Explore the Gallery of Archeology 4 Day tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
COLOMBO – DAMBULLA – MINNERIYA SAFARI – SIGIRIYA
8 stops
1
You will be pick up air conditioned vehicle and transfer to Dambulla. Pick up will be airport or Colombo city
Admission ticket free
2
Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs
Ibbankatuwa Ancient burial ground lies five kilometers before the Dambulla town on the Kurunegala-Dambulla Road. An archeological Department board will indicate the turn off from the main road. The site is reached by traveling about 500m in to this road. The site was developed in to a tourist attraction in 2017 and was formally open to the public.
Admission ticket free
3
Enderagala Wana Senasuna is a Buddhist temple in a calm and quiet location in Dambulla in the Matale District of Sri Lanka. According to the inscription found in the caves, the history of this temple dates back to the 2nd – 1st century B.C. The temple is located beside the Ambepussa – Kurunegala – Trincomalee (A006) Highway, only 6km away from the Dambulla city. You can reach Enderagala Wana Senasuna withing15 minutes from Dambulla Cave Temple.
Admission ticket free
4
Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre
Located in the Dambulla Secretariat Division of Matale District, in the center of Dambulla town started in 1999 to establish a wholesale market for vegetables and fruits. One important feature of the DDEC is thus a more direct participation of the farmers is selling farm produce.
Admission ticket free
5
Dambulla Cave Temple
The Rock Temple of Dambulla, called Jumbukola Vihara (Dambulla Cave Temple) in the (Mahavamsa)-the principal Pali Chronicle of Sri Lanka, is situated about forty seven miles north west of Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhalese kings, on the main road to Anuradhupura. Dambulla is a scent of unique interest. Its rock temples are the most extensive in the Island, and one of the most ancient, and in the highest state of preservation and order.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
6
Golden Temple of Dambulla
One of Sri Lanka's most frequented, appealing, and well-liked tourist destinations is Dambulla. Buddhist ideas are present in this historical and religious location, which allows visitors to sense that special sensation before even arriving in the city. (photo stop)
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
7
Oakray Woodcarvings
From typical wooden elephant ornaments to the more intricately carved wooden traditional masks, Oak Ray Wood Carving boasts of one of the more comprehensive wood carving collections in Sri Lanka. The ‘Oak Ray’ brand, primarily catering to the hospitality needs of tourists has diversified its name into the niche of handicrafts and has quickly become a go-to establishment to find that perfect memento of your journey around the Paradise Island of Sri Lanka.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
8
Minneriya National Park
Safari at Minneriya National Park is one of best spot to capture wiled-animals in Sri Lanka. It is home to 200+ elephants, monkeys, crocodiles and even a handful of leopards. The park has opened in 2002, is surrounded by grasslands and can be visited year-round to see elephants and other great wildlife. See why this is the best national park in Sri Lanka. Explore the largest known meeting place of Asian Elephants in the world. During this period herds, up to 300 elephants are seen at the 8,890-hectare park within a few square kilometers of the Minneriya Reservoir. In August and September each year during the dry season, wild elephants from the surrounding wilderness in search of food and water, make their way to the shores of the Minneriya Reservoir adjoining the Minneriya National Park. A huge herd of elephants, sometimes numbering up to 300, converge together within a few square kilometers of the lake.
3 hours • Admission ticket not included
Day 2
SIGIRIYA – ANURADHAPURA
16 stops
9
Sigiriya Museum
This decent museum has a fine diorama of the site, providing an excellent overview and explaining Sigiriya's cultural importance beyond the obvious natural beauty. The theory that Sigiriya was a Buddhist monastery is given here, although the established position that it was a palace or fortress prevails. (Combine with Sigiriya fortress)
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
10
Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress
Rising dramatically from the central plains, the enigmatic rocky outcrop of Sigiriya is perhaps Sri Lanka's single most dramatic sight. Near-vertical walls soar to a flat-topped summit that contains the ruins of an ancient civilization, thought to be once the epicentre of the short-lived kingdom of Kassapa, and there are spellbinding vistas across mist-wrapped forests in the early morning.
3 hours • Admission ticket not included
11
Sigiriya
Optional Tours • Village safari-Canoe Ride, Bull cart ride, tuktuk safari and Sri Lankan Food
2 minutes • Admission ticket free
12
Mihintale
Mihintale Mountain, with the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, began to serve as a residential area for the venerable monks headed by Arahath Mahinda Mahathera. But soon, with the royal patronage, the sanctuary housed a multitude of with monastic buildings-stupas, uposathgharas, bodhigharas- to serve the monks. Sixty eight cave dwellings provided the monks shade and shelter. Mihintale, the sanctuary for many thousands of laymen as well as holy men, had all the facilities and amenities for basic living.
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
13
Ruwanwelisaya
As the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka, Ruwanwelisaya is considered to be an icon of architectural glory in ancient Sri Lanka. Ruwanwelisaya, rising with its glory in the city of Anuradhapura, tops the list among Buddhists’ sacred places. Ruwenwelisaya bears witness for his incomparable service to revive Buddhism in the country. It is located just a short walk away from Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura. The stupa is one of the eight places of veneration situated in Anuradhapura which are places believed to have been visited by Buddha during his three visits to Sri Lanka.
15 minutes • Admission ticket not included
14
Abayagiriya Stupa
Jethawana Stupa is the largest stupa in the Sri Lanka. It was originally 400 feet (122 meters) in height and was the third tallest building in the world at that time. Even today as a brick monument, Jethawanaramaya still remains the tallest of its kind in the world.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
15
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
 Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka is the oldest living tree in documented history of the world. It is a sapling from the historical Bodhi tree under which Buddha enlightened. It was planted in 288 BCF and is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date. It was brought from Buddhagaya India by the Ven. Sanghamitta Therini, a sister of Arhant Mahinda – who introduced the Teachings of the Buddha to Sri Lanka. 
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
16
Isurumuniya Temple
This charming rock temple, dating from the reign of Devanampiya Tissa (r 307–267 BC), is set around a lovely lotus pond, the corner of which is carved with images of elephants playfully splashing water. The central temple has some particularly fine mural paintings. Climb around the back to the rock summit to see the bell-shaped stupa and a pair of Buddha footprints etched into the rock.
20 minutes • Admission ticket not included
17
Abhayagiri Dagaba
Dating back to the 1st century BC, this colossal dagoba was the ceremonial focus of the 5000-strong Abhayagiri Monastery. Originally over 100m high, it was one of the greatest structures in the ancient world, its scale only matched by the pyramids of Giza (and nearby Jetavanarama). Today, after several reconstructions, Abhayagiri Dagoba soars 75m above the forest floor. Visually, it's stunning, and your first glimpse of this brick monument through a gap in the surrounding forest is breathtaking.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
18
Ranmasu Uyana is situated north to the Isurumuniya.The originator of this garden is lost in the history but Ranmasu Uyana was probably established as an alternate to all the parks donated to the maha sanga. Each of these ponds are designed with precision irrigation techniques so that the water from tissa weva passed through all the ponds and tanks in the garden before releasing them for irrigation work.
Admission ticket free
19
Twin Baths (Kuttam Pokuna)
Explore Twin Baths (Kuttam Pokuna), the scenic set of bathing ponds built between the 6th and 8th century by monks of Abhayagiri Monastery. Located near the ancient city of Anuradhapura, the pools not only capture the eyes of tourists with their architectural beauty, but also with their functionality. Notice how their position makes them seem identical, even though one outsizes the other by about 12 m (39 ft) in length. 
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
20
Moonstone or Sandakada pahana
The moonstone (Sandakada Pahana)  is a permanent feature of the buddhist building of all historical periods. This is a semi circular piece of stone which stood at the foot of a flight of steps in most buddhist buildings. Although the moonstone is generally semi circular, Sometimes you can come across square moonstones. It is thought that the moon stones originated as blank square stone and later developed in to a semi circular shape. This again developed to include multitude of carved decorations in later stages.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
21
Samadhi Statue
Samadhi Statue is considered one of the best sculptures in the Anuradhapura era. It is thought to be done during the 3rd or the 4th century. It is made out of dolomite marble and stands 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 metres) in height.  The statue’s eyes are hollow indicating they were impressed with crystal or precious stones.It is said that when you look at the face of the statue from three sides they show 3 different features.Today this stature is covered by concrete structure which has somewhat destroyed the beauty of this statue.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
22
Mirisaveti Stupa
Mirisawetiya Dagaba has been built by King Dutugamunu (161-137 BC) and this belongs to Mahavihara Complex.It is said that he called this dagaba “Mirisavatiya” because the king forgot to present a food made out of chilli (miris) to the Buddhist priests before he consumed it. It was the practise of the king to present a portion of all the food which is cooked in this castle to the priests before he consume it.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
23
Lovamahapaya
Lovamahapaya in Sri Lanka, also known as the Brazen Palace or Lohaprasada, is a set of ruins with hundreds and hundreds of stone pillars that lie between the stupa Ruvanvelisaya and the Great Bodhi Tree of Anuradhapura. This is the location of a once mighty nine storied monastic structure built by the King Dutugemmunu in the 2nd century BC.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
24
Tissa Wewa
Tissa Wewa is an ancient irrigation tank was built by King Devanampiya Tissa (250-210 BC). Only Panda Wewa and Abhaya Wewa are considered to be older than Tissa Wewa. The embankment of Tissa Wewa is 11,000 feet long (Two miles) and 25 feet high. The width of the top of the reservoir was found to be 12 feet to 18 feet. Base of the embankment is 160 feet. Tissa Wewa has an area of approximately 550 acres.
Admission ticket free
Day 3
ANURADHAPURA – POLONNARUWA–SIGIRYA
9 stops
25
The impressive Royal Palace, located in Sri Lanka's historic city of Polonnaruwa, was built between 1153 and 1186 during the reign of King Mahaparakram Bahu. Due to its significant historical significance, UNESCO designated the Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu as a World Heritage Site in 1982
20 minutes • Admission ticket not included
26
The circular building of Dalada Maluwa, also known as Terrace of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, is a beautiful work of art and architecture of the 12th century. It was built by King Parakrambahu the great (1164-1196AD), it was later enhanced and decorated by King Nissankamalla (1198-1206).
20 minutes • Admission ticket not included
27
Vatadage
This lovely Stupa House (Vatadage) was constructed before Nissanga Malla's (1187–1196) reign, but he carried out significant renovations on it. Thus, what you see today was probably created by him.(20 minutes- combined with Dalada Maluva)
20 minutes • Admission ticket not included
28
Rankoth Vehera
Rankoth Vehera is the 4th largest stupa in Sri Lanka. It was built by the Nissanka Malla(1187-1196) it is one of the most sought after tourist attractions, i.e. 'dagobas' of the country.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
29
Gal Vihara
Gal Vihara is a rock temple of Buddha which is in the north of Sri Lanka. It is located in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Polonnaruwa. It has four rock statues, each portraying different figures of Buddha. The third one is a standing figure, and the fourth is a reclining figure.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
30
Samudra Parakrama
Parakrama Samudra is a water reservoir which consists of five different lakes namely Thopa, Dumbutulu, Erabadu, Boo, Katu tanks. Parakrama Samudra is a water reservoir which consists of five different lakes. It is also known as King Parakrama's Sea and is in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. Topa Wewa is the oldest reservoir here which was built around 386 AD.
Admission ticket free
31
The Nelum pokuna or the Lotus bath is a small stone bath of completely unique design, built in tiers of eight petalled lotuses. The jewel of the architecture lies hidden along the lonely road to the northern city, well away from the bus loads of pilgrims and tourists.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
32
Thivanka Image House
The Buddha statue at the Thivanka Pilimage is about 8 meters in height but today the part of the statue above the head has been destroyed. The inside walls of the buildings has been decorated with frescoes showing the Jataka Stories (prior births of Buddha before enlightenment). As most other structures of this era, this is too built with bricks including the statue.The Buddha statue at the Thivanka Pilimage is about 8 meters in height but today the part of the statue above the head has been destroyed.
Admission ticket free
33
Kiri Vehera
The Kiri Vehera of Polonnaruwa is said to have been built by a queen of king Parakramabahu (1153-1186). The original name of this has been "Rupavathi Stupa" and this too is a part of Alahana Privena. Its cylindrical surfaces are divided in to eight parts with pilasters between the pilasters are figures of deities with hands in the attitude of adoration. According to Paranavithana, the stupa had 16 reliefs telamons supporting the pseudo-entablature which was badly weathered. The two identical stupas south to the Lankathilaka is thought to be built upon remains of a king and a queen.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
Day 4
SIGIRIYA – COLOMBO
2 stops
34
Dambulla
The largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, the nearby Sigiriya rock castle, and the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium—famous for being constructed in just 167 days—are some of the area's main draws. Additionally, the region is home to the Iron Wood Forest, also known as Na Uyana Aranya, and South Asia's greatest range of rose quartz mountains.
Admission ticket free
35
Colombo
On the final day of this tour from Sigiriya we will drop you back to Colombo with lots of unforgettable memories. Drop to Colombo City Or Airport
Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions

Show 7 more

Tags