Itinerary · Maharashtra · 5 Days
5 Days Ajanta–Ellora: A Day-by-Day Maharashtra Itinerary
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Guides covering all 36 States and UTs, researched from official sources and checked at publish time. Corrections welcome — see About Beauty of Bharat.
The 5 Days Ajanta–Ellora is a 5-day route through Maharashtra, built for travellers who want the highlights without rushing. Cave temples, Sahyadri forts and the Konkan coast. This itinerary strings together Mumbai, Pune and Aurangabad/Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, moving at a balanced pace — enough time at each stop to see it properly rather than through a window.
Mumbai does everything at full volume. Seven islands fused into one restless metropolis: the colonial Gothic of Fort and the Art Deco of Marine Drive (together a UNESCO site), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus pouring out its million commuters, Crawford Market's Victorian sprawl, and the Bandra–Juhu world of film stars and sea-facing cafés.
5 Days Ajanta–Ellora at a Glance
| Duration | 5 days |
| State / UT | Maharashtra |
| Region | West |
| Route | Mumbai → Pune → Aurangabad/Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar |
| Starts / Ends | Mumbai / Aurangabad/Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar |
| Best time | October–March for most circuits; monsoon is spectacular for Sahyadris and waterfalls. |
Route at a Glance
The route in order — every stop has its own full guide page on this site:
- Mumbai · 2 nights
- Pune · 2 nights
- Aurangabad/Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar · final day — no overnight stay
5 Days Ajanta–Ellora: Day by Day
Day 1 — Mumbai: Gateway of India & the Taj Mahal Palace
Arrive in Mumbai and settle in — keep the first hours unhurried. The harbourfront icons — arrive by ferry-light at dawn, then take the boat to Elephanta from the same jetty.
Day 2 — Mumbai: Elephanta Caves
A full day in and around Mumbai. The island of rock-cut Shiva caves — the great Trimurti in the dark hall is one of Indian art's supreme works (ferries from Gateway). The Queen's Necklace at dusk, past the world's second-greatest Art Deco cluster, to Chowpatty's chaat stalls.
Day 3 — Pune: Shaniwar Wada
Move on to Pune and get your bearings. The Peshwas' palace-fort — its massive Delhi Darwaza and burned-palace foundations anchor Pune's story (the light-and-sound show retells it).
Day 4 — Pune: Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum
A full day in and around Pune. One man's collection of 20,000 Indian artefacts — the Mastani Mahal recreation alone is worth the visit. 103 steps to the Peshwa-era temples and the city's classic panorama at dawn.
Day 5 — Aurangabad/Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Ellora Caves & Kailasa Temple
Your final day on the route. Cave 16 alone justifies the journey — a full temple complex carved top-down from one rock; then the Buddhist and Jain caves along the cliff. The painted chaityas and viharas above the Waghora river gorge — go early, carry a torch mindset, and take the murals slowly. The 5 Days Ajanta–Ellora wraps up in Aurangabad/Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar — onward journeys start from here, and the route also loops comfortably back toward Mumbai if you are returning the way you came.
Best Time for This Itinerary
October–March for most circuits; monsoon is spectacular for Sahyadris and waterfalls.
Within that window, the 5 Days Ajanta–Ellora runs at its best: the stops above are sequenced so the journey builds gradually, and the Maharashtra guide on this site tracks the festivals and seasonal changes that can reshape a week here.
Good to Know Before You Go
Food to Try on This Route
Eat your way through Maharashtra as you travel — these dishes headline the state's table, and each has its own page in the Food Atlas: Vada pav · Misal pav · Pav bhaji · Puran poli · Bharli vangi.
More Itineraries to Consider
Maharashtra · West · 3 days3 Days Mumbai
Stops include Mumbai, Pune — day-by-day route, best time and food.
Maharashtra · West · 6 days6 Days Konkan Coast
Stops include Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad/Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar — day-by-day route, best time and food.
Andhra Pradesh · South · 5 days5 Days Coastal Andhra Road Trip
Stops include Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Vijayawada — day-by-day route, best time and food.
Arunachal Pradesh · Northeast · 5 days5 Days Ziro & Itanagar
Stops include Ziro, Tawang, Bomdila — day-by-day route, best time and food.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need for the 5 Days Ajanta–Ellora?
The 5 Days Ajanta–Ellora is planned over 5 days, following this order: Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad/Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
What is the best time of year for the 5 Days Ajanta–Ellora?
October–March for most circuits; monsoon is spectacular for Sahyadris and waterfalls. The Maharashtra state guide on this site carries the full season-by-season calendar, including festivals that can lift or crowd this route.
Where does the 5 Days Ajanta–Ellora start and finish?
It starts in Mumbai and finishes in Aurangabad/Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, travelling through Pune on the way. Most travellers enter Maharashtra through its main gateway and join the route at Mumbai.
Can I shorten or extend the 5 Days Ajanta–Ellora?
To shorten it, drop a night at Pune and protect your time in Mumbai — that is the heart of the route. To extend it, add a day in Mumbai or detour to Nashik, which sits naturally alongside this route and has its own guide page on this site.
What food should I try on the 5 Days Ajanta–Ellora?
Eat locally as you travel: Vada pav, Misal pav, Pav bhaji, Puran poli, Bharli vangi headline the Maharashtra table on this route, and each has its own page in the Food Atlas section of this site.