Ajanta & Ellora Caves tour Aurangabad skip-the-line guide

Two UNESCO cave sites in one day, without the logistics

A private guided day tour from Aurangabad to Ajanta and Ellora Caves, UNESCO World Heritage Sites known for ancient Buddhist murals, rock-cut temples and the single-stone Kailasa Temple. Includes round-trip transport from your hotel or airport, a professional English-speaking guide, skip-the-line entry, lunch at a local restaurant, and the choice to visit both caves or one alone. Pickup starts at 7:00 or 8:00 AM. The full day runs 10 hours. Monument entry tickets are separate and vary by nationality.

The experience

Getting to Ajanta and Ellora without a car means either renting one yourself or piecing together local transport: both eat time and planning. This tour handles the route: you're picked up from your Aurangabad hotel, airport or railway station and driven straight to Ajanta Caves, arriving early enough to beat the crowds. The guide walks you through the 2nd-century Buddhist monasteries, prayer halls and murals carved into the rock face, explaining what you're looking at instead of leaving you to guess. You move at your own pace through the caves. There's no fixed schedule forcing you through in an hour.

After Ajanta, lunch happens at a local restaurant with vegetarian options, then the drive continues to Ellora Caves. Ellora holds Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments all in one complex, and the centerpiece is the Kailasa Temple: carved entirely from a single block of rock. The guide points out the architectural feat and the religious harmony the site represents. By evening you're back in Aurangabad, dropped at your hotel or wherever you need to be.

The vehicle is a sedan for one or two people, or an SUV for three to four. The guide is a professional English speaker, and the driver speaks English and Hindi. Mineral water comes with you during the drive. Monument entry fees are not included and depend on your nationality (Indian nationals and SAARC cardholders pay less than international visitors), so factor that into your budget when you book.

What’s included

• Round-trip transport from your Aurangabad hotel, airport or railway station in a private sedan or SUV.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• skip-the-line entry to both caves.
• lunch at a local restaurant with vegetarian options.
• mineral water during the journey.
• all tolls, parking and fuel charges.

Options for this experience

2 options

AC car only (no guide)Up to 5 per booking · Guide in English · 07:30Private AC car with driver: Visit the UNESCO-listed Ajanta and Ellora Caves on a single-day car-only tour from Aurangabad. Includes pickup

AC car with an English-speaking guideUp to 4 per booking · 07:30Car and guide tour: Discover the UNESCO-listed Ajanta and Ellora Caves on a guided day trip from Aurangabad. Pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday to SundayDeparts at 07:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Under 15: can't be included in the booking

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$ 12.96

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Tour My Choice

Is this one for you?Choose the option with a guide if you want the history and architecture explained as you walk through the caves. Without a guide, you explore at your own pace but navigate the sites on your own. The 10-hour day works for most fitness levels, though the caves involve walking and climbing stairs inside the rock formations.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What's the difference between visiting Ajanta and Ellora on this tour versus going to just one?

You can choose to explore Ajanta alone, Ellora alone, or both in the same day. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites within reach of Aurangabad, and the tour is built to fit both into a 10-hour day if you want to see them together. The guide adjusts the pacing based on what you pick at checkout.

Do I need to book the monument entry tickets in advance, or are they included?

Monument tickets are not included in the tour price. You pay them separately at the entrance. Ajanta and Ellora each cost INR 600 for non-SAARC visitors and INR 40 for SAARC countries. Indian nationals and OCI cardholders need valid ID to get their rate. The guide will help you through the ticket process when you arrive.

What time does the pickup happen, and can I choose when?

Pickup is either 7:00 AM or 8:00 AM from your hotel, airport or railway station in Aurangabad. You select the time that works for you when you book. The return to your location happens by evening after the Ellora visit.

Is lunch included, and what if I'm vegetarian?

Lunch at a local restaurant is included in the tour. Vegetarian options are available, so let the operator know your preference when you book.

What's the Kailasa Temple, and why is it worth seeing?

The Kailasa Temple at Ellora is a Hindu monument carved entirely from a single rock, making it an extraordinary feat of ancient architecture. It's the highlight of the Ellora complex and represents the religious and artistic sophistication of the period. Your guide explains the carving technique and its significance as you explore it.