Ajanta & Ellora Caves Tour: 3-Day Private Car & Guide

Two UNESCO cave sites in three days, with a private car that waits while you explore

A 3-day guided tour from Aurangabad that takes you to Ajanta and Ellora Caves, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites carved into rock faces, plus the city's monuments. You travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver. A live guide in English is available as an option. Water bottle and torch are provided for cave exploration, and the itinerary can be adjusted to fit your pace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Aurangabad to Ajanta Caves and back

• Pick up from Aurangabad location
• Drive 2 hours to Ajanta Caves
• Take tea or coffee break en route
• Explore Ajanta Caves for 3-4 hours
• Have lunch at recommended restaurant
• Drive back to Aurangabad

Day 2: Ellora Caves, Grishneshwar, Daulatabad Fort

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive 1 hour to Ellora Caves
• Visit Ellora Caves
• Have lunch
• Visit Grishneshwar temple
• Visit Daulatabad Fort
• Return to Aurangabad hotel

Day 3: Aurangabad city tour and departure

• Visit Bibi Ka Maqbara
• Visit Aurangabad Caves
• Visit Panchakki
• Have lunch at local restaurant
• Drop off at airport, railway station, or bus stop

The experience

The tour starts with a 100-kilometer drive to Ajanta Caves, about two hours from Aurangabad with a tea or coffee break on the way. Once there, you'll have three to four hours to walk through the caves and see the intricate rock-cut sculptures and murals. The driver helps you find a restaurant for lunch before the return to Aurangabad. On day two, you leave at 8:30 a.m. for Ellora Caves, a 33-kilometer journey that takes an hour. Ellora is one of the largest single monolithic rock excavations in the world, and after exploring it you'll visit Grishneshwar temple nearby, then continue to Daulatabad Fort, which served as India's capital during the reign of Mughal King Mohammad Bin Tughlaq. Day three is a local city tour covering Aurangabad Caves, Bibi Ka Maqbara, and Panchakki, ending with a drop-off at your choice of airport, railway station or bus stop.

The vehicle size adjusts to your group: a sedan for one to two people, an SUV for three to four, or a tempo traveler for five to twelve. All vehicles are air-conditioned, and the tour includes fuel, tolls, parking and taxes. You'll need to carry Indian rupees for monument entry tickets, as cards aren't accepted at the sites. The operator recommends bringing sunglasses, comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle. The itinerary is flexible. You can adjust the day's plan based on what matters most to you.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transportation with a professional driver.
• water bottle and torch for cave exploration.
• all tolls, parking, fuel, taxes and service charges.
• optional professional guide in English.
• pickup from your location in Aurangabad and drop-off at airport, railway station or bus stop on the final day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Transport without GuideGuide in English · 08:00Inclusive: Select this option for a 3-day sightseeing trip. An air-conditioned car with a professional driver is included. Guides are not included. Pickup is included.

Transport with GuideGuide in English · 08:00Inclusive: Select this option for a 3-day sightseeing trip. The car, driver, and expert guide are part of this tour. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 to 65 years) · Child (1 to 10 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 16.20

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Tour My Choice

Is this one for you?Choose the guide option if you want context for what you're seeing at the caves and monuments. The driver-only option works well if you prefer to explore at your own pace or are traveling with someone who has read ahead. The private car means you set the rhythm at each site (no group waiting, no fixed time limits), and the flexible itinerary lets you linger where it matters most to you.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 10 years): free.

How far is Ajanta Caves from Aurangabad, and how long does it take to see them?

Ajanta Caves are 100 kilometers from Aurangabad, reached by a 2-hour drive. Once there, you'll have three to four hours to explore the caves and their rock-cut sculptures and murals.

What is Ellora Caves, and what else do you visit on day two?

Ellora Caves is one of the largest single monolithic rock excavations in the world, located 33 kilometers from Aurangabad. On day two you also visit Grishneshwar temple, a Hindu temple near Ellora, and Daulatabad Fort, which was India's capital during the Mughal reign of Mohammad Bin Tughlaq.

Can I book this tour with or without a guide?

Yes. You can choose transport with a professional English-speaking guide, or transport with driver only. Both options include the private air-conditioned car, water bottle, torch, and all tolls and taxes.

What do I need to bring for the cave visits?

Bring Indian rupees for monument entry tickets, as cards are not accepted. The operator provides a water bottle and torch for cave exploration, and recommends bringing sunglasses, comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen and additional water for comfort.

Do I have to follow the itinerary exactly, or can I adjust it?

You can adjust the day's itinerary according to your travel needs. The tour is private to your group, so the schedule can be tailored to your pace and interests.

What size vehicle will I travel in?

The vehicle depends on your group size: a sedan for one to two people, an SUV for three to four, or a tempo traveler for five to twelve passengers. All are air-conditioned and include fuel, tolls, parking and taxes.