Colombo Trip Overview
This 2 days tour gives you an opportunity to explore three of the most important UNESCO world heritage sites in Sri Lanka, the second kingdom of Polonnaruwa and the Rock fortress of Sigiriya with Dambulla Cave Temple. You will be amazed by the ancient architecture and magnificent buildings and their ruins in these historical monuments.
• Cover ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa Kingdom
• Discover UNESCO-listed 5th-century rock fortress, Sigiriya
• Explore Dambulla Cave Temple
• Explore the marvel of most iconic landmarks in Sri Lanka
• Capture remarkable; archaeological sites of 11-13th century
Additional Info
Duration: 2 days
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
This 2 days tour gives you an opportunity to explore three of the most important UNESCO world heritage sites in Sri Lanka, the second kingdom of Polonnaruwa and the Rock fortress of Sigiriya with Dambulla Cave Temple. You will be amazed by the ancient architecture and magnificent buildings and their ruins in these historical monuments.
• Cover ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa Kingdom
• Discover UNESCO-listed 5th-century rock fortress, Sigiriya
• Explore Dambulla Cave Temple
• Explore the marvel of most iconic landmarks in Sri Lanka
• Capture remarkable; archaeological sites of 11-13th century
Itinerary
Day 1: Colombo – Polonnaruwa
Stop At: Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Sacred City, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
The Polonnaruwa Vatadage is an ancient structure dating back to the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa of Sri Lanka. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Parakramabahu I to hold the Relic of the tooth of the Buddha or during the reign of Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa to hold the alms bowl used by the Buddha. Both these venerated relics would have given the structure a great significance and importance at the time. Located within the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, it is the best preserved example of a vatadage in the country, and has been described as the “ultimate development” of this type of architecture. Abandoned for several centuries, excavation work at the Polonnaruwa Vatadage began in 1903.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Gal Vihara, 440/225 Palm Grove State Minuwangoda road, Polonnaruwa 51000 Sri Lanka
The Gal Vihara is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in north-central Sri Lanka. It was constructed in the 12th century by Parakramabahu I. The central feature of the shrine is the four images of the Buddha, which have been carved into the face of a large granite rock. The images consist of a large seated figure, another, smaller seated figure inside an artificial cavern, and standing figure and a reclining figure. These are considered to be some of the best examples of ancient Sinhalese sculpting and carving arts, and have made the Gal Vihara one of the most visited monuments in Polonnaruwa. The images of Gal Vihara follow a different style than the images of the previous Anuradhapura period, and show some significant differences. The identity of the standing image is subject to a certain amount of dispute among historians and archaeologists, some of whom argue that it depicts the monk Ananda rather than the Buddha.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Nissanka Latha Mandapaya, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Nissanka Latha Mandapaya is a one of a kind structure in the old city of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. Worked by King Nissanka Malla (1187-1196) and named after him, it is situated close to the western passageway of the Dalada Maluva, the zone that contains the most seasoned and most holy landmarks in the city. An adjacent stone engraving distinguishes this as the building utilized by Nissanka Malla to tune in to pirith (droning of Buddhist sacred writings). The structure is a lifted stone stage with various stone segments and encompassed by a low stone divider. These stone sections are the remarkable element about the Nissanka Latha Manadapaya, since they are cut in a way that is discovered no place else in the nation. The eight stone segments are masterminded in two lines, with four in each line. Probably used to help a rooftop, every one of them is roughly 8 feet 4 inches (2.54 m) in stature.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Rankoth Vehera, Ancient Bhikku Hospital, Polonnaruwa 51000 Sri Lanka
Rankot Vehera is the 4th largest stupa in the country after Ruwanveliseya, Jetawanarama and Abhayagiriya in Anuradhapura. Built by King Nissanka Malla (1187-1196), it is 55 meters in height 185 meters in circumference. This is the largest Stupa in Polonnaruwa. Initial name of this has been “Ruwanmali dagaba” and this is a probably an attempt to build a similar Stupa to the Ruwanveliseya of Anuradhapura. A rock inscription east to the Stupa describes how the King Nissanka Malla (1187-1196) supervised to the work of this temple sitting at that place.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Kiri Vehera, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
This stupa popularly known as Kiri Vehera is located in Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The stupa is also a part of the archaeological site called Alahana Pirivena. The origin of this stupa not exactly traced yet. However, it is speculated that this was done by Queen Subhadra, a consort of King Parakramabahu the Great (1153-1186). This is the second largest stupa in Polonnaruwa. The lime plaster of the dome is better preserved compared to the most of other stupa found in Polonnaruwa. Probably the present name “Kiri Vehera” also derived due to this preserved lime plaster.
Duration: 20 minutes
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Polonnaruwa
Day 2: Polonnaruwa – Dambulla – Sigiriya – Colombo
Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to 157 Buddha images, stunning paintings and an array of spectacular Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100m2). The main attractions of the temple are spread over five caves: Devaraja Viharaya, Maharaja Viharaya, Maha Alut Viharaya, Pachima Viharaya and Devana Alut Viharaya. All caves are filled with beautiful Buddha figures, but perhaps the most impressive is the Maharaja Viharaya, otherwise known as the “Temple of the Great King”. The main feature of this cave is the life-size granite Buddha statue, which appears to have once been covered in gold leaf. It is because of the gold traces found on the statue, experts believe that it may be one of the gilded statues completed by Nissanka Mala. The Maharaja Cave is also the largest, measuring in at 52m by 23m with a 7m high ceiling. From the ceiling, is a constant drip of water that collects in a vessel to be used for sacred rituals.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Around 15km northeast of Dambulla, the spectacular citadel of Sigiriya rises sheer and impregnable out of the denuded plains of the dry zone, sitting atop a huge outcrop of gneiss rock towering 200m above the surrounding countryside. The shortest-lived but the most extraordinary of all Sri Lanka’s medieval capitals, Sigiriya (“Lion Rock”) was declared a World Heritage Site in 1982 and is the country’s most memorable single attraction – a remarkable archeological site made unforgettable by its dramatic setting. The entire site is a compelling combination of wild nature and high artifice – exemplified by the delicate paintings of the Sigiriya damsels which cling to the rock’s rugged flanks. Interestingly, unlike Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, there’s no sign here of large-scale monasteries or religious structures – Kashyapa’s Sigiriya appears to have been an almost entirely secular affair, perhaps a reflection of its unhallowed origins.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: No accommodation included on this day
