- Starting from
- Pune
- Duration
- 3 Days / 2 Nights
- Distance
- about 900-950 km round trip including local sightseeing (approx.)
- Mode
- Private AC cab with driver
- Package rate
- Call for best fare
About This Tour Package
If you have always wanted to see the painted walls of Ajanta and the giant Kailasa temple of Ellora, an Ajanta Ellora Caves tour package from Pune is the simplest way to do it. The caves lie near Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (earlier called Aurangabad), roughly 230-240 km from Pune, and the two sites are in opposite directions from the city. Doing them properly takes at least three days, and a private car makes that schedule relaxed instead of rushed.
Cab Service Pune plans this trip from Viman Nagar, Pune, with a clean AC vehicle, a driver who knows the highway, and a day-wise plan that you can adjust. You decide how early to start, where to stop for meals and how long to stay at each cave.
Why Ajanta and Ellora Belong on One Trip
Ajanta and Ellora are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but they feel completely different. Ajanta is a quiet group of Buddhist caves cut into a horseshoe-shaped gorge above the Waghora river, famous for ancient paintings and carved halls. Ellora is a larger, busier complex where Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments stand side by side, carved from the hillside.
Seeing one without the other leaves the story half told. Together they show how rock-cut art in the Deccan changed over many centuries.
Route and Driving Time from Pune
The usual route runs from Pune towards Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar) and then on to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, a drive of around 5-6 hours with a tea or lunch break. Traffic around Pune and at toll plazas can add time, so we suggest leaving early in the morning.
From the city, Ellora is about 30 km away and Ajanta is roughly 100-110 km away, so Ajanta needs a separate early start. Your driver will plan around these distances so that you are never driving long stretches at night.
Suggested Three-Day Plan
The plan below is a starting point. We can stretch it to four days if you want a slower pace or extra stops.
- Day 1: Leave Pune early, drive to Sambhajinagar, check in, then visit Bibi Ka Maqbara and Panchakki in the evening.
- Day 2: Full day at Ajanta Caves, with the return to the hotel by evening.
- Day 3: Morning at Grishneshwar Temple and Ellora Caves, optional Daulatabad Fort, then drive back to Pune.
Ajanta Caves: What to Expect
Ajanta has around 30 caves, mostly viharas (monastery halls) and a few chaityas (prayer halls). The paintings and sculptures illustrate Buddhist stories, and the detail in the ceilings and pillars surprises many first-time visitors. Cave numbers such as 1, 2, 16, 17 and 19 are usually mentioned as highlights, but every cave adds something.
Plan on 3-4 hours at the site. The walk is mostly gentle but involves steps, and the cave interiors are dim, so carry a small torch if allowed and wear comfortable shoes. Visitor rules, such as how far vehicles may go and what is allowed inside, can change, so check current arrangements before you go.
Ellora Caves and Grishneshwar
Ellora has 34 caves in three groups: Buddhist, Hindu and Jain. The star is the Kailasa temple (Cave 16), an entire temple carved down from the top of a rock rather than built upwards. Allow at least 3 hours, and more if you enjoy photography.
Grishneshwar Temple stands very close to Ellora and is counted among the Jyotirlingas of Maharashtra. Many pilgrims combine the darshan with the caves. Dress modestly, expect queues on weekends and festival days, and check current temple timings and rules. If you need help coordinating a visit, tell us at booking and we will try to arrange it.
Other Sights Around Sambhajinagar
If you have time on the first evening or the last morning, add one or two of these:
- Bibi Ka Maqbara, a tomb often compared with the Taj Mahal for its style
- Daulatabad Fort, a hill fort on the way to Ellora with a steep climb and a dark tunnel section
- Panchakki, the old water mill with a calm garden setting
Do not squeeze in too much. The caves tire people more than they expect.
Best Time to Visit
The cooler months from October to February are the most comfortable for walking in the open. The monsoon months of July to September turn the region green and the waterfalls near Ajanta come alive, though showers and slippery steps need care. Summers can be very hot in the afternoon, so start early and carry water and a cap.
Choosing the Right Vehicle
A Swift Dzire sedan works well for couples and small families. For four to six people, an Ertiga is comfortable for the long drive, while an Innova Crysta gives extra legroom for senior citizens. Larger family groups or school and office outings can use a Tempo Traveller or Force Urbania. Tell us the group size and luggage at booking and we will suggest the right option.
Practical Tips for Cave Travel
Carry a valid photo ID, as it is often needed at ticket counters and hotels. Wear light cotton clothes and sturdy footwear, and keep a water bottle and a light snack in the car. Respect the heritage rules: no touching of paintings, and no flash photography where it is prohibited.
Senior travellers should note that Ajanta and Daulatabad involve walking and steps. Mention any mobility needs when booking so that we can plan the timing and stops accordingly.
Understanding the Rock-Cut Story
It helps to know a little background before you arrive. Ajanta's caves were carved over several centuries and then lay hidden in the forest until they were rediscovered in the nineteenth century, which is one reason the paintings survive at all. Ellora, by contrast, stayed in use for worship, and its three religions reflect a time of shared tolerance.
A short read the night before, or a licensed guide at the site, makes the carvings far more meaningful. Guides are usually available at the entrance, but agree on the rate and time before you start.
Booking Your Trip with Cab Service Pune
Share your travel dates, number of travellers and preferred hotel type through WhatsApp, phone or the enquiry form on the website. We will send a clear plan and the fare before the trip. Toll, parking and state tax are normally charged at actuals unless an all-inclusive package is quoted, and hotel or ticket assistance can be coordinated on request.
Ready to see the caves? Call or WhatsApp 7888117999 and plan your Ajanta Ellora Caves tour package from Pune with Cab Service Pune today.
Tour Itinerary
- Day 1: Early departure from Pune, drive to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar with a breakfast and lunch halt, hotel check-in, evening at Bibi Ka Maqbara and Panchakki
- Day 2: Early start for Ajanta Caves (about 100-110 km from the city), explore the painted caves, lunch nearby, return to Sambhajinagar by evening
- Day 3: Morning darshan at Grishneshwar Temple, then Ellora Caves including the Kailasa temple
- Day 3 (optional): Daulatabad Fort stop on the way, then start the return drive to Pune and drop-off in the evening
Package Inclusions
- AC cab with an experienced driver for the whole tour
- Pick-up and drop from your home, society or hotel
- Flexible stops for meals, rest and photos
- Choice of Sedan, Ertiga, Innova Crysta, Scorpio, Tempo Traveller, Urbania or Bus
Not Included
- Toll, parking and state tax at actuals unless quoted all-inclusive
- Hotel stay, meals, entry tickets and puja charges (can be arranged on request)
- Personal expenses
Choose Your Vehicle
FAQs
How many days are needed for an Ajanta Ellora tour from Pune?
Three days is the comfortable minimum: one day for the drive and city, one for Ajanta, one for Ellora and Grishneshwar. A faster two-day trip is possible but leaves you tired and rushed at both sites.
How far are Ajanta and Ellora from Pune?
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is roughly 230-240 km from Pune. Ellora is about 30 km from the city and Ajanta about 100-110 km, so they are visited on separate days or in separate trips.
Can Grishneshwar Temple be included in the package?
Yes. Grishneshwar is right next to Ellora, so it fits naturally into Day 3. Check current temple timings and dress code, and tell us at booking if you want darshan assistance.
Are Ajanta and Ellora open every day?
The two sites have different weekly closing days, and timings can change. Check the latest schedule before travelling, and we will plan your days around it when you confirm the booking.
What is included in the fare?
The fare shared before the trip covers the vehicle and driver for the agreed plan. Toll, parking and state tax are normally charged at actuals unless an all-inclusive package is quoted. Entry tickets and hotels are separate.
How do I book this package?
Call or WhatsApp 7888117999 with your date, group size and preferred vehicle. We confirm the plan and fare before you pay anything.