Ajanta & Ellora Caves Guided Tour from Aurangabad

Embark on a journey to explore the architectural masterpieces of Ajanta and Ellora Caves on this guided tour in a private car with a well experienced guide.

Highlights

• An ideal outing to visit the mesmerizing UNESCO World Heritage Sites, namely Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
• Spend time and explore the gems of the Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
• Service of a certified guide, an experienced driver, and a well-maintained car.

Detailed overview

Ajanta Caves are a group of 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves believed to have been built during the period of the 2nd century BCE to 480 CE. These caves are considered to be one of the finest pieces of ancient Indian architecture, which includes paintings and rock-cut sculptures. These caves were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

Ellora Caves, located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, are one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world. These are considered UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ellora caves feature Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments and artwork dating from the 600–1000 CE period.

Itinerary

• Your tour will begin with a morning pick-up from your hotel or residence in Aurangabad city limits.
  
  
• After a short meet and greet, you will be driven to the following places with your experienced driver. You will meet your guides at the Ajanta and Ellora Caves:
  
  
• Ajanta Caves: This world heritage site is located about 105 km from Aurangabad city. Dating from 200 BC, these caves were excavated in two distinct phases and reportedly took more than 800 years to complete. They comprise chaityas (shrines) dedicated to Lord Buddha and viharas (monasteries) used by Buddhist monks for meditation. The paintings and sculptures depict incidents from the life of the Buddha and various divinities, with the Jataka tales, illustrating stories of Bodhisattva, being the most famous. Besides the temples and monasteries, there are magnificent murals that attract visitors from all over the world.
  
  
• Ellora Caves: Ellora, also spelled Elura, is a series of 34 magnificent rock-cut temples located near the village of Ellora, 30 km northwest of Aurangabad and 80 km southwest of the Ajanta Caves. Spread over a distance of 2 km, the temples were cut from basaltic cliffs and have elaborate facades and interior walls. The Ellora complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The 12 Buddhist caves (in the south) date from about 200 BCE to 600 CE, the 17 Hindu temples (in the centre) date from about 500 to 900 CE, and the 5 Jain temples (in the north) date from about 800 to 1000. The Hindu caves are the most dramatic in design, and the Buddhist caves contain the simplest ornamentation. Ellora served as a group of monasteries (viharas) and temples (chaityas); some of the caves include sleeping cells that were carved for itinerant monks.
  
  
• After the completion of the tour, you will be driven back to Aurangabad and dropped off at your hotel or residence within city limits. (Airport Pickup or Drop is included)

Please note: Ajanta caves remain closed every Monday, and Ellora caves remain closed every Tuesday as a weekly holiday. Please plan your trip accordingly.