Colombo Trip Overview
If you have only a limited time in Sri Lanka and want to take an easy day trip from Negombo or Colombo then book this private tour to Anuradhapura. Get a sight into the country’s ancient past as you explore the monuments and ruins of the UNESCO-listed site. The remnants of Anuradhapura are unequivocally the most expressive sites of South Asia. This sprawling complex is composed of an opulent collection of architectural and archaeological marvels: gigantic brick towers, crumbling temples, humongous dagobas and archaic pools that were all constructed during the rule of Anuradhapura which went on for several thousand years. At present, most of the sites there remain in use solely as temples and holy places.
• Personalized private tour
• English speaking chauffeur
• Lunch in a local restaurant provided
• Hotel pick up and drop off included
Additional Info
Duration: 10 to 12 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 have only a limited time in Sri Lanka and want to take an easy day trip from Negombo or Colombo then book this private tour to Anuradhapura. Get a sight into the country’s ancient past as you explore the monuments and ruins of the UNESCO-listed site. The remnants of Anuradhapura are unequivocally the most expressive sites of South Asia. This sprawling complex is composed of an opulent collection of architectural and archaeological marvels: gigantic brick towers, crumbling temples, humongous dagobas and archaic pools that were all constructed during the rule of Anuradhapura which went on for several thousand years. At present, most of the sites there remain in use solely as temples and holy places.
• Personalized private tour
• English speaking chauffeur
• Lunch in a local restaurant provided
• Hotel pick up and drop off included
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Sri Maha Boodhi Temple, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the sacred city of Anuradhapura. Your first itinerary for the day will be the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya. It 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.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ruwanwelisaya, Abhayawewa Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Next you’ll visit Ruwanweliseya. Ruwanweliseya, also known as the Swarnamali Maha Chaitya, is the most venerated and well known stupa in Sri Lanka. The stupa was constructed by King Dutugemunu in 140 BC. It’s one of the world’s tallest monuments, standing at 103 metres with a circumference of 290 metres.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Isurumuniya Temple, At Royal Pleasure Gardens, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Your next stop will be the Isurumuniya Vihara. The Isurumuniya Viharaya was constructed during the reign of Devanampiya Tissa who governed in Anuradhapura, the country’s capital. There are magnificent carvings in this temple which have attracted large numbers of locals and tourists. The Elephant Pond, the carving of the Royal Family and the unforgotten Isurumuniya Lovers are among the most attractive carvings of this majestic temple.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Dagoba of Thuparama, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Next you’ll visit the Dagoba of Thuparama. Located in the sacred area of Mahamewna park, the Thuparamaya Stupa is the earliest Dagoba to be constructed in the island, dating back to the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa. It stores the right collar bone of Lord Buddha which was brought by Mahinda Thera, son of Ashoka, and gave it to the then king Devanampiyatissa who enshrined the Relic by building a Stupa over it.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Jethawanaramaya Stupa, Watawandana Road B341, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Next you’ll visit Jethawanarama. Jethawanaramaya Stupa built by King Mahasena (276-303) 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.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Twin Baths (Kuttam Pokuna), Watawandana Road, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Finally you’ll visit the Kuttam Pokuna. “Kuttam Pokuna” or “Twin Ponds” is a unique creation of ancient architecture and considered as one of the significant achievement in hydrological engineering in ancient Sri Lanka. As the name suggests, there are two ponds in this creation. It has been identified that these ponds were used to collect water for the Abhayagiri Vihara monks to bath.
Duration: 20 minutes
