Ellora Caves guided tour: Three religions, one rock

Kailash Temple, a fort carved for defense, and a Mughal monument built for love

A guided tour of Ellora Caves from Aurangabad with private AC transport, entry tickets to all three sites, and an English-speaking guide for the caves themselves. The tour covers the Kailash Temple (the world's largest monolithic structure, carved from a single rock) along with Daulatabad Fort and Bibi Ka Maqbara. Hotel pickup is flexible until 9:00 AM, and the day runs roughly eight hours including travel time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ellora caves and nearby attractions

• Pick up from hotel
• Drive to Ellora caves
• Explore Ellora caves with guide
• Visit Daulatabad fort
• Lunch on the way (own cost)
• Visit Bibi ka Maqbara
• Drop off at hotel

The experience

Ellora sits 30 km from Aurangabad and takes about an hour to reach by car. Once there, you spend three to four hours exploring the caves with a licensed guide who walks you through the three religious traditions (Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain), that shaped the complex between the 6th and 10th centuries. The Kailash Temple dominates the site: a multi-storey structure carved entirely from one piece of rock, with intricate carvings of the Ramayana and Mahabharata woven into its walls. The guide's knowledge of local history and the different faiths makes the scale and craft of the work legible in a way a solo walk would not.

After Ellora, the route takes you to Daulatabad Fort, built in the 12th century and once the capital of India until a ruler's sudden decision to move it again earned him the nickname "the mad king." The fort's dark passages and the Chand Minar tower are the draws here. You'll have time for lunch on your own before heading to Bibi Ka Maqbara, the Mughal monument from the 17th century that echoes the Taj Mahal in its proportions and symmetry: built, the guide will tell you, as an act of love. Entry tickets to all three sites are included. The guide for Bibi Ka Maqbara and Daulatabad Fort is optional and arranged separately.

Private AC transport picks you up from your hotel (you can adjust the time until 9:00 AM to fit your breakfast schedule) and drops you back at the end of the day. Bottled water is provided, and an English-speaking team is on call if you need local suggestions or help during the tour. The guide at Ellora is licensed and follows the site's official protocols.

What’s included

• Private AC transport from your hotel with flexible pickup until 9:00 AM.
• entry tickets to Ellora Caves, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi Ka Maqbara.
• an English-speaking licensed guide for Ellora Caves.
• bottled water.
• and on-call English-language support for local suggestions.

Options for this experience

2 options

Indian entry ticketGuide in English · 07:30Private tour lasting 8 hours, with bottled water and a sedan or SUV with air conditioning. Includes pickup.

Foreigner entry ticketGuide in 5 languages · 07:30Private tour lasting 8 hours, with bottled water and a sedan or SUV with air conditioning. The fee for an English-speaking guide is included; guides in other languages are charged extra at the time of confirmation. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Book up to8h before

AgesUp to age 80

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Japanese

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 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Akvin Tourism

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a local guide who can explain the defensive architecture of Daulatabad Fort and the Mughal design of Bibi Ka Maqbara alongside Kailash Temple: three monuments spanning different centuries and faiths in one day, with transport and entry handled.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Japanese.

What is the Kailash Temple at Ellora, and why is it significant?

The Kailash Temple is the world's largest monolithic temple, carved entirely from a single rock between the 6th and 10th centuries. It is a multi-storey structure covered in intricate carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, particularly the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and stands as one of the most remarkable examples of ancient Indian stone carving.

How much time do I spend actually exploring the caves?

You'll have three to four hours at Ellora Caves with your guide, which allows time to walk through the different sections and understand the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions represented in the carvings. The full day, including travel to and from Aurangabad and the other two sites, runs roughly eight hours.

What is included in the tour price, and what do I pay for separately?

Entry tickets to Ellora Caves, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi Ka Maqbara are all included, along with private AC transport and bottled water. The guide for Ellora is included. Guides for Daulatabad Fort and Bibi Ka Maqbara are optional and arranged separately. Lunch is on your own cost.

Can I choose a different pickup time if my hotel breakfast runs late?

Yes, pickup is flexible until 9:00 AM, so you can let the operator know your preferred time based on when you plan to have breakfast at your hotel.

What makes Bibi Ka Maqbara notable?

Bibi Ka Maqbara is a 17th-century Mughal monument often called the "Taj of the Deccan" because it mirrors the design and proportions of the Taj Mahal in Agra. It was built as an act of love and stands as a masterpiece of Mughal architecture in the region.

Is this tour suitable if I have mobility concerns?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with extreme knee problems due to the walking involved at the caves and fort. Infants can sit on an adult's lap, but the tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health.