India · Private & Tailored Tour
Ajanta, Ellora & Sacred Shirdi Trail
Aurangabad · Ajanta · Ellora · Grishneshwar · Shani Shingnapur · Shirdi
Duration
3 Nights / 4 Days
Destinations
Aurangabad, Ajanta, Ellora, Grishneshwar, Shani Shingnapur, Shirdi
Travel Style
Private & Tailored Tour
Covering
1 Country · 6 Cities
Overview
Ajanta, Ellora & Sacred Shirdi Trail
Merge ancient rock-hewn wonders with deep spiritual solace on this comprehensive four-day regional journey. Beginning in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), explore Mughal and medieval military heritage at Bibi Ka Maqbara and the clifftop ramparts of Daulatabad Fort before dedicating a full excursion day to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ajanta Caves to witness world-renowned Buddhist frescoes and chaityas overlooking the Waghora River gorge.
The pilgrimage advances to the sacred monolithic wonders of Ellora, centered on the multi-tiered basalt excavation of Cave 16 (Kailasa Temple), and the 12th holy Jyotirlinga at Grishneshwar. Traveling southwest across the Godavari plains, pay homage at the open-air black-stone shrine of Shani Shingnapur. The tour culminates in the sacred township of Shirdi, where devotees experience peaceful Darshan, attend the devotional Aarti, and walk the historic sacred grounds of Jagadguru Sai Baba before final departure.
Highlights
What You Will Experience
- Ajanta Buddhist Masterpieces: Tour 30 rock-cut caves featuring narrative Jataka tempera murals, chaityas, and the colossal 26-foot Reclining Buddha.
- Ajanta Gorge Panorama: View the ancient cliff-face horseshoe curve from the hilltop canyon viewpoint.
- Ellora Monolith Splendour: Stand in awe before Cave 16 (Kailasa Temple), the largest monolithic rock excavation in the world.
- Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Darshan: Offer prayers at the red-stone Maratha sanctum of the 12th holy Jyotirlinga.
- Daulatabad Hill Citadel: Climb the bastions of Daulatabad Fort to inspect its moats, the Chand Minar, and the pitch-black Andhari passage.
- Shani Shingnapur Pilgrimage: Visit the revered, self-manifested black-stone deity in India’s famous doorless village.
- Spiritual Peace in Shirdi: Experience the sacred sanctum of Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamai, Chavadi, and Gurusthan.
- Deccan Craft Traditions: Visit master weavers to observe authentic loom demonstrations of Himroo fabrics and Paithani silk borders.
The Route
Your Journey
Aurangabad · Ajanta · Ellora · Grishneshwar · Shani Shingnapur · Shirdi
Itinerary
Day by Day
Day 01 – Arrival, Fort Citadel & Mughal Landmarks
Arrive at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Airport or Railway Station, where you will be met by our representative and escorted to your vehicle.
Complete hotel check-in formalities and freshen up.
In the afternoon, head to the medieval hill fortress of Daulatabad Fort (Devagiri); walk across the defensive moat, view the 14th-century Chand Minar, and navigate the labyrinthine Andhari passage.
Return to the city for a late-afternoon visit to Bibi Ka Maqbara, the 17th-century Mughal mausoleum known as the “Taj of the Deccan”.
Visit a certified handloom cooperative to observe master artisans producing traditional Himroo shawls and Paithani silk borders.
Spend the evening relaxing at your hotel.
Overnight: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad)
Meals: As per plan
Day 02 – Dedicated Full-Day Excursion to Ajanta Caves
Following breakfast at the hotel, depart for the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ajanta Caves (approx. 105 km / 2.5 hours).
Board the eco-friendly shuttle bus from the transport depot to the entrance along the curved Waghora River gorge.
Spend the morning and early afternoon touring the rock-cut Buddhist chaitya halls and viharas:
Study the classic mural paintings depicting Jataka tales inside Caves 1 and 2.
Walk through the early Hinayana chaityas in Caves 9 and 10.
Admire the sculptured pillars and the 26-foot Reclining Buddha in Cave 26.
Stop at the Ajanta Viewpoint across the gorge for wide panoramic views of the entire cliff crescent.
Drive back to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) in the late afternoon.
Evening at leisure.
(Note: Ajanta Caves remain closed on Mondays.)
Overnight: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad)
Meals: As per plan
Day 03 – Ellora Caves, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, Shani Shingnapur to Shirdi
Following breakfast, check out from the hotel.
Drive to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ellora Caves (approx. 30 km / 45 minutes).
Explore the architectural centerpiece Cave 16 (Kailasa Temple), carved top-to-bottom from a single basalt cliff face, alongside neighboring Buddhist and Jain shrines.
Visit the adjacent Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, the revered 12th Shiva Jyotirlinga.
Depart for Shirdi via Shani Shingnapur (approx. 130 km / 3 hours), a unique pilgrimage village where houses possess no doors, to offer mustard oil and prayers at the open-air black-stone shrine.
Continue the drive to the sacred pilgrimage town of Shirdi (approx. 70 km / 1.5 hours) and check in to your hotel.
In the evening, visit the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Complex for Darshan at the Samadhi Mandir and attend the devotional evening Aarti.
(Note: Ellora Caves remain closed on Tuesdays.)
Overnight: Shirdi
Meals: As per plan
Day 04 – Shirdi Sacred Complex & Final Departure
Early morning optional attendance at the sacred Kakad Aarti at the Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir.
Following breakfast at the hotel, visit the historic sites associated with Sai Baba, including Dwarkamai (where the sacred Dhuni flame burns continuously), the Chavadi, the Gurusthan neem tree, and the landscaped Lendi Baug gardens.
Complete hotel check-out formalities.
In the afternoon, proceed for your final departure transit:
Transfer directly to Shirdi Airport (SAG) or Sainagar Shirdi Railway Station for onward flights/trains, OR
Board your private vehicle for a return road transfer back to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Airport/Station (approx. 110 km / 2 hours via Samruddhi Mahamarg).
Meals: As per plan
Stays & Travel
Accommodation & Transport
Where You Stay
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) – 2 nights
- Shirdi – 1 night
Your Tour
What Is Included
Included
- Assistance & Transfers: Meeting and assistance upon arrival and throughout the itinerary by tour representative.
- Accommodation: Accommodation in verified hotels on a double-sharing basis for 03 nights (02 Nights in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 01 Night in Shirdi).
- Taxes & Policies: Currently applicable government hotel taxes, with standard check-in at 14:00 hrs and check-out at 12:00 hrs.
- Guide Services: English/Hindi-speaking approved local guide during cave and monument visits in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad).
- Monument Entries: Single-entry monument tickets to Bibi Ka Maqbara, Daulatabad Fort, Ajanta Caves, and Ellora Caves.
- Private Transport: Transportation by private air-conditioned vehicle as per group size:
02 Pax: AC Sedan (Maruti Dzire / Honda Amaze)
03–05 Pax: AC SUV (Toyota Innova / Crysta)
06–12 Pax: AC Tempo Traveller - Logistics & Road Expenses: Driver allowance, toll taxes, inter-district permits, and parking charges.
- Special Transit: Shuttle bus transit between the Ajanta parking depot and cave gates.
Not Included
- GST (5%) and any newly applicable government taxes.
- Airfare, rail fare, travel insurance, or personal emergency expenses.
- VIP / Special Darshan passes at Shirdi or Grishneshwar (can be arranged on request).
- Early check-in and late check-out at hotels.
- Video camera and professional photography fees at monuments.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, room service, alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, and tips.
- Any additional sightseeing, detour, or meal not specified under the itinerary.
- Expenses resulting from unforeseen flight/train delays, strikes, road closures, or natural calamities.
Before You Go
Good to Know
Essential Information
Starts from: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) | End: Shirdi (or Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)
Booking Terms
Cancellation Policy
Read the cancellation policy
- Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing.
- Cancellation charges will apply in accordance with the terms of hotels, transport operators, and service providers.
- Advance token payments and non-refundable hotel allocations are non-refundable.
- No refund will be granted for missed visits, unavailed services, or voluntary cancellations after commencement of the tour.
- Any additional costs arising from itinerary modifications requested by the traveler will be payable by the traveler.
- The prevailing cancellation policy applicable at the time of final booking confirmation will apply.
Our standard booking terms and website disclaimer: Terms & Conditions.
Tailor This Journey
Plan Your Ajanta, Ellora & Sacred Shirdi Trail Holiday
Every Kanishka tour is private and can be shaped around your dates, pace and interests. Tell us how you would like to travel.
More From Aurangabad
Similar Tours
Caves, Vineyards & Godavari Corridor
Aurangabad · Ajanta · Ellora · Grishneshwar · Nashik (Trimbakeshwar)
3 Nights / 4 Days
Three Jyotirlinga & Shirdi Express
Pune · Bhimashankar · Nashik (Trimbakeshwar) · Shirdi · Shani Shingnapur · Grishneshwar (Ellora) · Aurangabad / Pune
3 Nights / 4 Days
Deccan Foothills, Faith & Rock-Cut Corridor
Pune · Ranjangaon · Shirdi · Shani Shingnapur · Aurangabad · Ajanta · Ellora · Pune / Aurangabad
3 Nights / 4 Days