Ajanta and Ellora caves from Aurangabad
- Private tour
- Private guide and vehicle
- Reply within four hours, 9am–9pm IST
- No payment to start planning
- Serious heritage and architecture travellers with at least two days to give the region.
- Both sites involve significant walking and, at Ajanta, a climb up to the cave entrances; comfortable footwear matters.
- Ellora's caves are typically closed on Tuesdays and Ajanta's on Mondays — we plan your two days around this.
- Photography rules vary by cave and site; your guide advises on the current restrictions.
What’s included
- Private guide and vehicle for both days
- Driver throughout
What’s not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Monument entry tickets
- Personal expenses
Cancellation terms are confirmed with your written quote
- No payment is taken until you approve the itinerary.
Day one: Ellora
The closer of the two, around 30km from Aurangabad, with a full day exploring the Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves including the Kailasa Temple.
Day two: Ajanta
A longer drive of around 100km, with a full day among the painted Buddhist caves.
Guided throughout
A knowledgeable guide is essential at both sites to make sense of the carvings, murals and their history.
Ajanta's roughly 30 caves, carved between the 2nd century BCE and 6th century CE, are best known for their Buddhist murals and sculpture, remarkably preserved inside cool rock-cut chambers. Ellora's 34 caves, carved later and closer to Aurangabad, include Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples side by side — the standout is the Kailasa Temple, an entire temple carved downward out of a single hillside, one of the most ambitious rock-cut structures anywhere.
Both sites are large enough that a rushed half-day at each does them a disservice; we plan them as separate full days wherever your schedule allows it.
- Both sites involve significant walking and, at Ajanta, a climb up to the cave entrances; comfortable footwear matters.
- Ellora's caves are typically closed on Tuesdays and Ajanta's on Mondays — we plan your two days around this.
- Photography rules vary by cave and site; your guide advises on the current restrictions.
Best season and starting point
Two full days is the realistic minimum to see both sites properly; a single very long day covering both is possible but rushed and not recommended. Best October to March; summer heat and monsoon rain both make the longer Ajanta drive less comfortable.
Can I see both Ajanta and Ellora in one day?
It is physically possible but not advisable — both sites are large and reward a full day each. Two separate days gives a far better visit.
Which is more impressive, Ajanta or Ellora?
They are different rather than comparable: Ajanta is prized for its painted murals, Ellora for the sheer scale and variety of its rock-cut temples, especially the Kailasa Temple. Most travellers who can manage it see both.
How do I get to Aurangabad?
By flight or train from Mumbai or other major cities; we arrange the onward transfers and both days' sightseeing once you are there.
Reviews
- 5 stars4
- 4 stars2
- 3 stars1
- 2 stars0
- 1 stars0
What our guests say
Nikhil G
Family · Verified trip
3/51 week agoMixed feelings. The sites were spectacular and the driver excellent, but our guide's English was harder to follow than we expected and we missed some of the detail. The office apologised quickly when we mentioned it.
via Google
Ben A
Couple · Verified trip
5/51 month agoTiming was spot on — we hit the fort in the soft morning light and were back at the hotel before the afternoon heat became unbearable. Clearly a team that has done this many, many times.
via Google
Marcus W
Couple · Verified trip
4/51 month agoVery good day out. Guide was knowledgeable and the driver excellent. The only reason it is not five stars is that the lunch break felt too long when we would rather have seen one more site.
via Google
Elena F
Family · Verified trip
5/51 month agoThe homestay night was the memory we will keep — cooking with the family, the kids playing cricket in the lane. It was arranged with real thought, and the drive out there was beautiful.
via Tripadvisor
Request a quote
Why book with Experience My India
Government-approved operator
Approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
500+ vetted local guides
35+ destination specialists plan every trip by hand.
Human help, every day
Mon–Sun, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM IST · +91 73022 65809
No payment until you approve
You receive a written quote first; nothing is charged to start planning.
Similar experiences
Day Trips
Agra day trip from Delhi
Private tour
Day Trips
Jaipur day trip from Delhi
Private tour
Day Trips
Fatehpur Sikri from Agra
Private tour
Price on request
Tailor-made quote from a specialist