As one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, both Ajanta and Ellora caves are known to be magnificent mist visit places at least once. There were about 34 caves in Ellora from the 16th to 11th century AD. 

While in Ajanta, you will find about 29 caves that date back to the 2nd century BC and 6th century AD. When you visit Ajanta caves, you will find that all of them there are dedicated to the Buddhists. While at Ellora, it is a mixture of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain. 

Multiple rulers contributed with open hearts to the construction. Besides magnificent caves, you can find other attractions like Lord Shiva temples that you can visit to have a great trip. Incomprehensible think about the caves there all being crafted by hand using chisel and hammer. 

The complexity of the caves depicts the nature of the hard work and talent the ancient people had. If you plan to take a trip to Ajanta Ellora caves, the guide here will give you a clear picture of the details of how to reach Ajanta Ellora caves, places to visit & some travel tips you need to know. 

How to Reach Ajanta Ellora Caves?

When you have decided to visit the Ajanta Ellora caves, you must know that the railway station closest here will be Aurangabad for the Ellora caves. For the Ajanta caves, Jalgaon is the closest. The travel time from Mumbai to Aurangabad through the railway route will take about 6 to 7 hours. 

Besides, there is also airport connectivity. You can choose to fly to the city of Aurangabad. Considering Aurangabad as the base city will provide the convenience of hiring a taxi and the driver to visit both the sites. 

The journey from Ellora to Ajanta cave will take about three hours. Besides, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation provides inexpensive daily bus tours to the caves from Aurangabad. 

They are pretty comfortable, air-conditioned buses that will help you understand the history and other aspects while you tour the caves.

The temperature during the summer season can be irritating. You won’t be relaxed enough to explore the places to the very best. So when planning to visit Ajanta Ellora caves, make sure you choose the time between November to March as the weather during this time will be dry and more relaxed, allowing you to experience the beauty of the place to the very best.

Ellora caves remain open from sunrise to around 5:00 p.m. regularly except on Wednesdays. In contrast, Ajanta caves stay open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. regularly, except on Mondays. You will find both the caves open even on the national holidays. But it will be better to avoid choosing those dates to avoid the crowd. If you want a peaceful experience, make sure you choose other dates. 

Ajanta and Ellora Visitor Centre.

The center is there to provide essential information about the two Heritage sites using audio-visual media. It has about five museum halls that replicate the four main caves. In addition, the Ellora visitor center has a replica of the Kailasa temples. 

Also have shops, restaurants, exhibition space, auditoriums, and parking. Unfortunately, they are located a bit away from the caves and have been unsuccessful in getting the tourists.

Best Places to Stay

When you visit Ellora caves there, you can find some of the best options to stay in. The hotel Kailas is present just opposite the Ellora caves. It is quite a relaxing option to enjoy a great scenic landscape. The rates can be 2300 rupees for non-air-conditioning rooms, which can go as high as 4000 for air conditioning cottages that faces the caves.

Further additional taxes can be charged. The hotel has multiple amenities for the guest like Internet, library, restaurant, games, etc. For adventure lovers, there is paragliding as an option.

There are limited accommodation options near Ajanta, so you will need to find the right option for you right in advance, or the best is to head directly to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Ajanta T Junction guest house, or you can choose Ajanta tourist resort for your stay.

Travel tips

• If you want to get a great inside view of the Kailasa temple at Ellora caves, then you can climb up the hill around it
• When you visit Ajanta caves, ask your driver to drop you at the view and meet at the car park. Then, you must walk downhill from the viewpoint to enter the cave. Take a right to the end and start your exploration journey at cave 28. You can then see half the caves freely.
• Make sure you carry a torch with yourself as most of the caves can be quite dark or the lightning there is poor
• Make sure you visit the caves before 10 a.m. to stay away from the crowds and explore the caves to the very best.
• Maharashtra tourism every year conducts a three-day Ellora Ajanta international festival. It features the most distinguished singers and dancers. So planning a trip during that time will be worth it.
• When you visit the cave, you must be prepared to pay 40 rupees for each of the sites. While for the children who are younger than 15 years can explore the places free of cost.

Conclusion

If you are ready to take a trip to explore the archaeological beauty of Indian history, then make sure you visit the Ajanta Ellora caves. They will provide you with a clear idea about the expertise of the ancestors and how they managed to build such beautiful caves using their hands. 

You can choose to get yourself a trip package that will include all the essentials you need. Right from a pick up from Aurangabad to handling the transportation further and more, you can rely on Fab My Trip for the service.  They are there to help their clients get the best package possible that assures them they can enjoy your trip to the very best without any worry. So when planning a trip, you must contact them as for sure they can take care of your needs.