Ellora Caves day tour: Three faiths carved in stone

The Kailasa temple at Ellora is the world's largest rock-cut monument, carved from a single cliff face.

A full-day private tour from Aurangabad to Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visiting Hindu, Buddhist and Jain temples carved into cliff rock over four centuries, plus the medieval fortress of Daulatabad and the Bibi Ka Maqbara mausoleum. The tour includes private transportation and bottled water. Entrance tickets and a guide are booked separately. Suitable for all fitness levels, with infant seats available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Aurangabad Ellora Caves sightseeing

• Visit Ellora Caves UNESCO site
• Explore Kailasa temple monument
• Tour Daulatabad fort defenses
• See Bibi Ka Maqbara mausoleum

The experience

Seven to eight hours takes you through three religious traditions carved into the same rock face. The Ellora Caves complex sits near the village of Ellora in central Maharashtra, about 30 kilometers from Aurangabad. What makes Ellora distinct from other cave sites in India is the sheer density of sculpture. The carvings are more intricate than those at Ajanta, though the setting is less dramatic. The Kailasa temple, built in the 8th century, stands 32 meters high and holds the title of the world's largest rock-cut monument, hewn from a single cliff without any brick or mortar.

The day moves between three stops beyond Ellora itself. Daulatabad fort, a medieval stronghold of the Deccan sultanates, is built with triple rows of massive walls and rock-cut moats crossed only by drawbridge. The defense system was designed to be virtually impregnable. The Bibi Ka Maqbara, also called the Mini Taj, is a 17th-century mausoleum built by the Mughal prince Azam Shah in memory of his mother. It mirrors the Taj Mahal in Agra but with less ornamental detail. The Valley of Saints in Khuldabad holds the tombs of Sufi saints and the last great Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. A water mill famous for its underground channel that runs over 8 kilometers to its mountain source is also included.

Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle is included, along with bottled water for the day. Entrance tickets to the sites and a guide service are arranged separately at checkout. The tour is designed for all fitness levels. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available in the vehicle.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• pickup from your Aurangabad location.

Options for this experience

2 options

Day tour of the Ellora Caves sightseeing from AurangabadUp to 3 per booking · Available from 13 Oct 2027Chauffeur-driven private taxi with seating for 4 in an AC sedan; pickup is included

Ellora Caves from Aurangabad by SUVUp to 5 per booking · 07:30Chauffeur-driven private taxi with seating for 6+1 in an Innova Crysta or Kia Carens; pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except TuesdayDeparts at 07:30

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 6.32

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Jk Tours travels LLP

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you're visiting multiple religious sites in one day and prefer a private vehicle with air conditioning over navigating public transport between the caves, fortress, and mausoleum.

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Top questions

What exactly is the Kailasa temple and why is it so significant?

The Kailasa temple at Ellora is an 8th-century Hindu temple carved entirely from a single cliff face, standing 32 meters high. It holds the distinction of being the world's largest rock-cut monument, meaning it was sculpted downward from the rock rather than built upward with stone blocks.

How does Ellora compare to Ajanta, the other major cave site in Maharashtra?

Ellora's cave temples have more exquisite sculptures and carvings than Ajanta, though Ajanta sits in a more dramatic landscape. Ellora is also more visited and holds UNESCO World Heritage status as one of the most important ancient monuments in the state.

What time period do the caves at Ellora span?

The Ellora Caves were carved between the 6th and 10th centuries CE, representing four centuries of continuous religious construction across Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths.

Is entrance to the caves and monuments included in this tour price?

Entrance tickets to Ellora, Daulatabad fort, and the Bibi Ka Maqbara are not included in the tour price and are arranged separately. A guide service is also booked at checkout.

How does the defense system at Daulatabad fort work?

Daulatabad fort uses multiple rows of massive walls, rock-cut moats, and a complex maze of entryways that can only be crossed at a single point via drawbridge. The rock-cut subterranean passages add another layer to the defense mechanism.