Aurangabad’s own Bibi Ka Maqbara, a smaller echo of the Taj Mahal built by Aurangzeb’s son for his mother, and the Mughal-era water garden Panchakki sit alongside the hilltop Daulatabad Fort, once briefly the Delhi Sultanate’s capital under Muhammad bin Tughlaq. A short drive away, the Ellora Caves’ 34 rock-cut Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monuments, including the monolithic Kailasa Temple carved top-down from a single rock face, and the older Buddhist Ajanta Caves’ painted murals rank among India’s greatest surviving ancient art, with the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple standing just beside Ellora. Aurangabad sits at an elevation of 582 m and is typically explored in about 2-3 days. The most favourable months to visit are January, December, November, and October, when conditions are best suited for sightseeing. Nearby points of interest include Aurangabad Caves. Other notable highlights include ajanta Cave 26's colossal sleeping Buddha, ellora's Kailasa Temple carved from one rock, and bibi ka Maqbara's marble dome and minarets. It falls within Maharashtra, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, and Maharashtra.
State: Maharashtra
Ideal Duration: 2-3 Days
January, December, November, October
The Ellora caves are relatively flat and easier to navigate, with some ramps and fewer steps, but the Ajanta caves require climbing about 100 steps and walking along uneven paths. It is advisable to hire a local guide or use the battery-operated buses at Ajanta, and to plan for extra rest time if you have knee or hip issues.
Tap water is not recommended for drinking; always use bottled or filtered water, even for brushing teeth. Stick to freshly cooked hot meals at reputable restaurants, avoid raw salads and unpeeled fruits, and carry oral rehydration salts in case of mild digestive upset.
A comfortable itinerary is three full days: one day each for Ellora, Ajanta, and the city sights like Bibi Ka Maqbara, Panchakki, and the Aurangabad caves. If you are a slower-paced group, add a fourth day for rest and shopping, as the drive to Ajanta takes about 1.5 to 2 hours each way.
The most comfortable option is to hire a private air-conditioned car with a driver for the entire stay, which costs around 2,500 to 3,500 rupees per day. For a group, you can also book a larger van or tempo traveller, and most hotels can arrange this. Local autorickshaws are available for short city trips, but negotiate the fare beforehand.
The best time is from October to March, when the weather is pleasant and cool, with daytime temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius. Avoid the summer months of April to June, as temperatures can exceed 40 degrees, making outdoor visits to caves and forts exhausting for senior travellers.