Itinerary
DAY 01 – MUMBAI TO AURANGABAD – Vivanta by Taj
This is a side tour for our clients already in India and wishing to add on a trip to visit Ajanta and Ellora Caves. International flights are not included. Meet in Mumbai and transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Aurangabad. On arrival meet and transfer to your hotel. After a freshen up this afternoon you will proceed on a sightseeing tour of the city, visit Bibi ka Maqbara, the mausoleum of Aurangzeb’s wife Rabia Daurani which was built in 1679 and modelled on the Taj Mahal. Nearby stands the Pan Chakki (water mill), a 17th-century mill that was used to grind grain for pilgrims. It also has a marble shrine to Aurangzeb’s spiritual advisor. Also, visit a Himroo Factory where beautiful cotton and silk fabrics are produced.
DAY 02 – AURANGABAD – AJANTA (B)
After breakfast you will proceed for a full days tour to Ajanta (closed on Monday). The Buddhist caves of Ajanta lying 166 km northeast of Aurangabad date from 200 BC to 650 AD. The 30 rock-hewn caves are adorned with sculptures and frescoes, portraying in epic form the religious and secular life through eight centuries. Many of the caves house panels depicting stories from the Jatakas, depicting Buddha’s previous births. It is a World Heritage site.
DAY 03 – AURANGABAD – ELLORA & PITHALKORA (B)
After Breakfast you will proceed for sightseeing of Ellora Caves (closed on Tuesday). The Caves of Ellora, another World Heritage site, are carved into the side of a basaltic hill 30 km from Aurangabad. The finest specimens of cave-temple architecture, they encompass 34 rock-cut shrines representing Buddhist, Jain and Hindu art dating from the 4th to 5th century AD. The 12 caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the centre Hindu, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain. The most remarkable is the Kailash Temple, meant to be a replica of Shiva’s celestial abode Mt. Kailash. It is the best example of rock cut architecture and an engineering marvel. Later proceed for a visit to Pithalkora Caves, located 78 kms from Aurangabad. The intricate work on the sculptured facades in these caves is definitely worth a visit.
DAY 04 – AURANGABAD TO DAULATABAD THEN MUMBAI (B)
After breakfast, you will proceed for a visit to Daulatabad fortress located halfway between Aurangabad and Ellora, the magnificent hilltop fortress of Daulatabad (Deogiri) is surrounded by 5 km of sturdy walls. See the 60 m high Persian style victory tower Chand Minar, the 14th century Jama Masjid with 106 pillars, the blue tiled Chini Mahal and the Baradari Palace. Later transfer to the airport for your late afternoon flight back to Mumbai.
On arrival back in Mumbai, you are under your own arrangements.
We can arrange sightseeing of the city if adding on an extra day or so, here is a list of the major things to see
The Gateway of India, Dhobi Ghat open air laundry, Victoria Terminus train station, Colaba Market, Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach, The Regal Circle, Bombay University, The Oval Maidan cricket ground, Mani Bhavan the focal point of Gandhi’s political activities in Mumbai, The Town Hall, The Municipal Building.
We can also arrange a walking tour of the slums, Dharavi made famous in the film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ or you may like to see how the famous dabbawalas deliver up to 200,000 lunch boxes each day.
Ajanta and Ellora Caves
Special Value
- Return domestic flights Mumbai to Aurangabad return are included
- Private car & driver for all road transfers
- Snack Hamper, with juice and water in your private car
- Mobile phone to use while in India to keep in contact with our local office and your driver
- Meals as per itinerary (B = breakfast) (HB = breakfast, lunch or dinner) (FB = breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Private guide for sightseeing in all major cities
- Entrances to all monument and places of interest included
- Sightseeing in Aurangabad
- Sightseeing of Ajanta Caves
- Sightseeing of Ellora Caves
- Sightseeing of Pithalkora Caves
- Visit to Daulatabad Fortress
Our Tour features the following locations
AURANGABAD: Named after Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, Aurangabad finds a place on the traveller’s map largely due to the presence of two iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Popularly called the City of Gates, this ancient wonder was once dotted by 52 medieval era gates (only four main gates remain today). The first and foremost thing that you need to do in Aurangabad is to organise a trip to the Ajanta and Ellora Caves. If you’re still looking for a fix of some antiquity and grandeur, the Aurangabad Caves, Panchakki and Daulatabad Caves are sure to keep you company. Bibi ka Maqbara, bearing resemblance to the iconic Taj Mahal, is another important monument in the city. Art aficionados would want to visit the University Museum, Sunheri Mahal Museum and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum. Silk fabrics were once a huge industry here, and the city’s hand-woven Paithani saris are still famous all over the world.
AJANTA CAVES: Did you know that Ajanta Caves were abandoned for over a millennium, only to be re-discovered in the year 1819? Makes you wonder how something so unique could ever be forgotten! Carved into a horseshoe-shaped rock in the state of Maharashtra, Ajanta is one considered to host some of the finest examples of Indian art and architecture. Numbered from 1 to 29, these caves contain ancient masterpieces, colourful murals, depictions of the Jataka tales, statues of Buddha and Bodhisattvas and wall paintings portraying scenes from everyday life. There’s an excellent viewing platform across the river as well!
ELLORA CAVES: Ellora portrays ancient Indian civilisation in a new light and shows you just how advanced and culturally beautiful they really were. This UNESCO World Heritage Site hosts 34 caves that present monasteries, temples and courtyards built by Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monks. Many of these caves were created from top to bottom and required immense planning and coordination over generations to take shape. Cave 16, the most beautiful Hindu cave, presents a magnificent temple carved out of solid rock. It is truly a feat of human genius, for it took 100 years to complete, demanded the removal of 250,000 tonnes of rock from an area that is double the size of Parthenon (Athens). Cave 2, the most impressive Buddhist cave, is also worth a watch. It hosts 12 pillars lined with seated Buddha sculptures and a magnificent statue of Buddha seated on a lion.
PITHALKORA CAVES: Pithalkora Caves, located 78 kms from Aurangabad. The intricate work on the sculptured facades in these caves is definitely worth a visit.
DAULATABAD FORTRESS: Daulatabad fortress located halfway between Aurangabad and Ellora, the magnificent hilltop fortress of Daulatabad (Deogiri) is surrounded by 5 km of sturdy walls. See the 60 m high Persian style victory tower Chand Minar, the 14th century Jama Masjid with 106 pillars, the blue tiled Chini Mahal and the Baradari Palace.
