Ajanta & Ellora Caves: 2-Day Private Tour with Aurangabad City

Summary

Ancient cave paintings, Mughal echoes and city life in Aurangabad

You’ll step through silent chambers filled with ancient Buddhist paintings at Ajanta Caves, marvel at Ellora’s carved temples, and wander Mughal-era sites like Bibi Ka Maqbara—all with private transport and a local guide from Aurangabad city. Expect real stories, cool bottled water in hand, and moments that linger long after you’ve left.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Excursion to Ajanta Caves Full Day

• Travel to Ajanta Caves
• Explore Buddhist rock-cut caves
• View paintings and sculptures
• Learn about UNESCO World Heritage Site

Day 2 — Visit Ellora Caves and Historical Sites

• Travel to Ellora Caves
• Explore Ellora rock-cut caves
• Visit Bibi Ka Maqbara monument

Top questions

How far are Ajanta Caves from Aurangabad?

The Ajanta Caves are located about 100 km from Aurangabad city.

Which days are Ajanta & Ellora Caves closed?

Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays; Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesdays.

Is hotel pickup included in this tour?

This private tour includes pickup by air-conditioned vehicle from your accommodation in Aurangabad.

Are entry fees included?

No, monument entrance fees are not included; prices vary for foreigners and SAARC country visitors.

Is this tour suitable for families with children?

Yes, infants can ride in prams or sit on laps; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What should I bring for visiting caves?

Comfortable shoes and maybe tissues (it gets dusty); bottled water is provided during your tour.

Can public transportation reach these sites?

Public transportation options exist nearby but this tour uses private transport throughout.

What’s included

Your experience includes private air-conditioned transportation throughout both days with complimentary bottled water always handy (you’ll be grateful), plus tissue boxes for comfort along the way. Pickup is arranged directly from your hotel or preferred location in Aurangabad city before heading out to explore each site together with your local guide.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed when we left Aurangabad that morning was how the air changed—cooler, somehow sharper as we drove out toward the Ajanta Caves. Our guide, Sameer, had this way of pointing out little things—like the way the fields looked different depending on who farmed them. He handed us cold bottled water (felt good against my palm) and told us to look for monkeys near the entrance. We did. There were a few, but mostly I remember the hush inside Cave 1—the smell of old stone and incense still clinging to the walls. The paintings are older than I could really wrap my head around. Sameer explained how monks used natural dyes from plants and minerals, but honestly I just stared at those colors—still there after all these centuries. My shoes made this soft scuffing sound on the floor, and for a second it felt like time slowed down.

The next day was Ellora Caves, which are only about 30 km from Aurangabad city (the drive isn’t long but you see so much out the window—kids waving at our car, goats everywhere). At Ellora it’s not just Buddhist caves; there’s Hindu and Jain art too. The Kailasa Temple is carved out of a single rock—I mean, how? Our guide laughed when I tried to pronounce “Kailasanatha” right (I didn’t). He showed us where pilgrims leave flowers even now. The air smelled faintly sweet—jasmine maybe? Afterward we stopped at Daulatabad Fort and then Bibi Ka Maqbara. It really does look like a smaller Taj Mahal but with its own quirks; there was a family picnicking under one of the arches and someone selling spicy chai nearby. My tongue burned for ages after that sip.

I liked that everything was included—private car with AC (thank god), water bottles kept coming, tissues too (which I didn’t think I’d need until bat poop dripped on my sleeve in one cave). Entry fees were clear upfront; no weird surprises. If you’re doing a day trip to Ajanta or Ellora from Aurangabad, just check which days they’re open—Ajanta closes Mondays, Ellora on Tuesdays. Sameer knew all the shortcuts to avoid crowds; he even convinced a guard to let us peek into a closed-off area for a second (“just don’t take photos,” he whispered).

It’s funny what sticks with you—the echo inside an empty chamber or the way sunlight hits carved stone late in the afternoon. I still think about that quiet moment in Ajanta Cave 10 when everyone else wandered off and it was just me and those ancient eyes looking back from painted walls.