Private 2 Days Tour: Ajanta Ellora Caves and Aurangabad City

Ajanta’s painted Buddhist caves and Ellora’s astonishing rock-cut temples are the heart of this two-day outing. You get a private car, bottled water, and a schedule that can bend around your needs, rather than sharing a bus with strangers. Ajanta and Ellora are very different, so seeing both gives you a much fuller picture of the region.

I like the door-to-door transport and the chance to hire a guide only when you want one. I also like the practical flexibility: drivers such as Shabaz have adjusted timing and helped with food stops, while Habeeb has been praised for patience and punctuality. The main caution is that the driver may not function as a sightseeing guide, so confirm the second-day route and arrange a guide in advance if you want detailed explanations.

Key points at a glance

• Ajanta takes about three hours: Plan for Buddhist paintings, sculpture, and monastery caves on a separate first day.
• Ellora shares day two with two major monuments: You also visit Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, and the broader plan includes Daulatabad Fort.
• A private air-conditioned car keeps the schedule flexible: You can discuss timing, food stops, and the order of sightseeing.
• The advertised price is for a group of up to three: Entry tickets, guides, meals, and accommodation are extra.
• The caves close on different days: Ajanta is closed Monday, while Ellora is closed Tuesday.
• The driver is not automatically your guide: A guide can be added, or you can explore independently.

Why these two days work well in Aurangabad

Aurangabad, now also known as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, is a practical base for some of Maharashtra’s most important monuments. Ajanta and Ellora are not interchangeable stops. Ajanta is known for Buddhist monasteries and paintings cut into a horseshoe-shaped cliff, while Ellora brings together Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments in one long series of caves.

That difference is why I like the two-day format. You are not trying to squeeze both cave complexes into one exhausting day, and you have a better chance of paying attention to what you are seeing. A private car also saves you from arranging separate taxis for each site.

The price is listed at $92.80 per group of up to three people. That can be good value if you are sharing the car with two companions, especially since private transportation and air conditioning are included. It is less of an all-in price than it first appears. You still need to budget for monument tickets, possible shuttle buses, guide services, food, and accommodation.

The advertised meeting point is Chikkalthana Airport, but the service also describes pickup from your Aurangabad hotel each morning. Airport or station pickup and transfer to your hotel cost extra, so confirm those arrangements before you arrive.

Day one: Ajanta’s paintings and quiet monastery caves

Ajanta is given about three hours, and that is a useful minimum for a first visit. The complex contains 29 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments with paintings and sculpture that are considered major works of Buddhist and world art.

The appeal is not simply the age of the site. Ajanta lets you see how religious spaces were shaped directly from the rock, with halls, shrines, and monastic rooms connected to a larger Buddhist setting. The paintings are especially important, though the experience depends on how clearly you understand what you are looking at.

This is where a guide can make a real difference. The basic service does not include one, so you can either walk through on your own or pay for a guide. Independent exploration gives you freedom to pause, move slowly, and return to details. A guide can explain the Buddhist stories and point out features that are easy to miss in dim cave interiors.

The car is particularly useful on this day because Ajanta is not an ordinary city sightseeing stop. You will spend much of the day away from Aurangabad, and returning to a waiting air-conditioned vehicle is far easier than trying to locate a taxi after your visit.

Heat is worth taking seriously. One March booking found the caves rewarding but physically demanding in the Indian heat. The included bottled water helps, but it does not replace sensible planning. Start early if your pickup time allows, carry water inside any permitted areas, and keep your pace steady rather than treating the caves like a race.

Ajanta is closed on Mondays. Check the day of the week before you choose your dates, since arriving on the wrong day could upset the entire two-day plan.

Day two: Ellora, Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, and the fort question

The second day is more varied. The planned stops include Ellora Caves and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, while the wider description also includes Daulatabad Fort. Since the timed itinerary lists only Ellora and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, I would confirm that Daulatabad is included in your exact schedule before booking or before setting off.

Ellora is allotted about two hours. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, like Ajanta, is made from rock-cut monuments. Its character is different, with Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain caves spread across the complex.

The most famous feature is the scale of the excavation. Ellora is not just a series of small chambers. It includes major religious architecture carved from the rock, with the Kailasa temple often serving as the visual centerpiece for a visit. Even with two hours, you will need to make choices about how much to see and how long to linger.

A guide is useful here for another reason: the sheer variety of the site. Without context, you may see impressive carvings but miss the religious and artistic differences between the cave groups. If you prefer to explore alone, ask the driver where and when to meet, then allow enough time to return to the vehicle.

Ellora is closed on Tuesdays, a different closure day from Ajanta. That makes the order of the two days important. A Monday Ajanta closure and a Tuesday Ellora closure can cause problems for a short visit, so check both before paying.

Bibi-Ka-Maqbara and the mini Taj Mahal comparison

Bibi-Ka-Maqbara receives about one hour. This mausoleum was commissioned by Azam Shah, the son of Aurangzeb, in memory of his mother, Begum Rabia Durani. Its design has led to the nickname mini Taj Mahal because of its clear visual connection to the Taj Mahal.

The comparison is useful, but do not expect a second Taj Mahal. The value here is seeing how Mughal architectural ideas were adapted in Aurangabad, and how the monument fits into the city’s own story. After the caves, its lighter, more formal appearance gives the day a welcome change of pace.

The entrance fee is listed as ₹300 per person. Like the cave tickets, this is not included in the tour price. The one-hour visit should be enough for a focused stop, although your exact time may depend on how long you spend at Ellora and whether Daulatabad Fort is added.

Daulatabad Fort needs a timing check

Daulatabad Fort is named in the overall two-day plan, but it does not have a separate duration in the supplied schedule. That matters because day two already includes a two-hour Ellora visit and a one-hour stop at Bibi-Ka-Maqbara.

If Daulatabad is important to you, ask the operator to confirm the route, visiting time, and any additional charges before you go. A private vehicle makes this kind of adjustment easier, but flexibility does not mean unlimited time. You may need to choose between a quick look at several places and a slower visit to fewer sites.

What the private car adds

The main service is transportation, not a fully narrated guided tour. You receive a private vehicle with air conditioning, bottled water, tissues, and space for only your group. That setup is a strong fit if you value control over the day or dislike negotiating with taxis in an unfamiliar city.

The flexibility is practical rather than fancy. You may be able to adjust the schedule, stop for food, or make small changes to the route. One driver, Shabaz, has been described as friendly and willing to alter the schedule, even accommodating a daily cappuccino request. That kind of small personal adjustment can make a long sightseeing day easier.

Drivers including Habeeb and Shabaz have been associated with bookings for this service. Habeeb has been praised for patience and punctuality, while one booking found him uncertain about the full second-day plan. That is the key operational warning: do not assume the person behind the wheel will know every sightseeing detail or automatically act as a guide.

At the start of day two, review the plan clearly. Confirm Ellora, Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, and Daulatabad Fort if it is part of your booking. It is also wise to agree on pickup points and approximate return times at each major site.

Guides, tickets, and the real cost

The listed cave admission fees are ₹600 per person for Ajanta and ₹600 per person for Ellora. Bibi-Ka-Maqbara is listed at ₹300 per person. Monument entrance and shuttle bus tickets are excluded, so your final cost will be higher than the vehicle price.

Guide service is also extra. You can choose an option with a guide if available, or arrange to visit independently. I would strongly consider a guide for at least one cave complex if you have limited background in Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain art. If you are comfortable reading signs and exploring at your own pace, skipping the guide keeps the price down.

Meals and hotel accommodation are not included. The tour is therefore best understood as a private two-day transport arrangement with sightseeing built into the plan, not a packaged holiday. That is not a flaw, but you need to compare it with the cost of arranging two full days of private driving on your own.

For up to three people, $92.80 can be attractive. A solo visitor pays the full group rate alone, so the value is stronger for a couple or small group. The air-conditioned car, private arrangement, and local driving support are the main things you are paying for.

Heat, pace, and comfort

The two days are manageable, but they are not effortless. Ajanta can involve a long day in hot conditions, and the second day combines several historic sites. March heat was a specific concern in one booking, and hotter months may feel harder still.

Use the private setup to your advantage. Ask for an early start, take water breaks, and avoid lingering in every cave if your energy is dropping. The included bottled water and air conditioning are small benefits that matter after several hours outside.

A private tour also suits different walking speeds better than a group coach. You can discuss pauses with the driver and avoid waiting for a large party. Still, the service details do not promise special accessibility equipment or a fully accessible route, so ask directly if mobility is a concern.

Who should book this two-day tour?

I would choose this experience if you want to see Ajanta and Ellora without managing local taxis, and you are comfortable handling entrance tickets, meals, and sightseeing decisions separately. It is especially useful for a couple or small group sharing the price.

It also suits people who want a private car but do not need a fixed, fully guided program. You can hire a guide for deeper context, or keep costs lower by exploring independently.

I would look elsewhere if you want every expense included, a guaranteed specialist guide, or a tightly scripted cultural tour. I would also ask more questions before booking if Daulatabad Fort is essential, since its place in the day is not given as clearly as the other stops.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately two days. Ajanta is scheduled for about three hours, Ellora for about two hours, and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara for about one hour.

What is included in the tour price?

Private transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and a tissue box are included.

Are entrance tickets included?

No. Ajanta, Ellora, Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, and any shuttle bus tickets are extra. The listed entrance fees are ₹600 per person for Ajanta, ₹600 per person for Ellora, and ₹300 per person for Bibi-Ka-Maqbara.

Is a guide included?

No. Guide service is extra. You can choose an option with a guide if available, or visit the sites independently.

Is accommodation included?

No. Hotel accommodation and meals cost extra.

Is airport pickup included?

Airport or station pickup and transfer to your hotel are chargeable services. The service also describes morning pickup from your Aurangabad hotel.

How many people can join the private tour?

The listed price covers a private group of up to three people.

Which days are the caves closed?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if private transport and flexibility matter more to you than an all-inclusive package. Ajanta and Ellora deserve separate days, and the air-conditioned car removes much of the local transport hassle. The value is strongest when two or three people share the $92.80 group price.

Before booking, confirm three things: the exact driver pickup plan, whether Daulatabad Fort is included, and whether you want a guide. Get those details straight, budget for the extra tickets and meals, and this becomes a practical way to see Aurangabad’s major monuments without spending your short visit hailing taxis.