Ajanta Ellora Caves Tour: 2-Day Private Cab & Entry

Buddha paintings at Ajanta, carved temples at Ellora, a 12th-century fort carved from a single hill

A 2-day private tour from Aurangabad by air-conditioned car visiting Ajanta caves (known for paintings of Buddha's life), Ellora caves (three groups carved into the hillside for Hindu, Buddhist and Jain worship), Daultabad fort and Bibi ka Maqbara. Entrance tickets to all four sites, professional driver, hotel pickup and a guidebook are included. You choose between Indian or foreigner entrance pricing at checkout, and can add an in-person official guide or arrange meals separately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Explore Ajanta Caves and return

• Start tour from hotel at 7:30AM
• Drive 3 hours to Ajanta caves
• Take shuttle bus to Ajanta site
• Refresh at MTDC restaurant
• Hire licensed guide at cave 1
• Explore important Ajanta caves
• Have veg or non-veg food near ticket counter
• Take shuttle bus back to parking
• Driver drops at hotel in Aurangabad

Day 2: Visit Ellora Caves, Fort and Bibi ka Maqbara

• Pick up from hotel at 8:00AM
• Drive to Ellora caves by private AC car
• Explore Ellora caves on your own
• Visit Daulatabad Fort if not tired
• Visit Bibi ka Maqbara
• Return to hotel

The experience

The tour starts with a three-hour drive from your hotel to Ajanta caves, 110 kilometres away. The road is under construction and bumpy, so bring a back support pillow if you have any spine sensitivity. A shuttle bus takes you the final ten minutes from the parking area to the cave complex. Once there, you can refresh at the MTDC restaurant, then hire a licensed guide at cave number one (cheaper than booking in advance) to walk through the important caves and learn about the Buddha paintings that date back centuries. The driver waits and brings you back to Aurangabad the same afternoon.

Day two starts at 8am with pickup from your hotel and the drive to Ellora caves. The complex holds three separate groups of caves belonging to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, carved directly into the hillside over centuries. You explore at your own pace. The driver stays on call if you need assistance and provides tips before you enter. To reach the Jain caves, you can take a shuttle bus inside the complex or walk 1.5 kilometres. On the return to Aurangabad, you pass Daultabad fort (originally called Devgiri), a 12th-century structure built on a single hill: the only fort in India excavated this way. If you still have energy, you can climb through a dark passage to the middle viewpoint to see cannons and the victory tower, or push to the top for the wider view. The final stop is Bibi ka Maqbara, a Mughal-era tomb built to mirror the Taj Mahal, before the driver returns you to your hotel.

Entrance fees to all four sites, fuel, tolls and parking are covered. You travel in a private air-conditioned car with a professional driver who speaks Hindi and English. Mineral water is provided throughout both days. A guidebook comes with your booking if you don't hire an in-person guide. Meals are your choice and cost extra.

What’s included

• Entrance tickets to Ajanta caves, Ellora caves, Daultabad fort and Bibi ka Maqbara.
• private air-conditioned car for both days.
• professional driver speaking Hindi and English.
• hotel pickup from any location in Aurangabad.
• mineral water during the journey.
• all fuel, tolls, parking and service charges.
• guidebook (if you don't add an in-person official guide at checkout).

Options for this experience

2 options

Indian ticket entrance07:00, 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00Private service over 2 days: on the first day you visit the Ajanta Caves, and on the second day you visit Ellora, Daulatabad Fort and Bibi Ka Maqbara. Private air-conditioned car: a Sedan is provided for 1 to 3 people, and an SUV for 4 to 6 people. Entrance tickets: this price covers tickets for Indian nationals only. Pickup is included.

Foreigner entrance ticket07:00, 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00Private service over 2 days: Day 1 covers the Ajanta Caves, and Day 2 covers the Ellora Caves, Daulatabad Fort and Bibi Ka Maqbara (the mini Taj Mahal). The order of the days can be changed. A water bottle is provided. Air-conditioned car: for 1 to 3 people, a Sedan such as a Swift Dzire or similar; for 4 to 6 people, an SUV such as an Innova or similar; for more than 6 people, a minibus. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

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 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Akvin Tourism

Is this one for you?The two-day span lets you see all four major sites without rushing (Ajanta's paintings on day one, Ellora's carved temples and Daultabad fort on day two) in a single private vehicle with one driver, which means no transfers between guides or groups and no waiting for a shared tour to fill up.

Traveler reviews

4.83★★★★★★★★★★

24 verified traveler reviews

5 ★21

4 ★2

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What are the Ajanta caves known for?

Ajanta caves are known for their paintings that showcase the life of Buddha from his childhood onward. The complex sits 110 kilometres from Aurangabad and requires a shuttle bus ride from the parking area to reach the actual site.

Can I hire a guide at Ellora caves, or do I need to book one in advance?

You can hire a licensed guide on-site at Ellora caves. The driver will provide tips before you enter and stay available by phone if you need help. An in-person official guide is optional and costs extra if you choose it at checkout.

How long does the drive to Ajanta caves take?

The drive to Ajanta caves takes three hours from Aurangabad. The road is under construction and bumpy, so the operator recommends bringing a back support pillow if you have any spine sensitivity. The return journey also takes three hours.

What is Daultabad fort, and can I visit it?

Daultabad fort (originally Devgiri) is a 12th-century structure built on a single hill: the only fort in India excavated this way. On day two, you pass it on the return to Aurangabad and can explore it if you have energy left, climbing through a dark passage to viewpoints with cannons, the victory tower and wide views of the surrounding area.

Is Bibi ka Maqbara included in the tour?

Yes, Bibi ka Maqbara is the final stop on day two. It is a Mughal-era tomb built to show love and affection through Mughal architecture, often described as a mini Taj Mahal, and entrance is included in your tour price.

What meals and drinks are included?

Mineral water bottles are provided throughout both days. Meals are not included. You can eat at the MTDC restaurant at Ajanta caves or at restaurants the driver suggests, and costs are your own. Beverages including beer are available for purchase at various stops.