3 Days Ancient Capital Cities

3 Days Round trip from Pickup service provided in Colombo. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa
  • 02 Visit sacred sites in Anuradhapura including Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanwelisaya
  • 03 Climb the iconic Sigiriya Lion Rock fortress
  • 04 Take in views from Pidurangala Rock
  • 05 Discover the historic Dambulla Cave Temple
  • 06 Travel with private air-conditioned transport and an English-speaking chauffeur guide

Discover the rich heritage of Sri Lanka on this 3-day journey through some of the island’s most celebrated ancient capitals. Designed for travellers short on time, this tour brings together remarkable archaeological sites, sacred Buddhist landmarks, and iconic rock temples in Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Pidurangala, and Dambulla.

Explore the ruins of Polonnaruwa, visit revered sites in Anuradhapura including Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanwelisaya, climb the legendary Sigiriya rock fortress, and experience the dramatic setting of Dambulla Cave Temple. With private transport, hotel pickup and drop-off, and an English-speaking chauffeur guide included, this is a convenient way to experience Sri Lanka’s ancient history in just three days.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Anuradhapura, Colombo, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

COLOMBO - POLONNARUWAMeet and Greet your Chauffer guide from Bandaranayake Inertnational Airport or your Hotels in Colombo and Head to Polonnaruwa.

Polonnaruwa is one of the must most important archaeological sites in Sri Lanka and many tourists visit the city during their holidays. Most monuments in Polonnaruwa are closely related to two religions, Buddhism and Hinduism. 

The Royal Palace, Lankatilaka Gedige (Temple), Gal Vihara (Temple), Demala Maha Seya (Temple) & Thuparama

Once you completed your 1st Day of your tour you will be Overnight stay in Polonnaruwa Hotel.

2
Day 02

POLONNARUWA - ANURADHAPURA -SIGIRIYAAnuradhapura the capital of Sri Lanka from the 05th Century B.C. to the end of the 10th Century A.D. was the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities.The city’s most renowned relic is the sacred Bo Tree, which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained Enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago and is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world. (Mihintale, Jaya sri maha Bodhi, Isurumuniya, Ruwanwelisaya)Once you completed your tour in Anuradhapura after check in at your hotel In Sigiriya (2Hrs Drive) for Overnight stay.

3
Day 03

SIGIRIYA – PIDURANGALA - DAMBULLA – COLOMBOClimb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ' the Lion Rock'. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns. Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past.Your 2nd destination will be a Pidurangala Rock a massive rock formation almost directly opposite Sigiriya. Pidurangala has an equally majestic view as the former of rolling lake-and-land vistas. Short of viewing it through drone footage, the summit of Pidurangala is also the best possible place to get an eyeful the rock fortress itself.After Lunch proceed to Sri Lanka's Largest Rock Dambulla Cave Temple built on a 600 feet high Rock Located at an elevation of 1118 feet from the sea level rises a massive rock from the surrounding plains of Dambulla of 600 feet high and over 2000 feet in length. It is home to the Worlds most acclaimed Cave complex of magnificent Buddha Images and Rock Paintings of vivid colors and shapes constructed and painted from around 2nd Century BC (Anuradhapura era ) and continued up to the Kandyan era of the 18th Century.Once you completed your Ancient Capital 3 Days tour you will be safely return back to your Hotel in Colombo or dropped at Airport

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Colombo. 5 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • Driver/guide
  • Transport by air-conditioned (Van/ Car)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • English Speaking Chauffeur

What's Not Included

Food and drinks

Know before you go

  • WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
  • INFANTS MUST SIT ON LAPS
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • All Hotels in Colombo
  • Bandaranayake International Airport (CMB)
  • All Hotels in Negombo

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Colombo.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Colombo.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 3 days finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Colombo..

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