Day excursion to the UNESCO heritage sites Polonnaruwa, Sigirya and Dambulla

Itinerary
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Stop At: Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka

Polonnaruwa is an ancient city in Sri Lanka and forms part of the “Cultural Triangle” along with Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Kandy and Dambulla. It served as the capital city for nearly 2 centuries between the 11th and 13th centuries AD and is an incredible day trip destination in Sri Lanka. During its time as a capital, Polonnaruwa was ruled by the Kings Vijayabahu I, Parakramabahu the Great and Nissanka Malla – all 3 of these rulers devoted themselves to fostering agriculture, religion and social development and the kingdom prospered under their reign during this era.

Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Main Road, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka

Sigiriya literally means ‘Lion Rock’ after the shape of entrance to the rock fortress which was in the form of a recumbent lion whose remnants could still be seen in the gigantic paws at the entrance to the palace. A palace indeed, for it served for a short period of about a decade and a half as the political hub of Sri Lanka. Sigiriya is probably the best preserved and glorious of the surviving, planned cities of South and Southeast Asia of the first millennium of the Christian era. For a number of reasons including its fascinating surroundings, its plan and conception and its degree of preservation, Sigiriya occupies a foremost position in the history of urbanism in Asia. Sigiriya’s urban form consists of a series of central environs, the outer moat of which not yet completely explored – seems to form a correctly geometrical rectangle. These successive environs are centered on the grand Sigiriya rock. The city plan has been identified as a rectangular form almost 3km from east to west and 1km from north to south.

Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka

Dumbulla cave temple complex consists of many caves. Out of those, five of them are most prominent. Those five continues caves have many Buddha statues and cave walls and ceiling are decorated with paintings. Those provides ideal opportunity to witness the ancient artistic styles and talents of early day Sri Lankan artists. According to records, those murals covers the area of 2100 square meter of area and totally 157 statues. Those paintings are belonging to Anuradhapura kingdom (2nd century) to Kandian kingdom (18th century)

Duration: 30 minutes