Caves, forts, and one smooth taxi plan. This 2-day Aurangabad tour is a practical way to hit the UNESCO Ajanta and Ellora Caves without wrestling with buses, timing, or parking. I like that hotel pickup is built in, so you start the day already handled, not scrambling.

My other favorite part is the human touch: a professional driver (Hindi and English) who’s comfortable adjusting to your needs. The main thing to watch is the add-ons: cave and mausoleum entry tickets plus meals are not included, and you also need to plan around Ajanta closing Mondays and Ellora closing Tuesdays.

Key things that make this cab tour worth considering

• Two UNESCO cave days plus three strong culture stops, all in one organized loop
• Hotel pickup and drop-off mean you keep your energy for the walking and viewing
• Vehicle choices (sedan, SUV, or mini van) match your group size so you’re not squeezed
• Good driver service shows up in real feedback, including punctual pickup and sensible, safe driving
• Optional guide lets you choose how much history you want without changing logistics

Why this 2-day cab plan beats DIY in Aurangabad

Ajanta and Ellora are not a quick half-day detour. You’re dealing with long drives, early starts, and timed sightseeing once you’re there. This tour takes the heavy lifting off your plate by handling the transportation end-to-end with a professional driver.

I also like that the tour keeps the day shape realistic. Day 1 is dedicated to Ajanta, and Day 2 is built around Ellora first thing, then folds in the extra stops around it. That matters because the caves are where most people want to spend their time, not stuck in transit.

And since it’s private (only your group), you’re not spending your day negotiating with strangers about pace. If your group has different interests—someone wants a faster pass, someone wants more temple time—you at least have a better shot at syncing up.

Price and the real value behind the $47.75-per-person rate

The headline price—about $47.75 per person—can look low for a private 2-day plan, and the value comes from what’s included. You get private transportation in a sedan/SUV/mini van, a driver who speaks Hindi and English, and all the practical extras like tolls, fuel, taxes, and service charges. Bottled water and a torch for cave exploring are also included.

Now the fine print that affects the final budget: entry tickets and meals are not included. Ajanta and Ellora cave tickets are listed at INR 40 for SAARC countries and INR 600 for non-SAARC countries. Bibi Ka Maqbara is INR 30 (SAARC) or INR 300 (non-SAARC). On top of that, you’ll pay for your own breakfast, lunch, dinner, and hotel stay.

So here’s the honest way to judge it: if you’d otherwise hire a cab for two days plus pay separately for guidance and transfers, this packaged approach usually keeps your costs from getting messy. If you travel on a strict shoestring, the total spend will rise once you add tickets and meals.

Day 1: Ajanta Caves with an 8:00 am start

The tour starts at 8:00 am, and it begins with pickup from your selected point. From Aurangabad to Ajanta is about 100 kilometers, so the first day naturally takes a lot of the “get there” energy. The drive and cave time together work out to roughly a full day.

Ajanta is where people go for the rock-cut artwork and the sense that time is frozen into stone. What the tour does well is keep you from wasting the day on logistics. You go straight from Aurangabad to Ajanta, with the schedule set so you’re not trying to coordinate rides on the fly.

One practical note: Ajanta is closed every Monday. If your dates land on Monday, you’ll want to confirm you’re not trying to force the visit. This is one of those schedule gotchas that can wreck an itinerary if you don’t check early.

What I’d plan for your Ajanta time

The tour includes admission as not-included, and it doesn’t list an exact number of hours inside the caves. In practice, Ajanta rewards slower movement because you’ll want to stop, look, and re-check details. I’d plan for a bunch of walking and standing.

Also, bring water needs and comfortable footwear. The tour provides bottled water and a torch, which helps, but your feet will still do the work.

Day 2: Ellora first, then temples, forts, and the Mini Taj stop

Ellora day is built for early momentum. The schedule puts Ellora Caves first, with about 4 hours allocated there, then continues to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, a lunch break, Daulatabad Fort, and finally Bibi Ka Maqbara.

This sequencing makes sense. Ellora often needs your “fresh eyes” energy, because the rock-cut complex is big and the carvings can pull you in if you don’t rush. Starting early helps you avoid the feeling of racing against closing time.

Another key closure rule: Ellora is closed every Tuesday. If you’re planning around Tuesday, double-check your day two slot or you could end up at the wrong site on the wrong day.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga: temple time without turning into a seminar

After Ellora, you head to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. The plan allows about 1 hour for darshan and exploring the temple area.

This stop is valuable for two reasons. First, it gives you a break from cave walls—your eyes and body get a change of pace. Second, it adds a lived-in spiritual rhythm to the day, not just sightseeing. You’re seeing how people actually use sacred spaces.

Dress modestly and be ready for a simple, practical temple visit. The tour doesn’t include entrance charges for this temple, which is nice, and the focus stays on worship and time on-site.

Daulatabad Fort: the defense story behind the stone

Then comes Daulatabad Fort, with about 1–2 hours for exploring. The fort is known for its formidable defense architecture and historical significance, which is exactly what you should look for: walls, viewpoints, and the logic of fort design.

This stop adds context. Caves show artistic expression; forts show control and power. Together, they make the region feel less like separate attractions and more like a system of culture, rule, and belief.

If you like climbing viewpoints, this is one of the better moments on the itinerary to do it—just go at a pace your legs can handle after Ellora.

Bibi Ka Maqbara: finishing with the Mini Taj Mahal atmosphere

Bibi Ka Maqbara is often called the Taj of the Deccan, and the tour gives it about 1 hour to appreciate architecture and gardens.

I like ending here because it offers a different visual mood. It’s not a cave, it’s not a fort, and it’s not a temple courtyard—the style and setting feel more open. That matters on a day that already has a lot of stone and stairs.

Plan to spend your time looking at the details rather than rushing through. If you’re tired, sit a bit and let the place work on you for a minute.

How the driver and optional guide shape the experience

Your experience is powered by the driver. The tour includes a professional driver who speaks good Hindi and English, plus bottled water and a torch. The driver role is bigger than it sounds: smooth timing, calm driving, and getting you from site to site without stress.

In real feedback, people praise drivers for punctual pickup and even adjusting to what the group needs. One name that pops up in the responses is Samad, who was described as making the trip efficient and well-coordinated. Another name that appears is Suleman, who was highlighted for being knowledgeable and making the experience feel hassle-free.

Important takeaway: the tour also offers an optional guide. If you want deeper context in both cave sites, choose guided time. If you prefer to read signs yourself and keep a steady personal pace, you can go transport-only.

Either way, having a driver who’s used to this route keeps the day from feeling chaotic.

Tickets, closure days, and how to avoid surprise costs

Let’s talk money and timing, because this is where most people need clarity.

Ticket costs you should budget

• Ajanta Caves: INR 40 (SAARC) / INR 600 (non-SAARC)
• Ellora Caves: INR 40 (SAARC) / INR 600 (non-SAARC)
• Bibi Ka Maqbara: INR 30 (SAARC) / INR 300 (non-SAARC)

Meals and hotel are not included. So if you want a realistic “all-in” number, add at least two lunches and/or dinners for day 1 and day 2 depending on how your lunch break timing lines up.

Closure days to plan around

• Ajanta closes every Monday
• Ellora closes every Tuesday

This is non-negotiable info. Before you book, check your calendar. If your travel dates hit a closure day, you’ll need to adjust your days or accept you might miss one of the core sites.

What a typical day feels like: time pressure vs. time to breathe

This tour is designed to be efficient, not lazy. You’ll start early, you’ll move between multiple locations, and you’ll do a fair amount of walking in and around the cave complexes and fort.

The upside is clear: you see the big highlights without wasting time. The trade-off is that you won’t have endless hours at each site. If you’re the type who likes to spend a half-day just staring at one painting, consider adding private time or a guide—because the tour schedule is built around covering the route.

The good news: since it’s private and your driver speaks both Hindi and English, you can often communicate how you want to pace your stops.

Who this tour suits best

This works especially well if you:

• Want a stress-free, private cab plan from Aurangabad
• Prefer guided context at least for part of the journey (optional guide helps)
• Travel with small groups and want better flexibility than public transport

It can be less ideal if you:

• Travel on a strict day-by-day schedule where closure days would force major changes
• Expect entry tickets and meals to be included in the price
• Want a slow, unhurried museum-style pace at each stop

Should you book the Aurangabad to Ajanta Ellora 2-day cab tour?

Book it if your priority is seeing Ajanta and Ellora without transportation headaches. The mix of sites makes sense, and the included driver service and private transport are where you get your value.

I’d book it confidently if you’re okay budgeting separately for cave tickets and meals, and you double-check that your dates don’t land on the cave closure days. When those two conditions are met, this is a smart way to turn two busy days into a clear, well-run heritage route.

If your dates are flexible, aim for a schedule where you can visit both caves on open days. If your dates are not flexible, ask questions before you commit so you don’t end up planning around a closure.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:00 am, and the day begins with pickup from your selected pickup point.

Are the entry tickets included?

No. Ajanta, Ellora, and Bibi Ka Maqbara entry tickets are not included. The listed prices are Ajanta/Ellora: INR 40 (SAARC) or INR 600 (non-SAARC), and Bibi Ka Maqbara: INR 30 (SAARC) or INR 300 (non-SAARC).

Is an English or Hindi guide included?

An optional guide is available, so you can choose a guided version or transport-only. Entry fees and lunch/accommodation are not included either way.

What days are Ajanta and Ellora closed?

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

What vehicles are used for this tour?

It’s offered with a sedan (1 to 2 passengers), SUV (1 to 5 passengers), or mini van (6 to 12 passengers), based on your group size.

Does the price include meals and hotel?

No. Hotel and meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are not included.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

You Might Also Enjoy

Fort Kochi Tuk Tuk TourPrivate Sedan Cab to and from Srinagar Airport and Dal LakePrivate Taj Mahal Day Tour by Car- Tourist Drivers IndiaPrivate Jodhpur City Sightseeing Tour By Car with Tour Guide