Luxury Ajanta Ellora Tour: a fascinating pre or post tour extension

Your Luxury Ajanta Ellora Tour begins in Mumbai, where you’ll be met at the airport and accompanied to your hotel. You’ll be staying at The Oberoi. Nestled on Mumbai’s famous Marine Drive, The Oberoi affords wonderful views of the city and the Arabian Sea. The Oberoi is one of the finest hotels in this bustling metropolis, and the rooms are superbly equipped. We recommend a drink in the bar overlooking the bay; it’s a favourite with local jazz aficionados. 

There is no better wake-up call than that of Mumbai by dawn. In the early hours, you’ll be met by your guide and accompanied to the local marketplace. Here you will see Mumbai’s life unfolding at daybreak. Enjoy the bustling bazaar teeming with traders all set to do business. Meet the local traders who give life to Mumbai, selling vegetables, milk, fish, newspaper and other daily supplies.

 

Later today, you’ll be reunited with your guide to explore the Gateway of India and Elephanta Island. Mumbai’s most famous landmark, the Gateway of India, was the first sight to greet travellers to Indian shores during the heyday of the British Raj. Ironically, it also became the exit point for British troops after India gained independence in 1947. From here, you’ll take the launch to the caves on Elephanta Island, which date from around the 7th century. During the previous few centuries, the Gupta Empire had been at its height. Literature and the arts had flourished. It is thought this derived the initial impetus for the creation of the caves. The cave has a large sculptured veranda, and the inner part contains a huge 18-foot statue of Lord Shiva. The Portuguese named the island Elephanta because of a large stone elephant near the shore. It has since collapsed and been removed. The caves here at Elephanta are a modest version of the exquisite ones you’ll be seeing in Ajanta and Ellora. Depending on your interest, you may find them an engrossing warm-up, or you might prefer to explore other parts of Mumbai. We’ll tailor your itinerary to best suit you.

Explore the architectural highlights of bustling Bombay today, accompanied by your local guide. An orientation tour around the majestic sites of Bombay may include Victoria Terminus, Horniman Circle, Flora Fountain, the High Court, Mani Bhavan, and Bombay University. You can visit the Hanging Gardens, the Jain Temple, and Chowpatty Beach on your return to Marine Drive.

Day 4 of your luxury Ajanta Ellora tour takes you to Aurangabad by flight. Founded in 1610, the city of Aurangabad is the closest air-link to the beautiful caves at Ellora and Ajanta. Your base here in Aurangabad will be the ITC Rama International – one of the ubiquitous ITC chain; this hotel is an imposing building surrounded by 13 acres of lovely gardens. The multi-cuisine restaurant serves Indian, Chinese, and continental meals. The bar is open in the evenings to help you unwind after your sightseeing – or you may prefer a dip in the outdoor swimming pool.

With an early start this morning, you’ll be met by your guide to explore the magnificent Ajanta Caves (closed on Mondays). The highlight of our luxury Ajanta Ellora tour and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 30 extraordinary rock-cut caves at Ajanta, lie within a horseshoe-shaped escarpment. The caves were occupied only a short period, and, over time, the surrounding jungle concealed their existence. They were rediscovered quite accidentally in 1819 when John Smith of the 28th Madras Cavalry suddenly saw the top of the façade of Cave 10 while on a tiger hunt.

 

Ajanta’s caves fall into two groups. The early group belongs to the more austere Hinayana phase of Buddhism (2nd century BC), during which the Buddha was not represented in human form but only by symbols such as the Wheel of Law or a Bodhi tree. The second group dates from the Mahayana period (5th century AD), carved out during the rule of the Vakataka dynasty when the artistic expression was more exuberant. The caves were inhabited by monks, artists, and artisans, who used them as varshvatikas or monsoon shrines. Magnificent, detailed compositions, the murals include depictions of court scenes, princes, and musicians and offer fascinating glimpses of daily life in the 5th century. The colours, derived from plants and minerals, are rich shades of ochre, lime, black, green and lapis lazuli.

This morning, you’ll be reunited with your guide to visit the second highlight of our luxury Ajanta Ellora tour: the Ellora caves (closed on Tuesdays). The finest of the Ellora group of rock-cut caves is the magnificent Kailasanatha Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Commissioned by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I in the 8th century, this mammoth complex was carved out of a huge rocky cliff face. Sculptors chiselled through 85,000 cubic metres of rock, beginning at the cliff top and working their way down. The resulting marvel, embellished with large sculptural panels, was meant to depict Mount Kailash, the sacred abode of Lord Shiva.

 

After lunch, return to Aurangabad to explore its highlights, including the city’s most famous monument – the Bibi ka Maqbara.

 

Later today, you’ll be chauffeured back to the airport to board the daily flight to Delhi, where your luxury Ajanta Ellora tour concludes. Depending on your schedule and wider itinerary, you may like to stay in Delhi to explore the capital or connect directly to your international flight.

Our journeys are inclusive of accommodation with breakfast, a private car with driver throughout, experienced guides, entrance tickets and excursions. In other words, we offer a seamless and hassle-free experience where the only thing you need to worry about is soaking up the spectacular views and enjoying your fabulous hotels! This indicative cost is per person, based on a couple travelling between October 2022 and March 2023, sharing a double or twin room. The cost would reduce during the low-season months of April to September, while it may be higher during the peak Christmas and New Year period.