Discover Sri Lanka's famous wildlife park and enjoy the presence of many leopards and sloth bears. Sri Lanka is one of the few countries in the world where the population lives side-by-side with free-roaming animals and yala is an ideal witness for wildlife holidaymakers.
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Polonnaruwa & Habarana: Eco Safari and Ancient City Tour
$270
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Inclusions
- Transportation in a Comfortable A/C Vehicle
- English speaking guide for the entire tour
- 4X4 Safari Jeep
- Mineral Water Bottle
- All Government Tax & Charges
Exclusions
- National Park Entrance fees
- Any other services not mentioned above
Tour Plan
Another UNESCO world heritage site, according to the chronicles, during the 12th century a prince of great metal and physical vigour hailing from the Rohana (Southern part of Sri Lanka) forced his way to the throne of Sri Lanka as King Prakrama Bahu the great. Establishing himself in Polonnaruwa, a capital worthy of authority and ambition of the ruler, he proceeded to show himself as a successful warrior and a great administrator, during which time he, through a medium of a dam nine miles long created the Sea of Parakrama” harvesting rain water to be used in the dry period of the year for cultivation purposes, carving the irrigation brilliance of Sri Lankan’s in stone, when most of Europe where still in darkness. In a period of prosperity with the objective of storing food many such projects were undertaken some of which function even today. Today vast ruins stand sentinel bearing witness in Polonnaruwa to his power and glory.
Minneriya national park is located 182 kms away from Colombo, in the North Central Plains of Sri Lanka. The major city closest to Minneriya National Park is Polonnaruwa. May to October is the best period to visit Minneriya National Park in view of the famous Gathering of the wild elephant herds. The gathering is documented as the largest known meeting place of Asian Elephants in the world. During the dry season of August to September each year, herds up to 300 elephants are seen within a few square kilometers of the vast Minneriya Reservoir. This Elephant Gathering is a thrilling spectacle that would be remembered for the rest of the life of all those who were fortunate enough to witness it. 24 species of mammals and over 170 species of birds have been recorded here and out Of the 25 species of reptiles recorded in the park 8 are endemic.
Habarana is a small city in the Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka. The city is famed for its chain of high class tourist resorts. Habarana is a popular tourist destination for safari lovers as it is the starting point for safari's in the nearby Habarana jungle and the Minneriya sanctuary which is heavily populated by elephants. Elephant back riding is also an attraction in this small city. Habarana is situated nearby to the Eighth Wonder Of The World Sigiriya and is situated on the main road from Colombo to Trincomalee & Polonnaruwa. The population of the city is expected to be in the area of 5000-10,000. An authentic Sri Lankan experience in the jungles of Habarana to stay in ecofriendly, going safari in many places such as Minneriya, villages Cycling etc..
Itinerary
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Stage 1
safari tour at Yala National Park and witnessing the wide range of animals such as leopards, bears, elephants, deer, crocodiles, and many more who roam freely in the wild. Yala National Park is a national park in Sri Lanka. The reserve covers 979 km², although only the original 141 km² are open to the public. It was established in 1894 as a Game Sanctuary. Much of the reserve is parkland, but it also contains jungle, beaches, freshwater lakes and rivers and scrubland. The latter zone is punctuated with enormous rocky outcrops. The range of habitats give rise to a good range of wildlife. The Yala National Park Safari Tour from Ella brings you the great opportunity of experiencing a soothing village environment along with the rich cultural composition of Yala.
Cancellation Policy
- We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 1 day or less before the event
- We will charge a cancellation fee of 0% if booking is cancelled 1000 days or less before the event
Meeting / Pickup
Pick-up only: Customers must be picked up from selected pick-up locations.
Please Note
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not stroller accessible
- Not suitable for pets
- No public transportation nearby
- Infants must not sit on laps
- Infant seats unavailable
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Reviews
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4 Comments
4.4
We truly enjoyed our eco safari and the journey through the ancient city. The highlight was definitely spotting elephants in Habarana; the experience felt intimate and respectful of nature. However, the tour felt slightly rushed at times, and we wished we had more time to wander around Polonnaruwa’s remarkable ruins.
4.8
The blend of rich history and vibrant wildlife made for an unforgettable experience, with the ancient sites truly transporting me back in time. I did find the transportation a bit cramped at times, but the knowledgeable guide kept the atmosphere lively and engaging.
4.4
We had an exciting time exploring Polonnaruwa’s ancient sites and the vibrant landscapes during our eco safari near Habarana. The ruins were stunning, especially the Gal Vihara, but the midday heat made our wanderings a bit tiring at times.
4.6
Exploring the ancient ruins in Polonnaruwa felt like stepping back in time, and the intricate carvings captivated my imagination. I particularly loved the safari aspect, where I spotted a family of elephants playing near a waterhole in Habarana—an experience I’ll cherish forever. However, the pacing felt a bit rushed at times, leaving me wishing for more moments to soak it all in.