Ajanta & Ellora
PRIVATE TOUR: See the remarkable, rock-hewn 2nd century B.C. caves of Ajanta, adorned with exquisite paintings and sculptures of Buddha and view the impressive temples and monasteries of Ellora, home to the renowned Kailasa Temple.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
4 daysHotel Rating
3 starStarts
MumbaiEnds
MumbaiMinimum age
5 years oldMaximum age
No max ageArrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesTour Guide
Yes - for all included sightseeingCountry
IndiaMeals included
Breakfast: 3Passengers
$1,045.00
$314.00
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private Tour
Trip Type
Short Stays
Range
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - for all included sightseeingGroup Size
Min 1 / Max Private TourTranportation
N/ALanguage
EnglishLanguage
EnglishRange
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Short StaysTour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Mumbai to Aurangabad
Mumbai - Aurangabad. Early morning transfer to the airport for your included fight to Aurangabad and onward transfer to your hotel on arrival.
This afternoon we undertake a city sightseeing tour of Aurangabad. The Pani Chakki is a late 17th century water mill that displays the engineering skills of Malik Ambar, the architect of Aurangabad City. It is surrounded by a picturesque garden-landscape dotted with fish tanks. The Bibi-ka-maqbara was built by Aurangzeb’s son as a tribute to his mother, Begum Rabia-ud-Durani. It is a replica of the Taj Mahal and stands out as the only example of Mogul architecture on the Deccan Plateau. Lastly today we visit the Aurangabad Caves No. 7 and 8, caves from the Mahayana school of Buddhism.
Please Note: Ajanta Caves are closed on Monday, Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesday.
Day 2 - Ajanta Caves
Enjoy a full day excursion to Ajanta Caves. Nestling in an inner fold of the Sahyadri hills, 100 kms from the city of Aurangabad in the shape of a mammoth horseshoe are the 30 rock-hewn caves of Ajanta, dating from 2nd century B.C. and discovered in 1819, by a group of British Officers, these startling achievements took around 600 years to create. Carved with little more than a hammer and chisel, Ajanta, once the retreat of the Buddhist monastic orders features several ‘Chaityas’ and Viharas. The exquisite paintings and sculptures of Buddha’s life belong to the Mahayana period.
Day 3 - Ellora Caves - Buddhist, Jain & Hindu sculptures
Aurangabad. This morning we head out to Ellora Caves. Impressive in their own right, are the rock-hewn temples and monasteries of Ellora that lie just 30kms away from Aurangabad City and are the meeting point for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus.
In all, there are 34 cave temples - 12 Mahayana Buddhist caves (550-750 A.D.), 17 Hindu caves (600-875 A.D.), five caves of the Jain faith (800-1000 A.D.) and 22 more caves, dedicated to Shiva, which have been recently discovered. Cave 16, the renowned Kailasa Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is probably the largest monolith in the world and is said to have taken 150 years to be built by 7000 labourers, working in continuous shifts. Lavishly carved and sculptured from a single rock, it bears testimony to the excellence of Dravidian art. It includes a gateway, pavilion, courtyard, vestibule, sanctum, sanctorum and tower. Cave No. 32, which is the assembly hall of Indra (God of rain), belongs to the Jain group. A shrine within the assembly hall contains the seated Mahavir, last of the 24 tirthankars and founder of Jainism. The lotus design details on the columns are the finest examples of craftsmanship in the Ellora complex.
Leaving Ellora Caves, this afternoon we enjoy an excursion to Daulatabad Fort, a labyrinthine structure that was once covered in Persian tiles.
Day 4 - Aurangabad - Mumbai by flight
Aurangabad - Mumbai. Transfer to the airport and fly to Mumbai. Upon arrival to Mumbai our arrangements end.
If you'd like to extend your stay, we offer a variety of hotels, short stays and add-ons for you to choose from.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Prices & Dates
'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to anyone wanting the privacy of their own room, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. If travelling solo, an additional ‘1-person’ supplement will apply, contact us for details.
Price reductions are available when there are 4 or more persons travelling in your tour party, since fixed costs like transportation and guiding are shared across the group.
Can't find a date that works for you?
Dates for 2027 haven't been released yet.
Similar Tours
Explore more exciting tours in India to discover even more unforgettable adventures!
On The Go Tours
Our agents are waiting to chat to you...
Are you a Travel Agent or Customer?
Do you have an booking reference?