Ellora Caves tour from Aurangabad: UNESCO site with guide

Three centuries of carved temples and monasteries in one morning

A private eight-hour tour of Aurangabad takes you to Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site holding 34 monasteries and temples carved into rock by three religions (Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism) plus Bibi Ka Maqbara, the 1679 mausoleum built for Aurangzeb's wife, and the artificial Aurangabad Caves dug in the 6th and 7th centuries. Your English-speaking guide travels with you in an air-conditioned vehicle, explaining the history and architecture at each stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Bibi Ka Maqbara30m
2. Aurangabad Caves1h

Aurangabad sightseeing and cave visits

• Visit Ellora Caves UNESCO site
• Explore Aurangabad Caves
• See Bibi Ka Maqbara mausoleum

The experience

Eight hours gives you time to move through the three main sites without rushing. Ellora Caves, closed Tuesdays, is the centerpiece: 34 structures carved directly into the hillside, each one representing a different faith and period. The caves span Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, so you're moving through centuries of religious practice and architectural ambition in a single location. Your guide walks you through the iconography and explains how the three religions coexisted in the same carved landscape.

Bibi Ka Maqbara sits in the city itself: a 1679 mausoleum built by Aurangzeb's son to honor his mother. It's often called the poor man's Taj Mahal because it mimics the Agra monument on a smaller, less ornate scale. Behind it stands a small archaeological museum. The Aurangabad Caves, your third stop, are a different kind of carving: artificial caves dug from soft rock in the 6th and 7th centuries, split into two groups (Western and Eastern) about a kilometer apart, each holding five caves shaped by Tantric Hindu influence.

Hotel pickup and drop-off bookend the day, and the air-conditioned vehicle keeps you comfortable between sites. Bottled water is provided. The guide is there to answer questions and provide context. You're not on a fixed schedule within each site, so you can spend more time where something catches your interest.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• private air-conditioned vehicle.
• English-speaking guide.
• bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except TuesdayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): 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.

Prices and times updated today

Operated by Delhi Airport Service

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a guide-led private vehicle tour connecting Ellora Caves, Aurangabad Caves, and Bibi Ka Maqbara in one day with moderate walking at each site.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What exactly is at Ellora Caves that makes it a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Ellora Caves holds 34 monasteries and temples carved into a single hillside, representing three major religions (Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism) built over centuries. Each cave is carved directly from the rock and decorated with iconography specific to its faith, making it one of the world's most significant examples of multi-religious rock-cut architecture.

How far apart are the Aurangabad Caves, and do I visit both groups?

The Aurangabad Caves are split into two groups: Western (caves 1-5) and Eastern (caves 6-10), located about one kilometer from each other. Your tour includes both groups, each containing five artificial caves dug from soft rock during the 6th and 7th centuries.

Is Bibi Ka Maqbara really a copy of the Taj Mahal?

Bibi Ka Maqbara is modeled after the Taj Mahal but on a smaller and less elaborate scale, which is why it's sometimes called the poor man's Taj Mahal. Built in 1679 by Aurangzeb's son as a mausoleum for his mother, Rabia-ud-Durrani, it includes a small archaeological museum behind the main structure.

When is Ellora Caves closed, and does that affect the tour?

Ellora Caves is closed on Tuesdays, so the tour cannot operate on that day. Plan your booking for any other day of the week to visit the site.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay separately?

Your tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the English-speaking guide, bottled water and private air-conditioned transport. Monument entrance fees are not included and must be paid separately at each site. Camera charges and gratuities are also separate.