Anuradhapura
is a garden of dagobas
Welcome to Anuradhapura
The ruins of Anuradhapura are one of South Asia’s most evocative sights. The sprawling complex contains a rich collection of archaeological and architectural wonders: enormous dagobas (brick stupas), ancient pools and crumbling temples, built during Anuradhapura’s thousand years of rule over Sri Lanka. Today, several of the sites remain in use as holy places and temples; frequent ceremonies give Anuradhapura a vibrancy that’s a sharp contrast to the museum-like ambience at Polonnaruwa.
Top experiences in Anuradhapura
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Anuradhapura activities
3-Day Sri Lanka Cultural Tour: Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla including Jeep Safari at Minneriya National Park
Day 01: Colombo - Sigiriya (approx. 4.5 hrs) [D]Morning pickup from your hotel in Colombo or Bandaranaike International Airport by 9am and leave for Sigiriya. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel in Sigiriya and later spend the rest of the day at Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The 5th-century rock citadel of King Kasyapa and World Heritage Site - Sigiriya -boasts of ancient Sri Lankan engineering and urban planning supremacy acclaiming to be one of the finest monuments of art and culture. Surrounded by ramparts and moats, the Lion Rock, resembling the mythological 'City of Gods', is coated by frescoes that relate to Gupta style paintings found in the Ajanta caves of India. Walk in the shade of an eminent 'mirror wall' embracing the Western face of Sigiriya representing an artistic hundred meters laminated with graffiti. Dinner and overnight stay at Fresco Water Villa.Day 02: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Minneriya - Sigiriya [B, D]After breakfast transfer to Polonnaruwa (approximately 1.5 hrs.). Rising with the decline of Anuradhapura, the city of Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital and crown jewel of King Parakramabahu, remains superior proof of ancient culture and heritage blended with religious beliefs. Walk across its scattered walls of the World Heritage Site that is blessed by stupas resting Buddha statues, irrigation canals and fantastically carved Hindu sculptures while observing the relic house Watadage that boasts of beautiful stone carvings. The Nissankamalla Council Chamber is, however, a head-spinning beauty to just sit back and observe with its swaying pillars reminding the aesthetics of a powerful kingdom which rests beside Parakrama Samudraya - sea of Parakramabahu & masterpiece of irrigation.Later transfer from Polonnaruwa to Minneriya and explore Minneriya National Park by a Jeep Safari (approx. 3 hrs). If you're up for a serious rumble in the jungle, Minneriya is your Colosseum! Spreading over 8800 hectares, this is a sanctuary for elephants. Minneriya is home to herds of deer and ample bird-life, but its spotlight remains between swaying trunks & flapping ears. In fact, depending on the season, this is the largest elephant gathering in the world - over 700 at a time - which has garnished the park to become a magnet for wildlife enthusiasts across the globe. Return to the hotel in Sigiriya. Dinner and overnight stay at Fresco Water Villa.Day 03: Sigiriya - Dambulla - Colombo [B]After breakfast proceed to Dambulla and visit the famous Dambulla Cave Temple (approx. 30 mins). As an icon in the face of Sri Lanka, Dambulla Rock Temple houses some of the most unique drawings in magnificently constructed 5 cave temples flanking the golden temple of Dambulla. Afterwards return to Colombo and transfer you to your hotel in Colombo or Bandaranaike International Airport.
Private Tour: Wilpattu National Park Safari
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura, North Central ProvinceSeek out Sri Lanka’s native wildlife, including leopards and elephants, on a private safari at Wilpattu National Park. Aboard a comfortable, private 4x4 with a driver-guide, roam the forest, grassland, and lakeside trails of the island’s biggest national park. Watch for Sri Lankan leopards, sloth bears, monitor lizards, and crocodile, and see everything from deer and wetland birds to turtles. Admission at own expense, with a choice of a morning, afternoon, or Full day safari.Duration: 4 hours
Awesome 14-Day-round-the-Island-Tour
1st day - Pick up from airport or 8.30 from hotel, drive from Colombo/Negombo to Habarana, visit Dambulla cave temple, overnight stay in Habarana2nd day – Visit Sigiriya rock (UNESCO-protected site), after breakfast climb Sigiriya lion rock, in the evening climb and see sun set from Pidurangala rock, overnight stay in Habarana3rd day – Drive from Habarana to Polonnaruwa, sightseeing of the ancient city, in the evening visit Minneriya national park and enjoy wild-elephant- safari, overnight stay in Habarana4th day – Drive from Habarana to Anuradhapura, visit the sacred cities of Anuradhapura and Mihintale, overnight stay in Anuradhapura5th day – Drive from Anuradhapura to Trincomalee, overnight stay in Uppuveli beach front hotel for relaxing and enjoying beach side6th day – Early morning boat tour to Pidgeon Island and diving there, overnight stay in Uppuveli beach front hotel 7th day – Visit Trincomalee with Koneswaram temple, Fort Fredrick, Novel museum, Kanniya hot springs, overnight stay in Uppuveli beach front hotel8th day – Drive from Trincomalee to Kandy, route via Nalanda Gedige temple, visit spice garden in Matale, Aluvihare rock temple and Matale Hindu temple, overnight stay in Kandy9th day – Visit Kandy, Tooth Relic temple and Royal Botanical garden in Peradeniya, evening walk around Kandy lake, overnight stay in Kandy10th day – Going from Kandy to Ella by train (6-hour-tour), enjoying view of hills and tea plantations, overnight stay in Ella11th day – Visit 9-Arch-Bridge and Ella Water falls, small hiking tour, overnight stay in Ella12th day – Drive from Ella to Yala, early morning leaving from Ella, visit Yala national park, overnight stay in Yala13th day – Drive from Yala to Galle, stop at most southern point Dowundara with lighthouse, visit Galle Fort (UNESCO-protected site) and Dutch quarter, overnight stay at Unawatuna beach front hotel for relaxing and enjoying beach side 14th day – Drive from Galle/Unawatuna to Colombo airport, if schedule allows (depending on flight departure time) visit gem producer in Galle or Turtle hatchery in Kosgoda
Amazing Nature & Landscape
Day 01 - Arrive in Sri Lanka. You will be met by a representative of Amazing Escapes Tours and transferred to the hotel at Negombo for the day. Overnight stay at Camelot Beach Hotel or Similar.Day 02 & 03 - Proceed to Anuradhapura En route visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. • Anuradhapura City Tour (8 sacred Places) Overnights stay at Anuradhapura (Heritage Hotel or Similar)Day 04,05 & 06 - Habarana • Visit Dambulla Cave Temple • Sigiriya Rock • Ayurvedic Spa • Village Tour • Elephant Ride Overnights stay at Dambulla (Pelwehera Village Hotel or Similar)Day 07 & 08 – Kandy En-Route visit Matale Spice Garden • Visiting Temple of the tooth • Peradeniya Botanical Garden • Cultural Dancing show • Gem Museum & Gem Shop • Kandy View Point Spend both nights at Kandy. (Heaven Seven Hotel or Similar)Day 09 & 10 - Nuwara Eliya • Tea Factory • Seetha Ammaan Temple • Ramboda Falls • Horton Plains • Ambewela Farm • Moon Plains • Strawberry Farm Spend both nights at Nuwara Eliya. (Heaven Seven, Nuwara Eliya or Similar) Day 11 & 12 - Ella • Nanu Oya to Ella Train Ride • Ella Rock • Nine Arch Bridge • Mini World's End Spend both nights at Ella. (Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel or Similar) Day 13 - Yala • Yala Safari Spend the night at Yala (The Adventire Yala Hotel or Similar)Day 14 & 15 - Mirissa • Dolphin & Whale Watching Overnights stay at Mirissa. (Palace Mirissa Hotel or Similar) Day 16 & 17 - Bentota • Madu River (International Wet Land) Tour by boat • Water Sports at the Bentota Beach • Galle City Tour (the Dutch City) Both nights stay at Bentota (Heaven Seven Hikkaduwa Hotel or Similar) Day 18 - Departure Day • Colombo City Tour, Visit Gangarama Temple, BMICH, Galle Face Beach (Depends on the flight time) - End of Tour -
Round tour 08 Days with certified chauffeur and car
Itinerary in detailDay 1 Colombo > Anuradhapura Morning start from your hotel or airport on arrival Proceed to Elephant park [2 & 1/2 hours] (104 Km) Enjoy elephant safari, bath & feed Proceed to Anuradhapura [205 Km] (4 & 1/2 hours) Evening explore first ancient capital, man made city Anuradhapura Day 2 Anuradhapura > Mihintale > SigiriyaMorning proceed to Sigiriya [02 hours] (90 Km) En route visit Mihintale buddhist monastery Enjoy Traditional village tour, Catamaran ride, bullock cart ride, Coocking program in Habarana Evening Trekking to Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress UNESCO heritage siteDay 3 Sigiriya > Polonnaruwa > SigiriyaMorning proceed to Polonnaruwa [1 & 1/2 hours] (60 Km) Explore UNESCO heritage site, second ancient capital, man made city Polonnaruwa, Afternoon proceed to Minneriya national park for safari (01 hours) [38 Km] Enjoy Jeep safari, Wild life visit in Minneriya National park, Proceed to Sigiriya, Cycling tour in VillageDay 4 Sigiriya > Dambulla > Matale > Kandy > Nuwara eliyaMorning leave from Sigiriya to Kandy, [85 Km] (3 hours) En route visit Rock Cave Temple & Golden Temple in Dambulla En route visit Herbal & Spice garden in Matale (Optional) Reach to Kandy Enjoy City tour & sightseeing in Kandy Visit Upper lake view point, Cultural dancing show, Temple of tooth relic, Kandy lake, Visit Art & craft, Gem & Jewelry, Silk & Batik shops (Optional) There after proceed to Nuwaraeliya [ 78 km ] ( 2 1/2 hours )Day 5 Nuwara eliya > Horton plain > [Train tour] > EllaEarly morning proceed to Horton plain national park & trekking with sightseeing Afternoon return to Nuwara eliya & sightseeing in Nuwara eliya, Train tour from Nanuoya to Ella by Train in Evening, Meet tour guide & car in Ella railway station and proceed to HotelDay 6 Ella > Udawalawe > Mirissa Early morning enjoy trekking to Ella Rock, Visit Rawana waterfall, Ella Gap, Proceed to Udawalawe national park [03 hours] (98 Km) Enjoy Jeep safari, Elephant visit, Bird watching in Udawalawe national park, Evening proceed to Mirissa, [3 & 1/2 hours] (125 Km)Day 7 Mirissa > Unawatuna > Galle > MirissaMorning(As per weather conditional suggest for Whale & dolphin watching in Mirissa) Leisure in hotel & beach Evening visit to Unawatuna beach & visit to Dutch fort, Light house, UNESCO heritage site GalleDay 8 Mirissa > Airport Leave from Mirissa to Airport [3 hours] (180 Km)
8 Day Cultutral and Wildlife tour around Sri Lanka
08 days tour Day 1 • Picking you from the Colombo airport by our guide. • 1st night at Negambo hotel. • Leaving next day to Wilpattu. Day 2 • Tour to -Willpattu. • Safari in the Willpattu park in the evening (to see the leopards) • Night at the hotel in Wilpattu. Day 3 • Tour to Anuradhapura with site seeing.(Tempals,Ancient Bhodi tree,Ancient Castles,Ruines) • Cycling - around Anuradhapura ancient sites. • Night at the hotel in Anuradhapura. Day 4 & Day 5 • Tour to Trincomalee • Visiting Trincomalee Nilaweli beach. • Site tours to Hindhu Temples, pigeon island and Marble beach.(2 days tour and 2 nights) Day 6 • Visiting Sigiriya and Dambulla. • Climbing Sigiriya rock, Pidurangala Temple. • Watching spice gardens • Night at the Hotel in Dambulla. Day 7 & Day 8 • Visiting Kandy. • Temple of The Tooth Relic , Waterfalls & city tour around Kandy city. • Pinnawala Elephant orphange. • Night at Kandy. • Visiting Nuwaraeliya. • 2nd Night at Kandy again. Follwing next day Return to Colombo.