First, 3 nights in Mumbai
The Oberoi, Mumbai
The Oberoi, Mumbai on Nariman Point: 237 rooms and suites above Marine Drive, sea views, Ziya and Vetro dining, pool, spa and butler service.
Mumbai · Hotel · Luxury★★★★★
Luxury Accommodation6 NightsLuxuryHeritage
Mumbai, Ajanta & Ellora — Luxury
About This Journey
Mumbai, Ajanta & Ellora — Luxury
This route pairs the city with the caves. Three nights in Mumbai cover the colonial core and Elephanta. A short flight then takes you to Aurangabad for three nights among the great rock-cut monuments.
It is a balanced first trip. It shows the harbour city and the older Deccan side by side.
- 01
Mumbai's colonial core
The Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and the Fort district are covered in one guided day.
- 02
Elephanta before the caves
A ferry to Elephanta gives you a first taste of rock-cut architecture, a good primer for Ellora.
- 03
Ellora and Daulatabad
A single day covers the Kailasa temple at Ellora and Daulatabad Fort on the way back.
- 04
Ajanta's murals
A second day goes to the Buddhist caves at Ajanta, about two hours from Aurangabad.
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, 3 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
5 of your 7days — the full itinerary follows below. Scroll to travel the route.
Day 2 · Mumbai
Colonial Mumbai: Fort, Gateway and CST
A day in the old Fort district with a private guide. The area is a stretch of Victorian Gothic and Art Deco, built when Mumbai was Bombay. You see the Gateway of India, finished in 1924, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage railway station. A walk through the Fort's lanes follows. We end with chai and sea air on the waterfront. Timings for interiors vary, so we confirm them on the day.
Day 3 · Mumbai
Elephanta Caves by Ferry
A ferry from the Gateway of India takes about an hour across the harbour. On Elephanta Island, steps climb to a group of rock-cut cave temples to Shiva. The Maheshmurti, a huge three-faced figure, is the centrepiece. The caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are generally closed on Mondays, and ferry times depend on the weather, so we confirm both. Back in the city, the evening is yours.
Day 4 · 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 5 · 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 6 · 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.
Chapter Four — The Full Itinerary
7 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
Colonial Mumbai: Fort, Gateway and CST
A day in the old Fort district with a private guide. The area is a stretch of Victorian Gothic and Art Deco, built when Mumbai was Bombay. You see the Gateway of India, finished in 1924, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage railway station. A walk through the Fort's lanes follows. We end with chai and sea air on the waterfront. Timings for interiors vary, so we confirm them on the day.
Mumbai
Elephanta Caves by Ferry
A ferry from the Gateway of India takes about an hour across the harbour. On Elephanta Island, steps climb to a group of rock-cut cave temples to Shiva. The Maheshmurti, a huge three-faced figure, is the centrepiece. The caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are generally closed on Mondays, and ferry times depend on the weather, so we confirm both. Back in the city, the evening is yours.
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
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.
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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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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.
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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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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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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
How do I get from Mumbai to Aurangabad?
A short flight takes about an hour. By road it is about six hours.
Is it suitable for older travellers?
Yes, with some care. Both cave sites involve steps and uneven ground. We pace the days and can arrange the easier routes.
Is a private vehicle included?
Yes. Every transfer and day of sightseeing is in a private air-conditioned vehicle, with an English-speaking driver-cum-guide.
Chapter Six — Similar Journeys
More of Maharashtra, Privately
Before you go
Planning Maharashtra
Travel Tips
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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