Pick-up from your hotel
Drive from Sigiriya / Dambulla to Anuradhapura, breakfast box on board.
~2 hrs
Anuradhapura Day Tour
Walk among giant stupas and join pilgrims at the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi in Sri Lanka's first great capital.
One day. Unforgettable.
Overview
Sri Lanka's first great capital, home to the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi and some of the largest stupas of the ancient world. Explore the sacred city with a guide by car, with an option to cycle between the ruins.
Tour highlights
- Sri Maha Bodhi, the sacred fig tree planted over 2,200 years ago
- Ruwanwelisaya, the great white stupa
- Thuparamaya, the island's oldest stupa
- Jetavanaramaya and Abhayagiri, giant brick stupas of the ancient world
- Twin Ponds (Kuttam Pokuna) and the Samadhi Buddha
- Isurumuniya rock temple and its famous "Lovers" carving
- Morning offerings alongside pilgrims
- Optional cycling between the ruins
- Total tour time
- ~10.5 hrs (06:30–17:00)
- Driving
- ~4 hrs (return)
- Sightseeing
- ~5 hrs
- Meals & breaks
- ~1 hr
Timed around the best light and the smallest crowds
How your day unfolds
-
06:30
-
08:30
ExperienceSri Maha Bodhi & Brazen Palace ruins
Join pilgrims making morning offerings at the sacred Bodhi tree; see the stone pillars of the Lovamahapaya.
~1 hr -
09:30
Experience
Ruwanwelisaya & Thuparamaya
Walk around the great white stupa, then visit Thuparamaya, the first stupa built after Buddhism arrived.
~1 hr -
10:30
ExperienceAbhayagiri, Samadhi Buddha, Twin Ponds & Moonstone
Abhayagiri monastery and museum, the serene Samadhi Buddha, the Kuttam Pokuna bathing ponds and the carved moonstone.
~1.5 hrs -
12:00
Lunch
Sri Lankan rice & curry at a local restaurant.
~1 hr -
13:00
ExperienceJetavanaramaya
One of the tallest structures of the ancient world, built of millions of bricks.
~45 min -
14:00
ExperienceIsurumuniya Rock Temple
Rock-cut temple, the "Lovers" carving and the Royal Pleasure Gardens.
~45 min -
15:00
Return drive
Back to Sigiriya / Dambulla.
~2 hrs -
17:00
Arrive at your hotel
End of tour.
We'll collect you from your hotel
Pick-up points & travel time
| Starting from | One-way travel | Pick-up | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sigiriya / Dambulla | ~1.5–2 hrs | 06:30 | Recommended |
| Habarana | ~1.5 hrs | 06:45 | Recommended |
| Kandy | ~3.5 hrs | 05:00 | Long day (~13 hrs) |
| Colombo | ~4.5 hrs | 04:30 | Very long; better with an overnight |
Before you go
What to bring
- Light clothing covering shoulders and knees (white is traditional)
- Socks for walking on hot stone
- Hat, sunscreen and water
Good to know
- Shoes come off at every sacred site, and the stone gets hot by midday.
- Full moon (Poya) days, especially Poson in June, are very busy with pilgrims.
- An entry ticket for the ancient city is bought on arrival. Keep it, as it's checked at several sites.
- Times are a guide and may shift with traffic, weather and the group's pace.
Optional add-ons
- Bicycle tour between the sites
- Mihintale, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka (~20 min away; ~1,800 steps)
- Combine with a Wilpattu safari as a two-day trip
Part of these round tours
Big adventures, one day at a time
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08
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- Duration
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- Level
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