Expert-led Private Guided Tour in Anuradhapura
Duration
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Confirmation by email
The operator confirms your booking; your voucher arrives by email
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Meeting Point / Location
- Your Guide will be there to welcome you at the meeting point with a paging board.
Overview
Uncover the grandeur of ancient Sri Lanka on this immersive private guided tour of Anuradhapura, exploring sacred Buddhist sites, towering stupas, and remarkable engineering marvels from one of Asia's oldest civilizations.
Discover the rich heritage of ancient Sri Lanka on this captivating private tour of Anuradhapura. Begin at the Vessagiriya Forest Monastery, one of the two oldest Buddhist monk dwellings on the island, where you'll immerse yourself in the remarkable Sinhalese civilization that flourished here through Buddhism, fine arts, and extraordinary engineering. Visit the revered Shri Maha Bodhi Tree — believed to be the world's oldest human-planted tree with written records, now nearly 2,300 years old. Marvel at the towering Ruwanveliseya Stupa, the ancient Brazen Palace ruins, the Mahapali Alms Hall, and the impressive Eth-Pokuna (Elephant Pond), a man-made reservoir said to be three times larger than an Olympic swimming pool. Your personal expert guide brings each landmark to life, sharing insights into the cultural and historical significance of these UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Flexible pick-up arrangements are available from bus stations, railway stations, or your hotel.
Highlights
- Welcome to Rajarata ! (The King's County or The Land of Kings) We will
- Hidden on the side of a boulder face at the Ran Masu Uyana (The Royal Goldfish
- The Sri Maha Bodhi Tree or The Sacred Bodhi Tree ( A Fig or Pipal Tree
- To the north or the Sacred Bodhi Tree, we can witness a huge collection of
- Ruwanveliseya stupa also known as the Ratnamali or as the Mahathupa ( Th Great
- At the premises of Mahapali Alms Hall, we will witness a collection of ruins
What's Included
Itinerary
Vessagiriya Forest Monastery
- Begin at the ancient Vessagiriya Forest Monastery, one of the two oldest Buddhist monk dwellings in Sri Lanka. Immerse yourself in the story of the ancient Sinhalese civilization — its Buddhism, agriculture, fine arts, architecture, and remarkable engineering achievements — and discover how Anuradhapura looked in its golden era.
Sakwala Chakraya (Star Chart Carving)
- Visit the Ran Masu Uyana (Royal Goldfish Park), nestled between Tissa Wewa and the Isurumuniya Rock Temple. Hidden along a boulder face is the unique ancient artifact known locally as the "Bawa Chakraya" or "Sakwala Chakraya," a fascinating relic of ancient Sri Lanka.
Shri Maha Bodhi Tree
- Marvel at the Sacred Bodhi Tree, the first of eight sacred places in Anuradhapura and widely regarded as the world's oldest human-planted tree with written records — nearly 2,300 years old. This living connection to the Gautama Buddha was brought from India by the Buddhist nun Theri Sanghamitta at the request of King Devanampiyatissa in the 3rd century BCE.
Brazen Palace Ruins
- See the impressive collection of standing granite pillars that once formed the ancient Brazen Palace, a nine-storey, 1,000-chamber administrative center of the Maha Vihara Monastery Complex. Constructed by King Gamini Abhaya in the 2nd century BCE, its name derives from the copper tiles that once covered its roof.
Ruwanveliseya Stupa
- Stand before the awe-inspiring Ruwanveliseya Stupa (also known as the Mahathupa or Great Stupa), constructed by King Gamini Abhaya in the 2nd century BCE. Destroyed during a Chola invasion and later restored in the 12th century, the stupa was brought to its current form by the Ratnamali Stupa Development Society in 1940.
Mahapali Alms Hall & Tooth Relic Chamber
- Explore the ruins of the Mahapali Refectory, where meals were supplied to Buddhist monks from the royal kitchen. Also visit the site of the ancient Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which housed this revered Buddhist symbol close to the Royal Palace after it was brought to Sri Lanka.
Twin Ponds (Kuttam Pokuna)
- Admire the exquisite Twin Ponds, a pair of picturesque pools built on low ground that represent some of the finest examples of ancient landscape architecture and hydraulic engineering.
Steam Bath House
- Discover the ancient steam bath facility, which was more than a luxury — it was an element of well-developed Sinhalese medical treatment used from the 4th century onwards to cure skin ailments among monks at the Abhayagiriya University.
Abhayagiriya Refectory Trough
- See the large granite trough shaped like a canoe at the Abhayagiriya Monastery refectory. As recorded by Chinese monk Fa-hsien in the 5th century, this single trough could hold enough rice to feed the 5,000 monks who studied at the monastery.
Samadhi Buddha Statue
- View one of the finest works of art in Sri Lanka, dating to around the 8th century. This masterpiece showcases the extraordinary aesthetic sense and skill of ancient craftsmen.
Eth-Pokuna (Elephant Pond)
- Visit the Eth-Pokuna, possibly the largest man-made pond in Asia, built in the 3rd century and said to be three times the size of an Olympic swimming pool. Its underground conduits still function today, supplying water from nearby reservoirs — a testament to the superb hydraulic engineering of ancient Sri Lanka.
Moonstone at Ancient Shrine
- Admire the stunning moonstone doorstep at the foot of a flight of steps to an ancient Buddhist shrine. Though it serves a functional purpose, the sculptor transformed this threshold into a breathtaking work of art.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
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