Two caves, one smooth plan. This private 2-day cab tour from Aurangabad lines up Ajanta and Ellora (UNESCO World Heritage sites) along with Bibi Ka Maqbara, Daulatabad Fort, and Grishneshwar Temple, so you spend less time organizing transport and more time seeing the sights.

What I like most is the hotel pickup plus door-to-door private transportation with a driver who can handle the route in Hindi and English. It also gives you the option of adding an optional guide so you can go transport-only, or get extra explanation where you want it.

The main catch is budgeting: cave and mausoleum entry tickets and meals are not included, and Ajanta is closed on Mondays while Ellora is closed on Tuesdays. Plan your dates around those closure days and add tickets to your total cost.

Key highlights you can plan around

• Two UNESCO sites in 2 days: Ajanta on Day 1, Ellora on Day 2, with extra stops that fill out the story of the region
• Pickup at 8:00 am from your chosen point in Aurangabad, which helps you start early without guessing logistics
• Private transport for your group, with vehicle options from sedan to mini van depending on your party size
• Bottled water and a torch are included, handy for cave exploring
• Optional guide choice so you can control how much interpretation you get
• Driver flexibility noted in reviews, including timely pickups and an easygoing style

Ajanta and Ellora by taxi: what this 2-day plan really solves

Ajanta and Ellora are famous, and that means the key travel problem is usually not the sites, it is the getting there. This tour solves that with private transportation from Aurangabad, so you do not have to coordinate buses, taxis, or timing between multiple places.

The other win is that you are not just doing caves and then calling it a day. The route also includes Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi Ka Maqbara so the trip feels like more than two quick cave checkpoints.

One more practical benefit: the schedule is built for a full two days, with Day 2 specifically set up to start early for Ellora. That matters because it lets you fit in the temple and fort stops without turning the day into a frantic sprint.

Pickup timing and vehicle choices from Aurangabad

The tour starts at 8:00 am, and pickup is offered from your selected pickup point (often a hotel or nearby location). This is a big deal in Aurangabad because it removes the awkward part of figuring out where to meet local transport.

You have different vehicle options depending on your group size:

• Sedan for 1 to 2 passengers
• SUV for 1 to 5 passengers, which matches the tour’s private group setup
• Mini van for 6 to 12 passengers

The driver is listed as speaking good Hindi and English, which helps if you want to ask questions during the ride or adjust the plan slightly. In reviews, this flexibility came up more than once, including drivers who were ready to adjust to your needs while still keeping things on schedule.

Also included are all toll, parking, fuel, taxes, and service charges, so you are less likely to deal with surprise payments mid-trip.

Day 1: Ajanta Caves, a full set of cave time

Day 1 is built around the drive from Aurangabad to Ajanta Caves. The distance is listed at about 100 kilometers, and the stop time is listed as about 8 hours total for that day segment.

That long block of time is important. Ajanta is a cave visit, which usually means you want breathing room, not just a rushed walkthrough. With a private car and a dedicated driver, you can keep moving at a comfortable pace and still make it back into Aurangabad after the day.

Admission is not included, so you will need to budget for Ajanta entry tickets. The price is listed as:

• INR 40 for SAARC countries
• INR 600 for non-SAARC countries

One key date note: Ajanta Caves are closed every Monday. If your trip falls on a Monday, you should expect the schedule to be impacted, since this plan depends on Ajanta for Day 1.

For what to bring, the tour includes a torch and bottled water, but you will still want to dress for cave conditions. Loose layers and comfortable shoes help because cave areas can be uneven and cooler than you expect.

Day 2: Ellora Caves plus Grishneshwar Temple and temple time

Day 2 starts early for Ellora Caves, and then the route continues to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi Ka Maqbara before returning to Aurangabad.

Ellora stop time is listed as about 4 hours, so think of this as a focused cave block, followed by several shorter culture stops. Ellora is also UNESCO-listed, and it is described as famous for its rock-cut caves, so you get the signature Ellora experience without the trip turning into a single-site day.

Ellora tickets are not included, with the same pricing structure:

• INR 40 for SAARC countries
• INR 600 for non-SAARC countries

And again, watch the closure days. Ellora Caves are closed every Tuesday. If your two-day tour includes a Tuesday as the Ellora day, you could run into a problem, so date selection matters here.

Then comes Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. The tour lists about 1 hour for darshan (worship) and exploring the temple. That time window is realistic for seeing the main areas without turning it into a long detour.

If you like travel days that balance awe with calm, this is the part where the schedule shifts from caves to a more spiritual pace. You will want to use this hour to slow down a bit, refuel, and reset before the fort and mausoleum stops.

Daulatabad Fort: defense architecture you can actually walk through

After Grishneshwar, the plan goes to Daulatabad Fort, with 1 to 2 hours listed for exploring the fort and its surroundings.

This is a different kind of heritage experience than the caves. The fort is described as known for formidable defense architecture and historical significance, so you should expect viewpoints, stone structures, and a feeling of scale as you move through the area.

The benefit of keeping it on Day 2 is that the full schedule already includes multiple stops. Daulatabad Fort fits well as the mid-to-late day anchor because it gives you time on foot, but not so much that it wipes out the rest of the itinerary.

One practical note: the fort time is a range. If you tend to move fast, you might fit close to the lower end. If you like to linger for photos and details, aim for the longer end.

Bibi Ka Maqbara, the mini Taj Mahal stop

The final major sightseeing stop is Bibi Ka Maqbara, often called the mini Taj Mahal. The tour explains it was built in memory of Aurangzeb’s wife, and it’s scheduled for about 1 hour to appreciate the architecture and gardens.

This is a good closing stop because it gives you an easier pace right before the return drop-off to Aurangabad. The schedule lists about 1 hour again for drop-off at the end, so you are not stuck late with no plan.

Bibi Ka Maqbara entry tickets are not included, with these prices:

• INR 30 for SAARC countries
• INR 300 for non-SAARC countries

What I like about ending here is contrast. After caves and a fort, a more open mausoleum and garden stop can feel like a breather. If you want a photo-heavy ending, this is also where you usually get the best chance to slow down and enjoy the shapes and symmetry.

Price and value: what $47.75 does and does not include

The listed price is $47.75 per person for the 2-day cab tour. That price covers a lot of what typically costs money and stress during regional sightseeing: private transport, pickup, toll and fuel handling, and driver service.

But it does not cover everything. The tour explicitly lists that Ajanta, Ellora, and Bibi Ka Maqbara entry tickets are not included, and meals are not included either.

Here is your ticket math using the provided rates:

• For non-SAARC visitors:
• Ajanta INR 600
• Ellora INR 600
• Bibi Ka Maqbara INR 300
• Total: INR 1,500 per person in monument tickets
• For SAARC visitors:
• Ajanta INR 40
• Ellora INR 40
• Bibi Ka Maqbara INR 30
• Total: INR 110 per person

So the value question is simple. If you plan to enter all three sites anyway, the transport and logistics package is likely worth it. If you expect to skip one site or want to do meals and tickets yourself with no guided timing help, then you might compare against booking transport separately.

Either way, you will likely spend more than just the base price, so treat the quoted $47.75 as your transportation and coordination fee, then add tickets and meals.

Driver and optional guide: the difference between a ride and an experience

This tour includes a professional driver, and there is also an optional guide you can add. Reviews highlight that the guide makes a noticeable difference in how smooth and informative the cave visits feel.

One name that came up is Suleman, described as very knowledgeable and professional, and the kind of guide who helps you get through without hassle. If you are the type who likes context while you walk, a guide can turn the same cave walls into something you understand better, instead of just seeing from a distance.

Another name that showed up is Samad, connected to smooth communication and early pickup. In reviews, Samad was noted for sharing contact details in advance and helping the day run without awkward waiting.

The driver behavior matters too. One review specifically mentioned safety and comfort, plus good manners without being pushy. That is exactly what you want on long day schedules with multiple stops. When the driver is calm and flexible, you can stay in control of your pace.

My practical tip: if you add a guide, focus on what you care about most. Ask for the story behind the main cave areas on Ajanta, then shift to the Ellora explanation, and save the fort and mausoleum for what you want to photograph and notice.

Who should book this tour (and who might not)

This is a strong fit if you want:

• A private 2-day plan from Aurangabad
• Easy transport with pickup at 8:00 am
• A schedule that hits Ajanta and Ellora plus three additional heritage stops
• The option of adding a guide for extra interpretation

It may be less ideal if:

• You are sensitive to long travel days, since Day 1 is listed with a long Ajanta block and Day 2 includes multiple stops
• Your dates land on Monday or Tuesday, since Ajanta is closed on Mondays and Ellora is closed on Tuesdays
• You do not want to pay separate entrance fees and meals on top of the base tour cost

If you are a first-timer to the area, this kind of organized transport tends to feel like a win. If you are comfortable arranging your own intercity transport, you might compare costs, but you would still need to solve the timing across several sites.

Should you book the Aurangabad to Ajanta Ellora 2-day cab tour?

Book it if you want the simple version of a complex itinerary: pickup, private driving, and a plan that connects caves with the temple, fort, and Bibi Ka Maqbara without you micromanaging every leg.

I would book it especially if you value having a driver who communicates well in Hindi and English and you like the idea of choosing an optional guide. Names like Suleman and Samad show up for a reason, smooth timing, and a calm, helpful approach.

Hold off if your travel dates fall on closure days, or if you are trying to squeeze this into a budget that cannot absorb monument tickets plus meals. This tour is great, but you should budget like you are entering all three sites.

If you want my bottom line: this is a sensible, logistics-light way to see two UNESCO cave sites in 48 hours, while also catching the Deccan stops that make the region feel more complete.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The meeting start time is listed as 8:00 am.

Is pickup included?

Yes, hotel pickup is included, and pickup is offered from your selected pickup point in Aurangabad.

Are entrance tickets included for Ajanta, Ellora, and Bibi Ka Maqbara?

No. Ajanta, Ellora, and Bibi Ka Maqbara entry tickets are not included.

How much time is planned for Grishneshwar Temple?

The tour lists about 1 hour for darshan and exploring the temple.

How long do we spend at Daulatabad Fort?

The tour lists around 1 to 2 hours for exploring Daulatabad Fort and its surroundings.

When are Ajanta Caves closed?

Ajanta Caves are closed every Monday.

When are Ellora Caves closed?

Ellora Caves are closed every Tuesday.

What vehicles are available for the private tour?

The tour lists a sedan (1 to 2 passengers), an SUV (1 to 5 passengers), and a mini van (6 to 12 passengers).