Travel Itinerary: How to Plan a 1-Day Panchakki & Aurangabad Caves Trip
Many visitors focus only on Ellora and Ajanta, overlooking the equally fascinating monuments within Aurangabad city itself. Here's how to spend a perfect day exploring them.
The Aurangabad City Heritage Circuit
Aurangabad city hides remarkable heritage within its limits — a Mughal mausoleum to rival the Taj, a medieval engineering wonder, ancient Buddhist caves, and a Sufi dargah. This circuit makes for a rich full-day experience that many travellers visiting Ajanta/Ellora miss entirely.
Suggested Day Itinerary
8:00 AM — Start at Bibi Ka Maqbara (opens 8 AM). Spend 1–1.5 hours exploring the Mughal garden and the main mausoleum. Best photos in the morning light.
10:00 AM — Drive to Panchakki (10 minutes). Walk the dargah complex, see the remarkable water mill and fish pond. Allow 45–60 minutes.
11:30 AM — Head to Aurangabad Caves (15 minutes drive). Explore the 9 Buddhist caves with their fine Tantric sculptures — less visited than Ajanta/Ellora, making for a more contemplative experience. Allow 1–1.5 hours.
1:30 PM — Lunch in Aurangabad city (try Bhoj or any MTDC restaurant)
3:00 PM — Explore Siddharth Garden & Zoo or head to old city for Paithani shopping
5:00 PM — Return to hotel
Entry Fees (Approx.)
- Bibi Ka Maqbara: ₹25 (Indians), ₹300 (Foreigners)
- Panchakki: ₹20
- Aurangabad Caves: ₹25 (Indians), ₹300 (Foreigners)
Getting Around
All three sites are within 5 km of each other in the city. Booking a Jaingiri Travels vehicle for a half-day city tour is the most convenient option — you can add Daulatabad Fort (15 km) in the afternoon for a fuller day.