Lux India Tours
Visitors on the path below the brown hills of the Ajanta Caves gorge in Maharashtra

Maharashtra · 6 Days

Maharashtra — Ajanta & Ellora Express

The two great cave complexes, with Aurangabad as a calm base.

Day by Day

6 Days, In Full

A caves-first trip. You arrive in Mumbai, then fly to Aurangabad the next morning. Ellora and Daulatabad fill one day, Ajanta another, and a slower city day follows. Both cave sites keep different weekly closing days, so we order the days to suit.

Bandra-Worli Sea Link bridge at golden hour, Mumbai
01

Mumbai

Arrive in Mumbai

Your driver meets you at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Mumbai is India's financial capital, and it never really stops. Check in and rest. In the late afternoon, walk the sweep of Marine Drive as the light turns gold. The curve of the bay at dusk is called the Queen's Necklace. Dinner is a first taste of the city's cooking.

The Chand Minar tower rising against a cloudy sky inside Daulatabad Fort, Maharashtra
02

Mumbai → Aurangabad

Mumbai to Aurangabad

A short flight takes about an hour from Mumbai to Aurangabad, now also called Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. By road the journey is about six hours. You arrive in time for a late lunch. In the afternoon, rest, or take a short drive through the old city. The next two days belong to the caves.

Old mosque courtyard inside the Daulatabad Fort complex near Aurangabad
03

Aurangabad

Ellora Caves and Daulatabad Fort

Ellora lies about 30 km from the city. Thirty-four caves, Buddhist, Hindu and Jain, are cut along one basalt hillside. Cave 16, the Kailasa temple, is carved top-down from a single rock. A local guide takes you through the best of it. On the way back, stop at Daulatabad Fort, a hill fortress with a winding, dark passage and sweeping views. Ellora is generally closed on Tuesdays, so we order the days to suit.

Reclining Buddha sculpture inside the Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra
04

Aurangabad

The Ajanta Caves

Ajanta is about 100 km from Aurangabad, roughly two hours each way. Its Buddhist caves curve around a quiet river gorge. They hold some of India's oldest surviving painted murals. Your guide explains the Jataka scenes and the carved halls. Lighting inside the caves is dim, and the paintings are fragile, so photography is limited. Ajanta is generally closed on Mondays, so we confirm the day.

Bibi Ka Maqbara, the white marble Mughal mausoleum in Aurangabad, under a blue sky
05

Aurangabad

Aurangabad City and Bibi Ka Maqbara

A slower day in the city. Bibi Ka Maqbara is a seventeenth-century tomb often called the Taj of the Deccan. It is smaller than the Taj Mahal, and quieter. Then the Panchakki, a medieval water mill, and the old city gates. The afternoon can include Aurangabad's famed Himroo weaving, a local fabric. We confirm opening times on the day.

Bibi Ka Maqbara, the white marble Mughal mausoleum in Aurangabad, under a blue sky
06

Aurangabad

Depart from Aurangabad

A relaxed last morning. Aurangabad's airport is about 20 minutes from the hotel. Your driver takes you in good time for your flight.

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An absolutely flawless experience. We felt like royalty from the moment we landed in Delhi until our departure.

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Truly exceptional — Brijesh, our tour planner, was incredibly attentive, professional, and meticulous in organizing a flawless itinerary.

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Nothing short of magical. Brijesh crafted a seamless itinerary that balanced sightseeing, culture, and relaxation, making our journey truly special.

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Everything went beyond our expectations. Our driver Rajesh kept us comfortable in every city, and Vicky was endlessly knowledgeable.

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Mentions guide Rajesh & Vicky

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From the moment we landed until we left, our driver Manish made us feel so taken care of — he made the trip even more memorable.

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Mentions guide Manish

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Brijesh is a super good man! A comfortable journey through six cities, exactly to our desires and limits.

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Mentions guide Brijesh & Manish

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Excellent hotels and tour guides. Our driver Manish was superb in every way — reliable, and full of local knowledge.

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Australia

Mentions guide Manish

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