Mumbai To Ajanta Ellora Caves Trip

Planning a Mumbai to Ajanta Ellora Caves Trip? A Practical Guide for 2, 3 and 4 Days

If you have searched “Mumbai to Ajanta Ellora Caves trip” and found long history essays but no clear plan, this guide is for you. Ajanta and Ellora are two of India’s finest heritage sites, and both are within reach of Mumbai for a long weekend. But the timing, the closing days and the distances can catch first-time visitors off guard. As a planner at Trip Leads, I have written this guide to help you plan with confidence.

Where are Ajanta and Ellora?
Both sites are in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) region of Maharashtra. Ellora is about 30 km from the city, and Ajanta is about 100 km in a different direction, towards Jalgaon district. The two sites are not next to each other, which is why a single-day visit to both is rarely practical.

The route and distance from Mumbai
Aurangabad is around 330 to 350 km from Mumbai, which takes six to seven hours by road with stops. A common route goes through Thane, Kasara and Nashik district, and then on to Aurangabad. Ajanta is a further 100 km or so from the city, taking around two and a half to three hours. Ellora is under an hour from the city. The total distance from Mumbai to Ajanta is roughly 430 to 450 km, so we plan one night in Aurangabad at the very least.

Option A: A 2 day, 1 night trip
Day 1 is the drive to Aurangabad, followed by Grishneshwar darshan and the Kailasa Temple at Ellora in the afternoon. On Day 2 you leave early for Ajanta, see the main caves in the morning and begin the long return. You reach Mumbai after midnight, so this plan suits only fit travellers. If you can manage a third day, I always suggest Option B.

Option B: A 3 day, 2 night trip
This is the plan I recommend. Day 1 is the drive and a relaxed evening at Bibi Ka Maqbara and Panchakki. Day 2 is entirely for Ajanta, so there is no rush in front of the paintings. Day 3 covers Grishneshwar and a proper Ellora visit before the return to Mumbai. Every site gets enough time.

Option C: A 4 day, 3 night trip
After Ellora on Day 3, you drive to Shirdi and stay overnight. On Day 4 you take morning darshan and return to Mumbai, a distance of roughly 240 to 250 km. It splits the return drive and suits families and senior citizens.

The places worth your time

Ajanta Caves: About 30 Buddhist caves cut into a horseshoe-shaped gorge. The early caves (such as Caves 9, 10 and 12) belong to the earlier phase, while the later caves hold the famous paintings and carved halls. Cave 1 has the well-known paintings of Padmapani and Vajrapani. Caves 2, 16 and 17 have important wall paintings. Caves 19 and 26 are fine chaitya halls with carved stupas, and Cave 26 has a large reclining Buddha. A viewpoint across the river gives a full view of the horseshoe curve of caves.

Ellora Caves: The Buddhist group (Caves 1 to 12) includes Cave 10, known as the Vishvakarma or “Carpenter’s” Cave, with its ribbed ceiling and a Buddha stupa. The Hindu group (Caves 13 to 29) includes the Kailasa Temple in Cave 16, built by carving down from the top of a rock, and Cave 15, the Dashavatara Cave. The Jain group (Caves 30 to 34) is quieter and has delicate carving.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga: One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, right next to Ellora in Verul. The temple was rebuilt in the 18th century by Ahilyabai Holkar. Men are generally asked to remove shirts in the sanctum, so carry a clean cloth.

Bibi Ka Maqbara: A 17th-century mausoleum often called the “Taj of the Deccan”, built by Prince Azam Shah in memory of his mother.

Panchakki: A 17th-century water-powered flour mill, associated with the Sufi saint Baba Shah Musafir, with a quiet pond and gardens.

Shirdi Sai Baba Temple (Option C): One of the most visited pilgrimage places in Maharashtra, easily added on the way home.

Closing days you should know
Ajanta is generally closed on Mondays, and Ellora is generally closed on Tuesdays. The Grishneshwar temple remains open on those days. That is why it matters to share your travel dates early: we arrange your days around the closures. For Option B, for example, Ajanta falls on Day 2 and Ellora on Day 3, so we avoid starting on a Sunday or Monday.

Best time to visit Ajanta and Ellora
October to March is the most comfortable. Mornings are cool and the afternoons are bearable. During the monsoon, the Ajanta gorge looks stunning and waterfalls appear around Ellora, but the paths can be slippery, so carry a rain jacket and wear shoes with a good grip. In summer, temperatures rise sharply, so we keep outdoor walking to the early morning and the late afternoon.

What to eat
Aurangabad is known for naan qalia, a rich mutton curry served with soft naan, and for vegetarian Maharashtrian thalis. Near the caves, food options are simple, so we plan lunch stops in advance. Tell us your food preference and we will suggest clean restaurants.

Where to stay
Aurangabad has many hotels in different budgets, from simple family hotels to comfortable business hotels. Staying in the city is the easiest option, since both caves are within a day trip. In Option C, we also arrange a stay in Shirdi. Book early on weekends and long weekends.

Practical tips from the road

Start early on cave days; mornings are cooler and less crowded.
Wear comfortable shoes and carry a water bottle.
At Ajanta, private vehicles stop at the car park, and shuttle buses take visitors to the caves. Carry some cash for tickets and shuttles.
A local guide adds a lot, especially at Ajanta, where the paintings tell stories.
Flash photography is not allowed in the painted caves, so keep your camera flash off.
Carry a small torch for dimly lit caves.
For elders, we keep walking short and plan rest stops. There are steps at both sites.

Which option should you choose?
If you have only a long weekend and are fit, choose the 2 day trip. For the best balance, choose the 3 day trip. To add Shirdi and keep the return easy, choose the 4 day tour package. If you are not sure, tell us your group size, ages and interests, and we will suggest what fits.

Book with Trip Leads
Share your travel date, pickup location in Mumbai, group size and preferred option. We will send a clear quotation with inclusions and exclusions, with no pressure and no hidden charges. Whether you travel with parents, family or friends, Trip Leads will make sure your Ajanta Ellora trip is comfortable, well planned and memorable.