• Ruwanwelisaya - With a circumference of 370 feet and a height of 180 feet, Ruwanweliseya is the third largest stupa in Sri Lanka and the centerpiece of the Maha Vihara, the country’s first monastery. It is believed to house a significant amount of Buddha’s relics and is designed to resemble a water bubble. At the eastern entrance stands a statue of King Dutugamunu. According to records by the 5th-century Chinese Buddhist monk Fa Hsien, the Maha Vihara monastery was home to at least 3000 Buddhist monks. After King Dutugamunu’s death, the stupa was renovated by successive Sinhalese kings until King Nissanka Malla (1187-1196 AC). By the 19th century, Anuradhapura, once the world’s greatest monastic city and known as Anurogrammon by Greek cartographer Claudius Ptolemy (90-168 AD), was abandoned, and Ruwanweliseya fell into ruin.

• Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi - It is astonishing but true that this small tree, with limbs so delicate they need iron supports, is the oldest historically verified tree in the world, at 2,250 years old. It has always had dedicated caretakers, even during the reign of King Keerti Sri Rajasingha, who built a wall around it. In 1966, it was enclosed with a golden railing. The ancient Sinhalese Buddhist monuments of Anuradhapura are clustered around this Peepal tree (ficus religiosa), known as Sri Maha Bodhi, a sapling from the tree under which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment in Buddha Gaya, Northern India. The sapling was brought to Sri Lanka by the Buddhist nun Sanghamitta, daughter of King Asoka of India, in the 3rd Century B.C. To the north of this well-protected tree are three great monasteries: the Mahavihara, the Abhayagiri, and the Jetavana.

• Abayagiriya Stupa - Spanning 200 hectares, Abhayagiri Monastery was founded by King Valagamba, also known as Vattagamini Abhaya (109 BC-89-77 BC), after reclaiming his throne from Dravidian invaders. The monastery was built on the site of a destroyed Jain hermitage, whose ascetic Giri had mocked the king during his earlier flight from the invaders. The monastery was gifted to Buddhist monk Thera Mahatissa in gratitude for his support during the king’s exile. The main stupa, Abhayagiri Stupa, was built over a footprint of Buddha. The monastery’s Bo tree is an offshoot of the Sri Maha Bodhi tree. Originally 370 feet tall, Abhayagiri Dagoba was once the second tallest dagoba in Sri Lanka.

• Isurumuniya Temple - Built by King Devanampiyatissa, Isurumuniya Temple is located near the Royal Pleasure Gardens by Tisaweva (Tissa rainwater reservoir). Partly constructed into a cave with a pool in front and a boulder forming the rear wall, the temple is a treasure trove of intricately carved stone sculptures. The rock face behind the pond features carvings of a herd of elephants and a noble horseman with his horse. The temple also houses the famous ‘Isurumuniya lovers’ sculpture, now in the Isurumuni Archaeological Museum. The lovers are believed to be King Dutugamunu’s son Saliya and his consort Asokamala.

• Dagoba of Thuparama - Thuparama dagoba, standing 20 meters high and 60 feet in diameter, is one of the smallest ancient stupas, built by King Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd century BC. It is believed to enshrine Buddha’s collarbone relic. Renovated by King Aggabodhi II in the 7th century, the stupa was originally surrounded by monolithic pillars that supported a circular roof, a characteristic Sinhalese architectural feature. The roof no longer exists. Initially constructed in a ‘paddy-heap’ shape, its current ‘bell’ shape dates to an 1862 renovation. Nearby are the ruins of a hospital, evidenced by an intact medicinal trough and an oil bath carved from stone.

• Jethawanaramaya Stupa - The massive dome of Jetavanarama Dagoba dominates the eastern part of Anuradhapura. Built in the 3rd century by Mahasena, it may have originally reached 120 meters but now stands at about 70 meters, similar to Abhayagiri. When constructed, it was likely the third tallest monument in the world, after the Egyptian pyramids. Its vast, unplastered form is said to contain over 90 million bricks.

• Service of an English speaking chauffeur guide.
• 2 x 500 ml of water bottle per person.
• Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off.

• Entrance tickets to the visiting sites.
• Food and beverages.
• Expenses of personal nature.
• Gratuities.

Visiting the UNESCO-recognized ancient capital of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka from Colombo, Negombo or Kandy within a day is not feasible unless you procure a vehicle for hire. This exclusive tour provides a solution: offering return travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, accompanied by a driver-guide for your exploration. Wander through the ancient temples, ponds, and sacred sites, including the Jetavanarama stupa, and listen to stories about this ancient sacred city that you wouldn’t learn otherwise. For your convenience and comfort, the tour includes lunch and hotel pickup and drop-off services.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.