Take an early morning flight from Mumbai to Aurangabad (about 1h). Flying saves time and gives you most of Day 1 in Aurangabad; trains/buses are possible alternatives for lower cost but take much longer.
Check in to a centrally located hotel in Aurangabad and freshen up. Many hotels allow early check-in for a charge or will store luggage if the room isn't ready.
Start with a hearty breakfast buffet (continental + Indian) at your hotel; Lemon Tree (or a similar mid-range hotel) offers reliable breakfast hours and clean facilities.
Visit Bibi Ka Maqbara, the 17th-century monument often called the 'Taj of the Deccan'; it gives a gentle, scenic introduction to Aurangabad. Note: generally open 6:00am–6:00pm, so a morning visit is ideal.
Try a local thali or Maharashtrian meal at a well-reviewed local restaurant near the city centre to sample regional flavours; this keeps you fuelled for an afternoon drive.
Visit Panchakki, the historical water mill and garden complex within the city; it’s peaceful and good for photos. Typical visiting hours are around 9:00am–5:00pm.
Have dinner at the hotel or try a reputable local restaurant for biryani or tandoori dishes; choose something light if you have an early start planned for Day 2.
Leave early from Aurangabad for Grishneshwar (approx 30–40 minutes by car) to attend morning darshan and avoid crowds; temple timings usually start around 5:00–5:30am and remain open through the evening with aarti timings in morning and evening.
Offer prayers at Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas; the temple is compact and spiritually significant, with morning aarti often around this time—confirm aarti schedule locally.
Breakfast at a nearby café or the small eateries serving travellers; simple options like idli, vada, or poha are readily available before starting the Ellora tour.
Explore Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site with 34 rock-cut caves spanning Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments; the site opens at around 9:00am and is best explored in the cooler morning hours.
Have lunch at the onsite cafeteria or a nearby local dhaba offering simple cooked meals and thalis; convenient and saves travel time back to Aurangabad.
Spend the early afternoon around Kailasha (the largest monolithic excavation) and surrounding caves for detailed photography and study; plan at least an hour here as it’s the highlight of Ellora.
Enjoy dinner at a recommended Aurangabad restaurant that serves regional dishes and safe vegetarian/non-vegetarian options; ask your hotel for the most popular, hygienic option nearby.
Explore the imposing Daulatabad Fort (Devagiri), known for its steep steps, strong fortifications and panoramic views; typically open around 9:00am but many visitors start at 8:30–9:00am—confirm local timings.