8-Day Ajanta Ellora Taj Mahal Tour: Ancient Caves and Mughal Heritage

Our Ajanta Ellora Taj Mahal tour joins India’s greatest cave temples with its finest Mughal heritage. Spend three nights in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) for the Buddhist paintings of Ajanta and the Kailasa Temple at Ellora, then fly to Delhi for a Heritage Walk in the Mughal Walled City of Shahjahanabad, Old Delhi, and drive to Agra for the Taj Mahal at sunrise and the Mughal Walled City of Fatehpur Sikri. It is a private tour with your own car and driver, and licensed guides at every site. In eight days you see nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator. Since 2002 we have planned private heritage tours of India for families, couples and groups.

Tour at a Glance

Here are the key facts of the 8-day Ajanta Ellora Taj Mahal tour.

Tour name: Ajanta Ellora with the Taj Mahal
Duration: 8 days and 7 nights
Route: Aurangabad (3 nights), Delhi (2 nights), Agra (2 nights)
Starts: Aurangabad. Ends: Agra or Delhi
Tour type: private tour with car, driver and local guides; one short flight
Highlights: Ajanta, Ellora, the Kailasa Temple, Old Delhi, the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri
Best time: October to March

Why Choose This Tour

Nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ajanta, Ellora, the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, plus the Mughal gardens around them.
Two great chapters of Indian art: rock-cut Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves, and Mughal architecture at its peak.
Heritage walks with local guides: in Old Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri.
The Taj Mahal twice: in the afternoon light and at sunrise.
Private and flexible: the Ajanta Ellora Taj Mahal tour is one of our most popular Ajanta Ellora Caves tour packages.

Ajanta Ellora Taj Mahal Tour Itinerary

This is the day-by-day plan of the Ajanta Ellora Taj Mahal tour.

Day 1: Arrive in Aurangabad and City Sightseeing

We meet you at Aurangabad airport or station and take you to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit Bibi Ka Maqbara, the Mughal tomb known as the Mini Taj, built by Emperor Aurangzeb’s son in memory of his mother, and the Buddhist Aurangabad Caves.

Shamrock travel tip: plan around the closed days: Ajanta on Mondays, Ellora on Tuesdays and the Taj Mahal on Fridays. We set your days to match. For more advice, read our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

Overnight: Aurangabad

Day 2: The Ajanta Caves

Drive about 100 km, two and a half to three hours, to Ajanta. Take the shuttle bus to about 30 Buddhist caves cut into a horseshoe-shaped cliff above the Waghora river. With your guide, see the painting of Padmapani in Cave 1, the Jataka tales in Caves 2, 16 and 17, and the reclining Buddha in Cave 26.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Aurangabad

Day 3: The Ellora Caves, Grishneshwar and Daulatabad

Drive about 30 km to Ellora, stopping at Daulatabad Fort. Explore 34 Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves made between about the 6th and 10th centuries, and the Kailasa Temple (Cave 16), a whole temple cut from a single rock. Then visit the Grishneshwar temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, next door.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Aurangabad

Day 4: Fly to Delhi, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb and Akshardham

Today your Ajanta Ellora Taj Mahal tour moves north. Fly from Aurangabad to Delhi, about two hours. Visit Qutub Minar, the tall stone tower of the Delhi Sultans, and Humayun’s Tomb, the garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal. In the evening, see the Akshardham temple.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Delhi

Day 5: Heritage Walk in Old Delhi

Join a Heritage Walk in the Mughal Walled City of Shahjahanabad, Old Delhi: the Jama Masjid, a cycle-rickshaw ride through the spice lanes of Chandni Chowk and the Red Fort. In the afternoon, drive past India Gate and the government buildings of New Delhi. In the evening, watch the light and sound show at the Red Fort.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Delhi. Read our Delhi guide.

Day 6: Delhi to Agra, Agra Fort and the Baby Taj

Drive about 230 km, three to four hours, on the Yamuna Expressway to Agra. Join a Heritage Walk in the Mughal Heritage of Agra: the red sandstone Agra Fort and Itimad-ud-Daulah, the Baby Taj. At sunset, see the Taj Mahal from the Mehtab Bagh garden across the river.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Agra

Day 7: The Taj Mahal at Sunrise and Fatehpur Sikri

This is the highlight of your Ajanta Ellora Taj Mahal tour. Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, when the white marble turns pink and gold. After breakfast, see Sikandra, the tomb of Emperor Akbar, then drive about 40 km, one hour, for a Heritage Walk in the Mughal Walled City of Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s red sandstone capital.

Shamrock travel tip: carry only a small bag to the Taj Mahal; large bags, food and tripods are not allowed inside. See our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Agra. Read our Agra guide.

Day 8: Departure from Agra or Delhi

After breakfast, we take you to Agra airport, or drive you back to Delhi, about four hours, for your flight home. Your Ajanta Ellora Taj Mahal tour ends here.

Meals: breakfast

What Is Included

Your Ajanta Ellora Taj Mahal tour includes:

Seven nights in hotels of your choice, with breakfast every day
A private air-conditioned car with driver for all transfers and sightseeing
Licensed English-speaking local guides at the caves, in Delhi and in Agra
Monument entry tickets as per the itinerary
All taxes, tolls, parking and driver costs

What Is Not Included

The Aurangabad to Delhi flight, and flights or trains to the start
Lunch and dinner
The light and sound show, rickshaw ride, camera fees and tips
Personal expenses and travel insurance

Best Time for This Tour

October to March is the best time for the Ajanta Ellora Taj Mahal tour, with cool, dry days at the caves and in Delhi and Agra. December and January can be foggy in the mornings in Agra. April to June is very hot, and July to September brings rain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start in Delhi instead?

Yes. We can run the tour the other way round: Delhi, Agra, then a flight to Aurangabad for the caves.

Can I add Jaipur?

Yes. Adding two nights in Jaipur turns it into a Golden Triangle and Ajanta Ellora tour. See our Golden Triangle tour.

Which day is the Taj Mahal closed?

The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. We plan Agra around it.

Are guides included?

Yes. A licensed guide joins you at Ajanta, Ellora, Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri.

Is the Ajanta Ellora Taj Mahal tour good for families?

Yes. The pace is easy, with one short flight and short drives.

How much does the Ajanta Ellora Taj Mahal tour cost?

The price depends on your hotels, the number of travellers and the season. Tell us your plans and we will send a clear quotation.

More Ajanta Ellora Tours

Many guests change or shorten their Ajanta Ellora Taj Mahal tour.

4-Day Ajanta Ellora tour from Aurangabad: the caves and Aurangabad only.
7-Day Ajanta Ellora Mumbai tour: the caves with Mumbai and the Elephanta Caves.

Read our Ajanta Ellora Caves travel guide and see all our Ajanta Ellora Caves tour packages, our Golden Triangle tour and our cultural tours of India. We are one of the best tour operators in India, and we also plan the best North India tours. Ready to book your Ajanta Ellora Taj Mahal tour? Request your free quote

Plan Your India Holiday with Shamrock Journeys

Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator and holiday planner. Since 2002 we have designed private India tour packages, family tour packages, honeymoon tours and cultural tours for travellers from around the world.

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