Ajanta Ellora Caves Day Trip Mumbai: UNESCO Sites Tour

Three UNESCO sites tour: Kailasa Temple, Buddhist caves, Mughal mausoleum. Explore ancient art and history

A full-day tour from Mumbai to Aurangabad combines round-trip flights with visits to Ajanta and Ellora Caves, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, and the Bibi Ka Maqbara. You explore the Kailasa Temple (a monolithic structure carved from a single rock), then drive two hours through scenic terrain to Ajanta's 30 rock-cut Buddhist temples decorated with frescoes and sculptures, before finishing at the Mughal mausoleum known as the Mini Taj Mahal. The same-day flight saves accommodation and extended travel time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ajanta, Ellora, and Mini Taj Mahal

• Pick up from Aurangabad Airport
• Visit Ellora Caves
• Drive to Ajanta Caves
• Explore Ajanta Caves
• Visit Bibi Ka Maqbara
• Drop off at Aurangabad Airport

The experience

The Kailasa Temple at Ellora is the first stop after you land in Aurangabad. This 6th-century monolithic carving rises from a single block of stone and dominates the cave complex. A feat of engineering that took generations to complete. Around it sit 33 other caves housing Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples and monasteries, their walls covered in intricate sculptures and carvings that span centuries of Indian religious art.

The drive to Ajanta takes roughly two hours and covers about 100 kilometers through the landscape. Ajanta's 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves date back to the 2nd century BCE, and their walls are alive with frescoes depicting the life of Buddha and the Jataka tales: stories that have survived over 1,500 years in these chambers. The caves sit in a horseshoe bend of a ravine, and the setting itself is part of why pilgrims and scholars have returned here for centuries.

After Ajanta, you visit the Bibi Ka Maqbara, a 17th-century mausoleum built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's son as a memorial to his mother. The white marble structure echoes the Taj Mahal's proportions and symmetry, which is why locals call it the Mini Taj Mahal. From there, you return to Aurangabad Airport for the evening flight back to Mumbai, completing the full circuit in a single day.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transportation and a professional English-speaking driver throughout the day.
• round-trip flight from Mumbai to Aurangabad (in the All Inclusive and Local Guide options).
• a private professional guide in English (in the All Inclusive and Local Guide options).
• all toll tax, parking, fuel, and driver allowance.

Options for this experience

3 options

Private air-conditioned car and driverGuide in English · No fixed timeMake the journey smooth with private air-conditioned transport and a professional driver. Pickup is included.

Local guide with private air-conditioned carGuide in English · No fixed timeTravel comfortably in private air-conditioned transport with a dedicated driver and an expert local guide. Includes pickup.

Private tour, all inclusiveGuide in English · No fixed timeThe complete package: a private air-conditioned car, a dedicated driver, a local guide, and entry tickets. Includes pickup.

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

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday to Sunday

AgesAdult (8 to 90 years) · Child (1 to 7 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Jee Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the All Inclusive Private Tour if you want the guide's expertise on the history and art at each site. Pick the Private A/C Car & Driver option if you prefer to explore independently or bring your own guide. The same-day flight structure means you leave Mumbai in the morning and return by evening, so this works only if you have a full day free and don't need accommodation in Aurangabad.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 7 years).

What exactly is the Kailasa Temple at Ellora, and why is it considered remarkable?

The Kailasa Temple is a monolithic structure carved entirely from a single block of rock at Ellora, dating to the 6th century. It was dedicated to Lord Shiva's abode, Mount Kailasa, and represents one of the most ambitious rock-cut architectural projects in India, adorned with intricate sculptures and carvings that showcase Hindu artistic mastery.

How far is Ajanta from Ellora, and what will I see when I get there?

Ajanta is approximately 100 kilometers from Ellora, with a scenic drive of around two hours. The site contains 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave temples dating from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE, famous for their magnificent murals, frescoes, and sculptures illustrating the life of Buddha and Jataka tales.

What is the Bibi Ka Maqbara, and when was it built?

The Bibi Ka Maqbara is a 17th-century Mughal mausoleum in Aurangabad built by Azam Shah, son of Emperor Aurangzeb, in memory of his mother, Dilras Banu Begum. It features elegant Mughal architecture with intricate carvings and a dome, earning the nickname "Mini Taj Mahal" for its architectural similarity.

Does the tour include flights from Mumbai, or do I arrange those separately?

Round-trip flights from Mumbai to Aurangabad are included in the All Inclusive Private Tour option. If you choose the Private A/C Car & Driver or Private A/C Car & Local Guide options, you arrange flights separately and meet the driver at Aurangabad Airport.

What's included in the transportation during the day?

Private air-conditioned vehicle transport is included throughout the tour, with a professional English-speaking driver. Toll tax, parking, and fuel are covered. If you select the All Inclusive option or the Local Guide option, a private professional guide accompanies you. The Car & Driver option provides the vehicle and driver only.