Private City Day Tour in Anuradhapura: Explore Ancient City with Navin Lanka Tours
5.0
93 Ratings
Anuradhapura

Navin Lanka Tours strives to offer you an unforgettable vacation in Sri Lanka at all times. To achieve this, we have the day tour package that covers every tourist attraction in the ancient city of Anuradhapura.

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Anuradhapura - Anuradhapura is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the first kingdom of Sri Lanka, with King Pandukabhaya as its inaugural ruler in 377 BC. The city boasts over 2,500 years of documented history and is home to significant archaeological sites and ruins. It is a crucial destination for those interested in Sri Lankan history, archaeology, or ancient irrigation systems. Anuradhapura features 11 main tourist attractions: 1. Jayasiri Maha Bodhi Tree 2. Brazen Palace 3. Ruwanweli Maha Stupa 4. Isurumuniya Temple 5. Mirisawati Stupa 6. Thuparamaya Stupa 7. Jethawanaramaya Stupa 8. Twin Ponds 9. Samadhi Buddha Statue 10. Abayagiriya Monastery 11. Moonstone
  • Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi - The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred fig tree located in the Mahamewna Gardens of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is the oldest human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date and a recorded history, and it serves as a living link to Gautama Buddha.
  • 89WX+C4H - The Brazen Palace (Lowamahapaya) is the site of a nine-story monastic structure built in the 2nd century BC by King Dutugmunu. It featured a refectory, assembly hall, and chapter house, with a roof covered in bronze tiles, giving it the name “Brazen Palace.”
  • Ruwanwelisaya - Located in the ancient Sinhala capital of Anuradhapura, the Ruwanweliseya was built by King Dutugamunu (137 BC – 119 BC) and completed by his younger brother, King Saddhatissa. It is one of the tallest ancient monuments in the world.
  • Jethawanaramaya Stupa - Standing at 122 meters (400 ft), the Jethawanaramaya Stupa was the world’s tallest stupa and the third tallest structure globally when it was constructed by King Mahasena of Anuradhapura (273–301).
  • Twin Baths (Kuttam Pokuna) - The Kuttam Pokuna, or twin ponds, are well-preserved ancient bathing tanks in Sri Lanka, built by the Sinhalese in the Anuradhapura Kingdom. They are part of the Abhayagiri Vihāra complex and showcase ancient Sinhalese expertise in hydrological engineering, architecture, and art.
  • Samadhi Statue - The Samadhi Buddha is a renowned statue located in Mahamevnāwa Park, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It depicts the Buddha in the Dhyana Mudra, a meditation posture associated with his first Enlightenment. The statue is 7 feet 3 inches tall and carved from dolomite marble.
  • Abayagiriya Stupa - Abhayagiri Vihāra was a major monastery site for Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana Buddhism in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is one of the world’s most extensive ruins and a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site.
  • Moonstone or Sandakada Pahana - The Sandakada Pahana, or Moonstone, is a unique architectural feature of ancient Sri Lanka. It is an intricately carved semi-circular stone slab typically placed at the base of staircases and entrances.
  • Rathna Prasadaya | මුරගල - Over time, architects in the Anuradhapura kingdom transitioned from wood to stone for constructing guard stones, moonstones, and balustrades due to stone’s durability. This evolution included the addition of carvings.

  • Thuparama Vihara - Situated in the sacred Mahamewna Park, the Thuparamaya Stupa is the oldest Dagoba on the island, dating back to the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa (247-207 BC). It is a protected archaeological site recognized by the Sri Lankan government.
  • Isurumuniya Temple - The Isurumuniya Temple is a Buddhist temple near the Tissa Wewa (Tisa tank) in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is notable for four special carvings: the Isurumuniya Lovers, Elephant Pond, and The Royal Family.
What's Included
  • Private transportation
What's Not Included
  • Entrance tickets
Location
Anuradhapura
In your hotel.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(93 Ratings)
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H4838dvmartinh
May 9, 2024
5/5 - when a guide becomes your friend - If Navin is available, book it! He is an incredible friendly, positive, human person. We started with a 1 day trip through Anuradhapura and decided to add also Wilpattu and Mihintale. All the way through, we could ask anything and had extremely good conversation with Navin. He adjusted the itinerary to whatever we felt like (eg local lunch!). In the end, it did not feel like a guide relationship but rather a friend we met :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kay
May 1, 2024
We highly recommend a tour whit Navin! We had a great time and learned a lot. - We had a great tour whit Navin in Anuradhapura. He told us everything about the culture and the ancient buildings (temples). He is taking time for you and is not in a hurry. He knows a lot and is happy to share his knowledge. We can definitely recommend a tour whit him!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
I1133azlenah
Apr 29, 2024
Great tour with lovely energetic guide - I had a really great day tour in Anuradhapura with Navin. He knows so many things about al the places he shows you. The best thing is that he really likes his job and it shows! So if you are looking for a tour guide for Anuradhapura, you should really choose Navin Lanka tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robert_h
Mar 27, 2024
Perfect way to see and learn about Anuradhapura - Recently had a fantastic 1/2 day tour with Navin in Anuradhapura. As Anuradhapura is quite spread out, having a guide to take me around Anuradhapura was perfect. Navin was knowledgeable, engaging and great for a chat about Anuradhapura, Buddhism, Sri Lanka or anything else. The tour was well paced and despite fitting in 12 sights was not rushed at all. A couple other notes: - As Navin was free, we had lunch post tour at a restaurant frequented by locals which was a cool experience. - For non-native English speakers, check with Navin if he speaks your language. He's fluent in a number of languages (i think he said Spanish and French) and can converse in a couple others (Dutch, Italian?).
Review provided by Viator
Cindyhlbg
Mar 20, 2024
A tour with Navin will be your Highlight during your Sri Lanka Stay - Don't think twice, just book your trip with Navin to experience and learn a lot about Sri Lanka with a lot of fun and laughter. We were lucky to spend two days with Navin. First on a day tour in Anuradhapura and second at the Wilpattu Tour and Mihinthale Visit. Navin is a super fun and knowledgeable person with who we had such a good time here in Sri Lanka. Everything was well organized. He knew everything about the country and the places we visited. Besides his knowledge, he is also an extremely nice person. The tours and days spent with him did feel like spending time with your local best friend. By request he also showed us local food places and was attentive all the time, answering really every question we had. Thank you for the great days here Navin. The city and things we saw were nice, but with Navin everything we saw along the trip were filled with love and liveliness. Thank you for this opportunity, the tours with Navin were definitely our highlight in our 3-week Sri Lanka travel.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Freedom46119109338
Mar 17, 2024
Navin is the best ☀️ - Best guide 🤴🏾 Navin has a lot of knowledge, he is really attentive and caring, also super flexible and fun. We are super happy of the day we spent with him. Don’t hesitate and go with him, he is the best.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Peetje67
Mar 15, 2024
Definitely do it in Anuradhapura! - What a nice tour with Navin along all the sites of Anuradhapura! We started at 6am to see the ceremony at a Buddhist temple, very impressive. Navin is a nice young guy who has a lot to say! After the tour we went to a local restaurant for a delicious lunch! I highly recommend this tour!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dutchie165
Feb 26, 2024
Tour Anuradupura - A very fun, personal day! Picked up from your hotel on time to beat the heat and crowds. Show the highlights of the city and know a lot about Sri Lanka, Buddhism and the places you visit. Very nice day, definitely recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
975joelled
Feb 26, 2024
Great day trip - We really had a great time, he will show you everything and take you to great places to eat. Young guy with great humor. Would recommend it to everyone!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daniquevdb11
Feb 24, 2024
Certainly do!!! - We did a tour with Navin and it was really fun. We went to the morning ceremony, then the old city of Anuradhapura and to Mihintale. He knows a lot about the culture and really helps you understand everything. He is very nice! Highly recommended!
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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