Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below
Overview
Marvel at India's first world heritage site of Ajanta and Ellora caves whose cultural influence during the 1st and 2nd century BC not only extended all over India but also to far flung areas like Java in modern Indonesia. Ajanta & Ellora definitely feature in the list of places to see before you die.
Our guides are passionate professionals who will provide the cultural context for the magnificent painting and sculptures. At Lonar, he will demonstrate the anomalies by performing scientific experiments.
This tour is organized by Five Senses Tours, a private limited company recognized by the Ministry of Tourism and a member of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO). The tour has been designed to support local livelihoods by way of employment of local guides, and supporting local businesses in line with the mission of the company to ensure travel dollars stay where they are spent.
What's included
Hotel on double occupancy (private room for single guest) for 5 nights
Professional guide
Wine tasting
Breakfast
All entrance charges
Travel by car
Lunch and dinner
What to expect
Day 1: Mumbai to Ellora Caves
Ellora Caves
2h · Admission ticket included
A 330 KM drive takes us from Mumbai to Aurangabad. After hotel check in and lunch, we will visit Ellora caves.
Built between 5th and 10th century, Ellora Caves are a set of 34 caves excavated out of the Charanandri hills. The caves are a mix of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain styles.
The highlight of Ellora is the Kailasa Temple. Built to resemble Mount Kailash, the heavenly abode of Lord Shiva, it is the largest single monolithic excavation in the world. Built in the 8th century, Kaliasa is twice the size of Parthenon and was built by 7,000 laborers over 150 years.
Day 2: Aurangabad
Bibi Ka Maqbara
1h · Admission ticket included
We visit Bibi ka Maqbara built by Mughal Emperor in memory of his wife, very much like what his father Shah Jahan did with Taj Mahal! Bibi ka Maqbara is often called the Taj Mahal of the Deccan. Ata Ullah the architect of Bibi ka Maqbara was in fact the son of the chief designer of the Taj Mahal!
Daulatabad Fort
2h · Admission ticket included
This magnificent fort is steeped in history. In the 14th century, Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi and the most eccentric King in Indian history, shifted his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad, with disastrous consequences. There are remains of Palaces & Mosques to be seen on the top.
Day 3: Lonar Temple
2h · Admission ticket included
We drive 140 KM from Auragabad to Lonar .
In the evening we visit Lonar village to appreciate the incredible architecture of an ancient Temple. Daitya Sudan is a temple dedicated to an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple has been built in Chalukya architecture style and has erotic sculptures like the famous temples of Khajuraho.
Day 4: Lonar Meteor Lake & Ajanta Caves
Lonar Lake
2h · Admission ticket included
The Lonar Lake crater was formed a little over 50000 years ago. A 2 million ton meteor crashed into the Basalt rocks traveling at a speed of 90,000 kmph The impact crater is 1.8km wide and 150m deep. There are ancient temples as well as several bird species to be seen on the way from the ground to the crater.
Lonar Meteor Lake has many unsolved puzzles for geologists. Scientists from NASA and the Geological Survey of India are trying to unravel mysteries like the water being both saline and alkaline, presence of unique micro organisms, and the failure of the magnetic compass.
Our guide will demonstrate the anomalies at Lonar, by performing a few simple scientific experiments.
Ajanta Caves
2h · Admission ticket included
A 150 KM drive brings us to Ajanta Caves from Lonar.
Ajanta Caves are a magnificent set of 30 rock cut Buddhist caves from 1st and 2nd century BC whose cultural influence spread to far flung areas like Java in modern Indonesia. They were carved by cutting into the side of a cliff that is on the side of a U-shaped gorge, beside the River Waghora. The theme of most of the Caves is excerpts from Jataka Tales. These relate to the life of Buddha before he was enlightened.
Day 5: Wine Tasting in Nashik
Sula Vineyards
1h 30m · Admission ticket included
Nashik is the wine capital of India and it is only fitting that we end this magnificent tour with a round of Wine Tasting in one of the vineyards here!
Day 6: Return to Mumbai
3h · Admission ticket included
A 165 KM drive will bring us to Mumbai from Nashik.
Meeting and pickup
Pickup details
Our guide will meet you in lobby of your hotel
Additional information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
