Elephants & temples in Buddha’s Garden
Bite-sized trip
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. Once you’ve made it to the top, you’ll get the chance to take in the stunning panoramic views of the wild green jungle, before continuing your journey to the town.
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 own pace. The town was once the capital city of Sri Lanka and there are still many interesting relics leftover 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 you becoming ‘templed out’ in the Cultural Triangle, in the 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 towards your next destination.
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 really interested in Sri Lanka’s history then you may be interested in our Leopards, Lakes and Royal Palaces trip that includes a night in another former capital, Anuradhapura.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Elephants & temples in Buddha’s Garden - In Style
For this bite-sized trip we have an alternative option available for your accommodation. Our In-Style hotel is a stylish, boutique property that has been designed to blend in with the peaceful surroundings. The swimming pool is perfect for a refreshing dip after a day of exploring. If you would like to upgrade your accommodation for this bite-size trip select our In Style option below.
