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Things to do in Aurangabad

Our most recommended things to do in Aurangabad

From Aurangabad: Private Ajanta & Ellora Caves Full-Day Tour

1. From Aurangabad: Private Ajanta & Ellora Caves Full-Day Tour

After pick-up from the airport or your hotel in Aurangabad at 8:00 AM, you will start the 3-hour drive to the Ajanta Caves. The amazing caves are one of the world's oldest UNESCO World Heritage sites. The cave complex features 30 Buddhist cave monuments enclosed in the hillside. Ancient Indian history is revealed through beautiful paintings and carvings inside the caves. See the gigantic carved pillars and ancient stupas (Buddhist burial mounds). Learn about Buddhist philosophy and teachings through the carvings and paintings in the Ajanta Caves. Once you have explored the caves, you will head towards the Ellora Caves, approximately a 2-hour drive away. The Ellora Caves are an imposing complex of rock shrines that represent the three faiths of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. The complex has 12 Buddhist caves, 5 Jain temples, and 17 Hindu temples to explore. After the sightseeing, you will be dropped back at your hotel or at the airport in Aurangabad.

From Aurangabad: Private Tour to the Ajanta Caves

2. From Aurangabad: Private Tour to the Ajanta Caves

You will be picked up from your hotel, the train station, or the airport in Aurangabad between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. Drive by air-conditioned car for approximately 3-hours to the Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The mesmerizing caves are located on a rocky cliff, surrounded by gorgeous waterfalls. The caves contain incredible giant sculptures, build by Buddhist monks. Although this monument was built in ancient times, parts of the caves remain well-preserved today. The cave complex contains Buddhist temples and monasteries, and the monuments are numbered according to when they were built. See carvings and painting that reveal the life of the Buddha and explain the Jataka tales. The most astounding feature of the Ajanta Cave is the 9-meter sculpture of the Buddha, cut out of the rock. The wall paintings and frescoes of the caves will also leave you enthralled. After exploring the Ajanta Caves, you will be dropped off back in Aurangabad.  

Aurangabad: Full-Day Tour of Ajanta and Ellora Caves

3. Aurangabad: Full-Day Tour of Ajanta and Ellora Caves

The day begins with hotel pickup at 8:00 AM. Travel in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle approximately 2.5-3 hours to Ajanta Caves, an ancient rock-cut Buddhist monument used as a retreat for Buddhist Monks. Admire the paintings and rock-cut sculptures before enjoying free time for lunch in the area.   Continuing on, head 15 km West of Aurangabad to the Ellora Caves, a huge complex of over 100 caves known for their mix of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist sites. Hand-carved into Basalt cliffs, these caves were built close to one another and illustrate the religious harmony that existed in ancient India. After a day full of sightseeing, return to Aurangabad where the driver will drop guests off at their hotels.

Aurangabad: Ajanta and Ellora Caves Private Day Tour

4. Aurangabad: Ajanta and Ellora Caves Private Day Tour

Be picked up from the airport or hotel in Aurangabad at 8am. From there, your journey to Ajanta Cave will be about 100km and will take around 3 hours. Visit one of the oldest UNESCO World Heritage sites, Ajanta Caves. Discover the 29 Buddhist caves, which are enclosed in the hill side and learn about the ancient Indian history which is revealed through beautiful paintings and carvings inside the cave. Be taken to the era of ancient time by the carvings which cover the gigantic pillars, stupas, and ceilings. These carvings and paintings clearly depict the major dominance of Buddhist Philosophy. Once you’re done with exploring the miracles of Ajanta caves, head towards the Ellora caves. Located at a distance of 95km, the drive towards Ellora caves will take 2 hours. Here, explore the Ellora Cave, an imposing complex of rock shrines that represent the three faiths of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. It was formed between the 5th and the 13th centuries CE and it has 12 Buddhist caves, 5 Jain temples and 17 Hindu temples. Finally, after the sightseeing, you would be dropped at the hotel or airport in Aurangabad.

Caves in Aurangabad Private Full-day Sightseeing Tour

5. Caves in Aurangabad Private Full-day Sightseeing Tour

Take a journey out of the city to visit the majestic Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Aurangabad. This full-day sightseeing tour will take you to places that seem to have been born out of a fairy tale: stunning temples carved into rock that astound the imagination. The amazing Ajanta Caves have been an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. They consist of 29 temples and prayer caves cut into the side of the rock. Dating back to the 2nd century, they hold stunningly gorgeous paintings and sculptures that are considered to be Buddhist masterpieces. Much of the art depict the Jataka tales of the Buddha’s previous lives. These pieces of art were created over 800 years and not only document the story of Buddha in his cycle of reincarnations, but also paint a record of life in ancient India. Professional artists and Buddhist monks created these unique and irreplaceable pieces of art under the royal patronage of ancient ruling dynasties. After you have had your fill of Ajanta’s ancient art, you can admire the famous rock-cut temples of the Ellora Caves. Here you can see an amazing example of different religions living in harmony: the 34 caves contain temples and monasteries of the Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain faiths. Built between the 5th and 10th centuries, these caves also contain gorgeous paintings and sculptures that have helped make them a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cave 16, the Kailash temple, is of particular interest. Though it is carved out of one rock, it appears to be a freestanding temple complex with multiple stories. The city of Aurangabad is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. And, thanks to the marvelous caves, it is also a tourist hub. Grab this opportunity to see not one, but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and explore the astonished architectural accomplishments that are these rock-cut temple complexes. You won’t regret it!

Aurangabad: Hotel to Airport Private Transfer Service

6. Aurangabad: Hotel to Airport Private Transfer Service

After being collected from your Aurangabad hotel and settling your luggage into your private car/minibus/bus (according to the number of passengers), your chauffeur will safely drop you to Aurangabad Airport as per your requested schedule. Depending on your location's proximity to your destination, you may wish to change the pickup time as per your comfort by calling the 24/7 customer support line free of charge. On route to Aurangabad Airport, your driver will inform you of nearby attractions and landmarks. You will be assured a smooth transfer service from your hotel to Aurangabad Airport, simply sit back, relax and let your chauffeur take care of the rest.

Aurangabad: Private Airport to Hotel Transfer Service

7. Aurangabad: Private Airport to Hotel Transfer Service

After being collected from your terminal and settling your luggage into your private car/minibus/bus (according to the number of passengers), your chauffeur will safely drop you to your Aurangabad hotel as per your requested schedule. On route to your nearby accommodation, your driver will inform you of nearby attractions and landmarks. You will be assured a smooth transfer service from the Aurangabad Airport to your hotel, simply sit back, relax and let your chauffeur take care of the rest.

Other Sightseeing Options in Aurangabad

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What people are saying about Aurangabad

Overall rating

3.7 / 5

based on 9 reviews

The beginning was a disaster, we left AURANGABAD an hour late, they sent us a small car when the contract was an SUV for the driver, guide and four participants. After an hour of arguing and wasting time with a man ASHISH from the agency, what we had requested and PAID for arrived. The guide and the driver with their proactive attitude saved the situation. This wasted hour meant getting to places with epic crowds, but the two places are certainly unique. I understand that we are in a country with limitations, but that does not allow the agency to go on selling something that does not send you later. I also spoke with the GETYOURGUIDE customer service and it was quite deficient, they only answered via WHATSAPP but they did not resolve anything, it was all with Mr. ASHISH who tried to justify in an unjustified way not complying with the agreement.

Thorough n insightful tour

Mr gulati our tour guide was detail edm thorough in explaining the history n culture of all the caves. He painstakingly described all the drawings n carvings n showed us all the caves in a professional, pleasant educational manner. He's excellent in every which way making us see the incredible artistry into making these caves n temples. The driver mr hamid is wonderful in driving us to all the destinations. This tour of the ajanta Buddhist caves (from 3rd century bc -6th century ad) still have original paint and the ellora caves of Buddhism, Hindu n Jain temples(7-13th century) had amazing carvings! These unesco heritage sites are vision to behold knowing they were chiseled by hand into the rock to become temples within the cave n each cave taking 30-150 years to make!

Well organised, fabulous trip. The caves were awesome.

Both guide and driver were fantastic. They listened to what I wanted to see and as the flight was delayed into aurangabad, they rushed round to achieve my goals. I saw everything and it was even better than I imagined. Ajanta and Ellora. You could not choose one or the other. A must tour.

The tour was excellent, I wish we did not have to pass all the street vendors to get into Ajanta. Wish we had more time in Ellora. This portion of the tour seemed rushed.

The guide was good and the driver was safe and helpful and very good.