Day tour Sigiriya to Anuradhapura: Ancient Buddhist temples

Walk through the ruins of Sri Lanka's ancient capital, where thousand-year-old temples still stand.

A guided day tour from Sigiriya to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's ancient capital, visiting major Buddhist monasteries and stupas built over two thousand years ago. The tour runs eight to ten hours with an English-speaking guide and includes two water bottles. Minimum age is 18. The pace suits all fitness levels, though the site involves climbing stairs and walking uneven terrain across open ruins.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Anuradhapura's ancient sites

• Visit Thuparamaya temple
• See Ruwanwelisaya stupa
• Explore Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree
• Visit Jetavanaramaya stupa
• Tour Isurumuniya Vihara
• View Kuttam Pokuna twin ponds
• See Sandakada pahana moon-stone
• Explore Abhayagiri Vihāra ruins
• Visit Mihintale plateau

The experience

Anuradhapura was the third capital of the kingdom of Rajarata and remains one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage cities in Sri Lanka. The tour moves through a series of major sites: Thuparamaya, the first Buddhist temple built on the island during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa (247–207 BC); the Ruwanwelisaya stupa, constructed around 140 BC and holding two quarts of Gautama Buddha's relics; and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig tree planted in 288 BC that is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date. You walk through compounds that once housed thousands of monks and explore carved stone features like the Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds), considered outstanding achievements in ancient hydrological engineering.

The Jetavanaramaya stupa dominates the landscape at 71 meters tall, built with approximately 93.3 million baked bricks by King Mahasena in the 3rd century. Originally 122 meters high, it was the world's tallest stupa when completed and the third tallest structure in the ancient world. The Abhayagiri Vihara complex, one of seventeen major religious units in Anuradhapura, sprawls across extensive ruins with an ancient dagaba at its center, surrounded by carved balustrades and moonstones. You also visit Mihintale, eight miles east of the city on a mountainous peak where Buddhist tradition holds that Arahat Mahinda, son of Emperor Ashoka, first brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC. Large stone steps lead up the hill to viharas and caves constructed for resident monks.

The guide speaks English throughout the day and provides context for the archaeological and religious significance of each site. Water bottles keep you hydrated as you move between locations. Public transportation options are available nearby if you prefer independent travel to any stop, though the organized route and guide access shape the full experience.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide throughout the day.
• two water bottles per traveler.
• access to Thuparamaya, Ruwanwelisaya, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Jetavanaramaya, Abhayagiri Vihara, Kuttam Pokuna, Isurumuniya, and Mihintale.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 3

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Ishan Tours and Holidays

Is this one for you?The tour is shared and guide-led, so you move as a group through eight to ten hours of walking and climbing across open ruins. Choose this if you want the historical context and the route planned for you. If you prefer to explore at your own pace or spend longer at individual sites, self-guided entry to Anuradhapura's ruins may suit you better.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and why is it sacred?

The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred fig tree planted in 288 BC in Anuradhapura's Mahamewna Gardens, said to be a southern branch from the historical Sri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India where Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment. It is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date and remains one of the most revered Buddhist relics in Sri Lanka.

How tall is the Jetavanaramaya stupa and what makes it historically significant?

The Jetavanaramaya stupa currently stands 71 meters tall and was built by King Mahasena in the 3rd century with approximately 93.3 million baked bricks. When originally constructed at 122 meters, it was the world's tallest stupa and the third tallest structure in the ancient world, second only to the Pharos lighthouse of Alexandria among non-pyramidal buildings.

What is Mihintale and how does it connect to Buddhism in Sri Lanka?

Mihintale is a mountainous peak eight miles east of Anuradhapura where Arahat Mahinda, son of Emperor Ashoka of India, is believed to have arrived in the 3rd century BC to introduce Buddhism to Sri Lanka. King Devanampiyatissa constructed a vihara and 68 caves there for Buddhist monks, and the site became a major pilgrimage destination, especially during the month of Poson.

How long does the tour take and what is included?

The tour runs eight to ten hours with an English-speaking guide leading you through the major sites. Two water bottles are provided for each traveler to stay hydrated while walking between the temples and ruins.

Is climbing required at any of the sites?

Yes, several sites involve climbing stairs and walking across uneven terrain. Mihintale in particular features large stone steps constructed in ancient times to reach the hilltop viharas and caves. The tour suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.