Sigiriya to Anuradhapura Day Tour: Discover Ancient Capital of Sri Lanka

Embark on a day tour from Sigiriya to Anuradhapura and explore the ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Discover the well-preserved ruins of a Sinhala civilization and immerse yourself in the rich history of this fascinating city.

Duration: 10 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Thuparama vihara - Thuparamaya is the first Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. Located in the sacred area of Mahamewna park, the Thuparamaya Stupa is the earliest Dagoba to be constructed in the island, dating back to the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa (247-207 BC).[1] The temple has been formally recognised by the Government as an archaeological site in Sri Lanka.[2]
What's Included
  • Complimentary bottled water
What's Not Included
  • Other
Additional Information

Anuradhapura (Sinhala:

au2022nu2022ra2022dha2022pu2022ra2022ya, romanized: Anurādhapuraya; Tamil: 

A2022nu2022ra2022ta2022pu2022ram, romanized: A u1E3Burātapuram) is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of North Central Province, Sri Lanka and the capital of Anuradhapura District. Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka,…

Location
Sigiriya
We will meet and pick up travellers from any place as per their request
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.7
(41 Ratings)
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Emoluxtravels
Sep 3, 2025
Visiting Sigiriya Fortress was an unforgettable experience. The giant rock rising above the lush forest is breathtaking - Sigiriya Fortress is truly one of the most remarkable heritage sites I’ve ever visited. Rising dramatically from the central plains, the rock itself is awe-inspiring, and the climb up is both challenging and rewarding. Along the way, the ancient frescoes, mirror wall, and lion’s paw gateway give a fascinating glimpse into Sri Lanka’s history and artistry. The summit offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding jungle and countryside absolutely worth the effort. The gardens and water features at the base are beautifully designed and show the advanced engineering of the time. It’s best to visit early in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds. Bring water, comfortable shoes, and a camera because every step is picture-worthy. A must-visit UNESCO World Heritage Site that combines history, culture, and natural beauty in one unforgettable experience. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Ians4724
Aug 6, 2025
Well worth the effort - Fantastic climb and not as difficult as I thought. Excellent guide Bandara. Great knowledge, very good English and great sense of humour. He made it achievable as well as enjoyable. We started about 6:30am which was a good time. I imagine it could be too hot later, depending obviously on the season. Highly recommend both the activity and Bandara.
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Philippe92000
Aug 5, 2025
Spectacular - Incredible site. Gardens and pools very beautiful. Ascent quite difficult but in the shade in the morning ( 45 min) and important to take breaks. Spectacular top view and very interesting ruins. No need for a guide. Do not miss the frescoes on the descent. It takes at least 2h30 to make the whole site without rushing
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Damian
Aug 1, 2025
Löwenfelsen - In 473 AD, King Dhatusena (r. 455–473) of Anuradhapura was assassinated by his son Kassapa, who was the son of one of his concubines, thus securing the throne for himself. Kassapa I (r. 473–491) had the fortress built out of fear of his half-brother Moggallana, who was the rightful heir to the throne. In 491, Moggallana returned with an army from exile in South India and defeated Kassapa, after which he became king himself (r. 491–508) and made Anuradhapura the capital again. In the year 473 n. King Dhatusena (r. 455–473) of Anuradhapura was killed by his son Kassapa, who came from one of his concubines and thus secured the succession. Kassapa I (reg. 473–491) had the fortress built for fear of his half-brother Moggallana, who was the rightful heir to the throne. In 491, Moggallana returned from exile in southern India with an army and defeated Kassapa, whereupon he himself became king (r. 491–508) and made Anuradhapura the capital again.
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Hkhitige
Aug 1, 2025
Amazing place must visit - Really nice place to visit amazing built by king kashyapa got to know lots of things about the history of SriLanka we met a good guide
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Opulencetour
Jul 17, 2025
Sigiriya – The Majestic Lion Rock - Sigiriya – The Majestic Lion Rock Visiting Sigiriya, also known as the Lion Rock Fortress, is an unforgettable experience. This UNESCO World Heritage Site stands as a true masterpiece of ancient Sri Lankan architecture and engineering. The climb to the top is both exciting and rewarding, offering stunning panoramic views of lush greenery and surrounding villages. The frescoes of the “Sigiriya Maidens” and the Mirror Wall showcase the incredible artistry and history behind this site. At the summit, you’ll find the remains of the ancient royal palace with breathtaking 360° views that make every step of the climb worth it. Make sure to go early morning to avoid the heat and crowds. Wear comfortable shoes and carry water. For history lovers and adventure seekers, Sigiriya is a must-visit destination that beautifully combines nature, culture, and history. ✅ Highlights: Ancient fortress, beautiful gardens, rock paintings, spectacular views. 💡 Tip: Best time to visit – early morning or late afternoon. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sportscene
Jun 23, 2025
Great Workout for the Keen Ones - I have just experienced the hard work and delights the Rock Fortress has to offer. Part of our package included a visit here, we had a very early start to avoid the heat, attacked the stairs and experienced the sunrise on top of the rock. Breathtaking views in all directions made the a most memorable adventure.. it does require a good level of fitness but very worthwhile.. Plenty of helpers are available if you need a hand. Thanks for a wonderful experience!
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Nomad64244453408
Aug 24, 2025
Fantastic and breathtaking 😍 - Take comfortable shoes and plenty of water and be in your best physical shape as the hike is big... spectacular views from the top!
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Lorellag745
Aug 13, 2025
Sigiriya and dizziness- you can! - I wanted to write this post because I would like to give my personal point of view to those (like me) who are undecided whether to climb the lion's mountain or not because of the iron stairs and dizziness. So, given that everyone then finds their resources at the right time, I can tell you that I have done it! I climbed to the top and I had only a moment of "tension", but I overcame it by focusing on the rock and the legs of there was in front of me. I leave you with two different ideas: 1) if you climb the mountain at seven in the morning, when there is no queue, climb quickly (it does not take who knows what physical prowess) you have less time to think and you manage the time of the climb. 2) if you go up in the morning c and a lot of queue, so the positive side 3 that you see a lot of people of all ages and shapes climbing and this cheers you up, the negative side is that you climb the stairs slowly and this can make the route more complicated. In any case there is it can be done! I did it and I'm not a meditation wizard! You can do it too! Believe us, don't think about it and GET ON!!! The view will pay for everything!
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T9379atshans
Jul 24, 2025
- Sigiriya is undeniably stunning, especially the view from the top-absolutely breathtaking. However the entrance fee for foreigners is steepUS$35, especially considering it’s nearly 100 times the local ticket price. For that amount you’d expect at least basic amenities but unfortunately there are no proper toilet facilities for international visitors.
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From $110
up to 3 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).