Ajanta and Ellora feel unreal up close. This private 2-day cab from Aurangabad keeps the logistics simple, and your tickets are handled in advance so you spend less time waiting around.

I especially like that the price covers entry fees for Ajanta, Ellora, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi ka Maqbara. I also like the way the tour gives you time to explore at your own pace, with help on standby if you want it, plus bottled water in a comfortable vehicle.

The main thing to watch is comfort on the road to Ajanta. With ongoing road construction, you may get a bumpy drive, and meals are not included, so you will want to plan for food stops.

Key things about this Ajanta Ellora private cab tour

• Advance ticketing and a mobile ticket help you skip line time at the ticket counter
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water makes the long drives easier
• Flexible Ajanta pickup timing, with morning start depending on breakfast (up to 9:00 AM)
• On-site guide option at Ajanta Cave 1 (licensed guide, fee not included)
• Four major attractions with entry fees included, plus extra temple time near Ellora
• Driver support on call while you explore, so you do not feel stranded

How the 2-day schedule works from Aurangabad

This is built for a real sightseeing rhythm, not a whirlwind sprint. You start each day with pickup from your Aurangabad hotel (and airport or station pickup is also offered if that is how you arrive).

Day one centers on Ajanta. You can usually start around 7:30 AM, or later after breakfast, with pickup time extended until 9:00 AM. The drive takes about 3 hours for the roughly 110 km trip, and you should be ready for road construction along the way. The operator specifically suggests carrying an air pillow or something similar if you are sensitive to rough roads.

Day one also includes time to refresh before you get into the caves. Once you reach Ajanta, you are pointed toward a restaurant option to grab tea or coffee, or even a beer, depending on what you want after the drive. After exploring, you return to the ticket counter area, have food if you want, and then get back in the car for the ride to Aurangabad.

Day two is Ellora first, then the extra Aurangabad-area sights that give the trip more texture than just caves. You leave around 8:00 AM, explore Ellora for about 4 hours, then continue to Daulatabad Fort, Bibi ka Maqbara (often compared to a mini Taj Mahal), and finish with time at Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple nearby.

If you like your ancient sites with a little breathing room, this schedule fits. If you hate long drives, you might still enjoy it, but you will feel the travel days.

Ajanta Caves time: what to expect before you enter

Ajanta is the kind of place where your eyes need time to adjust. Even before you step into the cave area, this tour helps you reset your day so the caves hit harder.

After your morning drive, you reach the Ajanta complex. From there, you can take a short break at a restaurant at the site (MTDC is named in the plan). This is not a throwaway stop. It matters because Ajanta days often start with fatigue, and when you are tired, it is harder to follow the stories in the paintings and sculptures.

Next comes the smart option: you can hire a licensed guide at Cave number 1. The fee for the guide is not included, but the tour plan explicitly gives you this choice. I like this setup because it lets you decide how much you want help. If you like facts and interpretation, a guide at Cave 1 can give you the key to understanding what you are seeing across the complex. If you prefer to go at your own pace without commentary, you can skip the paid guide and still do well.

Your time at Ajanta is supported by the included admissions. You do not have to wrestle with tickets at the last second because entry costs for Ajanta are part of the package. You also return to the ticket counter area for your meal choice, then use the shuttle bus back to the caves parking area and meet the driver there.

One practical note: the plan mentions that the drive can be bumpy due to ongoing road work. If you get motion sick or your back complains easily, pack an air pillow or similar cushion. It sounds basic, but it is one of those small choices that can make a 3-hour drive feel like a 2-hour drive.

Ajanta exploration: pacing, guides, and that shuttle back

When I think about a great Ajanta visit, I think about pacing. You want enough time to look, then step back, then look again. This tour gives you that kind of freedom.

You explore Ajanta once you arrive, and you also have a clear plan for what happens after. You go back toward the ticket counter for food, then you return via shuttle bus to the parking area. That flow helps you avoid the classic problem of wandering around the complex while your timing gets away from you.

If you decide to hire the Cave 1 licensed guide, do it early. The reason is simple: Cave 1 can set your context. Once you understand the themes and visual language, the next caves become easier to read, even if you do not get a word-by-word explanation for every single room.

If you skip the guide, you still benefit from the tour’s included support. There is a guidebook included when an in-person guide option is not selected. Even if you do not read every page, it helps you pick up the names and themes that would otherwise blur together.

At the end of your Ajanta time, food is available at the ticket counter area. Meals are not included in the price, so you will pay for your own lunch or snacks. That said, having a planned food stop beats guessing where to eat after a long drive.

Bottom line: Ajanta works best when you treat it like slow looking, not checklist ticking. This tour gives you room to do that.

Ellora Caves day: three cave groups and a good self-guided window

Ellora is where you start noticing how different the caves can feel side by side. The plan sets you up to enjoy that contrast.

After leaving Aurangabad around 8:00 AM, you reach Ellora and get about 4 hours to explore. The schedule is intentionally self-paced here. Once you arrive, you start exploring on your own, which I like because Ellora rewards attention. You can drift between cave groups and stop as long as you want.

The tour also explains the structure of the site: Ellora has cave groups tied to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. That detail matters, because it changes how you interpret carvings and architecture. If you walk in blind, you can miss how much one cave tradition differs from another. With the group structure in mind, your eyes start sorting things naturally.

There is also support if you want it. The plan says someone from the tour is available on call, and you can ask for help if you need it. That is a nice safety net when you are exploring a large UNESCO site and you want directions without feeling rushed.

Ellora admissions are included, so you do not have to pay an extra surprise fee on arrival. Then the tour rolls you onward to the fort and mausoleum stops, so you are not stuck hanging around too long after the caves.

Daulatabad Fort and Bibi ka Maqbara: the bonus stops that add variety

Caves are the headline. But the trip gets more interesting because it adds two sights that feel like a different chapter of the region.

First is Daulatabad Fort (also known historically as Devgiri fort). The plan frames it as a magnificent fort you can explore, with highlights like cannons and the Victory Tower mentioned in the description. Even if you do not go full history-nerd mode, it is a good contrast to the intricate cave sculptures. Forts are about scale and defense, and your body feels that difference.

This stop runs about 2 hours, which is usually enough to walk around, get photos, and still feel like the day is moving at a human pace.

Next is Bibi ka Maqbara, often described as a mini Taj Mahal. The plan gives it about 1 hour. That time is a sweet spot for a mausoleum visit because you can slow down, appreciate the architectural vibe, and not turn it into an endurance event.

One more bonus moment fits into the day: Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. The plan mentions it as the 12th and final Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva and says it is less than a kilometer from the Ellora Caves UNESCO World Heritage area. It is included with no admission fee in the plan, and it runs about 1 hour. Even if you are not a temple person, this can be a meaningful close to a long day of stone sites.

The mix of cave, fort, and mausoleum makes your two days feel less repetitive. You end up with different kinds of visuals and different kinds of walking.

Price and logistics: where the value really comes from

The stated price is $56.97 per person. That number matters less than what it includes, and this package is fairly clear about its value.

Included in the price:

• Entrance costs for Ellora, Ajanta, Bibi ka Maqbara, and Daulatabad Fort
• Private transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle, plus mineral water bottles
• Fuel, toll tax, parking, and service charges
• A professional driver who speaks good Hindi and English
• Pickup from hotel, airport, or railway station in Aurangabad
• A guidebook if an in-person guide option is not selected
• Tickets are secured in advance, and there is mention of a mobile ticket

Not included:

• In-person official guide fees
• Meals during the journey

That mix is why this price can work, especially if you are sharing the cab. The big cost on these routes is usually transport plus entry fees. Here, both are bundled. Also, advance ticket handling is not just convenience. It reduces stress on a day when you will already be tired from the drive.

The honest tradeoff is that food and formal guiding cost extra if you want them. But you control that choice. If you want a licensed guide at Ajanta Cave 1, you can add that only where it helps most. If you do not, you still get the included guidebook and a self-guided experience.

Also remember: you are not joining a big coach tour. It is a private activity, and only your group participates. That usually means you can keep a steadier pace without waiting for dozens of people to find the same bathroom.

Comfort tips that matter on the Ajanta road

This is the kind of trip where small prep gives you big comfort.

• Bring an air pillow or similar cushion for the Ajanta drive. The plan specifically mentions bumpy road construction.
• Wear comfortable, grippy shoes. You will be walking on uneven surfaces around cave areas and forts.
• Keep your phone handy and charged, since the plan uses mobile tickets.
• Decide early if you want a licensed guide at Ajanta Cave 1. If you do, you can use that guide context to enjoy the other caves more on your own.
• Use the driver. The tour plan says the driver can suggest food options nearby, and the driver provides on-call support.

If you show up with this mindset, the days feel smoother, and the cave time stays fun instead of frustrating.

Should you book this 2-day Ajanta and Ellora private cab tour?

I think you should book it if you want a private, air-conditioned way to hit the big two: Ajanta and Ellora, plus Daulatabad Fort and Bibi ka Maqbara. The best fit is travelers who like ancient sites, prefer control over timing, and appreciate when tickets and entry fees are handled ahead of time.

Skip it or be cautious if:

• You hate long road trips, because Ajanta involves about 3 hours each way from Aurangabad.
• You need meals included in your package. This plan does not include food.
• You are very sensitive to rough roads, because the Ajanta route can be bumpy due to construction, even with a comfortable vehicle.

If you are okay with planning a lunch stop and you are ready for a real day-by-day route, this tour can give you a lot of famous stone art for your money, without turning the trip into a stress test.

FAQ

What is included in the 2-day tour price?

The price includes entrance fees for Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, Bibi ka Maqbara, and Daulatabad Fort. It also includes private air-conditioned transfers, bottled mineral water during the trip, a professional driver (Hindi and English), fuel, tolls, parking, and service charges, plus a guidebook if no in-person guide option is selected.

Where is pickup offered for this private cab tour?

Pickup is offered from Aurangabad locations such as your hotel, airport, or railway station, and the driver meets you at the reception for hotel pickups.

Are official guide fees included?

No. The tour includes guidance support in the plan, but in-person official guide fees are not included. At Ajanta, you can hire a licensed guide at Cave number 1, and those charges are not included.

Is food included during the tour?

No. Any meals during the journey are not included. There are food options mentioned at the Ajanta area and other stops, but you will pay for meals yourself.

How long does the tour take overall?

The tour is designed for 2 days, with driving time and sightseeing time built into that timeframe.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.