Private 2 Days Tour: Ajanta Ellora Caves and Aurangabad City

The main appeal here is simple: you can see Ajanta and Ellora without bargaining for taxis or sorting out long-distance transport yourself. Your driver collects you from your Aurangabad hotel each morning, with Ajanta on day one and Ellora plus nearby sights on day two.

I like the private car for up to three people, which gives you room to shape the day, and I like the clean air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and hotel pickup. The service also suits a short visit, though you should know that guides, food, hotels, entrance tickets, and some transfers are extra.

Key points at a glance

• Ajanta takes the first day: Allow about three hours for the Buddhist cave complex, plus driving time from Aurangabad.
• Ellora shares day two with other sights: You visit the caves, Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, and the planned Daulatabad Fort stop.
• Private transport is the main product: You are paying for convenience and flexibility rather than an all-inclusive guided tour.
• Guides are optional: You can explore independently or arrange a guide, depending on the option you choose.
• Costs add up beyond the booking price: Entrance fees are listed as ₹600 per person for Ajanta, ₹600 for Ellora, and ₹300 for Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, with shuttle tickets also extra.
• Plan around closing days: Ajanta is closed Monday, and Ellora is closed Tuesday.

Why this two-day plan works

Aurangabad, now officially Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, is a practical base for some of India’s finest rock-cut monuments. The sites are not clustered in one easy walking district, so having the same private vehicle for two days can save you time, negotiation, and confusion.

The listed price is $92.80 per group of up to three people. That is good value if you share it with two companions, especially since the vehicle is private and air-conditioned. For one person, the value is less striking because the price does not cover admission, guides, meals, accommodation, or every possible transfer.

You should think of this as a private transport package with sightseeing support, not a full luxury tour. The driver gets you to the monuments, waits while you visit, and can help with the day’s practical details. You remain responsible for deciding whether to hire a guide and how much time to spend inside each site.

The schedule is customizable, which matters. One guest found driver Shabaz friendly, punctual, and willing to adjust the plan, even helping accommodate a daily cappuccino stop. That kind of flexibility is useful when you want a slower morning, a food break, or more time at a particular monument.

There is one caution. A separate experience involved driver Habeeb being unsure about the second day’s plan, leaving the passengers to explain where they were meant to go. The company addressed the concern, and the issue may have involved a change connected to the location of the accommodation, but you should still confirm the exact order of stops with your driver at the start.

Day one at Ajanta’s Buddhist caves

Ajanta is the longer and more focused day. The cave complex contains 29 rock-cut Buddhist monuments, including paintings and sculptures regarded as major works of Buddhist and world art. The suggested visit lasts about three hours, not counting the journey from Aurangabad.

This is the day for travelers who want paintings, sculpture, and religious art in one setting. The caves were cut into rock and used as a Buddhist monastic complex, so the appeal is not just the architecture. You are seeing spaces shaped for worship, teaching, and monastic life.

Three hours gives you a useful first look, but it is not an unlimited amount of time. If you like to pause over paintings or examine every chamber, you may want to discuss the timing before leaving Aurangabad. The drive and the cave visit together make this a full day, so do not treat Ajanta as a quick side trip.

Admission is not included. The stated Ajanta entrance fee is ₹600 per person, and shuttle bus tickets are also listed as extra. Keep those costs in your budget before you compare the headline tour price with other options.

You can visit Ajanta independently, or choose a guide option if you prefer help with the religious scenes and artwork. I would lean toward a guide if the meaning of the paintings matters to you. Without interpretation, you can appreciate the carved spaces and visual detail, but you may miss why particular images and cave layouts matter.

The March heat can make this day harder. One account specifically noted that the heat was a struggle, even though both Ajanta and Ellora were worth the effort. Carrying water is sensible, and the vehicle includes complimentary bottled water, but you should still plan for warm conditions and avoid assuming that the cave visit will feel cool throughout.

Day two at Ellora, Daulatabad, and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara

Day two combines several very different sights. Ellora is the major stop, followed by Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, with Daulatabad Fort included in the described plan. The listed itinerary gives Ellora about two hours and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara about one hour.

Ellora is a UNESCO-listed sacred site in Maharashtra. Its caves are different from Ajanta in character, and seeing both is one of the strongest reasons to book the two-day arrangement. Ajanta centers on a Buddhist monastic complex and its art, while Ellora gives you another important rock-cut religious setting.

Two hours at Ellora is enough for a focused visit, but it may feel brisk if you want to inspect every section. Ask your driver how the day is being timed, particularly if Daulatabad Fort is included in your route. Since the detailed stop list does not assign a visit length to the fort, confirm whether you will enter, view it from outside, or make a short stop.

Daulatabad adds a fort experience to a day otherwise centered on caves and Mughal-era architecture. It gives the schedule a useful change of pace, but it also makes the day more dependent on traffic, opening arrangements, and how long you spend at Ellora. This is another reason to agree on the order of stops before setting out.

Bibi-Ka-Maqbara is known as Aurangabad’s mini Taj Mahal. Azam Shah, the son of Aurangzeb, commissioned it to honor his mother, Begum Rabia Durani. You can expect a monument with a strong visual resemblance to the Taj Mahal, but the point is not simply to take a similar photograph. It reflects the city’s later Mughal connection and gives you a shorter, easier visit after the larger cave sites.

The suggested time here is one hour, and the entrance fee is listed as ₹300 per person. That makes it a manageable stop even if you are tired after Ellora. It is also a good place to keep the second day from becoming only a sequence of cave interiors.

What the private car adds

The practical strength of this experience is the vehicle. You receive private transportation in an air-conditioned car, along with bottled water and a tissue box. For a small group, this is more comfortable than arranging separate taxis for each long leg.

You also avoid hailing taxis at each stage of the trip. That matters in a two-day plan with several stops, since you do not have to negotiate a new ride after visiting Ajanta, Ellora, or Bibi-Ka-Maqbara.

Hotel pickup is offered in Aurangabad each morning. The stated starting point is Chikkalthana Airport, also called Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Airport, but airport and station pickup plus transfer to your hotel are chargeable services. Ask about those charges before relying on the tour for your arrival transfer.

The driver quality can shape your experience. Shabaz was described as patient, punctual, friendly, and not pushy, with a willingness to alter the schedule. Those are exactly the traits you want when the day includes several long stops. Habeeb was also described as a pleasant driver, though uncertainty about the second day’s route shows why a clear plan matters.

I would send the company your hotel name and preferred stop order in advance. Then repeat the plan when you meet the driver. That small step can prevent the only serious weakness reported with the service.

Guides, meals, and extra costs

A guide is not included in the basic arrangement. You can tour the caves on your own or choose an option that includes guide service. The freedom is useful, but it means the lowest advertised price is not the final cost for most people.

The listed entrance charges are:

• Ajanta Caves: ₹600 per person
• Ellora Caves: ₹600 per person
• Bibi-Ka-Maqbara: ₹300 per person
• Monument shuttle bus tickets: extra

For three people, the three listed entrance fees alone total ₹4,500. Add guide fees, food, and any accommodation, and the full two-day budget becomes noticeably higher than $92.80.

Meals are not included. A driver may offer suggestions for food and other places around Aurangabad, which can be helpful, but you should plan to pay separately. Hotel accommodation is also excluded, so you need to arrange your own stay in Aurangabad.

The tour does include mobile ticketing and confirmation at booking. It is near public transportation, and most people can participate according to the supplied details. Still, the monuments can involve heat and extended walking, so think about your own comfort before booking a tightly timed day.

The best way to plan the two days

Start by checking the closing days. Ajanta is closed on Monday, while Ellora is closed on Tuesday. A two-day schedule that ignores this detail can fail before it begins, so place your first day carefully.

The order described is Ajanta first, then Ellora, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara. If your hotel is closer to Ellora, the driver may suggest a different order. That can make practical sense, but ask for the revised route so you know what is included.

A private tour is especially useful if you have only a short stay in Aurangabad. It gives you a fixed vehicle and a basic plan without forcing you into a large group. You can also request small changes, as long as you do not assume every extra stop is included.

I would choose the guide option if you care about Buddhist art, cave symbolism, and the differences between Ajanta and Ellora. Independent visits suit you better if you prefer moving at your own pace and are happy to read, observe, and manage the schedule yourself.

Book with the weather in mind. The March heat was specifically difficult for one passenger, so the air-conditioned car is more than a minor comfort. Use the vehicle as a place to cool down between sites, and do not make the schedule tighter than necessary.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 91 reviews and a 99 percent recommendation figure, which suggests strong overall satisfaction, particularly with the transport service and driver experience. I would treat those numbers as encouragement, not as a reason to skip the practical checks about fees, guides, and the second-day route.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time.

Who should book this experience?

Book it if you want to see Ajanta and Ellora in two days without arranging multiple taxis. It is a particularly good fit for a couple, family, or small group of up to three people who value private transport and want some control over the pace.

It also suits you if you are comfortable paying separately for admission and perhaps a guide. The base price is attractive for a full private vehicle, but it does not cover the main sightseeing expenses.

You may prefer a more structured alternative if you want a guide included from the start, meals arranged, and every entrance ticket bundled into one price. You may also want to reconsider the timing if heat affects you strongly or if you want long, unhurried visits inside both cave complexes.

For most short visits to Aurangabad, I would book this service after confirming three things: the exact second-day route, all pickup charges, and whether your preferred guide option is included. With those details settled, the tour offers a practical way to connect four important sights while keeping the experience private and flexible.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two days. Ajanta is scheduled for day one, while Ellora and additional Aurangabad sights are scheduled for day two.

What is included in the tour price?

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

Are entrance tickets included?

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

Is a guide included?

No. Guide service is not included in the basic option. You can tour independently or choose an option with a guide if available.

Are meals and accommodation included?

No. Meals and hotel accommodation are separate expenses.

Can I be picked up from the airport or railway station?

Airport and station pickup, along with transfer to your hotel, are available as chargeable services. The stated starting point is Chikkalthana Airport, also known as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Airport.

Which days are the caves closed?

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

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.