Exotic Ajanta & Ellora

Pick up from Mumbai airport and proceed to Aurangabad. Once you reach Aurangabad, you will be taken to a pre-booked hotel. After a brief rest, drive to Ellora Caves (Closed on Tuesday), Grishneshwar Temple, Bhadra Maruti Temple.

Ellora caves : These 34 monasteries and temples, extending over more than 2 km, were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff, not far from Aurangabad, in Maharashtra. Ellora, with its uninterrupted sequence of monuments dating from A.D. 600 to 1000, brings the civilization of ancient India to life. Not only is the Ellora complex a unique artistic creation and a technological exploit but, with its sanctuaries devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, it illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India.

Grishneshwar Temple : A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Grishneshwar Temple located in Ellora is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Grishneshwar is the smallest of the Jyotirlingas and is considered the last or the 12th Jyotirlinga of India.

Bhadra Maruti Temple : The Bhadra Maruti Temple, located in Khuldabad near Aurangabad, is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman. This is one of the only three temples in India where the idol of the presiding deity, Lord Hanuman, is seen in the Bhav Samadhi or the sleeping posture, the other two being at Allahabad and Madhya Pradesh.

After breakfast, proceed to visit to Ajanta caves (closed on Monday)

Ajanta Caves : Ajanta caves. Buddhist monks took residence inside the cave to protect themselves from heavy rain. They used primitive tools to build massive temples and statues during their stay. The monks built the structures during 1st and 2nd century AD. You will be taken back to Aurangabad by late evening

Morning breakfast and proceed for full day local sightseeing such as Pitalkhora caves, Daulatabad fort, Bibi ka Maqbara, Panchakki. Overnight stay in Aurangabad hotel

Pitalkhora caves : One of the earliest caves in Maharashtra, Pitalkhora Caves are located in Chandora hills, near Bharmarwadi village, Aurangabad district. This 3rd-Century rock-cut Buddhist cave complex is the largest group of monuments belonging to the Satavahana Dynasty. Also known as Brazen Glen, the caves are made up of fourteen rock-cut structures which have fine architectural styles and paintings. Out of these fourteen monuments, four are chaityas and the rest are viharas

Daulatabad Fort : Located 15 km away from the main city of Aurangabad, Daulatabad Fort is an ancient fortification that rises formidably from the midst of verdant greenery. Often hailed as one of the ‘seven wonders of Maharashtra’, this architectural marvel is believed to have been built in the 12th century. Also known as Devgiri fort, perhaps the most enchanting qualities is its location, from the zenith of which you can capture a mesmerising view of the entire city. You need to hike some 750 odd steps up to the top, but the view down below is a wonderful thing to behold

Bibi-ka-maqbara : Having a striking resemblance to Taj Mahal, the Bibi ka Maqbara is a beautiful mausoleum of Rabia-Ul-Daurani alias Dilras Banu Begum, the wife of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Bibi ka Maqbara was constructed by Aurangzeb in the year 1661 in the memory of his wife. Aurangzeb attributed this magnificent edifice in the name of his son Azam Shah who was born in the year 1653, so as to commemorate Rabia – Ul – Daurani, who left for her heavenly abode in the year 1657.

Panchakki : Located close to Bibi ka Maqbara in Aurangabad, Panchakki is a water mill complex consisting of a court, a madrasa, the house of a minister, a mosque, houses dedicated to females and a sarai. The mill derives it names from the grinding mill used to grind grains for the pilgrims. Surrounded in hues of blue and shades of green, Panchakki is a perfect picnic spot and a much-frequented attraction in Aurangabad

Morning Breakfast check-out and drive for drop to Mumbai Airport