Cave Splendour - Ajanta, Ellora And Elephanta

HomeIndian Heritage And Culture Ajanta Ellora Caves

DAY 1: ARRIVE MUMBAI
Arrive at the Mumbai airport or station; transfer to the hotel. Check in and relax for the evening. You can move around town in the evening before returning to the hotel for the night.

DAY 2: MUMBAI – AURANGABAD
You can have breakfast at the hotel or on board the aircraft. After a relaxed

morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Aurangabad, the gateway to the ancient Ajanta Ellora caves. Upon reaching, check into your hotel. Aurangabad is a bustling Maharashtrian town and home to big and small industries, silk textiles, and exquisite hand woven silver and gold brocades. Overnight in Aurangabad.

DAY 3: AURANGABAD
After breakfast, proceed for a day-long excursion to the Ajanta Caves. Hundred kilometers from Aurangabad, the Ajanta caves rest in an inner fold of the Sahyardi hills. Formed in the shape of a giant horse-shoe, there are 30 rock-hewn caves here dating back to the second century BC. The Ajanta caves were discovered in 1819 by a group of British army officers. These caves bear fascinating testimony to an ancient unknown past when nothing more than a hammer and chisel were used to forge some of the most beautiful caves the world knows. Once a retreat for Buddhist monks the Ajanta caves feature several chaityas (chapels) and viharas (monasteries). Return to Aurangabad for the night.

DAY 4: AURANGABAD
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a tour of the Ellora Caves, the Daulatabad Fort and the Aurangabad Caves. The rock-hewn temples and monasteries of Ellora are only 30 km away from Aurangabad. There are 34 cave temples in all, 12 Mahayana Buddhist caves (550-750 AD),17 Hindu caves (600-875 AD) and five caves of the Jain faith (800-1000 AD). Kailas Temple is the central attraction of Ellora and easily the most impressive.

The caves of Aurangabad lie just outside the city. Dating back to the 2nd and 6th century AD, they reflect Tantric influence in their architecture. There are nine caves in all, mainly viharas (monasteries). Return to Aurangabad for the night.

DAY 5: AURANGABAD - MUMBAI
Post-breakfast fly out to Mumbai and check in at the hotel. The day is reserved for an excursion to the Elephanta Caves. On return you can explore some of Mumbai’s highlights. Overnight in Mumbai.

DAY 6: MUMBAI – HOME
After check out, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.

TOUR ENDS 

• Accommodation for 5 nights in 3 star hotels
• Daily breakfast
• All transfers & sightseeing by individual vehicle
• English speaking local guide
• All applicable taxes

*NOTE: Above rates are per person on double occupancy basis & subject to change.

Aurangabad, Madurai, Chennai, Mumbai