Last updated on: 21 January 2026
Ajanta and Ellora Caves from Mumbai make for an ideal 3–4 day trip if you’re looking for a short yet culturally rich getaway filled with history, architecture, and heritage. If you live in Mumbai and are looking for a short 3–4 day trip filled with history, culture, and breathtaking architecture, Ajanta and Ellora Caves are a perfect choice. This trip fits easily into a long weekend and does not require extensive planning or long travel breaks.
I’m not a full-time traveler, but one thing I’ve learned over the years is this — short trips taken consistently let you explore far more than waiting for long vacations. Whenever I get 2–3 consecutive holidays (including a weekend), I take one or two extra leaves and head out. That habit has helped me explore a large part of India.
After shifting to Mumbai in 2018, we covered nearby destinations like Lonavala, explored local Mumbai sightseeing over weekends, visited Ahmedabad, and experienced the Kutch Festival. When the January long weekend (26th January) came up, I wanted a destination that was rich in heritage, easy to reach from Mumbai, and doable in 3 days — and that’s when I decided on Ajanta and Ellora.
In this post, I’ll share:
- How to plan an Ajanta and Ellora trip from Mumbai
- A 3-day Ajanta–Ellora itinerary
- Places to visit in Aurangabad
- Practical travel tips to make the trip smooth and stress-free
If you’re planning Ajanta and Ellora for the first time, this guide will help you plan it confidently.
How to reach Aurangabad:
By Flight
- Nearest airport: Chikalthana Airport (11 km from city)
By Train
- Direct trains available
- Travel time: 6–7 hours (our choice)
By Road
Can be done by self-drive or cab
Distance: 300–330 km
Best time to visit:
Most of the western, southern and eastern places in India are hot and humid in summer. Aurangabad is not an exception. The best time to visit is autumn and winter (September- January), however rainy season (July-August) is second best option to visit Ajanta Ellora.
Where to Stay:
As I have already said Aurangabad is the best place to stay for Ajanta Ellora visit. There are many hotels, guest houses available of low, mid and high budget. If you stay in Aurangabad, then you can explore some good tourist places in Aurangabad like Bibi ka Maqbara, panchakki etc.
How many days required to explore the area?
If you want to see all the places near Aurangabad area, then you need at least 4 days, but we had only 2 days so I did some research about the places to visit before we visited the place and only visited the places which suited our duration of staying.
3 days Ajanta Ellora itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Aurangabad
- Reach Aurangabad
- Rest or visit Panchakki & nearby gates if arriving early
Day 2: Ajanta Caves
- Early morning start
- Visit Bibi ka Maqbara & Panchakki
- Full day at Ajanta (travel time ~5 hours due to road work)
Day 3: Ellora Caves & Daulatabad Fort
- Visit Daulatabad Fort if time permits
- Explore Ellora caves
Places to visit:
I have already mentioned the places we could cover in two days. Here are the details of the places-
Bibi ka Maqbarra:
It was made in 1660 by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the memory of his first wife Dilras Banu. It is very similar structure like Taj Mahal. The large area is covered with similar type of dome structure and similar fountains in front of the main building.
Ajanta Caves:
Since we were traveling with parents and a child, we chose to go to Ajanta Caves by car up to the parking area. From the parking lot, visitors need to purchase entry tickets, after which government-operated buses take you to the foothill of the Ajanta caves. The bus ride takes around 5 minutes.
Ajanta View Point (Highly Recommended)
Around 20 km before Ajanta, there is an Ajanta View Point from where you get a stunning bird’s-eye view of all 30 caves arranged in a horseshoe-shaped hill. This viewpoint gives you a real sense of the scale and beauty of Ajanta and is worth a stop.
From the viewpoint, adventurous travelers can also trek down to the caves, which takes around 30–40 minutes. We chose the road route due to family members, but if you enjoy trekking, this is a great option.
Inside Ajanta Caves
Ajanta consists of 30 Buddhist rock-cut caves dating back to the 2nd century BCE. The caves are famous for their:
- Wall paintings
- Sculptures
- Depictions of Buddhist life and teachings
If you are short on time, prioritize visiting:
- Cave 1
- Cave 2
- Cave 16
- Cave 17
- Cave 30
These caves have the most detailed artwork and murals. Since we reached Ajanta early, we were able to explore all the caves at a relaxed pace, which I would recommend if time allows.
Getting Around Inside Ajanta
To visit the Buddhist and Jain temples located further inside the complex, you can:
- Use the internal bus service, or
- Walk for 20–30 minutes if you prefer
Walking gives you more time to absorb the surroundings, but buses are helpful if you are tired or traveling with family.
Important Things to Know Before Visiting Ajanta Caves
- Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays
- You need at least 4–5 hours to explore the caves properly
- There is no food or water available once you start walking toward the caves
→ Carry water bottles with you - Piped water is available at a few spots, but the quality is uncertain
- Due to ongoing road construction between Aurangabad and Ajanta (110 km), travel speed is slow (20–25 km/h)
→ Start early in the morning
After getting down from the bus, you need to walk downhill / take steps for about 25–30 minutes to reach the main cave complex. The walk is manageable, but elderly travelers should take it slow and plan breaks.
There are total 30 caves, in which Cave 1, cave 2, Cave 16, Cave 17 and Cave 30 are the best caves to visit. The other caves are having less art work, so if you have time restriction you can visit only these caves. We reached Ajanta in time so we explored each and every caves.
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Ellora Caves:
Ellora Caves are even more expansive than Ajanta and offer a completely different experience. Unlike Ajanta, which is entirely Buddhist, Ellora represents three major religions — Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism — all carved into the same rocky hillside.
The Ellora complex consists of:
- 12 Buddhist caves (Caves 1–12)
- 17 Hindu caves (Caves 13–29)
- 5 Jain caves (Caves 30–34)
This unique combination makes Ellora one of the most important rock-cut heritage sites in India.
Kailasa (Kailash) Temple – The Highlight of Ellora
The most breathtaking part of Ellora is the Kailasa Temple (Cave 16). This massive Hindu temple is carved entirely from a single rock, cut from top to bottom — a feat that still amazes architects and historians today.
The temple complex is centrally located and includes:
- Large sculpted panels
- Courtyards and pillars
- Detailed carvings of mythological scenes
The area is vast, and you should plan at least 1 hour just to explore the Kailasa Temple properly. If you are short on time at Ellora, this is the one cave you must not miss.
Exploring Ellora Caves
Ellora caves are relatively easier to explore compared to Ajanta:
- The caves are more accessible
- Less walking is required
- Pathways are flatter and better maintained
However, due to the sheer size of the complex, it’s easy to underestimate the time needed. Allocate 3–4 hours if you want to explore Ellora without rushing.
Important Things to Know Before Visiting Ellora Caves
Photography is allowed, but flash is not permitted inside caves
Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesdays
Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds
Wear comfortable footwear as you will be walking a lot
Carry water, especially in warmer months
To visit the Buddhist and Jain temples you need to take bus (Inside bus service is available). Alternatively you can walk for 20-30 mins to reach there.
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Delhi Gates:
One of the best things to see in Aurangabad is to visit at least 3-4 gates of 9 gates. There were total 52 gates out of which Delhi gate in the north, Jalna gate in the east, Mecca Gate in the west and Paithan gate in the South are main entrance to the city. As our hotel was in front of Delhi gate so we could spend some time there.
We had time constraints, so could not visit Daulatabad Fort. You need to trek to reach there, so we saw the fort from the road. However this is another place you must visit if time permits. If you are travelling for 4 days, then one day you should keep for this place.
Things to remember:
- Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays
Plan your itinerary accordingly so you don’t lose an entire day. - Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesdays
If you are visiting both sites, schedule Ajanta and Ellora on different days. - Road conditions between Aurangabad and Ajanta (approx. 110 km) are poor
Ongoing highway construction limits average speed to 20–25 km/h. Start early in the morning to avoid delays and fatigue. - You need at least 4–5 hours to explore Ajanta Caves properly
Rushing through Ajanta reduces the experience significantly. Allocate enough time in your plan. - No food or water is available inside the Ajanta cave area
Once you start walking toward the caves, there are no shops. Carry water bottles and light snacks. - Limited drinking water points are available
Piped water is available at 1–2 locations, but the quality is uncertain. It’s safer to carry your own water. - Wear comfortable footwear
Both Ajanta and Ellora involve a lot of walking. Ajanta also includes slopes and steps. - Bargaining is necessary while buying souvenirs
If you plan to buy showpieces or idols near the caves, negotiate before purchasing. - Visit early to avoid crowds
Early morning visits provide a more peaceful experience and better photo opportunities.
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Informative!!