Plan your trip · Ajanta
Best time to visit Ajanta
October to February is the easy season at Ajanta: warm days, cool mornings and dry steps. The weeks just after the monsoon add a running waterfall and a green gorge, which many people think is the finest time of all.
❄️ Winter
RecommendedOct – Feb
Warm and still humid in October, then dry and mild from November to February — the comfortable season, with cool early mornings.
Pack: light cottons, with a light layer for early mornings and after dark.
Shines now: Ajanta Viewpoint
Plan a winter day →☀️ Summer
Mar – May
Hot and dry from March, peaking in the high 30s °C in April and May. Mornings and evenings are the time to be out.
Pack: loose light cottons, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and plenty of water.
Shines now: Ajanta Viewpoint
Plan a summer day →🌧️ Monsoon
Jun – Sep
The rain arrives in June and runs to September — steady through July and August, heaviest towards the Ghats, with local flooding after a big downpour. Much cooler and greener than the summer.
Pack: an umbrella or rain shell, quick-dry clothes and grippy footwear.
Plan a monsoon day →October to February: the main season
Days are warm and dry, mornings are cool, and the climb from the shuttle stop is comfortable. This is when most people come, so the terrace is busiest, especially on weekends, over Diwali and around Christmas and New Year. School trips are common in winter too. Arrive at opening and see the painted caves first, before the coach groups reach them.
Just after the monsoon
Late September and October are special here. After the rains, the Waghur river still runs, the waterfall at the head of the gorge may still be flowing, and the slopes opposite the caves are green. The light is clear, and the heat has not yet built. If you want the classic photo from the viewpoint with water in the river, aim for these weeks.
June to September: the monsoon
Ajanta gets a moderate Deccan monsoon rather than the downpours of the coast. The caves stay open, and the gorge is at its greenest. The waterfall is at its fullest. But the steps and the paths to the river and the viewpoint turn slippery, the road from Aurangabad can be slow in heavy rain, and humidity makes the climb sticky. Go on a dry morning and wear shoes with grip.
March to June: the hot season
From March the Deccan heats up fast, and by May midday temperatures often pass 40 °C. The cave terrace is exposed and the rock throws the heat back at you. The caves themselves stay cooler inside. If you must come, be at the gate at opening, finish by late morning and drink plenty of water. Crowds are thinner, which is the one advantage.
Day of the week
The caves close every Monday. Midweek days are usually much quieter than weekends. Many travellers pair Ajanta with Ellora, which closes on Tuesdays, so plan the order to avoid a wasted drive.
Time of day
Opening time is best for the painted caves, when fewer people are inside. Afternoon is best for the viewpoint, when the sun lights the cave cliff opposite.
Questions
Ajanta — FAQ
Is Ajanta worth visiting in the monsoon?
Yes, if you are careful. The gorge is green and the waterfall runs, but steps and paths are slippery. Late September and October give you most of the green with drier paths.
When does the Ajanta waterfall flow?
Only after good rains, usually from July to around October. In a weak monsoon it may be a trickle, and for most of the dry season it stops.
Is Ajanta too hot in summer?
It is very hot from April to June, often over 40 °C at midday. Visit at opening, finish by late morning and carry water.
What is the quietest day to visit Ajanta?
A midweek day outside school and festival holidays. Avoid Mondays, when the caves are closed.