Colombo Trip Overview
If you would like to visit one of the most ancient and historical cities in Sri Lanka, then the first city that should pop up in your mind is no other than Polonnaruwa! When you visit Polonnaruwa, you will see why it is one of the most beautiful and green cities in the country. Take time to see the remains of ancient stupas, shrines, palaces, buildings, monasteries, tanks and parks, each one narrating its own story of a glorious past. You will be transported in an air conditioned vehicle with a personalized private tour guide.
• Hassle free two way hotel transfers
• Flexible tour itinerary with an experienced tour guide
• Explore the medieval kingdom of Polonnaruwa
Additional Info
Duration: 12 to 13 hours
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
If you would like to visit one of the most ancient and historical cities in Sri Lanka, then the first city that should pop up in your mind is no other than Polonnaruwa! When you visit Polonnaruwa, you will see why it is one of the most beautiful and green cities in the country. Take time to see the remains of ancient stupas, shrines, palaces, buildings, monasteries, tanks and parks, each one narrating its own story of a glorious past. You will be transported in an air conditioned vehicle with a personalized private tour guide.
• Hassle free two way hotel transfers
• Flexible tour itinerary with an experienced tour guide
• Explore the medieval kingdom of Polonnaruwa
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Sacred City, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
The Polonnaruwa Vatadage is among the most impressive protective buildings, or vatadage in Sri Lanka. Its origins may be conflicted by many historic texts, however, it is widely believed to be a shrine of the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha during the kingdom’s glory days, which makes the stone structure a very significant part of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist culture and history. The Vatadage is more or less unique architecture of ancient Sri Lanka, which exists in many parts of the country, but it is best expressed by this single monument in Polonnaruwa, as it is the least damaged and has undergone extensive restoration throughout the years.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Gal Vihara, 440/225 Palm Grove State Minuwangoda road, Polonnaruwa 51000 Sri Lanka
Gal Vihara, also known as Gal Viharya was previously called Uttararama. It is a part of the Polonnaruwa Park and one of the most popular tourist attractions of the Central Province in Sri Lanka. As you enter Gal Vihara, you will be amazed by the huge statues of Buddha, one in sitting position, one in reclining and the third one in standing position. These are carved out of a single granite rock. You will find a fourth, much smaller Buddha figure seated inside an artificial cavern.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Vejayanta Pasada,King parakramabahu, W2V2+282, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Parakramabahu Palace, called Vijayanta Prasada, is a magnificent seven-storey structure. It was built by King Parakramabahu, the great Polonnaruwa ruler who built the Parakrama Samudra. Although much of it is now in utter devastation, one can imagine how grand it once used to be. The remaining walls show grooves where vertical timber columns and wooden floors rose up like a step pyramid, reducing in area as with each floor. The palace consists of one main wall surrounded by 40 interconnecting rooms. The palace and its courtyard are protected by walls, which were then encircled with another outer wall.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Lankathilaka Image House, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Lankathilaka Image House is a monolithic Buddha image house built by king Parakramabahu (1153-1186) lying on the South of Kiri Vehera. The complex is built in the typical ‘Gedige’ style, which is inspired by Indian architecture reminiscent of that of the Ellora Caves in India. The outer walls of this shrine are incredibly thick stone and brick structures. They are wonderfully carved with eye-popping details of palaces and gods on the lowermost corners close to the ground and in other areas. Each of these impressive carvings is carefully incised into the smooth stone. Each detail perfectly three-dimensional due to the light and shadow that plays on them.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Rankoth Vehera, Ancient Bhikku Hospital, Polonnaruwa 51000 Sri Lanka
Rankoth Vehera is the largest stupa in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa and the 4th largest in Sri Lanka. Boasting of impressive craftsmanship and religious significance, the temple follows a design that resembles that of its counterparts in Anuradhapura, implying the importance of Buddhism during the time. According to a stone inscription close to the stupa, the original name of the complex was called ‘Ruwanweli’, due to its close resemblance to its Anuradhapura counterpart. However, it later came to be known as ‘Rankoth Vehera’, which literally translates to ‘Golden Pinnacle’ temple.
Duration: 45 minutes
