3-Day Ajanta & Ellora Caves Tour from Pune: UNESCO Sites

Rock-cut temples, 2nd-century frescoes, and a fortress with views across three days

A 3-day guided tour from Pune to Aurangabad, Ajanta and Ellora Caves with private car and English-speaking guide (optional). You visit Ellora's Kailasa Temple and Grishneshwar Temple on day one, spend day two exploring Ajanta's Buddhist caves and ancient frescoes 100 km away, and tour Aurangabad's landmarks (Bibi Ka Maqbara, Panchakki and Daulatabad Fort) on day three before returning to Pune or continuing onward. Monument entry tickets are separate. Your guide helps you purchase them without queuing.

The experience

The tour starts with a 4-hour drive from Pune to Aurangabad, where you check into your hotel and meet your guide. Day one takes you to Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site carved into rock and anchored by the Kailasa Temple, then to Grishneshwar Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The private air-conditioned car and driver stay with you throughout. Mineral water and a flashlight for cave exploration are provided.

Day two is the Ajanta excursion. You leave at 8:30 am for a 2-hour drive to reach the Buddhist caves, where frescoes and sculptures dating to the 2nd century BC cover the walls. Your guide walks you through the history and art of each cave before lunch at a local restaurant. The caves close on Mondays, so your dates need to avoid that day. Ellora closes Tuesdays. Monument tickets are not included in the package price, but your guide handles the purchase so you skip the entry queue.

Day three covers Aurangabad's city landmarks: Bibi Ka Maqbara (known as the Mini Taj), Panchakki, an ancient watermill, and Daulatabad Fort, a hilltop fortress with panoramic views. After lunch, you can be dropped at your hotel in Pune, stay in Aurangabad, or continue to Shirdi or Bhusawal. The tour suits all fitness levels, though the caves involve walking on uneven ground and climbing stairs.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned car with experienced driver speaking Hindi and English.
• professional English-speaking guide (available with one booking option).
• mineral water during journeys.
• flashlight for cave exploration.
• all tolls, parking, fuel, taxes and service charges.
• your guide's help purchasing monument entry tickets without queuing.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private transport without a guideUp to 5 per booking · Guide in English · 07:00Air-conditioned car with a driver: a sedan for 1–2 passengers or an SUV for 3–5 passengers. Guide service is not included. Includes pickup.

Private transport with a guideUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English · 07:00Air-conditioned car with a guide: a sedan for 1–2 passengers or an SUV for 3–5 passengers, with an English-speaking guide. Includes pickup.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 to 90 years) · Under 16: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 16.20

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Tour My Choice

Is this one for you?Choose the option with a guide if you want detailed history and art context as you move through each cave and monument. The guide-free option works if you prefer to explore at your own pace and bring your own research. The fixed three-day schedule covers Ellora, Ajanta and Aurangabad's city sites in sequence, so the route and timing are set. Book around the Monday and Tuesday closures at the caves.

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Top questions

What's inside the Ajanta Caves that makes them worth the 2-hour drive from Aurangabad?

Ajanta Caves hold Buddhist rock-cut temples adorned with ancient frescoes and sculptures dating back to the 2nd century BC. Your guide explains the history, art and legends of each cave as you walk through them.

Can I do this tour without a guide, or is one required?

A professional English-speaking guide is optional. You can book private transport with the guide or private transport alone. Both include the car, driver and all transport costs. If you skip the guide, you explore the sites independently.

Are monument entry tickets included in the tour price?

Monument tickets are not included and must be purchased separately at each site. Your guide will help you buy them, so you won't wait in the entry queue. Bring Indian Rupees in cash, as cards are not accepted at the monuments.

What happens if I want to end the tour in a different city instead of Pune?

After the Aurangabad city tour on day three, you can be dropped at Pune, or continue to Shirdi or Bhusawal to continue your journey onward.

Which days are the caves closed, and how does that affect booking?

Ajanta Caves close every Monday and Ellora Caves close every Tuesday. Plan your travel dates to avoid these closures, as your guide will help you coordinate the itinerary around them.

What should I bring for three days of cave exploration and city walking?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a hat or cap, sunscreen and a water bottle. A flashlight is provided for the caves. Carry Indian Rupees for monument tickets and any personal items you need. The car has air conditioning for the long drives between sites.