Ajanta & Ellora Tour 03 Nights-04 Days with 04 STAR Hotels

Day to Day Tour Itinerary:

DAY 1: ARRIVE AURANGABAD

Upon arrival at Aurangabad Airport you will be met by our company representative and transferred to your hotel to check-in.

A major industrial center, Aurangabad was founded by Malik Ambar in 1610. The city is known as a base for excursions to the UNESCO World Heritage listed sites of Ajanta and Ellora.

Rest of the day is at your leiure. Overnight stay in Aurangabad.

DAY 2: AURANGABAD – AJANTA

Enjoy a full day excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Buddhist caves of Ajanta. Located 106km northeast of Aurangabad, the caves date from around 200BC to 650AD. As Buddhism slowly declined, the Ajanta Caves were abandoned and gradually forgotten until 1819 when a British hunting party stumbled upon them. Their isolation contributed to the fine state of preservation in which some of their remarkable paintings remain to this day. 

Within the 30 rock-hewn caves the murals show scenes from Buddha's life and from the Jataka Tales, which recount stories of Buddha's previous incarnations as an enlightened being or Bodhisattva. The murals include depictions of court scenes, princes and musicians and offer fascinating glimpses of daily life in the 5th Century. The colors of ochre, lime, black, green and lapis lazuli is prevalent throughout the site.

By evening return back to Aurangabad. Enjoy evening at the leisure. Overnight stay in Aurangabad.

DAY 3: ELLORA – Daulatabadh Fort (Aurangabad)

This morning enjoy a half day excursion to Ellora Caves, another World Heritage listed site. Housing 34 rock-cut shrines representing Buddhist, Hindu and Jain art, the caves date back to the 4th and 5th Century AD. The caves are carved into the side of a basaltic hill 30km from Aurangabad. The most remarkable among them is the Kailash Temple, meant to be a replica of Lord Shiva’s celestial abode, Kailash. It is the best example of rock-cut architecture and the engineering skills of the times. 

Later in the afternoon visit Daulatabad Fort on the way to Aurangabad, Built on a 200 meter high conical hill, Daulatabad was one of the most powerful forts of the medieval Deccan. Daulatabad Fort, which initially had stronghold of Yadav, passed through the hands of several dynasties in Deccan. Jami Masjid, Bharatmata Mandir, the Chand Minar, Elephant Tank and 'Chini Mahal' or Chinese Palace are the important monuments inside the fort.

Return to hotel and enjoy evening at your leisure.

DAY 4: AURANGABAD CITY TOUR - DEPART AURANGABAD

This morning enjoy a half day city tour of Aurangabad - visit Bibi ka Makbara , Pawan Chakki and walk around the local Bajar.

This afternoon you will be transferred to the airport where your arrangements end.