The comments below are by Iyengar Yoga students. Many of the sites listed are on national and international travel itineraries. Therefore, we recommend also checking the many published tour guides of India and/or the Travel Agents/Tour Companies listed below, which can all help with transportation and accommodation logistics.
The caves at Ajanta and Ellora are both UNESCO heritage sites. They are located approximately a 7-hour drive from Pune. The magnificent temples and monasteries carved into the rocks contain sculpture and painting that represent Buddhist, Hindu and Jain art dating from 800 AD. The Kailasa Temple is twice the size of the Parthenon; the life of the Buddha is painted on the walls of another temple. Book a car and a driver in Pune and stay at a hotel in Aurangabad or near the caves.
“Ali and his brothers are based in Ajanta and have been running a private taxi business for about 20 years. They have 5 taxis (A/C) that operate between Ellora, Ajanta, Aurangabad and the surrounding area. They know the area very well and can also help with hotel bookings. They speak good English. I strongly recommend them!”
— Mirja
It is recommended to start with the Ajanta Caves visit if on a 2-day trip. Both cave sites are worth visiting. If time is short and you can only visit one, choose either one – both are good. No hard and fast rule.
There is heavy road construction work planned for another year or so, so expect HOURS of delay compared to GPS timing, from Aurangabad to Ajanta. If possible, use Jeep type of car (4x4). Our driver was not aware of the road conditions and was not happy about the high risk of damages to his car as a result. English speaking driver recommended or alternatively make sure you have a translation app on your phone.
Keep at least 2 ½ hr. for a minimum visit. Caves open at 9 am. Parking 110 Rs There is a shuttle bus from the parking area to caves - 20 Rs.non AC or 30 w/AC. Entrance 600 Rs. Cash. Flashlight recommended!!! Caves can be very dark inside depending on time of day.
Be prepared to be hassled by vendors with STRONG insistence, right out of the car. If planning to hire a guide, best to start looking for an official government guide near the cave entrance not in the parking area. Throughout the visit there will be many guides giving you samples of their knowledge expecting to be hired. There is one restaurant at the start of the cave with ok food and ok free washrooms.
Plan a 4-hour trip minimum to visit the entire site. An early start is one option, as caves open at 7 am. If planning on seeing all caves, start with a lovely walk from the entrance to the last cave, breathing morning fresh air, listening to bird sounds ... then starting the visit from that end all the way to the first cave, in the opposite direction of the crowd. 600 Rs. cash. CC does not always work due to poor network connection.
There is only one restaurant onsite. Washrooms: 10 Rs. fee. Conditions for both restaurant and washrooms are at the lowest. There are lots of street vendors selling food outside the entrance to the caves, across the road.
AC bus from Shivajinagar bus station leaves every half hour for Aurangabad - a 4-5hr.trip. Be sure to specify "AC Bus" From there, hire a car to the caves. Ajanta is a 3-hour drive and Ellora is 30-45 minutes from Aurangabad. You can also have your driver take you to Ajanta and then drop you off at a hotel in Ellora.
— a student
My Indian friend helped book a driver (non-English speaking) and a car for Ajanta and Ellora. We booked a hotel in Aurangabad for two nights. We left Pune in the afternoon to arrive there in the evening, went to Ellora the next day, and Ajanta the day after. I would suggest a local guide who knows about Buddhist iconography and history. I would go back to Ajanta, anytime–the place is so out-of-this-world ethereal and stunning!
— another student
Recommended Hotel in Aurangabad: The Lemon Tree with Wi-Fi, restaurant, good service. Book weekends in advance. Staff can arrange a car to the caves and a tour if you like. Suggestion: One day for each site. Both are spectacular. Highly recommended! The Best!
Sk. Sadeek, a very gracious generous spirit and native of Ellora, is part owner of a lovely 32- member co-op fabric shop there called Aurangabad Handloom Products (see more on this shop below). Sadeek can arrange for cars to and from Ellora as well as guesthouse or hotel accommodations. He also knows all the "secrets" of the caves.
This latest report of an Ellora & Ajanta Caves trip and Aurangabad hotel review was submitted by Ghislaine Atkins at the beginning of 2020.
“The drive from Pune to Aurangabad, leaving Pune at 2 pm took 5 1/2 hours. There was a credit card issue which got resolved but it took 2 1/2 days of communications. It is recommended to pay online when booking w/ credit card. The hotel was western style, modern, well equipped, great food: great breakfast,.and a great "A la Carte" menu. Self-service dinner has more continental food. Safety box in room. Wi-fi works fine or not at all but that is the same in the entire country, from my understanding. Great service. Closer to Ellora (50 minutes-drive) than to Ajanta (real time with road constructions is 4-hrs).”
— Ghislaine Atkins
hotelkailas. If you plan on staying overnight in Aurangabad, this hotel is highly recommended.
Gut No 7, Aurangabad Ellora Road, Nandrabad, Aurangabad, Maharashtra (opposite the Kailas Hotel). 431001, India
Specialty fabric and textile store in Ellora sells a wide range of silk saris, shawls, scarves, bedspreads, pillow covers, purses and more. The fabrics are made by a local cooperative of men and women who have looms in their homes. It takes them 3-5 days to make one scarf and the work is excellent. Many of the designs are inspired by the caves at Ellora. Prices are very reasonable. The owner, Riyaz Zuriz, warmly welcomes students from RIMYI and is of course open to discounting.
This is a spectacular fort.
across from the Kailas Hotel and walking distance from Ellora Caves
If you are visiting the nearby Ellora Caves, take time to visit Cave Crystals Handicraft & Natural Stones, across from the Kailas Hotel and walking distance from Ellora Caves. It offers an array of beautiful stones and crystals for great prices.
Great restaurant frequented by locals but not often by tourists.
Know a place that should be here, or something that has changed? Suggest an addition.
