AJANTA AND ELLORA CAVES,India Holidays,AJANTA AND ELLORA CAVES India,India Tour Packages

Day-wise itinerary

Day-1 Arrive Aurangabad.

Our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer to the hotel by ACC Private car.

AURANGABAD: A 55 minutes flight from Bombay is Aurangabad, the starting point of journey to two of the world\'s famous rock-cut temples Ajanta and Ellora, the most remarkable monuments of their kind in the world. These monasteries and shrines are hewn out of living rock by generations of men date back 2000 years. The cave temples of Ajanta lie in a narrow gorge and contain a breathtaking picture gallery of frescoes. Although, primarily used as a base for the cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora, Aurangabad has several historical attractions and some very interesting Buddhist caves of its own.

Originally called Khadke, it was later renamed after Mughal emperor Aurangzeb\'s reign from 1650 to 1670. Aurangabad is surrounded by crumbling fortifications and contains several fine Mughal monuments, including, Aurangzeb\'s duplicate Taj Mahal, Bibi ka Maqbara, as a mausoleum for his wife. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in the hotel.

Day-2 Ajanta Caves

After breakfast depart for full day excursion to Ajanta caves by Air Conditioned Private Car with English speaking driver visiting

AJANTA CAVES: It is a long winding drive from Aurangabad to the Ajanta ares (105 kms. 65 miles), but at the journey\'s end is the world\'s most fascinating wall paintings and frescoes. Unfortunately, the paintings are becoming progressively bleached by exposure to the atmosphere and, despite efforts by experts to preserve them with sealing fluids, are slowly fading away. The light wreaks havoc with the delicate colors, so the caves are kept in murky darkness. Come prepared with a flashlight or pay the \"lighting charge\" at the entrance. For a small sum, a wizened attendant in Nehru cap will try to reflect rays of sunlight in to the cave using a sheet of corrugated iron.

Return to Hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

Day-3 Ellora Caves

After breakfast excursion to Ellora Caves followed by sightseeing of Aurangabad City by same car with English speaking driver to visit:

ELLORA CAVES: Some 29 kms (18 miles) from Aurangabad are the most laborite cave temples in India. Although Buddhist monks began excavating in the seventh century, the site grew to include Hindu and Jain temples as the Buddhist faith waned in popularity towards the end of the seventh century.

There are 34 caves - 12 Buddhist (AD 600-800) 17 Hindu (around AD 900) and they are numbered in that order as you progress from South to North

BIBI KA MAQBARA: The orthodox Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb built the Bibi Ka Maqbara in 1679 for his wife known as Rabia Durrani, ordering his architects to construct a masterpiece that would outshine his father Shah Jehan\'s then recently completed Taj Mahal in Agra. Thrifty even in his grief, Aurangzeb\' s mausoleum is far less ornamental, costing 300 times less than its immortal rival.

PANCHAKKI: An impressive pre-Mughal water mill harnessed to operate large grain grinding stones. It was built in 1624 to commemorate the memory of the Sufi Saint Baba Shah Musafir, whose tomb lies nearby.

HIMROO SILK FACTORY Aurangabad is famous for its himroo shawls, cotton brocade, bidri ware, and Aurangabad silk, but the antiquated traditional handloom methods are rapidly disappearing. It\'s worth paying a visit to one of the few family businesses existing in the city.

After sightseeing return to hotel for lunch.

In the evening our Representative will transfer you to the airport for onward destination.