Polonnaruwa/Minneriya or Kawudulla Safari/Sigiriya
01 Night / 02 Days
USD 560.00 for 02 Pax
Trip starts from Colombo or Negombo and it is about 220 km to Polonnaruwa and will take approximately 5 hours. Stop at Kurunegala for breakfast and continue to Polonnaruwa. visit ancient “World Heritage Site” – Second Capital City of ancient Sri Lanka (11th - 13th century AD), Sri Lanka’s splendid medieval capitol Polonnaruwa is a classic ‘Sleeping City’. It replaced Anuradhapura, plundered made desolate and laid hopelessly bare to the invading armies from South India. In its time, a 6 Km. long rampart protected the city and three kings dominated the annals of the city and the period. The ancient remains consist of a walled inner and outer city, surrounded by monasteries and temples, with palaces, gardens and man-made lake, The Gal Vihara is a Buddhist rock-cut temple containing four great masterpieces of world sculpture. One of the most striking features in Polonnaruwa is the vast Prakrama Samudra, of 5940 acres, an irrigation tank (lake) built, as the name indicates by King Parakramabahu the Great, and so well named his ‘sea’, is one of the best examples of how advanced engineering and construction skills prevalent during ancient times. It remains as the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa. The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated Chola invaders in 1070 to reunite the country once more under a local leader. Afternoon do a safari in a jeep at Minneriya or Kawudulla. Minneriya National Park. Located in the North-Central province, on the main road to Polonnaruwa and covers an area of 8889 ha while Kawudulla National Park is about 6656 ha. This two parks are famous for large herds of elephants and many other animals. Proceed to hotel in Sigiriya.Overnight stay at Sigiriya on Dinner & Brakefast basis. ( Airconditioned moderate room)After brakefast climb the Rock Fortress Sigiriya, a world heritage site. Sigiriya is famous for it's palace ruins on top of a massive 200 meter high rock surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures.
The rock itself is a lava plug left over from an ancient long extinct volcano. It is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescoes), which are similar to those found at Ajanta Caves in India. It is generally agreed, however, that the Sigiriya Frescoes exhibit a uniquely Sri Lankan style. Sigiriya may have been inhabited through prehistoric times.It was used as a rock-shelter mountain monastery from about the 5th century BC, with caves prepared and donated by devotees for the Buddhist Monks. Sigiriya Museum shows photos of the excavation of Sigiriya, reproductions of the frescoes, examples and translations of some of the graffiti on the Mirror Wall, and artifacts excavated from the site. You can probably view the museum in about 1 hour. After the Sigiriya, you can do a village tour in the Sigiriya village, this is a typical countryside experience to a rural village in Sigiriya. The trek begins with a beautiful walk along to a man-made reservoir. You will also experience a boat ride, bullock cart ride, walk through vegetable cultivation, paddy fields and enjoy an authentic Sri Lankan lunch at a Village house. Return to Colombo or Negombo hotel. ( 4 1/2 hours)
Tour Cost Includes:
- Transfers in an air conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver guide from Colombo / Negombo to Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, and back
- Entrance Ticket to Sigiriya / Polonnaruwa
- Safari in Minneriya or Kawudulla National Park by a Jeep, Including entrance tickets
- Accommodation in a A/C moderate room
- Cost for the Village tour with lunch
- Lunch and Refreshments