Ajanta & Ellora Caves Tour

Duration: 02 nights - 03 days

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: 16 April 2014: April 2014: Arrive Aurangabad
Arrive and meet our representative and check in to hotel. Aurangabad, a village named Kirki (Khadki) where the city stands today. According to some historians, the city was founded in 1610 by Malik Ambar. He was the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah II of Ahmednagar, the then ruler of the Deccan (central parts of Southern India). In 1634, Aurangzeb was sent to Kirki as Governor of Deccan. In 1644, he moved to Agra to play an active role in Mughal politics. In 1681, the city again became the residence of Aurangzeb, who had now become Mughal Emperor. He used the city as base for his campaigns to conquer the last remaining Deccan sultanates. He lived there until his death in 1707. The modern name of the city was probably taken after his death.

Day 02: Aurangabad ? Excursion of Ajanta & Ellora Caves Tour
Today we visit Ajanta caves, Nestling in an inner fold of the Sahyadri hills, 100 km from Aurangabad in the shape of a mammoth horse- shoe, are the 30 rock-hewn caves of Ajanta. The Caves date from the 2nd century BC. Discovered in 1819 by a group of British army officers, these startling achievements took around 600 years to create. Carved with little more than a hammer & chisel; Ajanta, once the retreat of Buddhist monastic orders features several chaitya (chapels) & viharas'(monasteries). The exquisite wall & ceiling paintings, panels & sculptures of Buddha's life are famous throughout. As of 1983, the Ajanta Caves have been an UNESCO World Heritage Site specifically nominated for the international World Heritage program. (Closed on Mondays)

Later we visit Ellora Caves, an ancient village 30 km from the city of Aurangabad in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Famous for its monumental caves, Ellora is a World Heritage Site. It represents the epitome of Indian rock cut architecture. The 34 caves ? actually structures excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills? comprised of Buddhist, Hindu & Jain cave temples & monasteries, were built between the 5th century & 10th century. The 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu & 5 Jain caves, built in proximity, demonstrate the religious tolerance prevalent during this period of Indian history. (Closed on Tuesdays).
Overnight stay in Aurangabad

Day 03: Aurangabad Departure
Today we will transfer you to airport to board the flight for onward journey.

Our tour concludes: We thank you for your patronage & look forward to serve you again in near future.