Child looking at wild elephants from jeep in Minneriya

Elephants and temples in Buddha’s garden

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Minneriya
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 279.- per adult (excluding flights)
From £ 229, - per child (up to 11 years)
Highlights:
✓ Climb the iconic Sigiriya Rock
✓ Search for elephants on a jeep safari in Minneriya
✓ Cycle around the ruins of Polonnaruwa

This trip will take you on a discovery of Sri Lanka's fascinating Cultural Triangle. Your journey will begin by climbing Sigiriya's mighty rock fortress, before you arrive at Sri Lanka's ancient capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Polonnaruwa. You'll feel as if you've been transported back in time as you wander, and pedal, through the ancient stone city. To avoid you becoming 'templed out', we've also included a jeep safari in nearby Minneriya National Park which is home to large herds of elephants.

Day 1 – Sigiriya and on to Polonnaruwa

Today you’ll travel towards Polonnaruwa and after a few hours’ drive, the giant Sigiriya rock will start to loom in front of you. In earlier times this rock fortress, also known as the ‘Lion Rock’, was covered with hundreds of frescoes and a grand palace stood atop. An exciting climb along the winding stairways lies ahead, passing through the rock-carved lion’s paws to reach the summit. Once at the top, you’re rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the wild green jungle. Time for a family photo.

Day 2 – Polonnaruwa cycling and …

After breakfast, your driver will take you into town where you’ll collect your hired bike and cycle around the ancient ruins at your family’s pace. The town was once the capital city of Sri Lanka and there are still many interesting relics left over from this period, from palaces and bathhouses to ancient temples. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the country’s history. After you’ve pedalled your way through town, you’ll head to a small farmers’ restaurant where you can refuel with some super-authentic Sri Lankan cuisine.

… jeep safari in Minneriya National Park

To avoid becoming ‘templed out’ in the Cultural Triangle, and keep the day exciting for all the family, this afternoon you’ll head into nearby Minneriya National Park on a jeep safari. The park is home to large herds of wild elephants, which are easy to spot and observe, due to the wide, open landscape. Between the drier months of June and September in particular, hundreds of elephants can be seen gathering around the park’s lakes in search of water.

Day 3 – Departure from Polonnaruwa

After breakfast today, you’ll check out of your hotel and head to the next stop on your family adventure.

If you’re heading south towards Kandy then you’ll stop off at the cave temples of Dambulla, located up in the hills with sweeping countryside views. Here, you’ll find caves crammed full of statues and paintings of the kings of Anuradhapura. You’ll wander through each cave and discover fascinating statues of the grand Buddha.

If you’re kids are history buffs, then you may be interested in our Leopards, Lakes and Royal Palaces trip that includes a night in another former capital, Anuradhapura.