First, one night in Mumbai
Trident, Nariman Point
Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai: sea-view rooms above Marine Drive, pool terrace, spa, Frangipani and Ness. A premium base for South Mumbai.
Mumbai · Hotel · Premium★★★★★
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Ajanta & Ellora Express — Premium
About This Journey
Ajanta & Ellora Express — Premium
This is the caves-first route. You land in Mumbai, then fly to Aurangabad the next morning. Four nights there let you see Ellora, Daulatabad and Ajanta without rushing.
It suits travellers who care more about the monuments than the cities. A knowledgeable guide makes a real difference at both sites.
- 01
Ellora and the Kailasa temple
Ellora has thirty-four Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves along one basalt hillside. Cave 16, the Kailasa, is carved top-down from a single rock.
- 02
Daulatabad Fort
On the way back from Ellora, the hill fort has a dark winding passage and long views from the top.
- 03
The painted caves of Ajanta
Ajanta lies about 100 km from the city. Its Buddhist caves hold some of India's oldest surviving murals, and photography is limited to protect them.
- 04
Bibi Ka Maqbara
A slower city day covers the seventeenth-century tomb often called the Taj of the Deccan, the Panchakki water mill and the old gates.
Chapter Two — Where You'll Stay
2 Real Stays, In Order
Handpicked along your own route — not a hotel chain repeated city to city.
Finally, 4 nights in Aurangabad
Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Rama International
Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Rama International in Aurangabad: 228 rooms in landscaped gardens, pool, Madhuban dining. Base for Ajanta and Ellora.
Aurangabad · Resort · Premium★★★★★
Chapter Three — Day by Day
Real Maharashtra Attractions in This Itinerary
4 of your 6days — the full itinerary follows below. Scroll to travel the route.
Day 2 · 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.
Day 3 · 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.
Day 4 · 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.
Day 5 · 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.
Chapter Four — The Full Itinerary
6 Days, In Full
Every day, start to finish — including the transfers the day-by-day chapter above skipped.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Guest Stories
What Our Travelers Say
Real words from real journeys — rated 5.0 across 310 Google reviews.
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An absolutely flawless experience. We felt like royalty from the moment we landed in Delhi until our departure.
Sarah & James
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Truly exceptional — Brijesh, our tour planner, was incredibly attentive, professional, and meticulous in organizing a flawless itinerary.
Milly Witcomb
United Kingdom
Mentions guide Brijesh
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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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Mentions guide Brijesh
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Everything went beyond our expectations. Our driver Rajesh kept us comfortable in every city, and Vicky was endlessly knowledgeable.
Melissa
Australia
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.
Michelle de Matheu
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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
Chapter Five — Terms & Conditions
Straightforward, In Writing
Cancellation windows, refund timing, and rescheduling terms for this journey follow our one sitewide policy — nothing package-specific to dig through.
Read the Return & Refund PolicyFrequently Asked
Before You Book
Which days are the caves closed?
Ajanta is generally closed on Mondays and Ellora on Tuesdays. We order the days to suit and confirm before you travel.
Is it a lot of driving?
Ellora is about 30 km and Ajanta about 100 km from the city. Ajanta is roughly two hours each way, so it is a full day.
Are meals included?
Daily breakfast is included. Lunches and dinners are not, unless specified, so you can eat where you choose. Special meals can be added on request.
Chapter Six — Similar Journeys
More of Maharashtra, Privately
Before you go
Planning Maharashtra
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Private Tour or Group Tour in India? An Honest Comparison
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Travel Tips
Getting Around India: Trains, Flights or a Private Car?
First-Time IndiaPlanning GuideTravel Tips
Travel Tips
Eating Well in India Without Getting Ill: A Practical Guide
First-Time IndiaFood & CulturePlanning Guide
Why Choose Us
The Same Trust, Sized to This Trip
01
Planning, Built Around You
This route was shaped around Maharashtra's real places, not lifted from a fixed template.
13 years — Brijesh Sharma, Bespoke Itinerary Specialist
02
Handpicked Hotels
Every stay on this trip was chosen in person, not off a ratings page.
2 real stays, 5★
03
A Private Fleet, Always Yours
One driver, air-conditioned, for the whole route — no shared shuttle.
Premium sedans & SUVs · One driver, the whole trip
Kashmir to Kanyakumari
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