Ajanta & Ellora Caves Tour: 2-Day UNESCO Sites Visit

Two days of rock-cut temples, a fortress, and the Deccan's "Mini Taj"

A 2-day private tour from Aurangabad with dedicated car and driver, visiting the UNESCO-listed Ajanta Caves on day one and Ellora Caves plus Daulatabad Fort, Bibi Ka Maqbara and Panchakki on day two. Hotel pickup and drop-off included. Each day runs approximately 8 to 12 hours of sightseeing. The itinerary is flexible and can be adjusted to your preferences, with early morning starts timed to your schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Ajanta Caves Day Trip

• Pickup from hotel
• Travel to Ajanta Caves
• Explore Ajanta Caves

Day 2: Ellora Caves and Sightseeing

• Pickup from hotel
• Visit Ellora Caves
• Visit Daulatabad Fort
• Visit Bibi Ka Maqbara
• Visit Panchakki water mill

The experience

You get picked up from your hotel each morning and travel by private car to the sites: no shared transport, no fixed group schedule. Day one focuses entirely on Ajanta Caves, the UNESCO World Heritage site carved into a horseshoe-shaped ravine. The rock-cut architecture, ancient murals and the scale of the excavation are the draw here. You spend the day moving through the caves at whatever pace suits you. Day two covers more ground: Ellora Caves (another UNESCO site with its own distinct style), then Daulatabad Fort, the hilltop fortress with its defensive passages and views across the plateau, followed by Bibi Ka Maqbara (the marble structure often called the "Mini Taj" of the Deccan), and Panchakki, an 17th-century water mill that demonstrates the engineering ingenuity of its era.

The flexibility is built in. If you want to linger at one site or skip another, the driver and itinerary adjust. Both days involve roughly 8 to 12 hours of sightseeing, but the actual rhythm depends on how long you spend at each stop. Early morning departures mean you reach the caves before the heat peaks and before larger groups arrive. Hotel pickup and drop-off bookend each day, so you're not arranging transport to a meeting point or finding your way back at the end.

You'll need a moderate level of fitness: the caves involve walking and climbing stairs, and the fort requires ascending to the ramparts. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. The sites are spread across the region and the car is your base between them. A guide is available as an add-on depending on which option you choose at checkout. Some travelers prefer the independence of exploring with just the driver, while others book the guide option for context on the history and architecture.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off on both days.
• private car for the full 2 days.
• fuel surcharge.
• flexible itinerary adjusted to your pace and preferences.
• early morning departures timed to your schedule.

Options for this experience

5 options

Ellora Caves Tour Using a SedanUp to 3 per booking · 10 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:30Sedan option: we pick you up from Aurangabad city and travel to the Ellora Caves and back to Aurangabad (transportation only). Pickup is included.

Ajanta and Ellora Tour by AC CarUp to 3 per booking · 5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 10:00Sedan option: we provide an AC sedan car for the 2-day Ajanta Ellora caves tour. Pickup is included.

Tour by SUV, car only, no guideUp to 6 per booking · 6 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 11:00AC SUV car option: we provide an AC SUV car (Innova Crysta or similar) for your tour. Pickup is included.

See 2 more options

Ajanta&Ellora Tour -Car+GuideUp to 3 per booking · 6 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 11:00Transportation with guide: we provide a professional tour guide and transport by AC sedan car for the 2-day Ajanta Ellora tour. Pickup is included.

Guided Tour in an SUVUp to 6 per booking · 9 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 10:00SUV option: we provide an SUV car for transportation with a professional government-approved guide. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 11:30

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Aurangabad by Local

Is this one for you?Book the option with a guide if you want the history and architectural details explained as you move through the caves. Choose the car-only option if you prefer to explore independently and set your own rhythm at each site. The 2-day structure lets you see both Ajanta and Ellora without rushing. A single-day version would compress both caves into one exhausting stretch.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between Ajanta and Ellora Caves?

Ajanta Caves are carved into a crescent-shaped ravine and feature intricate murals and sculptures dating back to the 2nd century BCE, while Ellora Caves are spread across a hillside and include Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples carved over a longer period. Ajanta gets its own full day. Ellora is paired with nearby forts and monuments on day two.

Do I need a guide, or can I explore the caves on my own?

You can choose at checkout: some options include a guide who provides historical and architectural context, while others offer the car and driver alone, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. A guide is particularly useful if you want to understand the significance of the murals and carvings.

How early do we start each morning?

Both days start early according to your preference. You set the time when you book. Early starts help you reach the caves before the midday heat and before larger tour groups arrive, making the experience more relaxed.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. The driver can recommend local restaurants near the sites, and you have flexibility to choose where and when to stop to eat during the day.

What is Bibi Ka Maqbara, and why is it called the "Mini Taj"?

Bibi Ka Maqbara is a marble mausoleum built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb for his first wife. It resembles the Taj Mahal in design and scale but is smaller, earning the nickname "Mini Taj of the Deccan." It's included on day two alongside Ellora Caves and Daulatabad Fort.

What should I bring for two days of sightseeing?

Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat: the sites involve climbing and exposure to sun. The caves stay cool inside, so a light layer helps. A camera is useful, though some caves restrict photography in certain areas.