Day-trip Anuradhapura and Thanthirimale - Heritage Tour

Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
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Duration8h - 9h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

This is a combination of highlights of Anuradhapura with a less-visited charming site further northwest, Thantirimale being an interesting heritage destination for several reasons. It has the second-largest reclining Buddha, a very unique specimen of a Bo-tree, and pre-historic cave paintings. Moreover, the sacred area of Thanthirmale is situated in a very pleasant and somewhat strange setting.

Our experienced drivers are known for careful driving. They have been doing these tours for 5 years. Their cultural & historical expertise well-founded.

What's included

  • Total Parking charges
  • Knowledgeable English speaking driver
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Passenger Insurance cover 500,000 LKR P.P
  • Road Tax & Insurance Tax
  • Total fuel cost
  • Replacement vehicle in case of unlucky events - with new driver
  • 1000 ml bottled drinking water per person
  • Entry fees of visiting site or activities
  • Extra person in vehicle other than those who booked
  • Extra excursions not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Food, meals, other beverages than water

What to expect

  1. Thanthirimale Rajamaha Viharaya
    1h 30m
    Thanthirimale is the location of Sri Lanka's most famous love story, the island's version of Romeo and Juliette. It's a romantic site indeed. What visitors can see at this pilgrimage site are a large reclining and a smaller seated Buddha in the style of Polonnaruwa. The ancient Bo-tree grows atop a large turtleback rock. This is considered to be a natural miracle. Though Thanthirimale is a very charming place and of some historical significance, it is still not crowded with tourists.
  2. Nellikulama Temple
    20m · Admission ticket not included
    On the way back from Thanthirimale we stop at the modern temple of Nellikulama, which has become a noticeable site recently, as life-size sculptures of the 500 Arahats or disciples of the Buddha are standing here in a long line one after another.
  3. Sri Maha Boodhi Temple
    1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
    In the afternoon we will first visit the most famous places of Anuradhapura, namely the famous Bo-tree and the nearby pillars of the Brazen Palaca and the refectory hall of the Mahavihara complex and the large white dome of the Ruwanweli stupa. We also visit the world's largest surviving stupa, which is known as Jetavanarama Dagoba. It's also the world's largest bakestone building. The Thuparama is the oldest stupa in Anuradhapura, adorned with several circles of carved pillars and two moonstones.
  4. Isurumuniya Temple
    1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
    In the late afternoon, we visit three more historical sites in the very soith of Anuradhapura, namely the Isurumuniya rock temple, which is famous for its rock carvings, the Goldfish Park called Ranmasu Uyana in Sinhala, which has the most enigmatic and mysterious carving of Sri Lanka, and the very ancient monastic rock shelters of Vessagiriya, where traces of rock paintings from the Anuradhapura period can still be seen. You can enjoy sunset at Tissa Wewa.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup details

We will be welcoming you in the lobby of your hotel or for your convenience at a meeting point of your choice in Anuradhapura New Town.

Departure time is immediately after pick-up time in case you reserved this tour exclusively (no other persons in the same vehicle that day)

Additional information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
$170.00 per group
Check availability & book
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by Lanka Excursions Holidays · Booked through Viator
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