Polonnaruwa Ruins and Minneriya Evening Safari
Meet your driver at your hotel in Negombo and travel to Polonnaruwa. Sri Lanka's second most ancient kingdom, Polonnaruwa became the capital of Sri Lanka following the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993 AD. This incredible urban creation, built by King Parakramabahu I, is famous for its unusual shapes and dimensions that connect the buildings with their surroundings.
Delve into this once-flourishing civilization and discover how three species of monkeys have reclaimed the site. Polonnaruwa is abundant with magnificent ruins and beautiful ancient temples. Wander around the Royal Palace from the period of King Parakramabahu I (1153 - 1186). Once a massive structure with 50 rooms, today its impressive walls still stand strong.
Admire Shiva Devale No. 2, the oldest Hindu temple in Polonnaruwa, built of stone and tucked away in a small forest clearing. Explore the stunning collection of ruins in the Sacred Quadrangle, where at the centre stands the Vatadage, with four entrances leading to the place where the Sacred Tooth Relic was once housed.
Venture to the massive Rankot Vihara, a large stupa, and walk through the monks' quarters. A lovely tribute built to the king's queen, Dagaba Kiri Vihara is a perfectly preserved dagaba, lovingly repainted by devotees before the Vesak Poya every year.
Marvel at the massive 17 m (55 feet) Buddha statue at Lankatilaka and end your explorations in front of four magnificent Buddha figures at Gal Vihara, cut from a single slab of granite.
Head to Minneriya National Park to experience an amazing evening safari. Located in the heart of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle, Minneriya's scenery offers just the kind of respite one might be looking for after exploring ancient ruins. The park's centrepiece is the 300-square-hectare water tank, built by King Mahasena in the 3rd century BC, which today attracts herds of wild elephants that gather on the shores to drink and cool off in the thick afternoon heat. The dry tropical forest, lush wetlands, sweeping grasslands, and scrub support an incredible variety of wildlife, including mugger crocodiles and fish in the lake itself. Around it, little cormorants, painted storks, herons, and large pelicans fish in the shallow waters, while in the trees hide skinks, red-lipped lizards, tree frogs, hanging parrots, Sri Lankan junglefowl, and grey hornbills. Buffalo, sambar, and spotted deer wander through the grasslands, while macaques and purple-faced langur monkeys swing from branch to branch in the treetops among an enormous number of birds.
Head back to your hotel in Negombo once the safari ends.
