Ajanta & Ellora Caves Tour: 2-Day Skip-the-Line Entry

Rock-cut temples, ancient murals, and a Mughal mausoleum across two days

A 2-day private tour from Aurangabad to the UNESCO-listed Ajanta and Ellora Caves, with entry tickets to all three sites included and a private AC car with driver for the full two days. Day one covers the Ajanta viewing point and the 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves. Day two takes in the 34 caves at Ellora, including the Kailasa Temple carved from a single rock, then Bibi Ka Maqbara, the 17th-century Mughal mausoleum known as the Taj of the Deccan. You can explore independently or hire an ASI-approved guide at each site. Pickup is included in most options. Meals and hotel accommodation are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Visit Ajanta Caves

• Arrive at Ajanta viewing point
• Explore Ajanta Caves

Day 2: Explore Ellora Caves and Bibi Ka Maqbara

• Visit Ellora Caves
• Visit Bibi Ka Maqbara

The experience

How do you see three major archaeological sites across two days without arranging transport or worrying about entry queues? This private tour handles both: a driver picks you up, entry tickets to Ajanta, Ellora and Bibi Ka Maqbara are already paid, and you move through each site at your own pace in a private AC car. The caves themselves span centuries: Ajanta's 30 Buddhist caves date to the 2nd century BCE and hold some of India's finest ancient murals and frescoes, while Ellora's 34 caves, carved between the 6th and 10th centuries, blend Hindu, Buddhist and Jain temples into a single hillside sanctuary.

Day one is Ajanta: you stop at the viewing point first, then enter the caves themselves. Day two splits between Ellora (where the Kailasa Temple, carved from one unbroken rock, anchors the site), and Bibi Ka Maqbara, the 17th-century mausoleum Aurangzeb's son built for his mother in a garden setting that echoes the Taj Mahal's symmetry but carries its own character. At each location, you can walk through on your own or arrange an ASI-approved guide directly at the site if you want the history narrated. The driver speaks English and Hindi, handles all tolls and fuel, and a complimentary water bottle comes with the booking.

Purchase options let you add meals and tickets together or book the car alone, depending on whether you want the operator to cover entry or you're arranging that separately. Hotel accommodation is not included, so you'll need to book lodging in Aurangabad for the night between the two days.

What’s included

• Entry tickets to Ajanta, Ellora Caves and Bibi Ka Maqbara.
• private AC car with professional driver who speaks English and Hindi.
• all tolls, parking, fuel and service charges.
• one complimentary water bottle.

Options for this experience

5 options

Private air-conditioned car, tickets not included07:00, 08:00 and 09:00Ajanta Caves bird's-eye view: Enjoy a stunning view of Ajanta Caves from the spot where John Smith rediscovered them in 1819. Private AC car (no tickets): 1) This option is open to citizens of all countries. 2) Please note that NO entrance tickets are included. Duration: 7 hours, meaning 6-8 hours per day. Sedan or SUV: a sedan car for 1-3 passengers; an SUV will be provided for 4-5. Pickup is included.

Car plus tickets (for India and SAARC)07:00, 08:00 and 09:00Ajanta Caves bird's-eye view: Enjoy a stunning view of Ajanta Caves from the spot where John Smith rediscovered them in 1819. Entry tickets included: for Indian/SAARC/BIMSTEC passport holders only, with entrance tickets covering Ajanta, Ellora and Mini Taj Mahal. Duration: 7 hours. Sedan/SUV: a sedan car for 1-3 passengers; an SUV will be provided for 4-5. For Indian/SAARC/BIMSTEC only: entrance fees differ for passport holders from these countries. Pickup is included.

Car+Food+Ticket(India & SAARC)07:00, 08:00 and 09:00Ajanta Caves bird's-eye view: Enjoy a stunning view of Ajanta Caves from the spot where John Smith rediscovered them in 1819. Entry tickets included: for Indian/SAARC/BIMSTEC passport holders only, with entrance tickets covering Ajanta, Ellora and Mini Taj Mahal. Duration: 7 hours. Traditional Indian lunch thali. Sedan/SUV: a sedan car for 1-3 passengers; an SUV will be provided for 4-5. For Indian/SAARC/BIMSTEC only: entrance fees differ for passport holders from these countries. Pickup is included.

See 2 more options

Car+ Tickets(Foreign National)07:00, 08:00 and 09:00Ajanta Caves bird's-eye view: Enjoy a stunning view of Ajanta Caves from the spot where John Smith rediscovered them in 1819. Duration: 7 hours. Sedan/SUV: a sedan car for 1-3 passengers; an SUV will be provided for 4-5. For foreign nationals only: this covers all other foreign nationals (the entrance fee differs for Indian/SAARC/BIMSTEC passport holders). Pickup is included.

Car+Food+Ticket(Foreigners)07:00, 08:00 and 09:00Ajanta Caves bird's-eye view: Enjoy a stunning view of Ajanta Caves from the spot where John Smith rediscovered them in 1819. Entry tickets included: for foreign nationals only, with entrance tickets covering Ajanta, Ellora and Mini Taj Mahal. Lunch included. Duration: 8 hours. Traditional Indian thali. Sedan/SUV: a sedan car for 1-3 passengers; an SUV will be provided for 4-5. For foreign nationals only: this covers all other foreign nationals (the entrance fee differs for Indian/SAARC/BIMSTEC passport holders). 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 and 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Heritage of India

Is this one for you?The private car means you set the pace at each site without waiting for a group to move on, and the entry tickets are already paid so you walk straight past the queues. If you want a guide's narration at the caves, you arrange that separately at the site itself. This tour is built around independent exploration with the transport and access handled for you.

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Top questions

What exactly are the Ajanta Caves and why do they matter?

Ajanta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site holding 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves carved into a horseshoe-shaped gorge starting in the 2nd century BCE. They're known for their exquisite murals, intricate sculptures and frescoes that document ancient Indian artistic and spiritual life, making them a major draw for history and art enthusiasts.

Can I hire a guide to explain what I'm seeing at the caves?

Yes. An ASI-approved guide is not included in the tour price, but you can hire one directly at either Ajanta or Ellora when you arrive. The private car and driver get you to each site. The guide service is optional and arranged on-site.

What's included in the different purchase options?

You choose at checkout: some options bundle the private car with entry tickets and meals; others include just the car and tickets; one covers the car alone. All options include the private AC car with driver for both days, toll charges, fuel and a water bottle. Meals and hotel stays are separate in every option.

Do I need to arrange my own hotel in Aurangabad?

Yes. The 2-day tour covers transport and the cave sites, but hotel accommodation for the night between day one and day two is not included and must be booked separately.

What is Bibi Ka Maqbara and why is it on this tour?

Bibi Ka Maqbara is a 17th-century Mughal mausoleum built by Aurangzeb's son to honor his mother, Dilras Banu Begum. Often called the Taj of the Deccan, it sits in a walled garden with marble carvings and offers a different architectural style from the ancient rock-cut caves, rounding out the two-day journey through Maharashtra's heritage sites.