Sigiriya Rock and Wild Elephant Safari from Polonnaruwa
(SKU: LK60120300) During this full-day tour to Sigiriya, you will visit a renowned UNESCO world heritage site! Enter into a kingdom hailed as one of the greatest in Sri Lanka’s history. Start your journey at the Sigiriya rock fortress also known to be the world’s 8th wonder, and spend time exploring archeological history. Later, visit a local village and enjoy the traditional way of living in Sri Lanka and village culture. After enjoying the true essence of Sri Lanka, go on a lovely safari in Minneriya national park or the best alternative park based on animal activity.
Highlights
- Visit the 8th wonder of the world.
- Do a tour of a village in Sri Lanka and get up close to the traditional way of life.
- Meet elephants herds in the wild at Minneriya National Park.
Includes
- Transport throughout the tour in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- Service of an English-speaking chauffeur guide.
- Hotel pickup & drop-off from/to Polonnaruwa.
- Safari Jeep for the Safari at Minneriya National Park.
- 1-Liter of bottled mineral water per person.
- All taxes & service charges.
Excludes
- Entrance tickets. (Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Village Tour, and Minneiruya National Park.
- Food or drinks.
- Gratuities (Optional).
- Expenses of personal nature.
What to Expect
Rising from the central plains, the iconic rocky outcrop of Sigiriya is perhaps Sri Lanka's single most dramatic sight. Near-vertical walls soar to a flat-topped summit that contains the ruins of an ancient civilization, thought to be once the epicenter of the short-lived kingdom of Kassapa, and there are spellbinding vistas across mist-wrapped forests in the early morning. Sigiriya refuses to reveal its secrets easily, and you'll have to climb a series of vertiginous staircases attached to sheer walls to reach the top. On the way, you'll pass a series of quite remarkable frescoes and a pair of colossal lion's paws carved into the bedrock. The surrounding landscape – lily-pad-covered moats, water gardens, and quiet shrines – and the excellent site museum, only add to Sigiriya's rock-star appeal.
Thereafter proceed to a local village in Sigiriya to experience a village tour. Village tour includes bullock cart ride, catamaran safari, and experience in a Chena cultivation. after an amazing time, you will enjoy a traditional village lunch at a local home. Bullock Cart (Double Ox Cart, a traditional way of transport) which will transport you through the next phase of the adventure. The journey continues through the archetypal Sri Lankan Typical village. The journey begins with an awesome cart ride through paddy fields to a bund of a manmade reservoir. The reservoir itself, the surrounding scrub jungle, marshland, and village are a hive of early morning or evening activity. The amazing birdlife, butterflies, and possible sightings of crocodiles only add to the charm of seeing the villagers as they go about their early morning tasks of fishing, or washing clothes at the periphery of the lake. Thereafter you will go on a catamaran safari On arrival at the bund you will meet a catamaran rider, he will take you on a lovely safari through the scenic reservoir and wade through to a Chena cultivation.
After an amazing experience of the traditional village life of Sri Lanka at approximately 1430 hrs proceed to Minneriya National Park to go on a lovely safari.
Minneriya is famous for its seasonal Elephant Gatherings; where hundreds of elephants gather together, socialize, feed, and play. This is the only place in the world that such a phenomenon occurs. You may get to see this if you come during the right season or at least a few elephants during the other times. There are also many other types of fauna to watch out for during your three-hour-long evening safari at the National Park.
Your safari will be completed by 5:30 pm; after which you will begin the drive back. The tour will conclude when you get back to your hotel in Polonnaruwa.
Additional Note
Comfortable walking shoes and hats recommended for this tour. Drive time may change due to unpredictable road traffic. Photography stops on the way can be arranged but within locations with reasonable parking areas.
