Whales, Wildlife & Ancient Cities
Ten days from Colombo through Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy to Ella, Yala and the whale coast at Mirissa, finishing with two beach nights in Hikkaduwa.
View TourDestination guide
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's first ancient capital, founded over two thousand years ago and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Anuradhapura is considered the cradle of Sri Lankan Buddhism — home to the Sri Maha Bodhi, said to have grown from a cutting of the original Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, along with several of the island's oldest and largest dagobas (stupas).
What to expect
- The Sri Maha Bodhi — one of the oldest continuously documented trees in the world
- Several enormous ancient dagobas (stupas), some among the tallest brick structures ever built
- A large, spread-out archaeological site — a bicycle or tuk-tuk makes it easier to cover
Tours that include Anuradhapura
Every tour is private and can be adjusted to spend more or less time here.
Grand Ceylon Discovery
Thirteen days that follow the island's royal cities from Anuradhapura to Kandy, then climb to the tea hills, enter Yala and finish on the southern coast.
View Tour
14 Days Sri Lanka Tour: Anuradhapura, Kandy, Ella & Bentota
Sacred Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa by bicycle, Kandy, the hill train to Ella and an elephant safari at Udawalawe, then four nights at Bentota.
View TourComplete Sri Lanka Expedition
Two weeks around the island with a private driver-guide: ancient cities, Kandy, tea hills, the scenic train, two safaris and Galle Fort, ending in Mirissa.
View Tour15 Days Sri Lanka Tour: Trincomalee, Anuradhapura & Yala
Fifteen days of ancient capitals, east-coast sand, tea country and a Yala jeep safari, finishing on the Bentota coast with your own driver-guide all the way.
View Tour
Grand Sri Lanka Odyssey
A fifteen-day private loop from Negombo to Mirissa: sacred cities, a restful east-coast stay at Trincomalee, Kandy, Ella, two safaris and Galle Fort.
View Tour
The capital forover 1,000 years
Anuradhapura ancient city: the first capital
The Anuradhapura ancient city was the capital of Sri Lanka for more than a thousand years, and it is still an active place of pilgrimage. The Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred fig tree grown from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha reached enlightenment. Nearby you will see the white dome of the Ruwanwelisaya, the huge brick mass of Jetavanaramaya and the ruins of Abhayagiri monastery, spread across a wide, green area.
The Sri Maha Bodhi
A sacred fig tree grown from a cutting of the tree where the Buddha reached enlightenment.
Early and late
It is hot at midday, so we plan visits for the morning and the late afternoon.
Poya days
The full moon brings crowds of pilgrims in white, and heavy traffic.
Visiting Anuradhapura respectfully
Anuradhapura is a sacred site, so dress modestly, take your shoes off at the shrines and ask before you take photographs. Many travellers hire bicycles or a tuk-tuk for the ruins, while a driver-guide explains what each building was for. It is hot at midday, so we plan visits for the early morning and late afternoon. Anuradhapura is a long day trip from Sigiriya or a stop on the way north, and our tours can include a night here.
Poya days, which fall on the full moon each month, bring large crowds of pilgrims dressed in white. It is a moving sight, but traffic is heavy, so tell us if your dates match and we will adjust the plan.
Nearby and easy to combine
Planning a visit to Anuradhapura?
Tell us your dates and interests and we'll build a private itinerary around it.