wondrous sculptures of the Hindu faith.
Where to eat & drink: Leopold Café (Colaba Causeway, +91 22 2282 8185) is a must. It was a haunt for Westerners, the Afghan mafia and other unsavoury characters 20 years ago as depicted by Gregory David Roberts, the convicted Australian bank robber who wrote Shantaram. While still slightly seedy, it is a great place to meet other travellers over a beer and curry or get recruited to be a Bollywood extra. At Indigo (4 Mandlik Rd, +91 22 6636 8999), where the sleek takes precedence over sleaze, the fusion fare ensures that you won’t contract a case of the dreaded ‘Delhi belly’.
Where to stay: If you don’t mind spending copious amounts of money (we’re talking Maharajah copious), then the iconic Taj Mahal Palace & Tower is for you. While it may be extravagant (think vaulted alabaster ceilings), it offers breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea. From INR12,500 (S$421) per night. Apollo Bunder (+91 22 6665 3366, www.tajhotels.com). Otherwise, a good budget option (a short walking distance from the Taj) yet still teeming with character is the Bentley’s Hotel. It’s in a quiet nook tucked behind the main noisy thoroughfare of Colaba Causeway, with basic but clean colonial-furnished rooms (with balcony views) that are a bargain in pricey Mumbai. From INR1,145 (S$38) per night. 17 Oliver Rd (+91 22 2284 1474, www.bentleyshotel.com).
How to get there: Fly to Mumbai direct from Singapore on Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeair.com).