🏨 Full Day Tour to Polonnaruwa from Negombo Activity

Full Day Tour to Polonnaruwa from Negombo

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From $123.75

Price varies by group size

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Pricing Info: Per Person

Duration:

Departs: Colombo, Colombo

Ticket Type: Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Free cancellation

Up to 24 hours in advance.

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Overview

This is an all inclusive full day tour covering all historical places of Polonnaruwa, delving into the rich history of the former medieval capital of Sri Lanka. Travel back in time to the Golden Age of Polonnaruwa under the reign of King Parakramabahu the Great (1153A.C-1186A.C). This includes the marvel of Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Gal Vihara, Nissanka Latha Mandapaya and more. From its outlook, Polonnaruwa has a cosmopolitan mix of cultures – Indian Hindu and Sinhalese Buddhist. In 1073, King Vijayabahu drove the Cholas away but kept Polonnaruwa as his capital city. Take time to see the remains of ancient stupas, shrines, palaces, buildings, monasteries, tanks and parks, each one narrating its own story of a glorious past.
⁃ Full day all inclusive day tour
⁃ Transport provided in a private air conditioned vehicle
⁃ Visit the ruined city of Polonnnaruwa
⁃ Hotel pick up and drop off included

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle

All entrance fees

Bottled water

Hotel pick up and drop off

Lunch

Private transportation

What's Not Included

Gratuities

Restroom on board

WiFi on board

Traveler Information

CHILD: Age: 1 - 17
ADULT: Age: 18 - 75

Additional Info

Face masks required for guides in public areas
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Regular temperature checks for staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Temperature checks for travellers upon arrival

Face masks required for guides in public areas
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Regular temperature checks for staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Temperature checks for travellers upon arrival

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

What To Expect

Polonnaruwa Vatadage

The Vatadage of Polonnaruwa is the best preserved example of a circular temple, round edifices being a characteristic feature of ancient Buddhist architecture in Sri Lanka. Such circular temples contain small stupas and are therefore also called Chetiyagaras, which translates to stupa houses. The Vatadage has been built during the reign of Polonnaruwa’s most famous king, Parakramabahu I (1153-86), who is also called Parakrambahu the Great. The circular temple is believed to have sheltered Sacred Tooth Relic, the Sinhalese national palladium, which had been kept in the nearby rectangular structures previously.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Gal Vihara

Gal Vihara, a temple outside the walls of Polonnaruwa, is home to colossal carved statues depicting the key periods of the life of Buddha. The central feature of the temple is four rock relief statues of the Buddha, which have been carved into the face of a large granite rock. The images consist of a large seated figure, another smaller seated figure inside an artificial cavern, a standing figure and a reclining figure. These are considered to be some of the best examples of ancient Sinhalese sculpting and carving arts, and have made the Gal Vihara the most visited monument at Polonnaruwa.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Nissanka Latha Mandapaya

Nissanka Latha Mandapaya is a unique structure in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. Built by King Nissanka Malla (1187 1196), it is a masterpiece of the highest order. Located in Polonnaruwa’s ancient town, this magnificent monument vividly depicts the amazing skill of the ancient stone carvers of Sri Lanka. It is thought that the monument named after him gave the king refuge as he listened to pirith or chanting Buddhist doctrines. Nissanka Latha Mandapaya consists of an elevated stone platform and elaborately sculpted stone pillars. The pillars of stone are of amazing beauty. In each column is sculpted a crown in the form of a lotus bud.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Sathmahal Prasada

The Satmahal Prasada is a 12th century step pyramid located in the northeast corner of the archaeological complex of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. It is believed to be a stupa because it is located in a Buddhist environment. It is a building unique in the area, of unknown builder and purpose. It is made of brick and a layer of plaster. It has seven floors, although the seventh only barely remains. It has a square plan, with a lateral staircase. It presents the same decoration on its four sides. On the ground floor, there is a false entrance. On the upper floors, there is a sculpture at the centre of each wall, surrounded by an arch and the holes for anchoring a niche or a similar structure.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Pothgul Viharaya

Pothgul Viharaya is an old library and monastery in the Polonnaruwa district of Sri Lanka. The ruins of this ancient library date back to the twelfth century. The name Pothgul itself means 'Bookstore'. The library was as a place to store Buddhist books built with bricks, but now it is nothing but a demolished historic site. It was once part of a monastery and provide shelter to resident monks. It was thought to be a Buddhist library complex where Buddhist writings were studied.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

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