If you have a long weekend and want to make real sense of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar — the city formerly known as Aurangabad — three days is the perfect window. Long enough to do Ellora properly. Short enough that you don't need to commit to the long Ajanta drive. Here's exactly how I'd spend it.
Before you arrive
- Fly into IXU (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar International Airport) the previous night — Mumbai is just one hour away.
- Pre-book a full-day taxi for Day 2 (₹2,000–₹2,800). Don't try to wing transport for the cave day.
- Check that the date you've picked isn't a Tuesday — Ellora is closed on Tuesdays.
Day 1 — The city, slowly
08:00 — Bibi Ka Maqbara
Get there before the tour buses do. The morning light makes the marble look pearlescent rather than chalky. Spend at least 45 minutes; walk the gardens.
10:00 — Panchakki
The 17th-century water mill is small, but the still pond, the banyan tree and the medieval engineering are properly charming. Bring fish food.
11:30 — Brunch on Gulmandi
Poha-jalebi, kanda-bhajiya, a glass of cutting chai. The historic city heart wakes up properly around 11.
14:00 — Aurangabad Caves
Hidden in plain sight just behind Bibi Ka Maqbara. A Buddhist cave group from the 6th–7th centuries, far quieter than Ellora and a great rehearsal for tomorrow.
16:30 — Paithani & Himroo workshop
Visit a working weaver's studio. Even if you don't buy a saree, the demo is worth the time.
20:00 — Naan Qalia for dinner
Bhoj, Tara Paan Centre's annexe stalls, or any old-Aurangabad lane spot. Order extra naan.
Day 2 — Ellora, Grishneshwar & Daulatabad
06:00 — Hotel pickup
Yes, it's early. Yes, it's worth it. Stop for chai en route.
07:00 — Grishneshwar Temple
Quick darshan before the queues form. Phones go in the locker.
08:00 – 13:30 — Ellora Caves
Begin with the Buddhist group (1–12), then dedicate at least 90 minutes to Cave 16 (Kailasa Temple). Finish with the Jain caves (30–34), which are smaller and quieter.
13:45 — Lunch
Simple dhaba lunch outside the Ellora gates — paneer bhurji, dal khichdi, masala chach.
15:30 — Daulatabad Fort
On the drive back to the city. If you're tired, do just the lower courtyards and the Chand Minar — they're 45 minutes well spent.
19:30 — A slower dinner
Try a thali this time — a Maharashtrian one rather than Mughlai.
Day 3 — A gentler finish
09:00 — Khuldabad walk
Twenty minutes out of the city; small Sufi shrines, a relaxed bazaar, Aurangzeb's surprisingly humble tomb.
13:00 — Lunch back in the city
Try the Hyderabadi-style biryani at one of the older restaurants.
15:00 — Shopping
Spice markets, Himroo shawls, leather chappals.
17:30 — Sunset at Bibi Ka Maqbara
The bookend — late afternoon light is different again from the morning.
What I'd skip on three days
- Ajanta. It's a six-hour round-trip drive plus 4–5 hours at the caves. Save it for a 5-day visit and do it justice — see our 5-day itinerary.
- Lonar Crater Lake. Geologically extraordinary, but a separate trip — too far for the time you have.
And that's it. Three days, two UNESCO sites within reach (one done thoroughly, the other saved deliberately for next time), a fort, a Mughal-era tomb, a Sufi water mill, and a great deal of really good food. Not a bad way to spend a weekend.
Have a question or a different route that worked for you? Drop us a line — we update this itinerary every season.