Tour Highlights

Duration : 13 Days / 12 Nights

Destination Covered : (Mumbai - Aurangabad - Ellora Caves - Ajanta Caves - Aurangabad - Hyderabad - Gulbarga - Bijapur - Badami - Hampi - Hospet - Mumbai)

Best Time to Tour : The best time to tour Ajanta & Ellora caves is from October to March.

Thinking Buddha

Located near the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, the famous Ajanta and Ellora are cave shrines cut out of rock, by hand, and rank amongst some of the most outstanding specimens of ancient Indian architectural heritage. The 34 caves at Ellora and the 29 caves at Ajanta. Ajanta has been designated as a World Heritage Site, to be preserved as an artistic legacy that will come to inspire and enrich the lives of generations to come.

This Cave Structures containing important examples of Buddhist Architecture and sculpture, and what is undoubtedly the finest and most complete examples of early Buddhist paintings of India. The cave temples are cut into the rocky sites of dramatic cresent shaped gorge at the head of which is a waterfall that feeds the natural pool, the Saptakunda.

The paintings that adorn the walls and ceilings of the caves depict incidents from the life of buddha and various Buddhist divinities. Amoung the more interesting paintings are the Jakata tales, illustrating diverse stories relating to the previous incarnations of the Buddha as Bodhisattva, a saintly being who is destined to become Buddha. Occupied for almost 700 years the caves of Ajanta seem to have been abandoned rather abruptly.

Day 1 : Flight to India(Mumbai)

Arrival at Mumbai by international flight. After the traditional welcome transfer to the hotel for check in. Overnight stay at the hotel in Mumbai.

Mumbai Overview

Day 2 : Mumbai  

Early morning drive to Gateway of India built in 1927 and then transfer via boat to Elephanta Caves, a world heritage site.The caves are about 30 – 45 minutes by boat off the coast of Mumbai. The most important sculpture of Elephanta caves is of Trimurti Sadasiva. Upon your return Take a walk through the harbour area. Also enjoy sightseeings in Mumbai including visits to Gandhi Museum & Hanging Gardens.

Day 3 : Mumbai – Aurangabad – Ellora Caves – Aurangabad  

Early morning transfer to airport to board the flight to Aurangabad. After a short break, leave for an excursion to the World Heritage Monument of Ellora Caves. The caves were built during 7th - 10th century AD and contain art and sculptures related to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainis religions.

Ajanta & Ellora Caves

Day 4 : Aurangabad – Ajanta Caves – Aurangabad

After breakfast leave for Ajanta caves another World Heritage Site. The rock-cut cave monuments of Ajanta are 100 kms from Aurangabad dating from the second century BCE, contain paintings and sculpture considered to be masterpieces of both "Buddhist religious art" and "universal pictorial art. Of the thirty monuments at Ajanta, four caves (No 9,10,26 and 29) are sanctuaries or Chaitya containing a Stupa at the centre of their apses. The rest are monastic residences or Viharas.

Day 5 : Aurangabad – Hyderabad

Drive to Hyderabad after the early morning breakfast. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel.

Day 6 : Hyderabad  

Bijapur Gol Gumbaz

Day 9 : Bijapur – Badami

Spend the morning by touring Bijapur which will include the visit to Gol Gumbazas, Ibrahim Roza, Juma Masjid. Later transfer to Badami and in between the transfer visit Aihole as the 'cradle of Indian architecture.'

Day 10 : Badami – Hospet 

In the morning visit the main attraction of Badami i.e. Cave temples. Then transfer to Hopset and enroute visit Pattadakal, situated on the banks of the Malaprabha river and known for its Chalukyan architecture.

Day 11 : Hospet – Hampi – Hospet

Ugranarasimha statue at Hampi

Day 12 : Hospet – Mumbai  

Early morning drive to Mumbai. Spend the rest of the day at leisure in the hotel exploring the hotel and the city.

Day 13 : Mumbai  

Transfer to the Railway Station / Airport for the onward travel.

End of Tour !