Ajanta & Ellora - 4 days
See the remarkable, rock-hewn 2nd century B.C. caves of Ajanta adorned with exquisite
paintings and sculptures of Buddha and view the impressive temples and monasteries
of Ellora, home to the renowned Kailasa Temple.
Day 1: Mumbai
Mumbai - Aurangabad. Early morning transfer to the airport for your included fight
to Aurangabad. Onward transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, we undertake a city sightseeing
tour of Aurangabad. The Pani Chakki is a late 17th century water mill that displays
the engineering skills of Malik Ambar, the architect of Aurangabad City. It is surrounded
by a picturesque garden-landscape dotted with fsh tanks. The Bibi-ka-maqbara was
built by Aurangzeb’s son as a tribute to his mother, Begum Rabia-ud-Durani. It is
a replica of the Taj Mahal, and stands out as the only example of Mogul architecture
on the Deccan Plateau. Also visit the Aurangabad Caves No. 7 & 8, caves from the
Mahayana school of Buddhism Overnight - Aurangabad
Day 2: Ajanta Caves
Enjoy a full day excursion to Ajanta Caves. Nestling in an inner fold of the Sahyadri
hills, 100 kms from the city of Aurangabad in the shape of a mammoth horseshoe are
the 30 rock-hewn caves of Ajanta, dating from 2nd century B.C. Discovered in 1819,
by a group of British Offcers, these startling achievements took around 600 years
to create. Carved with little more than a hammer and chisel, Ajanta, once the retreat
of the Buddhist monastic orders features several ‘Chaityas’ and Viharas. The exquisite
paintings and sculptures of Buddha’s life belong to the Mahayana period.
Overnight - Aurangabad
Day 3: Ellora Caves - Buddhist, Jain & Hindu Sculptures
In the morning head out to Ellora Caves. Impressive in their own right are the rock-hewn
temples and monasteries of Ellora that lie just 30 kms away from Aurangabad City
and are the meeting point of the Buddhists, Jains and Hindus. In all, there are
34 elaborate cave temples. This afternoon enjoy an excursion to Daulatabad Fort,
a labyrinthine structure that was once covered in Persian tiles
Overnight - Aurangabad
Day 4: Aurangabad - Mumbai by flight
Aurangabad - Mumbai. Transfer to the airport and fly to Mumbai. Upon arrival to
Mumbai our arrangements end. If you are booking extra accommodation with us in Mumbai,
you will be transferred to your hotel and the following day returned to the airport
for your onward international flight. Overnight - Kochi
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