Two days, two cave worlds. This Aurangabad to Ajanta and Ellora trip strings together two UNESCO sites with a professional guide, an AC car, and a tight plan that keeps you moving without feeling rushed.

I love that you get a real guide for the caves, not just a driver—on Ajanta, guides like Deepak and Sarang are known for making the paintings and carvings easier to read. I also like the comfort and care: an experienced driver (Tausif, Sherkhan, and others) handled tricky roads smoothly, and you’re handed complimentary bottled water during travel.

One thing to consider: it’s a private, guided, all-included setup for two days, so the price can feel steep if you’re trying to keep costs low.

Key highlights that matter

• Professional cave guidance: expect an expert at Ajanta and another at Ellora, so you know what you’re looking at.
• A comfortable AC car: Toyota Etios for 1–2 people or Innova Crysta for 3–4, with pickups from airport/rail/hotel.
• Real time in the caves: about 3–4 hours at Ajanta and about 3–4 hours at Ellora (both are big).
• Perfect day pairing: Day 2 includes Ellora plus Bibi Ka Maqbara near Aurangabad.
• Small-group feel: it’s private, meaning only your group participates.
• Plan around closures: Ajanta shuts Mondays; Ellora shuts Tuesdays.

Ajanta and Ellora: a UNESCO combo you can actually manage

Ajanta and Ellora aren’t close on a map, but they feel made to share a trip. On Day 1 you focus on Ajanta’s famous cave complex; on Day 2 you shift to Ellora, which has a different mix of faiths and a different vibe. Doing them back-to-back from Aurangabad means you spend less energy on logistics and more time inside the caves where the real magic is.

What I like about the structure is that it respects how long these places take. Ajanta needs real time—about 3 to 4 hours—and Ellora needs the same. So you’re not doing a quick drive-by photo session. You’re here to look.

Also, this tour is built for your comfort. You’re picked up from wherever you’re staying in Aurangabad (airport, railway station, hotel, or your chosen location), then transferred in an AC car, with bottled water along the way. That matters because cave days involve waiting, walking, and adjusting your eyes to dim interiors.

Day 1: Ajanta Caves from Aurangabad (100 km, about 2 hours each way)

The plan starts with pickup from your chosen Aurangabad location, then a drive to Ajanta. Ajanta sits about 100 km from Aurangabad, so it’s roughly a 2-hour journey. After you arrive, you don’t just wander—you spend about 3 to 4 hours seeing the caves.

This matters because Ajanta’s best moments aren’t one single view. It’s the slow understanding: murals, figures, and scenes that only start to click when someone points out what to look for. That’s where the guide earns their keep. On Ajanta, people have praised guides like Deepak and Sarang for being engaging and good at explaining what’s depicted rather than just reciting dates.

If you want a break, lunch is flexible. After your Ajanta time, you can eat and then head back to Aurangabad for another about 2-hour drive. You’ll have the evening to rest at your hotel (hotel accommodation isn’t included, but the tour does get you back).

What to watch for while you’re there

Ajanta is described here as featuring 63 caves, and even if you can’t see every last nook in a single visit, you’ll still feel the scale. Give yourself time to:

• Look for the way the paintings guide your eyes across cave walls
• Notice how the caves relate to each other within the larger hillside complex
• Take small breaks outside so your eyes adjust before going back inside

A small practical note

You’ll want to keep the cave closure day in mind. Ajanta is closed every Monday. So if your dates fall on a Monday, this Day 1 plan won’t work as written.

Day 2: Ellora at 8:00 a.m., then Bibi Ka Maqbara near Aurangabad

Breakfast comes first, then you head out at 8:00 a.m. for Ellora. Ellora is closer—about 35 km from Aurangabad, so roughly a 1-hour drive.

Once you arrive, you’ll spend another 3 to 4 hours at Ellora’s cave complex. Ellora’s big draw is the variety: you’re not just seeing one style or one tradition repeated. The caves feel like different chapters in the same story, carved into the same terrain.

Lunch fits after Ellora. Then you have one more stop: Bibi Ka Maqbara, commonly called the Baby Taj, near Aurangabad. This is a good way to end the trip because it adds an outside/monument moment after two cave-heavy days. It’s also close enough to stay calm and keep your energy for the final return.

At the end, your drop-off is flexible. You can choose where you want to end—hotel, airport, or train station. Just tell the provider in advance.

The closure day you must not ignore

Ellora is closed every Tuesday. That means you should plan your exact day order around the closure schedule, or you’ll lose a whole day to a shutdown.

Guides and drivers: the difference between seeing and understanding

This kind of tour lives or dies by the people running it. You’re not only hiring transport; you’re hiring someone to translate a complex site into something you can read.

On Ajanta, I’ve seen strong praise for guides who make the murals and scenes easier to follow, with names like Deepak and Sarang coming up often. For Ellora, the experience can vary more from guide to guide—one example shared Siraj as less engaged—so the biggest tip I can give you is to treat the guide choice as part of your decision, not an afterthought.

Drivers also shape your day. The terrain near these sites can be bumpy, and some roads can be slow. Reviews repeatedly praised careful driving and helpfulness, including names like Tausif, Sherkhan, and Suleiman Patel. Even small touches matter—like tips on getting around inside each site, or being thoughtful with timing and comfort.

Private pace is real here

This is a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates. That’s a big deal for cave days. You can set your pace with your guide, take pauses when you need them, and avoid the pressure of matching a larger group’s speed.

AC car transfers: comfort and capacity, clearly set

The transfers are handled in an AC vehicle with capacity based on group size:

• Toyota Etios for 1–2 people
• Innova Crysta for 3–4 people

You also get all tolls, parking, fuel, taxes, and service charges covered, plus complimentary bottled mineral water during travel. That reduces surprise costs and keeps the day feeling controlled.

Because the itinerary includes two drives (Aurangabad ↔ Ajanta, and Aurangabad ↔ Ellora), comfort is not just a luxury. AC and careful driving can help you arrive ready to focus, not wiped out.

Tickets, closures, and what to bring

Entrance tickets are included if selected for Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, and Bibi Ka Maqbara (if that part is part of your booking). If you’re comparing packages, double-check that tickets are actually part of your choice.

Cave closures are fixed:

• Ajanta closed every Monday
• Ellora closed every Tuesday

So if your schedule can’t shift, you might need a different arrangement to keep both sites in play.

What you should bring is simple:

• Passport or ID card

That’s it from the list provided. Also remember that cave sites involve walking and stairs, even if you’re not doing long hikes.

Not for everyone

This tour is noted as not suitable for people with heart problems. If you have any concerns, it’s smart to ask your doctor and consider whether the walking and sustained time in and around sites fits your health needs.

Food and lodging: what’s included, what you handle

Here’s the clean breakdown:

• Hotel accommodation is not included
• Food is not included

Lunch is built into the flow as an option. On both days, after your cave time, the guide can show you the best restaurant spots. That helps because you’re not left hunting for food after a long morning.

So your planning is mostly about choosing a hotel in Aurangabad for at least 1 night (since the tour runs over 2 days) and then budgeting for your meals.

Price and value: is this “worth it” for your travel style?

With private AC transfers, two cave guides, and entry tickets (if selected), you’re paying for convenience and interpretation—not just transport. That’s why this can feel steep for a two-day plan, especially if you’re used to DIY travel or multi-day tours elsewhere at lower per-day rates.

That said, the value shows up in how the day runs:

• On-site guidance helps you see more meaning per hour
• Careful driving saves stress on rougher roads
• Private pacing keeps you from feeling like you’re trapped in a group schedule

If your goal is to understand Ajanta and Ellora well—not just photograph the caves—this setup usually justifies the cost. If your goal is maximum days per rupee, you might feel you’re paying for structure more than time.

A practical middle-ground: decide which part matters more to you—more destinations, or deeper understanding at these two exact sites. This tour leans toward understanding.

Who should book this tour?

This works best if you:

• Want Ajanta and Ellora as a focused 2-day highlight while staying based in Aurangabad
• Prefer private transport and a guide who can explain what you’re seeing
• Are okay planning for hotel and meals separately

It may not be your best match if you:

• Are extremely price-sensitive and want a longer stretch for less money
• Have health limitations that make walking and cave-site time hard (not suitable for people with heart problems)

Should you book this 2-day Ajanta and Ellora tour?

If you want a straightforward, low-stress way to cover both UNESCO cave sites from Aurangabad with strong on-site explanation, I think this is a smart booking. The standout strength is the combination of professional guides and comfortable, careful AC transport, plus enough time inside each cave complex to do more than skim.

Before you book, sanity-check one thing: your calendar versus the shutdown days—Ajanta on Mondays, Ellora on Tuesdays. If your dates line up, you’ll come away with the kind of experience that feels organized without feeling robotic.

FAQ

FAQ

What is the driving time from Aurangabad to Ajanta?

Ajanta is about 100 kilometers from Aurangabad, and the drive takes around 2 hours.

How long do you spend visiting Ajanta?

You typically need about 3 to 4 hours to see the Ajanta Caves.

What is the driving time from Aurangabad to Ellora?

Ellora is about 35 kilometers from Aurangabad, and the drive takes around 1 hour.

How long do you spend visiting Ellora?

You typically need about 3 to 4 hours to see the Ellora Caves.

What time do you leave for Ellora on day 2?

The tour leaves for Ellora at 8:00 a.m.

Are entry tickets included?

Entry tickets to Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, and Bibi Ka Maqbara are included only if selected.

Is hotel accommodation included?

No. Hotel accommodation is not included.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included.

What are the cave closure days?

Ajanta Caves are closed every Monday. Ellora Caves are closed every Tuesday.

What car is used, and how many people can it fit?

Toyota Etios is used for 1–2 people, and Innova Crysta is used for 3–4 people.

You Might Also Enjoy

Experience the Essence of Chennai: Half-Day City ExplorationKochi Stories Group TourMumbai Street Food & Bazaar Tour with Local TransportGolden Temple Guided Tour (Planet Amritsar Inc.)