Anuradhapura Buddhist Icons Tour from Sigiriya
(SKU: LK60211800) This memorable tour takes you to see some of the historic highlights of Sri Lanka. Explore cultural sites in Anuradhapura, including Sri Maha Bodhi and Thuparamaya. Visit the famous perfectly sculpted Aukana Buddha Statue. Get to know more about historical Sri Lanka with this tour.
Highlights
- Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura.
- Jethawanaramaya Dagaba.
- Abhayagiri Dagaba.
- Ruwanwelisaya.
- Mirisawetiya Stupa.
- Avukana Buddha Statue.
Includes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- Service of an English-speaking chauffeur guide.
- 1-Liter Water Bottle Per Person.
Excludes
- Meals where not specified.
- Entrance Fees.
- Gratuities.
- Expenses of personal nature.
What to Expect
You will be picked up from your hotel in Sigiriya at 8:00 am. You can bring a packed breakfast to eat along the way; as it will take up till 9:30 am to reach your first destination, Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura was first settled by Anuradha, a follower of Prince Vijaya the founder of the Sinhala race. Later, it was made the Capital by King Pandukabhaya at about 380 B.C. According to the Mahavamsa, the epic of Sinhala History, King Pandukabhaya’s city was a model of planning. Precincts were set aside for huntsmen, for scavengers and for heretics as well as for foreigners. There were hostels and hospitals, at least one Jain chapel, and cemeteries for high and low castes. A water supply was assured by the construction of tanks, artificial reservoirs, of which the one named after the king itself exists to this day under the altered name of Baswakkulam. Visit important landmarks such as Jetavanarama, which was one of the tallest buildings of the ancient world, the Sri Maha Bodhi and the ruins of the huge Abhayagiri Monastery.
You will finish your tour of the statue by 12:05 pm and will be retiring for lunch at one of the nearby restaurants. After an enjoyable meal you will restart your tour at approximately 1:00 pm.
You will get to your final destination, the Aukana Buddha Statue, by 2:40 pm. This statue gets its fame from the perfection used during sculpting it from the rock. The Aukana Buddha statue is the largest standing Buddha statue in Sri Lanka at 46m of height; and is believed to be from the 6th century AD, while there are some who say it may also be from the 13th century AD. While you’re there, you will be able to visit the Aukana Greta Royal Temple and view the ancient rock inscriptions on its premises. At 3:30 pm you will be completing your tour of the Aukana Buddha Statue and will be returning to your hotel.
The entire tour will end once you get dropped off back in Sigiriya by 5:00 pm.
Additional Note
Drive time may change due to unpredictable road traffic. Photography stops on the way can be arranged but within locations with reasonable parking areas.
