Sigiriya & Minneriya Safari Tour from Anuradhapura

From $162 • 9 hours • Ceylon Travel Dream • Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka • Pickup available • Free until 1 day before

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Why we love it?

The Sigiriya & Minneriya Safari Tour from Anuradhapura offers a full-day exploration of two of Sri Lanka's most iconic sites. This 9-hour experience is ideal for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike, combining a visit to the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya with a wildlife safari in Minneriya National Park. Participants will benefit from the insights of an English-speaking guide while enjoying comfortable transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle. The tour stands out for its unique blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty, allowing travelers to witness the rich biodiversity of the park, including the famous elephant gatherings, alongside the historical significance of Sigiriya.

Inclusions

Transportation in a A/C Vehicle
English speaking guide for the entire tour
All Govt. Taxes and Surcharges
Mineral Water Bottle

Exclusions

Entrance Fees
Any tours to cities not mentioned above
Any other services not mentioned above

Itinerary

Step 1

• Sigiriya, also called Lion Rock Situated in central Sri Lanka consisting of the ruins of an ancient stronghold that was built in the late 5th century on a remarkable monolithic rock pillar. Sigiriya was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. The rock, which is so steep that its top overhangs the sides, rises to an elevation of 1,144 feet above Sea level and is some 600 feet above the surrounding plain. The Sinhalese king Kashyapa built a palace in the shape of a monumental lion on the several acres of ground at the summit, intending it to be a safeguard against his enemies. However, the king was defeated in 495, and the palace fell into ruin. The site soon became a pilgrimage destination, however, and it is now a popular tourist spot. Visitors begin the final ascent to the top through the open paws of the lion, one of the few remaining portions of the palace that are still intact.

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. The recently renovated, the ancient Minneriya Rainwater Reservoir irrigates a considerable area of the district of Polonnaruwa and is the focal point of the Minneriya National Park. 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.