The Grand Ajanta Ellora Experience

This 2-night, 3-day circuit from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) covers two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, plus the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, Bibi Ka Maqbara and Daulatabad Fort. It is priced at ₹11,000 per person (down from ₹14,000), and suits heritage enthusiasts, pilgrims and cultural travellers who want the region's highlights in a compact, well-ordered trip.

Explore the timeless heritage of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), home to some of India's most treasured UNESCO World Heritage Sites and sacred pilgrimage destinations. Discover the magnificent Ajanta and Ellora Caves, seek blessings at the revered Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, admire the architectural beauty of Bibi Ka Maqbara, and explore the mighty Daulatabad Fort. This carefully curated itinerary offers a perfect blend of spirituality, history, art, and architectural excellence.

What Makes This Circuit Genuinely Unusual

Ajanta and Ellora look like twins on a map but are opposites in person. Ajanta, the older of the two, is famous for its painted Buddhist caves, found by British officers on a tiger hunt in 1819. Ellora, a short drive from the city, is carved rather than painted: 34 caves of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain temples cut into one basalt cliff between roughly the 6th and 10th centuries CE, all within a short walk of each other. At its centre is Cave 16, the Kailasa Temple, a single-rock temple carved from the top down. Both sites were inscribed by UNESCO in 1983, and the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga stands barely a kilometre from Ellora, so a day of rock-cut art can end in prayer.

Places Covered

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) The base for every site on this tour. The city was officially renamed in 2023, though older signs and travel sites still use the Aurangabad name.

Ajanta Caves (~100 km from the city) A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, with around 30 Buddhist rock-cut caves known for their murals and sculpture, divided into Hinayana and Mahayana phases. Cave 1 and Cave 17 are among the best known for paintings and Jataka scenes. Closed on Mondays.

Ellora Caves (~25–30 km from the city) A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, with 34 caves in three groups: Buddhist, Hindu and Jain. Cave 16, the Kailasa Temple, is a monolithic temple dedicated to Shiva, widely cited as the world's largest single-rock excavation and attributed to the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I in the 8th century. Closed on Tuesdays.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga (~1 km from Ellora) One of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, in the village of Verul beside the Ellora complex.

Daulatabad Fort (~15 km from Ellora) A hilltop fortress founded in the 12th century under the Yadava dynasty, and easy to combine with Ellora on the same day.

Bibi Ka Maqbara (~5–6 km from the city centre) Often called the "Mini Taj" or Taj of the Deccan, built in the 17th century by Azam Shah, son of Aurangzeb, in memory of his mother, Dilras Banu Begum.

Sample 3-Day / 2-Night Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Sambhajinagar: Check in. City sightseeing at Bibi Ka Maqbara and, if time allows, the Aurangabad Caves, a smaller group of 12 Buddhist rock-cut caves nearby.

Day 2 — Ajanta Caves: Early start for a full-day excursion to Ajanta and back to the city.

Day 3 — Ellora, Grishneshwar and Daulatabad: Morning at the Kailasa Temple and the Ellora caves, darshan at Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, then Daulatabad Fort before departure.

Ajanta is closed on Mondays and Ellora on Tuesdays, so the order of Days 2 and 3 is adjusted to your travel dates.

What's Included

• Accommodation for 2 nights in Sambhajinagar
• Private transport for all sightseeing
• Sightseeing as per the itinerary
• Daily breakfast

What's Not Included

• Flights or train travel to/from Sambhajinagar
• Meals beyond what's specified in your package tier
• Monument entry tickets and guide fees unless stated in your package
• Personal expenses and shopping

Best Time to Visit

October to March is the most comfortable, with cooler mornings for the long walks at both cave sites. The monsoon turns the surrounding hills green, but the summer months are hot, so start early. Both sites typically open around 9:00 AM, and mornings give the best light at the Kailasa Temple.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which days are Ajanta and Ellora closed?

Ajanta is closed on Mondays and Ellora on Tuesdays. Your itinerary is arranged around this, so tell us your travel dates when you enquire.

How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites does this tour cover?

Two: the Ajanta Caves and the Ellora Caves, both inscribed in 1983.

Is 3 days enough for Ajanta and Ellora?

Yes, for the main sights. Ajanta needs a full day because of the distance, and Ellora with Grishneshwar and Daulatabad fills the second. Travellers who want to slow down can add a night.

How far is Ajanta from Sambhajinagar?

Roughly 100 km, so allow around two hours each way.

Is Bibi Ka Maqbara the same as the Taj Mahal?

No. It is a Mughal-era tomb inspired by the Taj Mahal and often called the Mini Taj, built in memory of Aurangzeb's wife.

Is this trip suitable for families and senior travellers?

Yes. Ajanta involves a climb and a fair amount of walking, and Daulatabad Fort has steep steps, so seniors can take it at their own pace or skip the upper fort.

What should I wear or bring?

Comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and water. Dress modestly at the Grishneshwar temple.

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Price: ₹14,000 ₹11,000 per person

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