Private journeys across India · Replies within 24 hours
Reviewed by Mirza Shadab Beg, Founder, Travelage India, Agra · Last updated 24 October 2026
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Short answer: three days is enough for Ajanta and Ellora. Base yourself in Aurangabad, see the Kailasa Temple and the other Ellora caves one day (about 30 km (19 miles) away, closed Tuesdays) and the painted Buddhist caves at Ajanta the next (about 100 km (60 miles), closed Mondays). Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
In the hills of Maharashtra, workers carved whole temples out of living rock. At Ellora, the Kailasa Temple, Cave 16, was cut from the top down out of a single basalt cliff in the eighth century, and is among the largest monolithic structures in the world. At Ajanta, about a hundred kilometres away, Buddhist monasteries carved from a horseshoe gorge hold some of the oldest surviving paintings in India.
Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and both reward a guide, because the stories are in the carvings. The caves close on different days, Ellora on Tuesdays and Ajanta on Mondays, and we plan the order around that.
The base is Aurangabad, officially Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, which has airport and rail links with Mumbai. If you are coming from Mumbai, we can combine this journey with our Bollywood and Mumbai tour.
Met at the airport or station and taken to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit Bibi Ka Maqbara, the 17th-century tomb known as the Taj of the Deccan, and Daulatabad Fort, a hill fortress with a dark, winding entrance passage, with a licensed guide.
Drive about 30 km (19 miles) to Ellora (about forty-five minutes) and spend the morning with your guide among the 34 caves: Buddhist, Hindu and Jain. The highlight is the Kailasa Temple, Cave 16. Grishneshwar Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, is nearby. Return to Aurangabad for the afternoon. Ellora is closed on Tuesdays.
An early start for Ajanta, about 100 km (two to two and a half hours). Visit the 30 Buddhist caves with your guide, including the painted Caves 1 and 2, then return to Aurangabad and transfer to the airport or station by late afternoon. Ajanta is closed on Mondays.
Cave sites involve steps, heat and closing days. Here is what we manage.
The caves close on different days, so we plan the order around your dates. Tell us your dates early.
Ellora is seen in the morning and Ajanta with an early start, before the heat and the crowds build.
A licensed local guide explains the Buddhist jataka tales, the Hindu myths and the Jain figures, and where to look in the dim light.
Your guide is chosen for the language you prefer and the things you love. Ask for Japanese or Russian and we will arrange it where we can.
Here is every leg with its distance and likely drive time. Times vary with traffic and stops.
| Leg | Distance | Drive time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurangabad to Ellora | about 30 km (19 miles) | 45 minutes | Kailasa Temple, Cave 16 |
| Aurangabad to Ajanta | about 100 km (60 miles) | 2 to 2.5 hours | Early start; shuttle from the visitor centre |
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“A dream come true! Bobby’s expertise and warm hospitality made my Agra trip seamless and perfect. The Taj Mahal was beyond words especially with his talented photography skills.”
“We actually did 14 days which included a trip to Varanasi, then the Golden Triangle & out to Jaisalmer. Every step of the way we were accompanied by Bobby. Our Driver & coach was super, but focus on detail and ensuring that the safety & wellbeing of individual travellers was met, really put the trip at an all time high!”
“Shadab is a tireless worker. He has arranged our trip according to our wishes. He has also managed to promptly overcome any inconvenience or mistake during the trip.”
“…He was very responsive and was always available when we had any questions. He also recommended hotels and places to stay. He was very flexible with providing guides only for the requested days.”
“Very awesome experience.. extremely professional and courteous, the chauffeur and the guides were very knowledgeable and knew the way to maneuver the system. They were highly flexible in adapting to any changes in my schedule.”
“I went to India alone and had an amazing experience with my tour guide, shiraz. He showed me all the beautiful places that india has to offer and even brought to places that was not initially planned after requesting it to make sure that I was completely satisfied with my tour.”
The right journey depends on your time and what you want to see. The highlighted row is the journey on this page.
| Journey | Time needed | How you travel | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Days Private India Tour | 14 days / 13 nights | Private luxury cars, guides and flights | Five regions in two weeks |
| Luxury Golden Triangle | 7 days / 6 nights | Private chauffeur | Palace and five-star stays |
| Bollywood & Mumbai Tour | 3 days / 2 nights | Private luxury car and guide | Film, food and colonial Mumbai |
| Ajanta, Ellora & Kailasa | 3 days / 2 nights | Private luxury car and guide | Rock-cut caves and temples |
| Golden Triangle in 4 Days | 4 days / 3 nights | Private luxury car, hotels | The classic first route |
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Two days for the caves plus a half day for Aurangabad’s other sights. Ellora and Ajanta are in different directions, about 30 km (19 miles) and 100 km (60 miles) from Aurangabad, so they are best seen on separate days.
The Kailasa Temple is Cave 16 at Ellora, a temple to Lord Shiva carved from a single rock, from the top down, in the eighth century. It is among the largest monolithic structures in the world.
Ajanta is closed on Mondays and Ellora on Tuesdays. We plan the order around your dates, and public holidays can change timings.
Ellora is about 30 km (19 miles), roughly forty-five minutes. Ajanta is about 100 km (62 miles), about two to two and a half hours.
By air, about an hour, or by train or road, which takes much longer. We can help with flights, which are not included.
October to March is the most comfortable. April to June is very hot, and the monsoon from July to September makes the caves slippery, though the waterfalls are at their best.
With care. The caves involve steps and uneven floors. Tell us about mobility needs and we will plan the timing and the pace.
Yes. You have your own luxury car, driver and licensed guide. Nothing is shared with other travellers.
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Your driver meets you at Aurangabad airport or station with a name board. Share your arrival details and we confirm everything the day before.
3 days / 2 nights. Starts and ends in Aurangabad, with a private luxury car and a licensed guide.
Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays and Ellora Caves on Tuesdays. We plan the order around your dates, and public holidays can change opening times.
October to March is the most comfortable, with the hills green after the monsoon. April to June is very hot, and heavy monsoon rain from July to September makes the caves slippery, though the waterfalls are at their best.
The caves involve steps, uneven floors and dim light, and Ajanta needs a short shuttle from the visitor centre, with rules that change. Wear comfortable shoes, and carry a torch if you have one. Tell us about mobility needs.
