Private 2 Days Tour: Ajanta Ellora Caves and Aurangabad City

The main reason to book this two-day trip is simple: you get a private car for the two major cave sites without having to sort out taxis in Aurangabad. Ajanta’s Buddhist paintings and sculpture deserve a full day, while Ellora shares day two with Daulatabad Fort and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara.

I like the custom schedule and the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water. I also like that you can choose a cave guide or explore independently. The catch is that this is more transport and planning support than a fully guided tour, and tickets, meals, lodging, and guides cost extra.

Key points

• Ajanta takes the first day: Allow about three hours at the cave complex, with entry separate from the tour price.
• Ellora anchors day two: You get about two hours there, followed by Bibi-Ka-Maqbara and a visit to Daulatabad Fort.
• You ride privately: The car is for your group only, with pickup offered and air conditioning included.
• Guiding is optional: You can hire a guide at the caves or visit on your own.
• Plan around closing days: Ajanta is closed Monday, and Ellora is closed Tuesday.
• The price covers transport, not the whole trip: The advertised rate is $92.80 for up to three people, before admissions, meals, accommodation, and guide fees.

Two cave sites, one private car, two very different days

This is best understood as a private driver-led sightseeing plan rather than an all-inclusive guided tour. You are picked up from your Aurangabad hotel each morning, then taken to the day’s sights in an air-conditioned vehicle. The tour is private, so you are not sharing the car with a larger group or working around strangers’ schedules.

The two cave sites are the heart of the experience. Ajanta is a Buddhist monastery complex of 29 rock-cut caves, known for paintings and sculpture. Ellora is another UNESCO-listed sacred site in Maharashtra, with a different character and a shorter planned visit.

Day two adds three more familiar Aurangabad sights: Ellora Caves, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, often called the mini Taj Mahal. That makes the second day more varied, but also more tightly packed. You will want to keep your pace sensible, especially in hot weather.

The service works particularly well if you have only two days in the area and want one company handling the driving. It is less suitable if you expect a guide to explain every monument without arranging one separately.

Day one at Ajanta’s 29 Buddhist caves

Ajanta receives the full first day, with roughly three hours scheduled at the site. That time matters. The complex contains 29 rock-cut caves, and the appeal is not simply the stone architecture. The paintings and sculpture are the main reason to come, and they reward slower attention than a quick photo stop.

You can visit independently, or arrange a guide at the caves. I would consider a guide if you want help understanding the Buddhist subjects and the artwork’s place within the complex. Without one, you can still see the caves at your own pace, but the meaning behind the paintings may be harder to follow.

The listed price does not include admission. The provided fee is ₹600 per person for Ajanta, and the tour information also notes that shuttle bus tickets may be separate. Check the current cost when booking, since monument charges can change.

Ajanta is closed on Mondays. This is the first date to check when building your Aurangabad plan. A Monday arrival can create a serious problem if you have already reserved the two-day service around the wrong sequence.

The drive and the heat are part of the practical picture, even though the exact journey time is not given. One March visit proved uncomfortable in the Indian heat, despite both cave sites being considered worth the effort. Start early if your pickup arrangement allows it, carry water, and use the included bottled water as a backup rather than your only supply.

The private car helps here. You avoid hailing a taxi for a long out-of-town visit, and you can return to an air-conditioned vehicle after walking around the site. That comfort is a real part of the value, especially in warm months.

Day two from Ellora to Bibi-Ka-Maqbara

Day two begins with Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Maharashtra. The planned visit is about two hours, shorter than the Ajanta stop. Ellora is described as a sacred site, and its rock-cut setting gives the day a different feel from Ajanta’s emphasis on Buddhist paintings and sculpture.

Two hours can be enough for a focused visit, but it is not a leisurely exploration of every corner. If Ellora is your main reason for visiting Aurangabad, ask in advance how much time the driver expects you to have there and discuss your priorities. The private format gives you some room to adjust the schedule, but the day also includes two other major stops.

Ellora is closed on Tuesdays. This rule is easy to miss and just as important as Ajanta’s Monday closure. Make sure your two cave days are assigned to the correct weekdays before you confirm hotels or onward transport.

The listed Ellora admission is ₹600 per person, separate from the car service. A guide is also extra unless you choose a version of the booking that includes one. If you enjoy researching sites in advance and prefer freedom, independent touring keeps costs down. If you want the religious and artistic details explained as you go, budget for a guide.

From Ellora, the plan continues to Daulatabad Fort. The supplied schedule does not give a separate time allowance for the fort, so treat this as a flexible stop rather than a guaranteed long visit. Ask your driver how it fits into the day, particularly if you want to walk around rather than make a quick photo stop.

The final listed stop is Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, the monument known as Aurangabad’s mini Taj Mahal. Azam Shah commissioned it in honor of his mother, Begum Rabia Durani. The visit is planned for about one hour, and the entry fee is listed as ₹300 per person.

Bibi-Ka-Maqbara is a useful contrast to the caves. After two days of rock-cut Buddhist and sacred sites, you get a formal mausoleum connected to the Mughal period. It is not the Taj Mahal, but the comparison explains why it is included in so many Aurangabad sightseeing plans.

What the $92.80 price really covers

The advertised price is $92.80 per group of up to three people. That is not a per-person fare, which makes it more attractive when three people share the car. For one person, the same price is less of a bargain, but the private transport still removes the work of arranging separate long-distance rides.

Included are private transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and a tissue box. The vehicle is the core purchase. You are paying for a private base during two sightseeing days, not for admission to the monuments or a full package.

Budget separately for:

• Ajanta admission, listed as ₹600 per person
• Ellora admission, listed as ₹600 per person
• Bibi-Ka-Maqbara admission, listed as ₹300 per person
• Monument shuttle bus tickets, if required
• Guide service
• Meals
• Hotel accommodation
• Airport or railway station pickup and transfer to your hotel

The airport or station detail deserves attention. Pickup is offered, and the meeting point is Chikkalthana Airport, now Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Airport, but airport or station transfer to your hotel is a chargeable service. Do not assume that the two sightseeing days include every transfer connected with your arrival and departure.

For a fair value comparison, add the admissions and any guide you want before deciding. The basic rate remains useful for a small group that values privacy, air conditioning, and a driver who can adapt the schedule. It is less compelling if you only need a simple taxi and already have local transport arranged.

A private driver is helpful, but confirm the route

The private setup is one of the strongest parts of this experience. You can request changes, adjust the pace, and avoid waiting for a group. One driver, Shabaz, was described as friendly, patient, punctual, and willing to alter the schedule. He also helped with food suggestions and other places of interest around Aurangabad.

Another driver, Habeeb, was praised for the trip’s main sights but was not fully clear about the second day’s plan. The issue was eventually explained as a route adjustment connected with accommodation near Ellora, yet it points to a sensible precaution: confirm the full sequence before setting off.

Send the driver or operator a clear version of your plan:

• Ajanta on day one
• Ellora, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara on day two
• Your hotel pickup time and return point
• Any need for airport or station transfers
• Whether you want time for meals or a guide

This is not a criticism of the private format. It is the normal tradeoff when the driver is managing transport while you handle the monument visits yourself. A printed or phone copy of the route gives everyone the same reference.

The car’s air conditioning is particularly useful in March and other hot periods. A clean vehicle, punctual pickup, and patient driving can make the long sightseeing days far easier. Still, do not confuse a comfortable car with a guided cultural tour. You need to arrange explanations, entrance tickets, and much of the day’s detail yourself.

Guides, food, and the freedom to set your pace

You have two basic choices at the caves. Hire a guide, or explore independently. The first costs more but can make Ajanta’s paintings and Buddhist subjects easier to understand. The second gives you control and keeps the overall cost closer to the advertised rate.

The service does not include meals. That gives you flexibility, but it also means you should discuss meal timing with the driver. Shabaz was happy to suggest food stops, which is useful when you are moving between major sites and do not know the area.

Accommodation is also excluded. The service is designed around pickup from your Aurangabad hotel each morning, so you need to arrange that hotel yourself. If you are staying near Ellora instead, confirm the route and pickup details carefully. A change in lodging location may affect the order of the stops.

The advertised duration is approximately two days. Exact pickup times, driving times, and the amount of time at Daulatabad Fort are not specified. That makes the customizable format valuable, but it also means you should ask questions before departure rather than expect a fixed timetable.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this for a small group of up to three people who want to see Ajanta and Ellora without handling intercity taxis. It is especially practical if you have limited time in Aurangabad and want the same driver and car for both days.

It also suits you if you prefer to choose your own guide arrangement. Independent visitors can save money and move at their own pace, while history-focused visitors can add a guide at the caves.

Families and older visitors may appreciate the private, air-conditioned vehicle and the ability to return to it between stops. The cave sites and fort still require sightseeing on foot, though, so the car does not remove the physical side of the visit.

You may want another option if you need a fully guided experience with meals, hotels, tickets, and every transfer included. You should also think twice if your schedule is so tight that a delay at one stop would cause problems later in the day. Day two has several major sights, and its flexibility depends on sensible timing.

Booking details worth checking first

Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can take part. The activity is private, so only your group participates. It is also near public transportation, though the main benefit is the arranged private car.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes made inside that window are not accepted. The cutoff uses local time.

Before paying, confirm five things: the weekday of each cave visit, your exact hotel pickup, the driver’s understanding of the route, the guide arrangement, and the added transfer cost if you need airport or station service. Those checks take little time and prevent the most likely surprises.

Should you book these two days?

Book it if you want private transport, air conditioning, and a flexible schedule for the two major cave sites. The $92.80 group rate can be good value for two or three people, especially when compared with arranging separate rides to Ajanta and Ellora.

Add the cost of tickets, meals, lodging, and any guide before deciding. If you want expert explanations at every stop, arrange the guide in advance. If you are comfortable touring independently, this service gives you a practical car and a workable two-day plan.

My main advice is to confirm the route with the driver before day two, especially if you are staying near Ellora. For a short Aurangabad visit, this is a sensible way to connect Ajanta, Ellora, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara without spending your time negotiating taxis.

FAQ

How long is the private Ajanta and Ellora tour?

The experience lasts approximately two days. Ajanta is planned for about three hours, Ellora for about two hours, and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara for about one hour. The time at Daulatabad Fort is not specified.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes private transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and a tissue box. It does not include monument tickets, guides, meals, accommodation, or chargeable airport and station transfers.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $92.80 per group of up to three people. Additional costs apply for admissions, guides, food, hotels, and certain transfers.

Are entrance tickets included?

No. The listed entrance fees are ₹600 per person for Ajanta, ₹600 per person for Ellora, and ₹300 per person for Bibi-Ka-Maqbara. Monument shuttle bus tickets may also be separate.

Is a guide included?

No. Guide service is not included in the standard arrangement. You can hire a guide at the caves or choose an option that includes a guide, if available.

Which days are the caves closed?

Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays. Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesdays.

Does the tour include hotel accommodation and meals?

No. Hotel accommodation and meals are extra. Pickup is arranged from your Aurangabad hotel each morning.

Can the tour include airport or station pickup?

Pickup is offered, and the meeting point is Chikkalthana Airport, also called Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Airport. Airport or station pickup and transfer to your hotel are chargeable services.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.