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DetailHighlightsPhotosExperiences

Ajanta and Ellora Caves Tour

Welcome to Aurangabad: Gateway to Ancient Heritage, Culture and Tradition
  • 3 NIGHTS | 4 DAYS
  • Min People: 2
  • Dep Time: -
  • Tour Type: Domestic

Discover the ancient wonders of Aurangabad as we take you on an unforgettable journey through the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This tailor-made Travel Design itinerary combines history, art, and architecture, offering you an immersive experience into the heart of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, from the intricate rock-cut sculptures and breathtaking frescoes of Ajanta to the awe-inspiring temples of Ellora, each moment will transport you to a bygone era, showcasing the rich legacy of Indian craftsmanship. Indulge in a seamless blend of adventure and luxury as you explore these timeless monuments.

STARTING LOCATION

NA

TIME

–

DURATION

3 NIGHTS | 4 DAYS

MINIMUM PEOPLE

2 People

PLACES

  • NA
  • NA
  • NA
  • NA
  • NA

EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVITIES (ADD ON)

  • Sahyadri Trek
  • Heritage Walk
  • Nature Trails
  • Bird Watching
  • Nature Photography
  • Star Gazing

THE AJANTA & ELLORA CAVE TOUR INCLUDES

  • Tailor-made Tour Itinerary
  • Special Group Itinerary
  • Tour transfers by PVT vehicle on point to point basis
  • Road Tolls
  • Entry tickets
  • English speaking tour guide
  • Taxes Applicable

THE AJANTA & ELLORA CAVE TOUR EXCLUDES

  • Air Fare
  • Airport Transfers
  • Accommodation
  • Breakfast | Lunch | High Tea | Dinner
  • Donations at Temples
  • Shopping
  • Additional sightseeing
  • Additional services
  • Tour Guide and Driver Tips
  • Travel Insurance
  • Medical Aid
  • Applicable Taxes
IMPORTANCE OF A TOUR GUIDE
  • Every cave, painting, and sculpture in the Ajanta and Ellora Caves has a story, without a guide, you will not be able to appreciate their significance.
  • Our local guide can take you through the temples explaining every bit in great detail.
  • A knowledgeable Ajanta Ellora tourist guide can help you relive the bygone era and create memories for years to come.
HIGHLIGHTS
  • Dilli Gate and Paithan Gate: Aurangabad is known as the city of the gates. Delhi Gate on the north, the Jalna Gate on the east, the Paithan Gate on the south and the Mecca Gate on the west. These gates were made by around the walls of the Aurangzeb to protect the city from the invaders.
  • Bibi Ka Makbara Taj of the Deccan: (Dakhani Taj), is 5 km away from Aurangabad. Built in 1661 in the memory of Emperor Aurangzeb’s wife Rabia-Ul-Daurani alias Dilras Banu Begum.
  • Daulatabad Fort: Originally the fortress of Deogiri. An ancient stronghold built in the 12th-century. Listed among the Seven Wonders of Maharashtra, as Devgiri. Offering views of the whole city, this fort built on a conical hill nearly 200 metres high.
  • Panchakki: A structure that gets its name from a watermill that grinded flour using water power. It was built in 1624 to commemorate a Muslim saint and Aurangzeb’s spiritual teacher – Baba Shah Muzaffar. The highlight of Panchakki is its simplistic yet brilliant engineering. Its underground clay pipes go up to a distance of 11 kilometres and circulate water around Aurangabad city.
  • 29 caves in Ajanta: Sculptures, Paintings, and Carvings survive as examples of ancient Indian art in these cave temples built around the 2nd century BC.
  • Kailasa Temple at Ellora: Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is made from a single piece of rock. The structure is adorned with intricately carved panels and huge pillars that stand at the entrance.
  • Jaina group of Caves: (caves 30 – 34) is exquisitely carved with fine, delicate sculptures, and includes fine paintings dedicated to the Digambara sect. Through their art and architecture, the Ellora Caves serve as a window to ancient India, including socio-cultural phenomena, material culture, politics, and lifestyles.
  • Buddhist Caves at Ellora: Which are mostly monasteries that house shrines with paintings and sculptures of the Buddha.
  • Brahmanical group of Caves: (caves 13–29), including the renowned Kailasa temple (cave 16), was excavated between the 7th and 10th centuries. Last phase, between the 9th and 12th centuries, saw the excavation of a group of caves (caves 30–34) reflecting Jaina philosophy.
  • The Grishneshwar Temple in Ellora: Is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, made out of a red rock. It is located about 500 metres from Ellora and is an ancient and popular pilgrimage site.
  • Emperor’s Aurangzeb’s Tomb: The Bhadra Maruti temple. En route to Ellora Caves visit a small town, 3 km from Ajanta Ellora Caves, also called the Valley of Saints.
  • Ajanta and Ellora Festival: An annual dance and music festival held in November.
  • Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuary: Which attracts numerous local and migratory birds, the sanctuary attracts bird watchers photography enthusiasts and nature lovers. Some of the migratory birds that are seen here are glossy ibis, flamingos, teal pochard and Brahminy duck.
  • Shop at Mughal Silk Store: Shop for Himroo Sarees and Paithani Sarees.

NEAREST AIPORT – Aurangabad Airport, a domestic airport, about five and a half kilometre from the city centre is the closest airport to the Ajanta Caves.

PHOTOS
ITINERARY

DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN AURANGABAD AIRPORT | EXPLORE AURANGABAD

  • Arrive at the Aurangabad Airport. Meet our representative who will be there for your welcome.
  • Enjoy a lunch at Indiana Velvet, offers a mouth-watering delicacies and handpicked menu of Eastern and Western influence. Serves the best dishes of Indian and Tandoori Delicacy, Continental Cuisine, Italian Cuisine, Oriental & Chinese Cuisine etc. The dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients and best chefs to delight every, you with an extraordinary dining experience. (*Travellers Choice).
  • Visit gates like Dilli Gate and Paithan Gate. Aurangabad is known as the city of the gates.
  • Visit Bibi Ka Maqbara Taj of the Deccan (Dakhani Taj), is 5 km away from Aurangabad. The main entrance gate is beautifully carved and has a photogenic design. After passing through the entrance, a small tank is provided and a low profile screen wall leads to the main structure. You can explore the screened pathway has a series of fountains at its centre, which adds to further the serene atmosphere. Bibi Ka Maqbara has featured in a number of documentaries and films as well.
  • Visit Daulatabad Fort, originally the fortress of Deogiri. An ancient stronghold built in the 12th-century. Listed among the Seven Wonders of Maharashtra, as Devgiri. Offering views of the whole city, this fort built on a conical hill nearly 200 mt high.
  • Visit Panchakki, a structure that gets its name from a watermill that grinded flour using water power. Admire the elegant facade of Panchakki, which has a large arched gateway with domes and minarets. Explore the interior of Panchakki, which has a spacious hall with fountains and arches. It usually opens every day from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm.
  • Visit Aurangabad’s traditional Himroo Fabrics. Himroo may be woven with silk, wool, cotton or jari (silver golden thread). Traditionally, it was only woven in cotton (wrap) and silk (weft). One stop shop to buy the best Himroo shawls & stoles which are skillfully hand woven in Cotton and Silk, Pure Silk, Silk and Wool, Silk and Jari, Pure Wool, Pure Cotton, Fine Wool, etc. The process involves two workers, a weaver & an assistant sitting across the loom, who work at interlacing the weft yard with the warp yarn at right angles. It takes them 15 days to weave a Himroo shawl.
  • Enjoy an authentic Indian dinner at Latitude at the Taj Vivanta International cuisine that never fails to surprise, and inspire. That’s what you can expect at Latitude. (*Travellers Choice).
  • Overnight stay at your hotel in Aurangabad.

HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Welcomhotel By ITC Hotels, Rama International
  • Vivanta Aurangabad
  • Ambassador Ajanta Hotel, Aurangabad
  • Lemon Tree Hotel, Aurangabad
  • Spree Hotel Aurangabad

DAY 2AJANTA CAVES

  • After breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to explore the Ajanta Caves. Drive to Ajanta Caves.
  • Visit the caves at Ajanta UNESCO World Heritage Site, which were excavated out of a vertical cliff above the left bank of the river Waghora in the hills of Ajanta. They are thirty in number, including the unfinished ones, of which five (caves 9, 10, 19, 26 and 29) are chaityagrihas (sanctuary) and the rest, sangharamas or viharas (monastery). The caves are connected with the river by rock-cut staircases.
  • Visit six caves (caves 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15A) which were excavated in the first phase by Hinayana | Theravadin followers of Buddhism, wherein Buddha was worshipped in an aniconic | symbolic form. These caves are simple and austere, and carry mural paintings sparsely.
  • Enjoy your dinner at Great Sagar Restaurant. The restaurant is well-known for its North Indian, Mughlai, and Chinese cuisines. Additionally, it is renowned for its extensive selection of seafood, kebabs, and biryani, as well as desserts and beverages. You may come here and have a good time with your family or bring some buddies and do both. (*Travellers Choice).
  • Overnight stay at your hotel in Aurangabad.

DAY 3ELLORA CAVES

  • After breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to explore the Ellora Caves.
  • Visit Ellora Caves, which is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The invaluable ensemble of 34 caves at Ellora in the Charanandri hills of western India’s Maharashtra State showcases a spirit of co-existence and religious tolerance through the outstanding architectural activities carried out by the followers of three prominent religions: Buddhism, Brahmanism, and Jainism.
  • Visit the earliest caves (caves 1–12), excavated between the 5th and 8th centuries, reflect the Mahayana philosophy of Buddhism then prevalent in this region.
  • Visit the Brahmanical group of caves (caves 13–29), including the renowned Kailasa temple (cave 16), was excavated between the 7th and 10th centuries.
  • Visit the last phase, between the 9th and 12th centuries, saw the excavation of a group of caves (caves 30–34) reflecting Jaina philosophy.
  • Visit the caves of the Buddhist group, Cave 10 (Visvakarma or Sutar-ki-jhopari, the Carpenter’s cave), Cave 11, and Cave 12 (Teen Tal, or three-storied monastery, the largest in this category) are particularly important. These caves mark the development of the Vajrayana form of Buddhism and represent a host of Buddhist deities. The prominent caves of the Brahmanical group are Cave 15 (Dasavatara, or Cave of Ten Incarnations), Cave 16 (Kailasa, the largest monolithic temple), Cave 21 (Ramesvara), and Cave 29 (Dumar Lena).
  • Visit the temple is decorated with some of the boldest and finest sculptural compositions to be found in India. The sculpture depicting Ravana attempting to lift Mount Kailasa, the abode of Siva, is especially noteworthy.
  • Visit the Jaina group of caves (caves 30 – 34) is exquisitely carved with fine, delicate sculptures, and includes fine paintings dedicated to the Digambara sect. Through their art and architecture, the Ellora Caves serve as a window to ancient India, including socio-cultural phenomena, material culture, politics, and lifestyles.
  • Visit the home to Emperor’s Aurangzeb’s tomb and the Bhadra Maruti temple.
  • Visit Grineshwar Temple, which stands half a kilometre from the caves of Ellora.
    The Word Grineshwar means Lord of Compassion, it is an illustration of Maratha temple architectural style and structure.
  • Visit Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuary, which attracts numerous local and migratory birds. The sight of the birds walking gracefully with dance like movements around the Nath Sagar Lake is a sight to behold. Apart from the birds, the sanctuary is also known for its flora. An ideal location to escape city life, the sanctuary attracts bird watchers, photography enthusiasts and nature lovers.
  • Enjoy your dinner at Citrus Café, is a lemon tree hotel with a reputation for its north Indian, Chinese, continental, and Italian food. You can enjoy the most fashionable décor in the industry, a comfortable ambiance, casual fine dining, and service that is kind and friendly. (*Travellers Choice).
  • Overnight stay at your hotel in Aurangabad.

DAY 4SHOPPING IN AURANGABAD

  • After breakfast at the hotel, checkout from the hotel.
  • Enjoy lunch at Kream N Krunch, Every meal of the day has a different dish from a diverse range of ethnic cuisines served here. Start by ordering a hefty stack of pancakes or waffles for breakfast, and then be sure to sample the Vietnamese paper rolls, the chicken burger, or the delicious mac and cheese later in the day. (*Travellers Choice).
  • Shop for Paithani sarees and Himroo Sarees from Mughal Silk Store.
  • Ajanta and Ellora Caves Tour Ends.
Map
HOW CAN YOU BECOME A RESPONSIBLE TRAVELLER?
Here are some pointers to help you start travelling sustainably

1. SELECTING A GREEN FORM OF TRANSPORTATION

When travelling, take the train or bus rather than an airplane. If you have no other option but to fly, make sure it is a direct flight to minimise its carbon imprint. 2.4% of carbon emissions are believed to come from aviation. Alternate your modes of transportation, and be careful to go slowly. When it comes to shorter distances, try cycling and walking as these activities will also provide you with a sort of workout.

2. CHOOSE TRADITIONAL HANDICRAFTS

As opposed to shopping in a mall or airport store, buying locally is better for the environment. You have a favourable financial effect on the community. Their homemade goods are not only a unique souvenir for your house, but they are also less priced.

3. SUPPORT LOCAL HOTELS AND CAFES

Locally-owned restaurants will give you the taste of a local cuisine which you might try for the first time. While locals shop at their local market, hotels typically get their ingredients from large corporations. By eating in one of their hotels, you’re minimising your carbon footprint.

4. PACK THE APPROPRIATE NUMBER OF OUTFITS

Try to pack with the clothing you currently own rather than going on a buying binge. Human clothing that is owned by people ends up in landfills in 73% of cases. Don’t allow items to go to waste. Give them to neighbours or sell them on a platform for thrift stores if you buy anything you won’t use again.

5. GO ON A GUIDED WILDLIFE EXPLORATION

This is majorly enjoyable bucket list material. Make sure your wildlife expert is qualified, prioritises the comfort of the animals, and is familiar with the specifics of the local habitat. During the safari, don’t push the driver to take you closer to the animals. Allow the animals to relax and take it easy while you enjoy yourself.

6. CHOOSING A GREEN ACCOMMODATION

Make sure to pick a hotel that uses green practices when you are on vacation. In order to choose a hotel and the various amenities it offers, you won’t need as many toiletries, water bottles, or meal packets if you reduce, reuse, and recycle them. Verify the policies and procedures of the hotel, but make sure you are according to a sustainable style.

7. A STRICT NO TO PLASTIC

Ideally, you shouldn’t leave any trash behind you. You shouldn’t carry single-use plastic either because it contributes significantly to trash and pollution. Utilising plastic-free products and using your own cloth bag are two examples of travelling sustainably.

8. INTERACT WITH LOCALS

Discover a whole region, interact with the people there; this will only make your journey more interesting, enjoyable, and, most importantly, sustainable.

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