Private 2 Days Tour: Ajanta Ellora Caves and Aurangabad City

Ancient art meets easy transport here. This private two-day trip gives you air-conditioned transport between Aurangabad, Ajanta, Ellora, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara. I like the flexible schedule and the chance to hire a cave guide only if you want one. The main catch is that entrance tickets, food, lodging, and guide fees are extra.

The service costs $92.80 per group of up to three, which is good value if you fill the car. I also like that drivers are often praised for being punctual, patient, and helpful with food stops and local suggestions. Still, you should confirm the route with your driver at the start, since one guest found the driver unsure about the second day’s plan.

Key points to know before booking

• Ajanta takes most of day one: Allow about three hours at the Buddhist cave complex, with admission charged separately.
• Ellora is paired with Aurangabad sights: The second day includes Ellora, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara.
• A private car keeps the schedule flexible: You avoid hailing taxis and can adjust the day with your driver.
• The price covers transport, not the whole trip: Tickets, guides, meals, and accommodation are separate expenses.
• The cave closing days matter: Ajanta is closed on Monday, while Ellora is closed on Tuesday.
• Driver quality shapes the experience: Habeeb received mixed feedback about route knowledge, while Shabaz was praised for patience and flexibility.

Why this two-day plan works well

Aurangabad, now also called Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, is a practical base for seeing some of western India’s most important rock-cut monuments. Ajanta and Ellora are not next door to one another, so arranging separate taxis can waste time and create needless bargaining. A private car solves that basic problem.

You are not joining a large bus group. Only your own party takes part, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. That matters in the hot months, especially when the cave visits involve walking between monuments and waiting outdoors. Bottled water and tissues are supplied, small comforts that become useful during long road days.

The $92.80 rate applies to the whole group, up to three people. For three people, the transport cost works out to roughly $31 per person before admissions and other extras. For one person, the value is less impressive, but the privacy and ability to set the pace may still justify it.

The arrangement is best understood as a private transport service with sightseeing built into the plan, rather than a fully guided cultural tour. You can visit independently or choose a guide option. That gives you control, but it also means you should not expect detailed historical explanations unless you pay for guiding.

Day one at the Ajanta Caves

Ajanta is the more focused day. The complex contains 29 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments, with sculpture and paintings that are regarded as major works of Buddhist and world art. The scheduled visit is about three hours, which gives you enough time to see the main areas without turning the day into a rushed march.

The appeal of Ajanta is its concentration. You are visiting a former Buddhist monastic complex cut into rock, not a single isolated shrine. The paintings and sculptures give the site an artistic and religious importance that goes well beyond its dramatic setting.

Three hours is a useful target, but it is not a promise that you will see every detail at leisure. If ancient art matters to you, hiring a guide could make the visit more rewarding. Without one, you will have the freedom to stop where you like, but you may miss the meaning behind the scenes and figures.

Admission is not included. The stated entrance fee is ₹600 per person, and any shuttle bus ticket is also separate. Add that cost before comparing this package with a larger group tour. The admission charge is not a flaw in the service, but it is an easy expense to overlook.

Heat is another real concern. One March visit proved uncomfortable in the Indian sun, even though the cave sites were worth the effort. Start with water, use the supplied bottle wisely, and avoid assuming that air-conditioning in the car will keep the whole day cool.

Day two at Ellora, Daulatabad, and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara

The second day packs more variety into the schedule. You visit the UNESCO-listed Ellora Caves, then continue to Daulatabad Fort and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, the monument often called Aurangabad’s mini Taj Mahal.

Ellora is a sacred site in Maharashtra with caves connected to several religious traditions. The planned visit lasts about two hours, shorter than the Ajanta stop. That can work well if you want a broad look at the region, but it may feel brief if you prefer to examine carvings slowly.

The most important practical point is to confirm the order and timing with your driver. The overall plan includes Daulatabad Fort, but the detailed stop information gives a time only for Ellora and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara. Since the service is customizable, the exact pace may depend on your pickup point, traffic, and how long you spend at the caves.

Daulatabad adds a fort setting to a day otherwise centered on religious monuments. The fort is included in the broad day-two plan, but no separate visit length or entrance fee is provided. Ask about the stop before setting your expectations, especially if you have limited daylight.

Bibi-Ka-Maqbara takes about one hour. Azam Shah, the son of Aurangzeb, commissioned it in memory of his mother, Begum Rabia Durani. Its resemblance to the Taj Mahal explains the popular nickname, though the monument has its own place in Aurangabad’s story.

Admission to Bibi-Ka-Maqbara is listed at ₹300 per person. Ellora admission is another ₹600 per person. These charges, plus any fort fee or shuttle ticket, come out of your pocket. Carry enough local currency or confirm accepted payment methods before setting out.

Private transport and the driver question

The strongest part of this service is simple: you have a car waiting for you. Hotel pickup is offered each morning in Aurangabad, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. The package also includes bottled water and a tissue box.

Drivers have received praise for punctuality, patience, and clean cars. Shabaz was especially appreciated for being friendly without pushing, and for adjusting the schedule when needed. He also helped with a daily cappuccino request, a small detail that shows how a flexible driver can improve a long sightseeing day.

Another driver, Habeeb, received less favorable feedback after seeming uncertain about the second day’s route. The operator explained that the pickup location near Ellora affected the routing, but the situation still points to a useful precaution: review the plan with the driver before leaving.

You should have the names of your stops written down, including Daulatabad Fort and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara. That reduces confusion and helps you spot any misunderstanding early. If your pickup is at or near Ellora rather than central Aurangabad, ask how that changes the day’s order.

The stated meeting point is Chikkalthana Airport, also called Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Airport. Hotel pickup is described separately, while airport or railway station pickup and transfer to your hotel may cost extra. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement before booking your flight or train around it.

What the $92.80 price really covers

At first glance, $92.80 for two days looks inexpensive, especially for a private car. It is strongest value for two or three people sharing the vehicle. A solo visitor pays the same group price, so the cost becomes harder to justify unless privacy and convenience are your main priorities.

Included:

• Private transportation
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Bottled water
• Tissues

Not included:

• Monument entrance tickets
• Shuttle bus tickets
• Guide service
• Meals
• Hotel accommodation
• Airport or railway station transfers to your hotel

The listed admission charges are ₹600 for Ajanta, ₹600 for Ellora, and ₹300 for Bibi-Ka-Maqbara per person. That totals ₹1,500 per person for those three sites alone. The price for Daulatabad Fort is not supplied, so ask about it directly.

This structure can be a benefit. You are not paying for a guide you may not need, and you can choose your own meals and hotel. On the other hand, the low headline price does not represent the full cost of sightseeing. Add the tickets, food, lodging, and optional guiding when you set your budget.

Guides, independence, and the right pace

You can hire a guide at the caves or explore on your own. I like this choice because Ajanta and Ellora appeal to different kinds of visitors. Someone focused on photography and quiet observation may prefer independence. Someone interested in Buddhist art, religious symbolism, and the construction of the caves may find a guide worth the added cost.

The driver is not automatically your historian. A driver may point out useful places and help with local arrangements, but do not assume that the transport service includes detailed commentary. If learning the meaning behind the paintings and sculptures is central to your visit, select the guide option or arrange one separately.

The flexible format also helps families and small groups. You can slow down at a monument, adjust a meal break, or alter the order of stops. The tradeoff is that flexibility works best when you communicate clearly. Write down the sites you want to cover, then agree on the plan each morning.

Heat, timing, and practical comfort

The cave visits can be physically tiring in warm weather. March heat has already proved challenging, and the problem can be greater during hotter periods. The car’s air-conditioning helps between sites, but it does not remove the need for water, sensible clothing, and realistic pacing.

Ajanta closes on Mondays. Ellora closes on Tuesdays. This is the most important scheduling rule, because swapping the sites is not as simple as changing a restaurant reservation. Check your two travel days against both closure days before paying.

The approximate duration is two days, but the actual hours are not fully fixed. Ajanta is listed at three hours, Ellora at two hours, and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara at one hour. Driving time, Daulatabad, meals, and your hotel location add to those sightseeing blocks.

The mobile ticket and booking confirmation make the reservation process straightforward. Confirmation is received at booking, and most people can participate. The service is private, so you will not be adjusting your pace to a coach full of strangers.

Who should book this private tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, families, and small groups of up to three who want a driver without paying for a large organized group. It is also useful if you have only two days in Aurangabad and want to combine the two cave complexes with the city’s best-known sights.

It suits you if you value privacy, air-conditioning, and the ability to change the schedule. It is also a good fit if you are comfortable visiting monuments independently or paying extra for a guide.

I would hesitate if you want a fully guided historical tour with every detail arranged in advance. You should also compare other options if you are traveling alone and do not care about having a private car. In that case, the per-person cost may not be as attractive.

The operator’s overall rating is 4.9 from 91 ratings, with 99 percent recommending the experience. The strongest pattern is clear: punctual drivers, clean air-conditioned cars, patience, and useful local suggestions. The main caution is route clarity, so confirm the second day’s plan instead of assuming every driver will know your preferred order.

Final verdict: a smart car service with extras to budget

I would book this tour if I had two days in Aurangabad and wanted the simplest way to reach Ajanta and Ellora. The private vehicle saves time and removes the stress of finding separate taxis, while the flexible format lets you choose between independent visits and paid guiding.

Book it with your eyes open. The advertised rate is transport only, and the final cost rises with tickets, meals, lodging, guides, and possible transfers. Confirm the pickup point, closure days, Daulatabad stop, and day-two route before departure.

For two or three people, the value is strong. For a solo visitor, the decision rests on how much you value comfort and privacy. If those matter, this is a practical way to see four major Aurangabad sights without spending your short visit negotiating every ride.

FAQ

How much does the private tour cost?

The tour costs $92.80 per group of up to three people. Entrance tickets, guide fees, meals, accommodation, and certain transfers are extra.

What transportation is included?

Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle is included. Bottled water and a tissue box are also supplied.

Are Ajanta and Ellora entrance fees included?

No. The listed entrance fee is ₹600 per person for Ajanta and ₹600 per person for Ellora. Shuttle bus tickets are also not included.

Is a guide included?

No. Guide service is not included by default, but you can choose an option with a guide or visit the caves independently.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup from your hotel in Aurangabad is offered each morning. The stated meeting point is Chikkalthana Airport, and airport or railway station transfers to your hotel may be charged separately.

Which sights are visited on the two days?

Day one is dedicated to Ajanta Caves. Day two includes Ellora Caves, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, also known as the mini Taj Mahal.

Which days are the caves closed?

Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays. Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesdays.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.