The Ajanta Caves are 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India. Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world, featuring Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments, and artwork.
In 1819, Jon Smith, a British Cavalry officer serving in India chanced upon the horse-shoe shaped rock while tiger hunting around the Deccan Plateau region. The entrance to the cave like structures intrigued him to cross the Waghora River in the vicinity and reach the caves. Excavations followed and the world soon discovered a stunning artwork spanning from 2nd century BC to 6th century AD.
It is believed that the Buddhist Monks spent their time here during the monsoon months when they were forbidden to travel. The caves have paintings and sculptures that depict teachings of the Buddha. Various incidents from the life of Gautam Buddha and the Jataka Tales are represented and recreated on the walls of these caves.
Our Ajanta Ellora Caves Tour is a short, relaxed pace tour which starts from Mumbai and covers these amazing monuments. Contact us for a quote!
Duration: 4 days / 3 Nights
Places: Mumbai > Aurangabad > Mumbai
Itinerary:
Day – 01 Mumbai – Aurangabad by air
We will take a morning flight from Mumbai to Aurangabad.
Arrive Aurangabad & transfer to hotel at Aurangabad.
City tour of Aurangabad.
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day – 02 Aurangabad – Ajanta
Breakfast at the Hotel. After breakfast proceed for full day excursion to Ajanta Caves – (closed on Monday)
These 2nd century caves are fine achievements by Buddhist monks. Beautiful frescoes, wall paintings and vivid sculptures reflect the peak of ancient Indian art and architecture. The horseshoe shaped gorge has 30 caves dividend in two phases.
Return back to Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day – 03 Aurangabad – Ellora Caves – Pithalkora
Breakfast at the Hotel. After Breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Ellora Caves (closed on Tuesday)
Ellora Caves – The World Heritage site, one of the finest examples of rockcut caves , there are 34 caves, Cave 16 is the most famous and has Lord Shiva sculpted on the rocks-the largest monolith in the world.
After Ellora Caves, further proceed for Pithalkora Caves:-Pithalkora caves are about 78 kms. From Aurangabad. The intricate work on the sculptured facades in these caves is definitely worth a visit.
Return back to Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day – 04 Aurangabad – Mumbai – Delhi
Breakfast at the Hotel. After breakfast proceed to Daulatabad fortress was an old Hindu stronghold originally called Devgiri Fort.
Emperor Mohammed-bin-Tughlaq captured and plundered it in the 13th century and made it the second capital of the Delhi Sultanate renaming it Daulatabad. It is famous for its series of trick defenses, secret escape routes etc.. Bibi-ka-Maqbara, built in memory of Aurangazeb’s wife Rabia Durrani.
Panchakki or Water Mill, an ingenious creation of Mughal engineers who used it to harness water to run large grinding stones which served as a flour mill. The tomb of a muslim saint lies in the garden beyond the which served as a flour mill.
Proceed to Aurangabad airport to catch onward flight to Mumbai.
Mumbai arrival, transfer to Hotel/Airport.
End of Tour
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Let us know if you like a Tour. We will be happy to customize any tour to your requirements. You can specify changes you need using the form given below. We will send you a quote by email. For booking related queries you can call Mr.Praveen Kumar at +91 9810954649.