Day tour to Polonnaruwa From Kandy by Aaliya Tours
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 15 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Day tour to Polonnaruwa From Kandy by Aaliya Tours worth booking?
Day tour to Polonnaruwa From Kandy by Aaliya Tours is a 10-hour experience in Kandy, Sri Lanka, from $65 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 15 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (15)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $65 per person
Explore the Ancient Wonders of Polonnaruwa with Aaliya Tours! Join Aaliya Tours on a captivating day trip to Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle and an ex
What you get
About this experience
Explore the Ancient Wonders of Polonnaruwa with Aaliya Tours! Join Aaliya Tours on a captivating day trip to Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle and an expert driver, knowledgeable in both local history and safe travel. Visit iconic landmarks such as Gala Vihara, Lankatilaka Temple, Polonnaruwa Ruins, and the Archaeological Museum, where you'll discover the ancient splendor of this once-mighty kingdom. After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, continue exploring Rankot Vihara, Tivanka Image House, and Thuparama Gedige. This affordable, personalized tour offers a rich cultural experience, bringing history to life without compromising comfort or safety. Book now for a day full of adventure and discovery in Sri Lanka’s ancient heartland!
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Driver/guide
- Day tour as per itinerary
- Transport by private vehicle
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
Not included
- Entrance Ticket - 30 USD
- Heritage sites guide(optional) - 25 USD
What you'll see and do
Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
Step back in time as you explore the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with grand palaces, stone temples, and centuries-old statues. Visit the Polonnaruwa Museum to understand the rich history before walking among the Royal Palace, Gal Vihara’s iconic Buddha statues, and the impressive Parakrama Samudra reservoir. A must-visit for culture seekers, history lovers, and photographers alike!
300 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- no, sv, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Travel Sri Lanka
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Dress code when you entered to the all temple, the nee and shoulder should be covered
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 15 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Pace and timing
5 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Organization
4 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Physical effort
3 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
15 verified traveler reviews for Day tour to Polonnaruwa From Kandy by Aaliya Tours. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing day!
It was a fantastic day! Our guide was Irfan, and he was very attentive and careful with us and the children. We visited Dambulla, Sigiriya, and Polonnaruwa. He taught us many new things about the country and the places we visited. It was a long day, but the car was comfortable and the drive was smooth! I highly recommend it!
via Tripadvisor
Unforgettable experience!
What an amazing way to spend a day seeing three world heritage sites from Kandy! My guide Ifran was genuinely amazing — he made the whole tour and journey as comfortable as can be (his driving was top tier!), and was super friendly and kind. From Kandy we visited the biggest Hindu temple in Sri Lanka in Matale, had yummy veggie pastries, Dambulla (an amazing cave with Buddhist statues made from stone and wood), stopped for a quick snack at a fruit hut and had the sweetest mango with chili and salt, hiked up the massive Sirgirya and saw breathtaking views of Kandy’s rolling hills (I learned that Kandy is an evolution of the Tamil word for ‘mountain’), then had the most delicious curry and rice I’ve ever had in my life (the tilapia and eggplant with extra spice was amazing) and walked amongst Hindu ruins at Polonnaruwa (where I saw loads of monkeys playing around and jumping in one of the old ruin’s pools). Ifran was so knowledgable about each site and shared with us the amazing history of his country. The tour itself was about 15 hours long but totally worth it. Be sure to bring a water bottle, hat and/or sunscreen though — that Sigirya hike was no joke!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing such a detailed and wonderful review! We are delighted that you enjoyed this unforgettable journey through Matale, Dambulla, Sigiriya, and Polonnaruwa. It is wonderful to hear that the temple visits, local snacks, fresh mango, Sri Lankan curry, historical sites, wildlife, and breathtaking views made the long day completely worthwhile. Your kind words about Irfan’s friendliness, knowledge, and passion for Sri Lankan history mean a great deal to us, and we will proudly share your appreciation with him. Thank you for choosing Aaliya Tours and for sharing helpful advice with future travellers. We hope to welcome you back for another memorable Sri Lankan adventure. Best regards, **Halideen**
via Tripadvisor
Nice long day trip to three world heritage sites
The driver and guide shamin was very good organizer and the trip went very smoothly. It was a long and busy trip and thank you for this long day
via Tripadvisor
Couples tour
Mr Fazeel took great care of us. The tour was great, he was able to spot elephants, peacocks and monkeys on our way to the visiting sites. Highly recommend the tour!
via Tripadvisor
Nice with some space for improvement
The service level is beyond imagination, additional to the mentioned itinerary, the guide, Irfan, stoped at some pass by points along the road, like the spice garden and a local fruit shop, he even kindly offer some snacks and water for us. Of course he has the professional and abundant knowledge. However, the pace of the itinerary should be sped up, like we start at 7:00 am, finished the last point at 18:30, and back to the hotel at almost 22:00. Actually some spots we can speed up if needed. Hope the schedule can be better arranged, like tell us in advance how long it takes, to help the visitors get better control of the time schedule. 服务水平极佳，会给我们沿途停留很多行程外的点、请我们吃小零食，且具备专业丰富的知识。 但是，行程有些拖后，很多沿途参观的香料店等可以更少时间。 希望之后提前告知游客时间节奏，能够更好管理行程
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $65 to $120
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Day tour to Polonnaruwa From Kandy by Aaliya Tours: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kandy.
How much does Day tour to Polonnaruwa From Kandy by Aaliya Tours cost?
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Prices start at $65 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kandy usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Day tour to Polonnaruwa From Kandy by Aaliya Tours take?
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Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kandy is not rushed.
Is Day tour to Polonnaruwa From Kandy by Aaliya Tours worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 15 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Kandy, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Day tour to Polonnaruwa From Kandy by Aaliya Tours?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Day tour to Polonnaruwa From Kandy by Aaliya Tours suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Day tour to Polonnaruwa From Kandy by Aaliya Tours?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kandy can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kandy and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Day tour to Polonnaruwa From Kandy by Aaliya Tours start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kandy within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Kandy?
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On Outty we rank every Kandy experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Explore Kandy City Tour by Tuk Tuk, Tours and Transportation in Sri Lanka, Chauffeur guide and Tour organizer. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Kandy?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Kandy?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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