Itinerary
- Day 1
Mumbai to Aurangabad
You'll fly from Mumbai to Aurangabad and head to your hotel to settle in. After dropping your bags, the afternoon is yours to explore some of Aurangabad's historical sites. The Pani Chakki water mill from the 17th century is worth a stop, and then there's Bibi-ka-maqbara, which draws inspiration from the Taj Mahal's design. If you have energy left, the Buddhist caves in the area round out the day nicely. Plan for about 3-4 hours of exploration before heading back for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- City sightseeing tour of Aurangabad
- Visit Pani Chakki (17th century water mill)
- Visit Bibi-ka-maqbara
- Visit Aurangabad Caves No. 7 and 8
Landmarks Pani Chakki Bibi-ka-maqbara Aurangabad Caves - Day 2
Ajanta Caves
Today you're heading out early for a full day at the Ajanta Caves, which sit roughly 100 km from Aurangabad in the Sahyadri hills. There are 30 rock-carved Buddhist caves to explore, and you'll see both Chaityas and Viharas filled with intricate paintings and sculptures from the Mahayana period. The drive takes about 2 hours each way, so grab breakfast before you leave. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes since there's quite a bit of walking involved, particularly if you want to see the finer details inside the caves.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Full day excursion to Ajanta Caves
- Explore 30 rock-hewn Buddhist caves
Landmarks Ajanta Caves - Day 3
Ellora Caves and Daulatabad Fort
Start your morning at the Ellora Caves, a complex with 34 caves representing Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain faiths all in one place. The Kailasa Temple is the main draw here, carved from a single rock formation and pretty striking when you see it in person. You could spend 2-3 hours walking through the caves and taking in the carvings. After lunch, you'll head to Daulatabad Fort in the afternoon. This old fortress sits on a hilltop and gives good views of the surrounding area. Plan to be back by early evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ellora Caves complex
- Explore Kailasa Temple (Cave 16)
- Explore Jain assembly hall (Cave 32)
- Excursion to Daulatabad Fort
Landmarks Ellora Caves Kailasa Temple Daulatabad Fort - Day 4
Aurangabad to Mumbai
After breakfast, you'll transfer to the airport for your flight back to Mumbai. Your tour concludes when you arrive. If you want to extend your stay or add extra activities, the hotel staff can help arrange those options before you head out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hotel extensions and short stays in Mumbai
