Aurangabad

1–2 daysBest: Oct–MarHeritage#heritage#caves#gateway

Gateway to Ajanta–Ellora

Why this weekend?

Bibi ka maqbaraAurangabad cavesAjanta drive

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · City & Ellora
- Bibi ka Maqbara morning
- Daulatabad fort
- Lunch in town
- Ellora afternoon
- Panchakki evening
Day 2 · Ajanta
- Early drive to Ajanta (first batches)
- Caves 1–2, 10, 16–17, 26
- Lunch at the site
- Return via the Waghora road

Geography & terrain

Aurangabad lies on the Kham river plain of the Deccan plateau, 350 km east-north-east of Mumbai — a mid-size city ringed by basalt hill-citadels, built as the hinge between the two great cave systems of Ajanta and Ellora, each about an hour away.

History & culture

Founded as Khadki, the city was renamed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who made it his Deccan capital in the 17th century. The Bibi ka Maqbara — the emperor's monument to his wife — is the city's signature, the nearby Daulatabad (Devagiri) fort carries a 12th-century Yadava story, and Ajanta and Ellora sandwich the region's world heritage.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,500–3,500/night

Mid-range

₹3,500–7,000/night

Comfort

₹7,000+/night

Things to do

Bibi ka Maqbara
Daulatabad fort
Panchakki
City gates
Ajanta–Ellora loops

Eat & drink

Vada pav
Misal pav
Pav bhaji
Puran poli

Getting there

Fly: Mumbai (BOM) / Pune (PNQ) / Nagpur (NAG)
Train: Mumbai CST, Pune, Nagpur junctions
Road from Mumbai: varies by district — 40–500 km
Getting around: Local trains, autos, buses, app taxis

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹3,500–10,500 (1 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,500–7,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Activities: ₹1,000–1,400

Month by month

Jan · Best: 14–29°C · None rain
Feb · Best: 17–32°C · None rain
Mar · Hot: 21–36°C · None rain
Apr · Hot: 25–39°C · None rain
May · Hot: 28–40°C · None rain
Jun · Monsoon: 27–35°C · Heavy rain
Jul · Monsoon: 25–31°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 25–31°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Monsoon tail: 24–33°C · Moderate rain
Oct · Good: 21–34°C · Light rain
Nov · Good: 17–31°C · None rain
Dec · Best: 14–29°C · None rain

Practical info

Language: Marathi (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Oct–Mar
Connectivity: good 4G in towns
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

Ajanta and Ellora have ticket-slot queues — book in advance
The Deccan is hot — winter (Nov–Feb) is the travel window
Agree the day rate with drivers before the loops

Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need in Aurangabad?

Two days comfortably: one for the city and Ellora, one for Ajanta.

Which is the best season?

November–February; the plateau is pleasant with clear cave-day light.

How do I reach Aurangabad?

Direct flights from Mumbai and Delhi, and solid rail connections; the caves are hour-long drives.