From Delhi, the easiest way to see Ajanta and Ellora is to take a direct flight to Aurangabad airport (IXU) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, which takes roughly two hours, and give yourself four days on the ground: one for arrival, one for Ellora, one for Ajanta and a final morning at Daulatabad Fort before flying home. Just plan the dates around the closed days: Ellora shuts on Tuesdays and Ajanta on Mondays.
Flights and dates
IndiGo and Air India both fly direct between Delhi and Aurangabad, and Air India Express has added the route too. Schedules change with the season, so check the current timings when you book; a morning arrival gives you a useful half-day on the first day.
If you prefer the train, the Sachkhand Express links New Delhi with Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar station in about a day. It suits travellers who enjoy the journey itself, but for a four-day trip the flight leaves far more time for the caves.
The closed days shape everything. A simple rule is to avoid starting on a Sunday or Monday, which would push Ajanta onto its closed day or crowd Ellora into a Tuesday. Arriving on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday works neatly with the plan below.
October to February is the most comfortable time for travellers from Delhi. While Delhi is shivering through January, the Deccan usually offers warm, sunny days and cool nights, so you will need far fewer layers than you think. April and May are very hot; if those are your only dates, start each day at first light.
Day 1: Arrive and settle in
Land, collect your bags and head out of the city towards Daulatabad; the airport is about 35 to 40 minutes from the fort area. After lunch and a rest, you could visit Bibi Ka Maqbara in the city in the late afternoon, or simply stay close to the lake and watch Daulatabad Fort change colour at sunset.
Use this evening to confirm your car and guide for the next two days. A good local guide makes an enormous difference at both caves.
Day 2: Ellora, Grishneshwar and Khuldabad
Reach Ellora close to opening time. The caves run along a single cliff face, with Buddhist, Hindu and Jain groups side by side, and the Kailasa temple (Cave 16) at the heart of it. Give yourself at least three to four hours. Mornings are cooler and quieter, and the afternoon sun reaches deep into the west-facing caves if you want to return for photographs.
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga is only a few minutes from the caves; weekday mornings are usually calmer than weekends. After lunch, drive up to Khuldabad, a hill town of Sufi shrines where Emperor Aurangzeb's simple open-air grave lies. The drive back past Daulatabad at dusk is lovely.
Day 3: A full day at Ajanta
Ajanta is a longer outing, roughly two and a half hours by road from the Daulatabad side, so leave early with breakfast packed. Private vehicles stop at the visitor centre, from where shuttle buses take you up to the caves in the horseshoe gorge of the Waghora river.
The painted caves are the reason to come: allow at least three hours and pace yourself, as there are steps between caves. Flash photography is not allowed, and rules for cameras inside the painted caves are strict, so follow the staff's instructions. You will be back by evening, tired and quiet in the best way.
Day 4: Daulatabad Fort and fly home
Climb Daulatabad Fort early, before the sun gets strong. The fort is known for its moats, the Chand Minar, and the pitch-dark passage known as Andheri, so carry a small torch and water. The climb to the top is steep in places; allow two to three hours for the full ascent at a relaxed pace, or stop at the lower levels if the heat or knees protest.
Leave enough time to freshen up, have lunch and reach the airport for an afternoon or evening flight. If your flight is early, swap this for a short walk around the lake and do the fort on the afternoon of Day 1 instead.
A few practical notes
- Carry a light jacket for winter evenings, but expect warm days.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes with a good grip; cave floors can be uneven and smooth.
- Book your car and guide in advance during the October to January season and around long weekends.
- Keep afternoons light. Two big sites in one day is plenty for most people.
Hiranya is a family-run nature retreat on the banks of the old Mombatta Lake, 1 km from Daulatabad Fort and about 15 minutes from Ellora, and we can arrange airport pickup and guided Ellora and Ajanta tours on request. If you would like us to help shape these four days around your flights, write to contact@hiranyaresorts.com or message us on WhatsApp at +91 90494 27222.
