Listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, the Buddhist Caves at Ajanta are some of the most oft visited and popular tourist attractions, warranting a constant flow of tourists, photographers and history buffs from the world over. The rock cut cave monuments stand on the cliff side of hills that are encircled by lush greenery, with meandering brooks and waterfalls that are pleasing to the eyes, especially in the lush months of monsoon and winter.

You could visit the Ajanta Caves any time of the year, but summers are hot and dry and you might not be able to able to let sink in the magnificence of the place in its full entirety. Further the Ajanta Ellora Dance and Music Festival organized by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, usually held in October to November, shows that the monsoon and winter months (June – February) are the best months to visit Ajanta Caves.

Summers are the hottest months of the year and the regions do get as hot as the cities in the plains. It’s hot, humid and dry and summers are naturally not considered touristy months, as the Ajanta Caves sightseeing trip demands a lot of walking as well. If you are planning on a summer visit, start on an early trip from Aurangabad and try to finish exploring as many caves as possible before the hot mid-day sun sets in. But the caves are cool and you could take respite from the heat with a few minutes spent in the caves.

The average temperature ranges from 27°C to about 38 - 40°C and you wouldn’t see a lot of tourists at the Ajanta Caves during these months. If you are visiting in summer, carry plenty of water and put on sun screen lotion and a hat.

The south west monsoon rains are good in a way, as they turn the landscape lush and green and a number of waterfalls that crop up over the hill sides and the brooks that meander across the valley that are a beauty to watch. That said, monsoon is the best time to enjoy the beauties of nature’s bounty that turns the dry summers into a soft green landscape. Most tourists prefer visiting Ajanta Caves during the monsoons, when the region is cool for photography as well.

But you might find light to occasional heavy rains over the region that might throw a damper on sightseeing trips. Do carry a raincoat and put on sensible, hardy shoes that could help in clambering up the steps that lead to the caves.

Months between December to February are peak tourist seasons when you might find a whole lot of tourists exploring the Ajanta Caves. The days are dry and cool with clear skies, if not quite chilly at nights and most tourists prefer visiting Aurangabad and exploring the Ajanta Caves during these months. The landscape still retains its greenery post monsoon and you could still check out the charming streams and tiny waterfalls that drop down the cliffs.

Winters have ample possibilities for sightseeing to your hearts’ content and indulge in taking photographs. You could also club in a visit to charming tourist places in Aurangabad, with places like Aurangabad Caves and Bibi Ka Maqbara on the list. Carry soft and light woolens for the nights.